Am I Crazy???

[jcaledon]

Hi there,

Just had my B2620 delivered on Friday. It is beautiful - what a machine. Took it out to mow the lawn, and when on my hill, didn't feel very comfortable. I have 2.5 acres to mow, with a big hill behind the house. If there are any doubters out there as to whether this thing will mow in mid range on steep hills, I can tell you this thing will have nooooo problems. But the machine feels too big for me. Even parking it in the garage it felt big. The ROPS are 3/4 of an inch too tall to make it through the garage with the turf tires - this is an accident waiting to happen for me.

I called the dealer on Friday evening, and told him that I didn't feel that comfortable on the machine on my hills, and asked if he could price out a BX2660 for me, with a FEL, MMM, ballast box, loaded tires - just like the B. He's going to get back to me - and promised that he would treat me fairly because he wants to make sure that I'm happy. I believe him.

Spoke to my neighbour yesterday who has a 2305. He made a good point - it could be the tractor, or it could just be me. What do you think? I only have 2 hrs on the machine, so its new - the dealer will take it back without any problems. Am I crazy? The B2620 is a beautiful machine, but I'm not feeling comfortable on it - mind you I only put 1 hour on it. Additionally, can I take 3/4 of an inch out of the rear filled tires? Is the BX2660 going to be any better on the hills? Any help/advise would be very appreciated.
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[Turtro]

The hill in those pictures doesn't look too bad to me.
If I were you I would ride the tractor for another couple weeks, and get use to it before you decide to downsize.

When the wife & I were shopping for tractors they all looked big too me, but
the wife at one time helped her brother with his excavator jobs, so she has been on some big machines, and when she got on a B3030 she felt it was like a small riding mower. So we went with an L3240, which to me is a big tractor, but I'm sure I'll get use to it

Clint

 

[Ductape]

If it were me, i'd spend a little more time with your new tractor before you send it back. You might even want to have rear wheel spacers installed. They will widen the stance a bit, and make it more stable. I suspect your tractor may "feel" more tippy than it actually is. Or...... make a new mowing pattern so you are going up and down on your hills, instead of across them sideways.

As far as the ROPS... can you remove some trim around the opening and replace it with thinner material? Or... remove it altogether without it looking bad? Even i'll admit folding the ROPS every time for missing 3/4 inch would be annoying in principal alone ! I had to remove trim (and will be replacing it with different trim) to get my cabbed tractor through my overhead door. A bit of a pain maybe.... but definitely NOT worth not getting the tractor over.

If the majority of your tractoring is mowing, i may have recommended you get the BX from the git-go. But.... that being said, i couldn't see going down in size after having the new 2620...... its a great tractor !

 

[dillo99]

j,

Can't tell you about the BX but I would say there are spots on that hill that will be uncomfortable on any tractor when crossing the hill. Even when you feel comfortable, a bump can suddenly scare the heck out of you. Regardless of which tractor you settle on, you will probably have to learn to do most of your mowing and work on those hills going up/down rather than across.

You may also want to look at whether or not the 2620 has adjustable rear wheels. My B7500 has the ability to adjust the rear wheels to a wider position for increased stability.

 

[NuBota]

I can't answer your questions directly, but may be able to offer some perspective. I have hills to mow as steep (and some more steep) as your picture. I have a BX24. It took me two weeks to get the nads to even drive down some of the hills. Now 60 hours in, I mow, have moved 40 tons of fill, cleared brush, etc. I still go very slow and never feel 100% comfortable. Have had a few pucker moments where tires slightly left the ground. With only an hour - I would say your comfort level should still be very low. I remember having a similar "pucker break-in" period with my lil' lawn tractor. Park the tractor on the hill, rock it by hand, and see if the wheels lift. I think no matter which model you get, it will take time to get the feel - these things have a high COG. I hadn't realized it for like 10 hours (till I went to add air) but the dealer had filled my real tires - I think this saved me many times without knowing it

As far as the ROPs - the BX won't fit in the garage either - already wedged it once in the door frame - thought I was gonna have to let air out to get it free (tires are filled though). Ended up pulling the pins and "tapped" the ROPs free with 3# sledge (and wood block)

I don't know much about the other models, but I imagine your gonna have a similar initial uneasiness....

-Eric

 

[art]

I can't speak as to your crazyness but I know that what is nothing for one person might be over the edge for the next as to hills. You tires should have full contact of tread with with the ground while driving not standing on the centers.
This might help with the garage door issue as well as lowering your height. You should have your seat belt on at all times.
Normally on hills it is better to go up and down then across I'd try it again and see how it feels or if you can get to be comfortable.
To look at the pics I'd say you should be fine on that hill!

