Tractor Sizing B2601 vs BX

[PaulL2]

I've currently got an older BX2350, ex a contracting outfit. I got it cheap at auction, it's pretty beat up, but mechanically seems sound. It does most stuff I need, although I occasionally wish I had more power, more lift, or more speed.

I have budget approval from the better half to get a new Kubota. She's somewhat bored of going to the tractor shop with me to imagine a new tractor, so she'd like me to just buy one.

We have a pretty small block - maybe half an acre. We back onto bushland, so there's usually stuff to chip, I mow the lawns (I'm not super fussy but I like them nice), I pull the boat in and out of the ramp a couple times a year (ski boat - maybe 5000lbs on tandem trailer), I move around mulch and dirt. I sometimes head down the road to the local domain and mow that if it needs it.

My land really only justifies a BX. The missus reckons people will laugh at me having a B2601 on our property - too much tractor. She's probably right. But, specific questions:

1. People say the BX mows better than the B. Is that better mow quality, or is it just that the BX is more nimble? I see on here someone suggesting that the B will cut up the lawn, which would be a problem
2. The BX has struggled at times pulling the boat - not spinning the wheels, but not moving either. I wasn't there, but the brother in law was and he's a proper tractor guy, he reckons it was in low ratio and 4wd and diff lock, and had plenty of revs. I'm not sure why it didn't pull.....but is the B a noticeably stronger transmission? Would it pull more?
3. The B has dual pumps where the BX has single, so the implement pump on the B is actually lower flow than the BX (when you're not turning the steering at the same time). Is the cycle time faster on the B, or slower as the pump flow would suggest? (Brother in law suggests the difference is pressure, but I'm not sure)
4. The B is about 10% or more heavier, but has quite a bit larger tires. Is the ground pressure about the same - will it compact the soil more or about the same?

Ultimately, I'm trying to work out if I'm being greedy. I haven't yet had something I wanted to do that the BX couldn't do, I just sometimes had to be a bit innovative in how I got it to do it. The B looks to be 10% bigger but lifts about 30% more and drives 50% faster. I kind of want it, but don't want to regret it. I could just get a BX2680 instead, and console myself with a little extra horsepower that I have little use for.

Thoughts?

 

[radioman]

I doubt getting another BX with couple hp will do it. moving a trailer with BX with 5k is alot for tractor. I have moved a loaded 16 trailer with firewood with BX and it sure whined alot. a B will do much better-- the lo is even lower giving you more oomph pulling plus it will be more balanced. and the midrange speed is even better then BX. I have not mowed with the B but the decks are different suspended vs ground contract. as for cycle time... you sound like a guy who time is money so..

Look at it this way -- you would not be getting the B for the mowing, but for handling your boat duties safely and easier. half an acre is pretty small for a b but hey -- you gotta have the right equipment that can do it all , no sense of having a multiple machines for various tasks.

 

[check]

The "more power, more lift, more speed". I have the BX25, and radio man has the BX24, so we know of what we speak. Classic, classic problem. Do I go bigger or stay with what I have? For me, it is not worth the extra money to upgrade to something like a B2650, and in any case I have quite a bit invested in implements. However, if I was starting from scratch, I would probably go with the B2650. However, you need to look at the dimensions of the small spaces that you have around the property. If it is wide open, then no problem with the B2601. But I have some very tight spaces, so the BX25 is fine for me.

I also have a 4-wheel steering garden tractor, and mow about an acre maybe 3 to 4 times a year with it, so that works out for me. I will never buy a mid mount mower for my Kubota, because it is way too much money compared to the garden tractor that I use, which I got for free!

I pull my boat in and out with my vehicle (Ford F150) - can you not do the same?

Good luck to you!

 

[PaulL2]

I pull my boat in and out with my vehicle (Ford F150) - can you not do the same?

Look at it this way -- you would not be getting the B for the mowing, but for handling your boat duties safely and easier. half an acre is pretty small for a b but hey -- you gotta have the right equipment that can do it all , no sense of having a multiple machines for various tasks.

Yeah, this is my problem. I have a 4wd Audi that (when we bought it) was so it could pull the boat. We're on a lake, so no salt water issues. Then when it came time to buy a truck, we got a 4WD Ford Ranger that could pull the boat - I think that model is a different vehicle in this part of the world than the US, but nevertheless it easily pulls the boat. And the boat mostly stays in the water....so while I like pulling the boat with the tractor I don't need a tractor for it as such.

And then it really comes down to me wanting a bigger tractor, despite having nothing really that I do that needs a bigger tractor. And my nagging concern that if I buy the bigger tractor it'll turn out that most of the stuff I do is actually worse, not better. I've seen guys saying that whilst the B lifts more, actually it lifts a bucket load, the bucket is just bigger. I don't have high volume work to do, so probably a bucket load is what I would lift, other than when I'm lifting things off the back of the truck, or moving stuff around the lawn.

Realistically the main benefit is the extra speed, and it's rare that I need to go somewhere that I need extra speed.

