Buying Advice First tractor- Could really use input

[4570Man]

If the B had a loader and a backhoe I think it would easily do what the OP needs it to. Agree, weight is a plus for a lot of tractor things though mowing not one of them.

For the OPs uses it would, but you said name one thing she could do with an L that a B wouldn't do. I needed to move a 5' tiller and the loader tractor was at another location. I hooked it to the B and it lifted and drove around with it. I'm tempted to try to till with it. With only 17 horses under the hood it'll probably struggle, but I bet it would do it.

 

[2ndhalf]

For the OPs uses it would, but you said name one thing she could do with an L that a B wouldn't do. I needed to move a 5' tiller and the loader tractor was at another location. I hooked it to the B and it lifted and drove around with it. I'm tempted to try to till with it. With only 17 horses under the hood it'll probably struggle, but I bet it would do it.

I bet it would too.. might just have to go slow and a little shallow each pass.

 

[Creamer]

I have 18 acres 12 of which are under water. My 1710 is about like the L2501 and it is perfect for a lot of things. I certainly would not go smaller unless you really wanted a lot of maneuverability like getting into stalls in a horse barn. If anything I would go a little larger but I am certainly not complaining.

Somebody said a wheeled tractor is not good around ponds but mine has never heard that. It is around it and in it (intentionally) many times a year.

BTW - a sickle bar mower is really nice for trimming around a pond. Here is a video of mine at work. Pond Edge Trimming - YouTube

 

[2ndhalf]

I have 18 acres 12 of which are under water. My 1710 is about like the L2501 and it is perfect for a lot of things. I certainly would not go smaller unless you really wanted a lot of maneuverability like getting into stalls in a horse barn. If anything I would go a little larger but I am certainly not complaining.

Somebody said a wheeled tractor is not good around ponds but mine has never heard that. It is around it and in it (intentionally) many times a year.

BTW - a sickle bar mower is really nice for trimming around a pond. Here is a video of mine at work. Pond Edge Trimming - YouTube

Not going to lie.. I have "Pond Envy"

 

[Argonne]

Somebody said a wheeled tractor is not good around ponds but mine has never heard that. It is around it and in it (intentionally) many times a year.

Just last week I suffered the embarrassment of having my wife help me pull our 6x4 Gator out of the pond with the Ford tractor. East Texas ponds seem to be governed by different physics than the rest of the world. I was driving along the edge of the pond, and at least 2 feet away, and suddenly the left tires were in it. It was inextricably stuck, and even it's winch wouldn't pull it out.

It's the soil. Much of East Texas is expansive clay. The shoreline of a pond can be utter gumbo and look just fine. You learn to stay away...I'm obviously still learning.

 

[momof2crazygirls]

I took some pictures while I was out there today and went through some older ones from spring last year. I realized most of the pictures are of the pond or with kids in them- LOL! Not much of the rest of the land I have to manage. Looking at spec sheets the only real difference I see between the B2601 and L2501 is size- they have the same horsepower and just about everything with the B being about 1,000lbs lighter. I have included a photo of the spec sheets as well as a lot of it is still foreign language to me but I learning. These photos show some of the fence I've had torn out and tallow trees and small pines removed. Opened it up so much- a tractor would make it all a billion times easier. Which one though- that is the final question? I have to make a decision Monday.

Dropbox - Farm

 

[momof2crazygirls]

I have to decide by Monday because my husband is over it and has threatened to learn how to use the back hoe and bury me with it if I don't make up my mind soon!

 

[2ndhalf]

Wow, that is a beautiful property! I don't think you will feel that you bought the wrong tractor either way you go.. so don't sweat and go buy it today!

 

[Turbys_1700]

Just my opinion. The L is a great size for most small land owners. Heavy and nimble enough with great capacity but not too cumbersome or too heavy. I just traded in a New Holland 1720 for a utility sized machine. The 1720 is the same sized tractor as the L. You can do a lot of work with that size tractor. If I was doing mostly all mowing then the B would be sufficient. In a perfect world I would have both of them in my shop.

 

[TripleR]

Many of us encounter "analysis paralysis" on our first or even subsequent machines. Even with months of research and years experience, in my case 60+, we can have a problem picking the right tractor. I once went to buy a B3200 and came home with a 50HP cab and was happy that I had bought just the right one. Another time I went to buy a B2920 and came home with a BX2660.

The question was asked "what will an L do that a B won't?" Well what will a B do that a BX won't and what will a BX do you can't do with a lawn mower, shovel and wheel barrow. As I said in my first post, either a B or L will work, all we can do is state our preference given your budget and parameters. It's only an opinion because I wouldn't buy either. You are simply going to have to figure needs and strong points and lean towards the necessary, most often uses and compromise on the other as no one, in my opinion, makes one machine that's great for all your chores.

Your husband has approved a budget for an L2501 with a back hoe, you can get the L2501 without a back hoe and buy a nice lawn mower for the same cost. On some tractors, adding an MMM will cost close to a lawn mower.

Good luck.