 

[ChuckinNH]

A couple of suggestions. See if the dealer will bring out a BX for you to try on the hills. He likely won't want you to actually mow, and mess up the deck, but that would sure remove some doubt, and save you both some money perhaps. The other thing is to have the tires loaded as that will make your travtor feel more solid if they aren't now. The seating position on Kubota tractors especially is pretty high, and it does take some getting used to when you are seeing slopes from up there. The suspended deck is helping you more than you realize though, and it may just be a matter of getting more used to it. You don't mention the tires you have, but turfs will make it feel a little more stable since they sit flatter on the ground, and have a slightly wider stance..... couple of inches, or so.

Try riding around on it without mowing. Up, and down at first, and then at slight angles as you get more comfortable. You will build some confidence that way, and perhaps will want to keep the tractor you have. ROPS up, and belted for safety, and confidence too. There are places in my yard that I have had to gradually build my confidence level on, and there is no reason to really push your comfort zone. Fire the beast up, and take a ride without being focused on having to take a certain path as in mowing.

 

[canoetrpr]

I agree with Chuck on loading the tires. My land is flat but on the odd slight incline my L3400 did feel tippy initially. Once I loaded the tires, its a breeze. I say this even though I currently have a messy leak with my rims sitting soaked in salt water waiting for the tire guy to come after the long weekend is over. No way would I ever go back to not having loaded tires. The stability is awesome.

I think you will be fine with that hill.

I suggest getting a TiltMeter (advertised on this site). It will help give you an idea what a safe zone really is.

I'd keep the B2620. Just load the wheels and add a spacer. Your tractor is not too big, your garage is too small ;-)

 

[srs]

I say stick with this tractor. The hills don't appear to be that bad as long as you can mow up and down and not sideways. I'm pretty sure if you switch to industrial tires they will be a lower profile than the turfs. This should allow you enough space to get in and out of the garage. Also I wouldn't remove the roll bar!!

 

[jcaledon]

OK, I took the advise, and went out again today with my son and measured the degree of the slopes. You can't tell from the pictures, but the back slope is about 15 degrees, and a little more in some spots. Took the B on some of the side slopes that I would mow sideways (10-15 degrees) and tried to rock the tractor from side to side - it wasn't going anywhere. Spent a lot more time on it today, and I feel much better. My son would have never forgiven me if I traded in the B2620 - its our Ferrari! We're keeping the B. What I realized however, is how great a deal the B is. It is a lot more tractor than the BX (which is a terrific machine, don't get me wrong), but if you have the space, the B is a great value.

But I still need to lower the tractor by about 3/4 of an inch. If I can do this, then I will be able to get it in the garage without lowering the ROPS. I will fold them, but in the event that I forget, I don't want to destroy the house.

Here are some pictures of the loaded tires. They are not sitting flat. They appear to be really pumped up, because it looks like they are riding on the crown. I could take 3/4 out of them easily, and they would essentially be riding flat on the tread. I looks like they did a good job on loading the tires - there is a second valve stem added on to the stock stem for the calcium chloride. Can anyone tell me what I need to do to lower the pressure in the tires. Is there a special tool that I need? What about the air in the tire. The manual says that the tire should only be 3/4 filled. I'd rather take air out, rather than the liquid ballast. Is this a job best left to the dealer?

PS. Its nice to know my Kubota dealer, B.E. Larkin, would have looked after me if I wanted to trade it in. Mark the sales manager had already made the sale and delivery - he didn't need to do anything for me, but promised that he would treat me fairly notwithstanding. Its very true what a lot of you have been saying - dealer support is really important.

 

[ihookem]

You won't roll the tractor on that hill. I have a b7510 and cut my mound that is steeper. It's good you are uncomfy about it though. I spaced the rear wheels a far as I could. I noticed once that my rear wheels slid down a little and it still didn't roll. Cut up and down though cause it's still safer. I think the bx is a better grass cutter though.

 

[RayCo]

I also have to suggest giving it more time. I have a BX24 and live on a very hilly property. When I first got the machine, I was very nervous many times driving around or getting out of areas that I was excavating. I have about 125 hours on the machine now, and I feel much more comfortable on it, but there are some hills on my property that I would not dream of driving on sideways; there's even one that I feel that I have to back up when I have my backhoe on to avoid my fear of having the front wheels come off the ground.

Also, I've accepted that I may topple over onto my side one day. I feel that I've mentally prepared myself to not instinctively put my hands down to break the fall or anything, kinda like how you train yourself not to just slam on the brakes in any traffic condition, but react properly, be it brakes, gas, steering, accepting you're going to hit something but aim for the non-living thing, etc. I've read a few threads now about people tipping their BX's. It happens, so I always hold onto the opposite handrail and am prepared to fall and shut off the engine quickly. And my ROPS is always up, seatbelt on.

