3 Pt on GC2300/JD2210/BX2230

[hcwusa]

Need your help . . .

I was at the Massey Ferguson dealer, and he was very professional and polite when I asked him for difference among these three tractors. The obvious were a single bucket cylinder on Kubota BX2230 vs. two bucket cylinders on the MF GC2300.

He also said that the distance between the 3 pt arms is 26", whereas other brands may not have only 24", therefore making it difficult (not just height - but also width) to accept Cat-1 Implement.

What is your experience of the BX-2230 and JD2210 accepting Cat-1 implements such as dethacther/tiller/aerator? How about the NH TZ models or other sub-cuts?

I'm also a little surprise that the loader on the GC2300 has a bucket capacity of 470 lb. compare to JD2210's 622 lb. Yet the tractor is about the same size and power - Why?

Thanks

Thanks

 

[Bob_Skurka]

The Kubota is the founder of the sub-CUT category, but is does have one flaw, the sub-sized 3pt hitch. I am not sure about the JD2210 being a sub-size 3pt or not. The NH TZ and the Massey GC are both standard Cat 1 hitches. There are lots of people on TBN who have had to modify implements to get them to work with their tractors.

As for the loader capacity, make sure it is being measured at the same point! Some measure at the pivot hinge, other at other places as well as varying heights. Often trying to compare them is an excercise in futility, but try to make sure you do as close to an Apple-to-Apple comparison as you can.

There are some folks that on this forum that seem to be very impressed with the new TZ units from New Holland and I've seen posts from some who have purchased them, but these units are very new. Very impressive, but still very new.

Personally I would not buy a tractor that didn't have a standard cat 1 hitch. That has been my largest complaint of some of the sub-CUTs. And now that there are several brand choices, there is no reason to settle for less than a Cat 1 hitch.

As far as a single cylinder versus a dual, I think that seems like a single unit might be inferior, but if engineered properly, it really is not. Take a look at some of the BIG construction equipment you will see single cylinder units out there on some really big stuff. If it was inferior, it could not stand up to heavy use.

 

[TommyP]

I have about 20 hours on my JD 2210. It has what they call a limited cat 1 3PH. I have not had difficulty with the size. The limitation comes from the height that the 3PH can lift the implements. Some implements that need the height will be unable to be used i.e. auger. I have an iMatch quick hitch on my 2210 and it accepts cat 1 implements. I cannot speak for the other brands of SCUTs. I looked at the Kubota and the farmall and the JD just seemed like the best match for my needs.
Good luck.

 

[8561]

From what I understand, the other problem is lift height and the fact it can be very limited on some subs. Interestingly, I stopped by my local Massey dealer tonight (he was closed) and I noticed a couple of GC2300's set up with post hole diggers. Seems like lift height on the Massey might also be better than some others, although I don't know for sure.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

Lift height is an issue. With a limited Cat 1 hitch, there are reports on this site that implements such as a back blade and a landscape rake cannot be rotated while on the tractor because they tractors don't lift them high enough. These things have been stated numerous times on the Kubota forum by BX users. I would expect that there might be reports of this same problem with the JD2210 since it is a limited Cat 1. Of the Sub-CUTS, the NH appears to be a few inches bigger than the others, it may be best suited to people who use several implements. While I don't consider it a true Sub-CUT, the Cub Cadet 5000 series is also a small tractor and might be worthy of consideration.

By the way, the iMatch cannot be used with a Post Hole Digger, and I suspect while it will match up to standard Cat 1 implements, there would still be the lift height issues involved with some implements.

One thing I've learned over the past several years is that you try to buy what you think you will need, but with tractors there will always be another need sometime in the future. I often recommend that people try not to buy too big of a tractor, but I would never recommend a Sub-CUT that didn't have a standard Cat 1 hitch.

 

[KNotMe]

Most of the complaints about the limitations of the BX and other subcuts seem to come from people that do not own them.

 

[44trxfun]

I haven't used the implements you're planning on using (on my GC2300) but if you check my past posts, you'll see some of my thoughts about the limitations of the Cat I hitch.

