B2601, B2650 or, LX? Big B or little B for me?

[Sid Post]

With regard to mowing under trees, the first thing I did when I got my property was to take a pole saw and trim up all the trees lower limbs to allow my tractors to get underneath them. I do the same thing for trees in my yard so I can get my zero turn around them without getting limbs in my face. To me, trees look much better anyway with high branches rather than hugging the ground.
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Yes, I use a good pole saw and chainsaw but, that isn't always practical for a myriad of reasons. I have also used a backhoe to get rid of some trees around the farmhouse (a 2-gallon bucket tree looks good at the nursery but, years later when it is destroying the roof and heaving the foundation, not so much ). Wives and mothers still complain about trimming around the house with a backhoe! :laughing:

 

[Smokeydog]

We have tried lots of different tractors and machines over 50 years on our hillside 140ac farm. Best lawn mower is our B26 with a 6’ finish mower. Trims close enough we don’t use a trim mower or weed eater. 1.5” rear wheel spacers and ballast give a solid feel on the slopes. Loader much stronger than ag tractors. Real backhoe. Wife likes to do most the mowing so needed to be safe. Many other custom mods really improve safety and function for our use. Handles mowing heavy grass in orchard, blueberry patch and around buildings. Expensive, yes but over next 20 years use and letting us care for and live at home, priceless.

 

[crashz]

I run a 72" rear finish mower and 60 inch brush cutter on both the L2501 (19 PTO HP) and JD 770 (21 PTO HP). The 2 HP difference is noticeable, but both do the job well. I think a B would do fine with 5 ft cutters as long as you ballast it well.

 

[Sid Post]

We have tried lots of different tractors and machines over 50 years on our hillside 140ac farm. Best lawn mower is our B26 with a 6’ finish mower. Trims close enough we don’t use a trim mower or weed eater. 1.5” rear wheel spacers and ballast give a solid feel on the slopes. Loader much stronger than ag tractors. Real backhoe. Wife likes to do most the mowing so needed to be safe. Many other custom mods really improve safety and function for our use. Handles mowing heavy grass in orchard, blueberry patch and around buildings. Expensive, yes but over next 20 years use and letting us care for and live at home, priceless.
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:applause: It sounds like you have two winners there! If we could all be so lucky! :wink:

The B2601 with spacers and appropriate ballast sounds like a real contender for what I need.

 

[oldballs]

I may be wrong, but Smokeydog's "B26" may be different than the "B2601" that you refer to,, Sid.

 

[SDT]

Yes, I use a good pole saw and chainsaw but, that isn't always practical for a myriad of reasons. I have also used a backhoe to get rid of some trees around the farmhouse (a 2-gallon bucket tree looks good at the nursery but, years later when it is destroying the roof and heaving the foundation, not so much ). Wives and mothers still complain about trimming around the house with a backhoe! :laughing:

So do I, but I have hundreds of trees and will not live long enough to trim low hanging limbs on all of them. Besides, the ones that I do trim grow back within a very few years. Hence, no tractors with cabs.

SDT

 

[Sid Post]

I may be wrong, but Smokeydog's "B26" may be different than the "B2601" that you refer to,, Sid.

The picture looks pretty close to a B2601 to me though, I think his is probably the prior generation. I haven't seen a B2320 but, I think they are all built on pretty similar frames and general specs.

 

[tlj87]

The picture looks pretty close to a B2601 to me though, I think his is probably the prior generation. I haven't seen a B2320 but, I think they are all built on pretty similar frames and general specs.

B26 is an industrial grade tractor, loader, backhoe. It is similar in size to the larger B (LX), but with much higher hydraulic capacity and stronger frame, axle build. Not really comparable to the B2301 or B2601.

 

[Smokeydog]

My b26 is 2016 and same as the current model. They are tlb commercial class. Heavier built, scary strong hydraulics, durable and expensive. Price one and see a big difference over a b2601. My terrain is too rough for a mid mount mower. Like the 3pt woods rd7200 finish mower for cut and durability. Had a first gen b20 tractors for over 20 years. One of the most handy tractors on the farm. Could go and do things the bigger tractors couldn’t. Being able to do things we would have had to hire labor or machines before makes pay back cost effective.

Work around trees is tough so plan on adding extra armor to what ever choose.

 

[Sid Post]

.. Work around trees is tough so plan on adding extra armor to what ever choose.

Yes, I definitely plan on some 'light armor' but nothing as severe as I see on logging tractors.