Downsizing to a 25hp B series?

[CobyRupert]

The issue is that I have no concrete base for the floor jack. The tractor doesn’t budge; it just presses the jack down into the dirt

Put a plank under it.

 

[Roadworthy]

put a board or even plywood under the jack. The wider area keeps the jack from sinking. I use that trick for jacking my tractor in the dirt. I have no concrete pad either.

 

[Boondox]

Hmmm, maybe a hardwood board. Have tried spruce and pine boards in the past but they just cracked under the weight of that monster...

 

[check]

If you were going to keep the other tractor with the FEL, then definitely get the front blower for the 2650. Are use a rear blower on my BX 25, because I need the FEL to move windrows and various other piles of snow. I have maybe only about a total of 300 feet of driveway to blow, and I can manage it looking backwards. But I if I had access to another FEL tractor, I would definitely be using the front blower. Blowing a 600 foot driveway like you have, would put a serious crick in your neck! On the other hand, many guys here on TBN had good luck with rear cameras.

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

Sounds to me like the 2650 is the way to go. Does your driveway layout leave you room to be able to throw snow out of the way in your tight spots? I don't think a blower sized for that tractor will throw snow very high, or very far. I like the idea of the angled blade. Maybe you could use the front angled blade to pull the snow out of the sides into the middle, and then throw it off with the blower.

I agree completely on the cab. Wouldn't even consider an open station for winter snow removal. Does the cabbed 2650 come with A/C (for summer) as well as heat? I love mowing my pasture in summer with the A/C going in the cab.

What other implements would you use/need if you went down to the smaller subcompact B?

 

[skipperbrown]

Hmmm, maybe a hardwood board. Have tried spruce and pine boards in the past but they just cracked under the weight of that monster...

I have a very heavy RV with a rear axle weighing over 24,000 pounds. When we use the leveling jacks with 2x10 planks to distribute the load on dirt, gravel or pavement, it will split the boards every time. The trick is to sandwich the board between 2 pieces of plywood. The boards still break, but the plywood is flexible and holds the board in one piece. The only downside is each sandwiched board weighs about 10 to 15 pounds and I have to carry at least 6.

 

[Boondox]

If you were going to keep the other tractor with the FEL, then definitely get the front blower for the 2650. , I would definitely be using the front blower. Blowing a 600 foot driveway like you have, would put a serious crick in your neck! On the other hand, many guys here on TBN had good luck with rear cameras.

I’m a big fan of inverted rear blowers (pull type)

 

[CalG]

The issue is that I have no concrete base for the floor jack. The tractor doesn稚 budge; it just presses the jack down into the dirt

Wait until the ground freezes or get a 2X2 foot piece of 3/4 inch CDX plywood to place the jack on.

 

[SDT]

Yes, I could use the implements I currently have with the L4060, but snow removal would be the same laborious chore it currently is. It goes fast the first 3-4 storms, then I spend hours with the FEL transporting snow to make room for the next storm. And sometimes a warm spell turns it all to ice rendering it impossible to move, so every subsequent storm leaves snow that has to be scooped up with the FEL and carried away. In a perfect world the Deere would be completely reliable and I'd simply add a snowblower to my stable of implements, but I've yet to experience a year where the 4044R has not required a week long trip to the dealer.

With winter temps in the minus 30 range, a cab is an absolute essential. I'm having trouble mounting the chains already. Because of the height of the cab I don't have a concrete slab where I could jack up a corner of the tractor to facilitate mounting, and the minimal clearance between the wheel and fender makes it difficult to wrestle them on. The dealer mounts them by hoisting the tractor a few inches off the deck, then having three muscular men rotate the wheel with the lugs pulling the 220# chains up and over. I don't have that option. The L4060 has much more fender clearance, but the B2560 chains are much lighter and easier to handle.

My wife will use the big Deere reluctantly, but has spatial relations issues and tends to run into things: side of the barn, trees, back of the carport. She is much more comfortable with a smaller tractor and would use it regularly.

If the 19.5 PTO HP of the 2650 is adequate, it is a well regarded machine, and I certainly would not steer you away.

That said, snow blowers suck HP, so I offer an alternative: Kubota will be announcing the replacement for the B3350 at the imminent October dealer's meeting. The replacement will have a, most likely trouble free, common rail injected engine producing 27+ PTO HP in the same size package as the 2650. More than likely, there will be a few more bells and whistles included, e.g., single lever FEL hydraulic manifold, etc.

If you are not in a great hurry, you might want to wait a few weeks to see what is soon to be available.

SDT

 

[RalphVa]

I'm with you and your wife. I like smaller tractors unless a bigger one is really needed. I've gone through a great JD 4010, a lemony JD 1025R and now have a JD 2025R that is in the shop getting those troublesome and almost impossible to get to driveshaft Ujoints grease at 200 hours (they recommend 50, but that is absolutely utterly ridiculous) and PTO button replaced (requires removal of the instrument panel cover). Am considering a Kubota B when the 2025R gets another 200 hours to avoid having one of the Ujoint blow apart like on the 4010.

Ralph