Good luck to ya!

A bit more:

Implements for this size tractor tend to run light; depending on what you've got in mind, this may or may not be important to you. Any changes in topography will be easily relayed to a backblade, for instance.

Also (again from experience) think about your desire/need for position control with the implements you plan on using. I don't remember on the JD, but with my MF it's all by eye, and sometimes that's a pain in the butt.

Finally, make sure to check the width of the "top link slot" on the tractor against a "standard" toplink for Cat 1. As I recall, mine was just a bit narrower and required me to grind down a standard top link.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

That is probably very true.

However, I have been trying to explain. If you want other information, ask Henro. He owns a BX and recently made some comments about his admiration of the TZ because it is not a limited 3pt.

I have stated in various forums that I didn't like the sub-CUTs because of that one factor. As sub-CUTs have evolved, some of them have overcome the limited Cat 1 issue. I have in the past recommended the Massey, now that NH has their new TZ, I will also recommend that unit. There are instances where a sub-CUT is not appropriate, such as when ground clearance is needed, however, I think they are great little machines, some of them have issues that could have been solved with better designs. It is fair to point that out and that does not make it a complaint.

 

[Henro]

<font color="blue"> Most of the complaints about the limitations of the BX and other subcuts seem to come from people that do not own them.
</font>

KNotMe,

Before I got to the end of the thread and saw that Bob S. mentioned that I have a BX I thought I would reply to your post and say so myself.

If you read past threads on the BX, one thing many BX owners have done is apply the B2910 lower link arm stabilizers to the BX, and also drill holes about an inch higher in the lift rods, to get the lift arms to raise highter. Same (including me) have also turned the pins on implements to the inside to compensate for the narrow width of the BX 3PH when it is fullly spread apart.

While I would not go as far as Bob and not recommend any tractor that had a limited 3PH, I would certainly want to advise anyone that was considering a tractor that had a limited 3PH, that that was the case and that it could make using some standard implements inconvient or even almost impossible.

It is just a fact of life for those tractors.

Now I must say the BX series of tractors is a fine line up of sub cuts. I would also say I did not even consider the bx1500, because I did not like the looks of that weight hanging on the top front of the engine. This does not mean it is a bad tractor, just that something about it did not suit me. I probably heard about that weight here at TBN and maybe knowing about it in advance was a good thing for me. As a side thought, I wonder if the BX1500 (1530?) 3PH is even smaller than the one on the BX? (Actually the real reason, now that I think about it, was the 2200 offered more power for the future in an only slightly larger package, and a 60" mower deck).

<font color="blue">Most of the complaints... </font>

I feel it is more statement of facts than complaints we gerenally hear when mention of limited Cat 1 hitches come up. Although I would agree if one unknowingly bought a tractor with a limited 3PH, then tried to fit standard 3PH implements to it (and then found it would not take them easily) he might start complaining.

Even though I think my BX is great for what I use it for, which is mostly grass cutting but also pulling a landscape rake and carry all hauling of stuff, plus various outher small tasks, if I could only have one tractor it would be something like the B7500 or similar of a different color. Mainly because I would want a larger, more standard 3PH.

Not meaning to complain...just the way things are. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[SteveM]

I wouldnt rule out a tractor because of the 3 pt right off the bat - the bottom line is that you will end up needing a handful of attachments for your tractor, and if it is a subcut, you will be able to find what you need- all three models you mention are quite popular. You may have to turn pins inward, or buy a second toplink, etc - but that goes with any new implement; there is always a bit of time getting it set up properly to fit your tractor. I recently bought an old small CUT that the previous owner put Cat 0 lift arms on....instead of paying for new arms, I just bought Cat 0 pins at the tractor store and converted my attachments. Cost me about 10 bucks, and an hour or so. Now everything fits fine. Whenever I buy a new attachment for this little rig, I bring a tape measure to make sure it isnt too wide, or require to much lift.

Anyhow, I do like the looks of the NH TZ series although I read that they run a little louder/rougher than the bota.