B2920 or B7800

Gr333 · May 16, 2009

Afternoon everyone,

My name is Charles and will be buying my first tractor this coming week. I will be using the tractor to mow,move rock,dirt,snow,dig stumps,etc and also remove trash on about 6 acres. i have narrowed down my search to B2920 or a last year model B7800 both will have loader w teeth,mid mower 2920 (50" cut) 7800 (72' cut) backhoe 2920 (bh65 with thumb) 7800 (bh75 without thumb).Price of 7800 about 1100.00 more.
Would like to hear about pro's and con's as to which would be the better purchase. Any help on this would be great !!

Thanks

whistlepig · May 16, 2009

Gr333 said:
Afternoon everyone,

My name is Charles and will be buying my first tractor this coming week. I will be using the tractor to mow,move rock,dirt,snow,dig stumps,etc and also remove trash on about 6 acres. i have narrowed down my search to B2920 or a last year model B7800 both will have loader w teeth,mid mower 2920 (50" cut) 7800 (72' cut) backhoe 2920 (bh65 with thumb) 7800 (bh75 without thumb).Price of 7800 about 1100.00 more.
Would like to hear about pro's and con's as to which would be the better purchase. Any help on this would be great !!

Thanks

I think the 2920 and 7800 are almost identical in size. If you have a lot of grass to cut the 72" mower is a big advantage over a 50". The 72" can save you hours in a day of mowing. I don't have a backhoe but if I did buy one I would buy the thumb with it. I think a backhoe with a thumb would be the handiest thing in the world for moving wood. Sounds like a big difference in price for two tractors that are almost the same size. Both are great tractors. You can't go wrong either way.

JOHNTHOMAS · May 17, 2009

These both new at the same dealer? Ask the dealer to move bigger mowing deck to B2920 or move the thumb to the B7800 for the quoted price. Either machine will be great and do your jobs. Not being a big back hoe fan since I don't own one and can't justify my need versus the cost I personally would go for the one with the bigger mowing deck.

Tompet · May 17, 2009

The 2920 mmm options are 54" or 60" (not 50") with a quick attach drive over deck. With all the other refinements available on the 2920 that are not available on the 7800 and the variety of tasks you stated my vote goes to the 2920.

Gr333 · May 18, 2009

Thanks for all the help!

Two different dealers and one with 7800 will not add thumb into the bh75.The 2920 cannot take a 72" mmm,only up to 60" from what i have been told. (my mistake) on the 50" should have been 54".

easygo · May 18, 2009

I hate to tell you this but if you are looking at the 2920 check out the 2620 as well. It will do all the same stuff as the 2920 minus 3hp. That extra power would really only count if later on you will till 3 of your 6 acres each year or have a 2000ft driveway to blow snow off of. Something like that. The extra $ will only earn you a little more PTO hp but nothing else. I personally would save the $ or spend it on another implement. Snowblower or woodchipper come to mind from the tasks you mentioned.

PS: I went with a 21hp machine over the 24hp bigger brother. I'm glad I did. 60" Snowblower and 4" chipper are powered just fine for my need by the 16 pto ponies. Yep. I got a used chipper for the saved $ a year later.

ChuckinNH · May 18, 2009

I don't like promoting something just because I own one, but I agree with Easygo on this. I've used my B2620 for a year now, and I do believe that it will do anything reasonable that can be done with that size, and weight tractor. I spin loaded R-4's before I run out of power, it runs my 4" chipper just fine, and the loader will lift those loaded rears off the ground if I get under a rock too big to lift directly as I recently found out (will be getting a box blade, or weight box). As I have said before, if I wanted more power in a maneuverable package, I would get a B3200, B2620, or B3030. They have just enough more size, and weight to use that power better, and also have stronger backhoes, are better suited to 5' implements, etc.

easygo · May 19, 2009

I'd like make another point. If you have a fair number and fair size stumps to remove you are much better off renting an 8k-10k lbs excavator and be done with the job in a day or three. I don't think any of the hoes that come with the tractors you are talking about would come near the capability of one of those little machines. Plus it would take you a day or two to remove a decent size stump. You can cut the trees and all cleaned up. The tractor will do that fine. Then you could get the stumps dug out, hauled away and get the ground roughly smoothed out with the excavator. My neighbor owns a 60hp tractor and he just does what I described. Not even that big machine is a contender when it comes to work meant to be done by an excavator. Unless you have other plans for the backhoe that could be an idea.
My $0.02

PUSHINDIRT · May 20, 2009

I also agree with easygo, the hoe is nice to have but unless you have a lot of time on your hands can be a very expensive option. In my area I rent a mini x for $300. It does a lot of work for the money. As far as which machine to buy, drive them. I have read on this site to buy your second tractor first and thats the best advice I've ever heard.
I have a 2920 and my dad has a 7800. The 7800 has greater hydraulic capacity which means a little more power when moving piles of topsoil or stone. I went with the 2920 because it was easier to get on and off, has the integrated joystick for the loader, and I will use it mainly to mow and blow snow.
After using both machines I would recommend them both. The one advantage of the 7800 is it has been around for ever, and you can pick up used attachments cheap! If you are looking for a slightly bigger machine take a look at the 2630, or the 3200. Good luck hunting!

Gr333 · May 21, 2009

I still have not decided between the two and would like to thank everyone for their advice and please keep it coming! My major concern is the 7800 vs 2920 that much more powerful ? I don't want to kick myself later for not having enough push and lift. I do like the 2920 for the little bit of smaller size and that it come's with thumb for bh,and the newer refinement's and the 7800 does not have a thumb and would have to pay 300-400 from what i see on aftermarket one. The gravel driveway is around 800' and upward to the house, but can be cleared of snow with a 4 wheeler with blade as we do now. Some area's are a little steep and would one be better than other for stabilty.Bh would be used to dig some trenches but mainly to move rock's and tree cutting's.
Thanks