B series: need advice asap
I'm days away from trading in my bx2370 for a B series and need to choose between the 2601 or the 2650. My biggest question is whether I'll be happy with the power and hydraulics of the 01. I think the 01 is the best fit for my property but 2 friends steered me towards the 2650 based on the backhoe, engine, and hydraulic pump specs on paper. Neither one owns a b series however, so I really need to hear from some 01 and 2650 owners.
My gut says the 01 is a better fit because this tractor will still be my primary finish mower, like the bx the 01 has a suspended deck, and I'm very concerned I won't like the contact deck of the 2650. A smaller tractor in this case works to my advantage. As for implements, I like the idea of more power, but in reality the backhoe work I have lined up is pretty light duty: boxing out a couple turn arounds for stone, digging out a couple small stumps in the yard, then eventually trail work in the woods. The loader will be moving 50 tons of crusher run over the course of this year and next for the turn arounds and freshening up an 800 foot gravel drive, after that the loader work will wind down to occasional chore work here and there. I also plan on matching a brush hog to the tractor, either 4 or 5 foot, for maintaining some pasture and cutting trails.
Standing next to the 2 tractors the 01 seems like it would be a nicer size for mowing and getting in the woods (we have pre existing trails that can get kind of tight). I dont want to go too big and since I have zero backhoe experience I don't know if the bigger hydro pump and better torque of the 2650, and the better specs of the bh77 (swing, reach, cylinders) would be worth it.
Thanks for your input. The last thing I want to do is go against advice, buy the 01 and feel like I'm underpowered. Nor do I want to put added strain on what needs to be a lifetime tractor by going with the smaller hydro pump on the 01. On the flip side, buying too big and regretting it every time I mow or get cornered in the woods would be no fun either.
One other thing that would be helpful for comparison purposes: I've read that the 2650 makes about 15% more torque than the 2601, does anyone know the difference in torque between my BX23 and the engine in the 2601? Only 3 hp difference doesn't seem like a lot more power, but presumably there is a significant increase in torque? I certainly want a noticeable increase in power over my bx, no matter what I buy.
If you're interested, here's my property specs:
- 1.5 acres of yard for weekly finish mowing (higher ground and relatively dry)
- another half to 3/4 acre of grass which is on lower ground and can get quite damp.
- an acre pasture which has started to grow over since we moved in a couple years ago.
- The finish mowing includes 6 or 8 apple trees I dodge around and an enclosed playground, not enough obstacles to slow me down too much but there are a couple tight spots.
- 30 acres of wood, about 1/3 mature with trails, the rest 2nd growth with light brush where I want to add trails.
- I have a plow truck for snow removal, the tractor helps out sometimes but even the bx was fine for what I use it for in the colder months.
Thanks!
I'm days away from trading in my bx2370 for a B series and need to choose between the 2601 or the 2650. My biggest question is whether I'll be happy with the power and hydraulics of the 01. I think the 01 is the best fit for my property but 2 friends steered me towards the 2650 based on the backhoe, engine, and hydraulic pump specs on paper. Neither one owns a b series however, so I really need to hear from some 01 and 2650 owners.
My gut says the 01 is a better fit because this tractor will still be my primary finish mower, like the bx the 01 has a suspended deck, and I'm very concerned I won't like the contact deck of the 2650. A smaller tractor in this case works to my advantage. As for implements, I like the idea of more power, but in reality the backhoe work I have lined up is pretty light duty: boxing out a couple turn arounds for stone, digging out a couple small stumps in the yard, then eventually trail work in the woods. The loader will be moving 50 tons of crusher run over the course of this year and next for the turn arounds and freshening up an 800 foot gravel drive, after that the loader work will wind down to occasional chore work here and there. I also plan on matching a brush hog to the tractor, either 4 or 5 foot, for maintaining some pasture and cutting trails.
Standing next to the 2 tractors the 01 seems like it would be a nicer size for mowing and getting in the woods (we have pre existing trails that can get kind of tight). I dont want to go too big and since I have zero backhoe experience I don't know if the bigger hydro pump and better torque of the 2650, and the better specs of the bh77 (swing, reach, cylinders) would be worth it.
Thanks for your input. The last thing I want to do is go against advice, buy the 01 and feel like I'm underpowered. Nor do I want to put added strain on what needs to be a lifetime tractor by going with the smaller hydro pump on the 01. On the flip side, buying too big and regretting it every time I mow or get cornered in the woods would be no fun either.
One other thing that would be helpful for comparison purposes: I've read that the 2650 makes about 15% more torque than the 2601, does anyone know the difference in torque between my BX23 and the engine in the 2601? Only 3 hp difference doesn't seem like a lot more power, but presumably there is a significant increase in torque? I certainly want a noticeable increase in power over my bx, no matter what I buy.
If you're interested, here's my property specs:
- 1.5 acres of yard for weekly finish mowing (higher ground and relatively dry)
- another half to 3/4 acre of grass which is on lower ground and can get quite damp.
- an acre pasture which has started to grow over since we moved in a couple years ago.
- The finish mowing includes 6 or 8 apple trees I dodge around and an enclosed playground, not enough obstacles to slow me down too much but there are a couple tight spots.
- 30 acres of wood, about 1/3 mature with trails, the rest 2nd growth with light brush where I want to add trails.
- I have a plow truck for snow removal, the tractor helps out sometimes but even the bx was fine for what I use it for in the colder months.
Thanks!
