B2320, B2620, and B2920

[gp1200x]

I started out planning to install a geothermal heat pump and digging trenches (well method is too expensive here in NY) by adding a cheap backhoe to my old 2 WD AC 620 for 3-4K. Too much trouble the more I looked into it - 2K rear PTO speed and too much weight probably...Tractor renting was around $1000 week...hate paying for rentals and it puts me under the gun too.

I spent the last two weeks online looking at tractors all night. I went to the name brand dealerships (Deere, MF, NW, Kub, Kioti) but I think the subcompacts are just a little too small...trench needs to be 5-6 feet deep, 2 feet wide and probably 250 - 350 feet long at least. I don't want to spend $15K plus only to destroy it by over taxing it and making the joints sloppy. I've done that and spend a lot of time over the years fixing sloppy joints.

I liked the Deere 2305 but the limited 3 pt turned me off. I have a 5 ft Yrake and 6ft rear blade and want (need) the full travel. My 20HP AC 620 had a Cat 0 that I modified to a Cat 1 and it handled them without problems with plenty of travel and power. It also has a FEL (48") which lifts 500+ and could dig 12" below grade. It weighed 1450, plus 400lb loader and calcium weighted 31x15.50 floatation tires that must weight at least 250lbs each. I need a tractor that can at lease match the performance of what I currently have or I will be upset a nd sorry in the long run.

So I need a TLB which I will add a mower deck to now or eventually with 4WD and PS (wish I had it now). My current 48" lawn mower is fine for now...I only have 3/4 of an acre too. Whatever I get I plan on keeping for 20+ years...had my AC for 18 second hand. I also need to dig out for a 10x50 patio so I have quite a few jobs already planned for it even though my AC could handle.

I'm really starting to think the B2320 or B2620 may be close to the right fit.
I don't want to overbuy but I don't want to spend $15-20K and realize I made a gross mistake. Am I picking the models that will make me happy?

NEXT QUESTION....In NY my tax rate is 8+%. I am thinking of buying one in NHampshire with no tax. It's about 2.5 hours away. My closest Kub is 40 minutes away in NY. I'm not sure a local dealer is worth an extra $1200+ in taxes since I rarely use dealerships for anything unless the problem is major. I would think any dealership has to support it if there is a major malfunction or engine problem. Unfortunately I think my 14.5 ft single axle 3500lb trailer may be too small to transport the 2320 or 2620 models.
Thanks!

 

[qed-cat225]

good luck with the Geo, just put a system in myself for my house

 

[Ductape]

GP1200x, I would say you'd really be pushing it with your single axle trailer. As long as you don't plan to ever register your tractor, i personally like your thoughts on purchasing your tractor over here.

 

[ChuckinNH]

Depending on where you live, Pinnacleview Equipment in Walpole, and Townline Equipment in Plainfield are right on the border with VT, and close to I-91.
lawn & garden equipment, agricultural equipment, outdoor recreational equipment from Kubota, exMark, Polaris and Simplicity : Pinnacleview Equipment, Rt 12 Walpole, NH
Townline Equipment Sales, Inc.

 

[gp1200x]

Thanks for the replies....southwest corner of NHampshire is best so those dealerships are close.

Question...I read that some smaller tractors lack downward pressure on the 3pt hitch. I assume that the BX and B2x20 tractors have this feature but I don't see any reference to it. They have this feature don't they?

Same with the FEL...I assumed that the hydraulics have enough power and design to actually dig down (enough power to actually lift the front end of the tractor off the ground) and lift the front end. I realize these are quick mounts unlike my AC but I assumed they can perform these tasks still. Same thing with the FEL float....I assumed every FEL now has a float position too that allows the loader to float on the ground surface but locks the bucket angle with the hydraulics.

Tell me the B2320 and B2620 have all these please.....

 

[bandit67]

I read that some smaller tractors lack downward pressure on the 3pt hitch. I assume that the BX and B2x20 tractors have this feature but I don't see any reference to it. They have this feature don't they?

NO. I'm not even sure if the L series do this. None of the other mfrs have downward pressure on the 3 pt arms in the smaller compact size either.

Same with the FEL...enough power to actually lift the front end of the tractor off the ground. Same thing with the FEL float....I assumed every FEL now has a float position too that allows the loader to float on the ground surface but locks the bucket angle with the hydraulics.

YES, even the BX FELs can do this.

 

[gp1200x]

Thanks, I didn't realize I would be losing that feature too now.

I went a dealership today and they had no 2320s or 2620s but said they were coming next week along with a BX2660, but there is no BH option for it....?? Why would they do that? I need to see a 2320 or 2620 to compare to the BX24. The B26 is too big for my yard. They had a used B7810 HST standalone (115 hours) for 9500 but it didn't really impress me.

Anyway here is my question...My AC 620 has a double acting cylinder for the rear PTO with a height adjustment and float position. Wherever I place the height of the rear implement, the arms try to hold it in that position regardless of upward or downward forces pushing on the implement. The piston has enough force to actually hold up the back of the tractor if the wheels were to go into a deep rut. With a set position, if my blade or rake mounts a high dirt mound, they try to shear the mount off rather than lift over it. With the single acting piston 3 pt hitch on the BX and B2320 or B2620, do the arms still attempt to keep the implement from lifting up or is it only the weight of the implement that attemtps to stop upward motion and the piston only prevents the arms from lowering below the selected position. I hope this makes sense to you because the two salesman had a hard time understanding what I was asking and said no one makes a dual acting piston hitch for these tractors like the type on my garden tractor.

 

[bandit67]

Because there is now downward hydraulics on these 3 pt setups, there is nothing other than the weight of the 3 pt implement to keep it on the ground. If you encounter something that can push the weight of the implement up, it will go up.

The 3pt lever is only to raise, lower, and keep the implement from dropping lower than where you set it. But those arms will move upward without any damage to them if you encounter an upward force while using an implement, when pulling.

Hope this clarifies it a bit.

 

[gp1200x]

Thanks Bandit....I figured that's what will happen and it puts me back again to adding weight to a blade to rip up dry ground.

I'm really tempted to see if I can make a BH work on my tractor and save 15K

 

[gp1200x]

Anyone have a link to a picture of the rear of a B2320?