Of course, then I'm on a slippery slope. A newer BX does very little different than my current BX, other than being less beat up (so it'd have lights, turn signals, engine covers). Mechanically it'd do exactly what I can do today, I'm not that keen on a drive over mower, and I rarely take my loader off - those are the two big advantages of the new model. So then I'm not getting a new tractor at all. One advantage of my current tractor is that I got it cheap (that makes me feel clever), and it's already pretty rough so I don't feel bad when I back it into something or break another piece of plastic on it through not being careful enough. And I have little concern about letting other people drive it, given some contractor's apprentice appears to have driven it for the first 5 years of it's life, and he clearly wasn't interested in the warning signs that say things like "don't step here".

I could improve my current one by getting telescoping stabiliser bars (one big bug-bear), and I could put some money into a hoist of some sort (meaning I could lift stuff without using the tractor), then use the truck to pull the boat. Which would be a logical thing to do....but isn't quite what I had in mind.

A different question...does pulling the boat _hurt_ the BX, or is it a task it does or doesn't do. Seems to me the hydrostatic just slips, but won't wear out. It could overheat if I go a long distance, but pushing and pulling the boat around the yard isn't likely to break anything. Is that a fair assumption - the brother in law suggested it'd cook the torque converter, but I'm not sure that's actually something a BX has?

 

[bcp]

People trade in fully functional cars and trucks all the time. Then they have a newer one that does the same work as the old.

This plan works for tractors, too.



Bruce

 

[PaulL2]

60 inch mower deck. I've got 54 at the moment....that's definitely worth a whole new tractor. :drink:

 

[art]

To be using a BX and it working for you there might not be much need for a bigger tractor. As mentioned the mowing quality I find it hard to believe there is a difference with all things being equal! The three range transmission would be a plus on heavier tow jobs as well as the bigger tires which will actually give you less compaction and more traction. The second thing on the bigger tractor transmission goes to the cooling fan on the hydro goes away on the B series.

 

[mile9c1]

If I had a 1/2 acre I'd go for a B2301, but I'd skip the mowing deck and instead find a dedicated push mower (maybe used).

 

[628pm]

The B is also taller, will it go into your garage or storage?

 

[Michael Aos]

My "new" BX2370 arrived with around 1hr on the clock. At about the 2hr mark, I was wishing I'd looked at the B2601 instead.

Talked to the salesguy. I'd have to look up the exact numbers, but as I recall I was looking at a $2K hit for my now "used" BX, plus around $4K to upgrade to the B2601.

Decided to just stick with the BX. Coming up on 90hrs now, and the BX has done pretty much everything I've asked of it. Seems like all the hard work is done.

That said, my dealer just took a lightly used B2601 in on trade toward an "L". I've made a conscious effort not to go look at it. Too tempting.

I also sat on a new B2650 again. It used to look HUGE. Now it seems like a very nice size.

 

[Michael Aos]

The biggest difference presented to me when I bought my BX2370 was that you can always add a backhoe later on the B01's, but you can't on the BX's. It was also mentioned that a B01 can dump over the side of a 40yd dumpster.

Those didn't matter to me.

Of course the first dumpster we rented was a 40yd. Not really that big a deal. Just opened the end and drove into it.

If they had talked about how the B01 can lift significantly more, and the position control on the 3pt hitch, I might have been more interested. The larger tires on the B01 can hold more liquid ballast as well.

I wound up doing "beet juice" in the rear tires, wheel weights, and hanging a GS1548 off a QH05 to get some weight in the rear.

 

[Michael Aos]

The #1 driver for my purchase of a subcompact tractor was the 3pt post-hole digger (PD10). The auger is spec'd at 30", but I seem to get more like 24" out of it.

Works OK for 7' steel posts or 8' 4x4's, but I was wishing for more when I planted some 10' 2 3/8" steel posts.

The B01 opens you up to the 48" post-hole digger (PD15 / PD25).
--

 

[Michael Aos]

There weren't any small 3pt tillers for rent in my area. I wound up renting a 650lb Land Pride RTA2562.

It worked GREAT behind the BX2370. Very happy with the results.

The FEL on the BX2370 really struggled getting it off and back on the trailer. I suspect a B01 wouldn't have had any issues at all.
--

 

[PaulL2]

Thanks, some great replies here.

If I had a 1/2 acre I'd go for a B2301, but I'd skip the mowing deck and instead find a dedicated push mower (maybe used).

I have a push mower, I've mowed the lawn by hand with it once. Nearly 2 hours....too much. I like mowing with the tractor - it's most of my tractor time. Which does lean a bit towards the BX.

The B is also taller, will it go into your garage or storage?

Building a new shed, both will fit because I'm building it big enough for both. Even if I don't make the decision now, I may make it later.

you can always add a backhoe later on the B01's, but you can't on the BX's

Yeah, I've pretty much decided I'll never have enough use for a backhoe, I can rent a baby excavator and do a better job for less money. Or as I'm about to do, rent a trencher for a day to put in a watering system - it'd be 2-3 days work with a backhoe and a bigger mess.

a B01 can dump over the side of a 40yd dumpster.

