I have a 1100 hr B2150 that other than a slight oil leak from the steering seal runs flawlessly. I do also need a new gearbox on the mowing deck. But other than that she starts every time and does what I ask without fail. I have been eyeing a B2601 with QA and third function and a rear hydraulics and a grapple. With zero % financing and clearance granted from SWMBO who literally told me to just “buy the damn tractor” I can afford it but I just cannot quite pull the trigger. The narrower tractor would work for me. I only have 5 acres but a ski and mountain bike trail network that I maintain. I could add a QA AND 3rd function to the B2150. Any thoughts?
Buying Advice Have I lost my mind buying a new tractor? (B2150 vs B2601)
- Thread starter Surgeon
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LS Tractor Owner
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Go for it if it suits your needs!
2manyrocks
Super Member
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There's the time required to fabricate the QA. If I were doing it, would take three times longer than it should. Hopefully, you are faster and better at doing this than I would be.
If you buy new, you're getting a new warranty and a new machine.
New prices are a lot, but used machines are also a lot if you decided to trade or sell what you already have.
If you buy new, you're getting a new warranty and a new machine.
New prices are a lot, but used machines are also a lot if you decided to trade or sell what you already have.
Fuddy1952
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My 2 cents are think of it this way:
How old are you? I'm 70, and installed a new (barely used 1 hour) horse stable cupola fan.
My luck...the motor quit, fan was a gift from a neighbor. I was going to replace motor, etc.
The heck with it! I ordered a brand new fan for $400. Point is if I get 15 years use out of it...I'm happy.
So tractor, if you're older and enjoy using it, it makes things easier...buy it!
How old are you? I'm 70, and installed a new (barely used 1 hour) horse stable cupola fan.
My luck...the motor quit, fan was a gift from a neighbor. I was going to replace motor, etc.
The heck with it! I ordered a brand new fan for $400. Point is if I get 15 years use out of it...I'm happy.
So tractor, if you're older and enjoy using it, it makes things easier...buy it!
RalphVa
Super Member
- Joined
- Dec 19, 2003
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- 7,885
- Location
- Charlottesville, VA, USA
- Tractor
- JD 2025R, previously Gravely 5650 & JD 4010 & JD 1025R
Love the new (since late January) B2601. Ordered it with the 3rd function for the FEL but not likely I'll use it. Would have liked to have 2 hydraulic (for TNT) on the rear, but the lead time was outrageous on the cylinders, only about a month for the actual hydraulic add-ons. Used the BB once (also bought in January) by hand adjusting the tilt.
Nice surprise about the B2601 is the very low fuel consumption. It's running 0.36 gph vs. about 0.62 if same as same hp JD Yanmar. Another poster on orangetractortalks has a B2650 that is using 0.44 gph. So, the lower fuel consumption is very real for these thrifty tractors. The exhaust is not blackening the back of the FEL like it did on the JDs.
About the only things I don't like are (still) the reverse HST treadle and jerky FEL action (because hydraulic flow is too much).
I put together this. Ways B2601 is better than JD 2 series and 1 series)
o Starts cold a lot better: no shudder/shake nor smoke..
o Float on FEL is very easily engaged, almost too easy.
o 2wd/4wd is so easy.
o Hydraulics are MUCH stronger. Flow is near 3 times but makes for a more jerky FEL use.
o Idles nicely at 1,100. The 1025R was abnoxious at 1,650; 2025R was 1,300.
o Drink holder is bigger than the joke one on the 2025R. Not sure it'll hold my little thermos. Put the Frontier doc holder top on the left side of the FEL tower as my drink holder.
o Parking brake is easier to disengage but seems a tad harder to engage.
o Guards to the valve stems.
o Metal covering over the driveshaft (JDs only have plastic)
o 3ph raises a tad higher
o The fuel cap actually screws on and off easier.
o The radiator overflow container is right in front and easy to get to. Needed a screwdriver to take the top off the one on the 2025R and a funnel with long snout to refill it. Then top was hard to put back on. Actually, the B’s is not much easier to get off, and a long snout funnel is needed on it.
o More room to get the end snorkel off the air cleaner.
o The brake pedal lock snaps off by tapping the pedals. Hard to get off at times on the JDs.
o Top link is really easy to turn, e.g. that grease point maybe. Actually smaller, too. The tilt one is also smaller and easy to turn if load is taken off it..
o Three position steering wheel.
o Of course, 3 range HST control. Only 2 on the JDs.
o Fuel use is 0.014 gph/engine hp vs. 0.025 gph/engine hp on 3 Yanmar JDs. Exhaust is not blackening the back side of the FEL.
o Slightly lower hood for easier refill. Have a battery pump that makes this easy by sitting container on foot area of the tractor.
o The stuff under the seat is easier to clean out. There’s a clear path to put silicone spray on all moving parts. All the JDs seemed to have a pan/sheet metal there that made cleanout almost impossible.
o Quiet HST vs. 3 JDs that whined like mad.
o No stinking driveshaft Ujoints to grease. (I plan to crawl underneath at the 50 hour service to see what it has for driveshaft flex. No zerks there according to the operators manual.)