As for the ROPS, mine doesn't clear my garage either. I drove into the frame twice when I first got the tractor, and I won't be surprised if it happens one more time. It's not a big deal for me to fold it down when I put it away. It's just part of my routine. I fold the ROPS, drive in, park, idle down, turn it off, caress the steering wheel, kiss the loader, hug the backhoe, and go inside cursing the clock.

Definitely give it more time. If you got the tractor that best fits your needs, you should keep it, imo. You'll get used to it and feel better in time. Just don't try to force bravery on yourself or something. If you're not comfortable doing something, don't do it. Try it another way.

 

[Charlesaf3]

I wouldn't side mow a 15 degree - do it safe, up down. The faster speed of the tractor will make up for it.

I've actually found the bigger machines are more stable, and am jumping up from a b3030 to an M59 for that reason.

 

[RayCo]

Also, if you put your location in your profile, maybe someone will come across this thread who has a BX and lives near by and will offer to stop by. You never know.

And the other thing I forgot to suggest. Get a flag or something of that nature and attach it the inside of your garage door at the bottom so that it hangs in the open area when the door is open. Then when you return after motoring around for the day and are about to drive in, hopefully the large obstacle in your path will remind you to put down the ROPS.

 

[CinderSchnauzer]

If you can't get the 3/4" with the tires consider this. the trim framing around a door is often 3/4" or so. Take off the upper trim and replace with something real thin. Move the whole door track up 3/4" - 1" if the bottom of the door still creates a clearance problem or depending on relationship of the track readjust so the door rolls back further to clear height required.

 

[mcrame01]

I know what you are going through. I used to mow with a typical JD 48 inch mower and was very used to it. I even put my foot down to the ground a couple of times to stop the mower from rolling. When I got my new B2320 I felt like I didn't have any control. The higher seat and bigger machine made me feel very uncomfortable. After just 20 hours I have already made great strides in my comfort level. The mower already feels smaller and more manageable to me and I'm glad I didn't make any rash decisions. I have some hills very similar to yours. Trust me when I say that I said "oh crap, this won't work" too

I also mow with my loader on most of the time which makes it worse. Unfortunately my driveway goes up one of my big hills and I like to smooth the gravel out every time I mow. The hill is steep enough that peoples tires spin as they try to climb the driveway and it make holes. The gravel is new and and the problem gets better and better as the gravel packs but that still gives you some insight as to the incline. Good luck and enjoy the purchase.

 

[TPS]

Hello,
I agree with the stay with the tractor side. You will get used to it in time. I have a BX1500 with a 48" MMM and mow side to side down to about 22 percent grade. I mow up and down past that. The BX has a lower center of gravity and that does make it seem more stable going sideways and in addition I have the rear tires filled and that makes a big difference. If it is wet be very careful but I think you would slide rather than roll unless ground gave way beneath you. One thing for sure be very careful using a FEL on the hill and go up and down keep it low and go slow. Anyway, enjoy your tractor and place, you will be surprised what all you will be doing with it in a few hours of seat time. Be careful-TPS

 

[gulfofmexico]

Never go down in tractor size, or you will be sorry. A man can not have enough horsepower.

You want turn that tractor over on that hill.

 

[KeithInSpace]

I think keeping your tractor is the right call. I'll be honest, I have a 15 degree slope in my side yard...doesn't look like much to look at it, but that doesn't matter when your behind is the one in the seat. I have nearly 200 hours on my machine and I still go really slow around that part of my yard.

The positive: In nearly all cases you will be 100% fine on your slope. And no, I don't think "trading down" to a BX would help. Just because it is physically smaller, that doesn't mean it feels that much more stable. You would need to go with a ZTR to get the feeling of stability you're looking for. I've seen those handle what seems like 45 degree slopes with ease.

The negative: If you hit a tree root, stump, big log, or other large hard impediment at speed, I would say you do have some risk of going over. I'd just caution you to not get TOO comfortable on that slope. If you get the uphill rear tire too high in the air, you could tip and tip HARD you would with nothing to catch you until your head is pointed downhill.

That said, you'd have to try pretty hard for that to happen. Just always remember that it COULD happen and you should be OK.

 

[Mowbizz]

I fold the ROPS, drive in, park, idle down, turn it off, caress the steering wheel, kiss the loader, hug the backhoe, and go inside cursing the clock.

You made me chuckle...I stare fondly at my BX24 out the back window every chance I get...the poor thing has no shelter yet...just sits there, a target for the birds...