Not certain how big a 40yd is - but I've had a large one at home the last few days. The BX can just get the bucket over the edge, then crowd the bucket (lifting the wheels off the ground). It sort of dumps. But don't go too far, as the bucket slides right in and hooks up on the edge, then you have to get the hydraulic jack out to lift 2 inches to free it up again. Yeah, an 01 would have been nice that day.

There weren't any small 3pt tillers for rent in my area. I wound up renting a 650lb Land Pride RTA2562.

It worked GREAT behind the BX2370. Very happy with the results.

The FEL on the BX2370 really struggled getting it off and back on the trailer. I suspect a B01 wouldn't have had any issues at all.
--

Been there as well in the last week - 235 pound tiller. BX didn't like lifting that off the truck much - it was at the upper limit of lift extension, and most of the lift capacity. But again, I managed to do it....and I'll probably never need a tiller again now the lawn is done.

Overall, lots of great advice, but probably the bottom line is that I have a BX sized property, so I'm either buying an 01 as a toy (not because I need one), or I'm just sticking with a BX and finding some other toy to spend my money on. My uses don't actually require an 01 - listening to what you guys are doing with one, it's mostly stuff I don't do anyway.

 

[bcp]

A bucket or two of dirt dumped where the front wheels stop will lift the bucket over the side of the dumpster.

Bruce

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

People trade in fully functional cars and trucks all the time. Then they have a newer one that does the same work as the old.

This plan works for tractors, too.



Bruce

Hey, I've heard about this!!!!:laughing::cool2:

A bucket or two of dirt dumped where the front wheels stop will lift the bucket over the side of the dumpster.

Bruce

Hadn't heard about this. Like it.

 

[robertm]

I've had three B's and two BX's. ALL THREE B's tore up the yard. If you have a lush and plush thick yard, you might get away with not cutting circles. The BX is undoubtedly a superior mower over the B... when properly adjusted and leveled. If the OP is getting a tractor to move a boat, look at the weight difference of the B versus the BX. It's NOT worth the difference. The longer wheelbase of the B may help, but the BX is not taxed by a 5,000# boat. I move that with my BX easily, and a boat has much less tongue weight than a utility trailer.
I have 1-3/4 acres, and I find the maneuverability of the BX is superior. The ONLY issue I despise is the single pump BX that has to be tached up to move the loader. The 3" in FEL lift means squat. The increased rear lift arm capacity and heavier FEL has not been a deal breaker for me, and I use forks loaded up to the max.
Personally, I'd consider the new BX for the QA loader first.

 

[PaulL2]

the BX is not taxed by a 5,000# boat. I move that with my BX easily, and a boat has much less tongue weight than a utility trailer.

I've never had a problem with the boat when I'm driving. But the weekend I was away my better half and the brother-in-law reckon it just sat on the ramp and wouldn't go. Sounds like it was in high ratio to me, but the brother in law is a spray contractor that drives tractors for a living.....he reckons he drove it and wouldn't go and I doubt he'd make that mistake (not that I'm suggesting my better half would....). That does suggest that I have a problem, but I didn't actually see it myself. Winter here now, so I'll see how it is in summer.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

I've never had a problem with the boat when I'm driving. But the weekend I was away my better half and the brother-in-law reckon it just sat on the ramp and wouldn't go. Sounds like it was in high ratio to me, but the brother in law is a spray contractor that drives tractors for a living.....he reckons he drove it and wouldn't go and I doubt he'd make that mistake (not that I'm suggesting my better half would....). That does suggest that I have a problem, but I didn't actually see it myself. Winter here now, so I'll see how it is in summer.

I've done this before and am an experienced tractor driver. I rarely drive/drove BXs in rabbit or my F. Usually drive Bs and Ls in M. One time I couldn't make it up a hill that I'd done several times before. Thought my tractor HST was torn up and returned to house very disturbed. I finally looked down and saw I had accidently bumped the selector into the Rabbit or high slot. Dropped it back into turtle/low and never had another issue ever with pulling any hill, it would just spin the tires when it would lose traction. :2cents:

 

[Tractor Dell]

I've never had a problem with the boat when I'm driving. But the weekend I was away my better half and the brother-in-law reckon it just sat on the ramp and wouldn't go. Sounds like it was in high ratio to me, but the brother in law is a spray contractor that drives tractors for a living.....he reckons he drove it and wouldn't go and I doubt he'd make that mistake (not that I'm suggesting my better half would....). That does suggest that I have a problem, but I didn't actually see it myself. Winter here now, so I'll see how it is in summer.

I have a BX23S and at this point, I have never had an issue where the tractor would just sit there when trying to pull something. Even in low, 4WD and the differential lock engaged, it would always spin the tires. Trying to pull stumps or trees, I would always run out of traction before power. Just my observation.