Ralph
Nice surprise about the B2601 is the very low fuel consumption. It's running 0.36 gph vs. about 0.62 if same as same hp JD Yanmar. Another poster on orangetractortalks has a B2650 that is using 0.44 gph. So, the lower fuel consumption is very real for these thrifty tractors. The exhaust is not blackening the back of the FEL like it did on the JDs.
About the only things I don't like are (still) the reverse HST treadle and jerky FEL action (because hydraulic flow is too much).
I put together this. Ways B2601 is better than JD 2 series and 1 series)
o Starts cold a lot better: no shudder/shake nor smoke..
o Float on FEL is very easily engaged, almost too easy.
o 2wd/4wd is so easy.
o Hydraulics are MUCH stronger. Flow is near 3 times but makes for a more jerky FEL use.
o Idles nicely at 1,100. The 1025R was abnoxious at 1,650; 2025R was 1,300.
o Drink holder is bigger than the joke one on the 2025R. Not sure it'll hold my little thermos. Put the Frontier doc holder top on the left side of the FEL tower as my drink holder.
o Parking brake is easier to disengage but seems a tad harder to engage.
o Guards to the valve stems.
o Metal covering over the driveshaft (JDs only have plastic)
o 3ph raises a tad higher
o The fuel cap actually screws on and off easier.
o The radiator overflow container is right in front and easy to get to. Needed a screwdriver to take the top off the one on the 2025R and a funnel with long snout to refill it. Then top was hard to put back on. Actually, the B’s is not much easier to get off, and a long snout funnel is needed on it.
o More room to get the end snorkel off the air cleaner.
o The brake pedal lock snaps off by tapping the pedals. Hard to get off at times on the JDs.
o Top link is really easy to turn, e.g. that grease point maybe. Actually smaller, too. The tilt one is also smaller and easy to turn if load is taken off it..
o Three position steering wheel.
o Of course, 3 range HST control. Only 2 on the JDs.
o Fuel use is 0.014 gph/engine hp vs. 0.025 gph/engine hp on 3 Yanmar JDs. Exhaust is not blackening the back side of the FEL.
o Slightly lower hood for easier refill. Have a battery pump that makes this easy by sitting container on foot area of the tractor.
o The stuff under the seat is easier to clean out. There’s a clear path to put silicone spray on all moving parts. All the JDs seemed to have a pan/sheet metal there that made cleanout almost impossible.
o Quiet HST vs. 3 JDs that whined like mad.
o No stinking driveshaft Ujoints to grease. (I plan to crawl underneath at the 50 hour service to see what it has for driveshaft flex. No zerks there according to the operators manual.)
Ralph
5030
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way too small for me but whatever you buy, I'm sure it will lighten your wallet a bit.
RalphVa
Super Member
- Joined
- Dec 19, 2003
- Messages
- 7,885
- Location
- Charlottesville, VA, USA
- Tractor
- JD 2025R, previously Gravely 5650 & JD 4010 & JD 1025R
Oh, you might want to look at the B2301. I didn't get it because it was a bit more narrow requiring wheel spacers (and wait to get them), and none could be found at dealers that had them with loaders. Had to drive 2 hours north to find any Bs with loaders.
Bill Guenthner
Platinum Member
There are a thousand things I’d rather spend money on (to enhance my property and increase its value) than replacing a functioning, paid off tractor. But that’s me.
crashz
Veteran Member
Have a peak at the LX series too, as they seem like they are the replacement of the big B series.
While I can't imagine life without my little L2501, I still have that list in my head of the tractor I'll buy next time around. The biggest mistake I made when I bought was that I cheaped out on the accessories (remotes) and then bought items that I later soon regretted. Like a canopy that I removed week 1. And a finish mower that works great, but would have been better served by a lawn tractor with bagger.
While I can't imagine life without my little L2501, I still have that list in my head of the tractor I'll buy next time around. The biggest mistake I made when I bought was that I cheaped out on the accessories (remotes) and then bought items that I later soon regretted. Like a canopy that I removed week 1. And a finish mower that works great, but would have been better served by a lawn tractor with bagger.
DaBear3428
Platinum Member
With the price of used tractors I would say sell it and get what you want. There is something to be said for 0% on a new tractor and you should be able to get 1/2 the price of the new out of the sale.
