B3200 or B2920/2620 recommendation

[JOHNTHOMAS]

That is the problem with generalities, "generally" they are right, but not always and the real hard part is that we never know which is going to be which. A couple of years ago I went to buy a B2920 and found the BX2660 was the better pick and I was right. This year I went out again to buy a B and came home with a Grand L 5030 HSTC. I have been driving tractors for over fifty years and still get confused.

I guess the important thing is that I always come home with the right one, well generally I do

It's quite obvious that you need to go out and look for an L or BX to ever get that B.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

In regards to buying the "right" tractor-there is no "right" tractor...I still stand by the thought of buying a little more tractor than you think you'll need, trust me-you won't regret it...More people trade up to get a more tractor than less.

I see you have a B3200. Is that more than you thought you would need, what you thought you would need or less than you thought you would need?
I've went up from BX's, B's and an L. The L was my biggest mistake because it was to big and I just didn't want to get it out to use it. The B's and BX's fit my needs and unless my life changes I'll never go back to a bigger tractor than I need. Talk about losing on a trade, go down in size from a new tractor. I went from BX to a B mostly for ground clearance and now that I've got most of my land conquered I've moved back to BX's so I guess you can see my point of reference. Interested to see why you want bigger than a B3200.

 

[rhumphre]

I appreciate everyone's feedback - I am still split on the 3200 and the 2620 - I like the idea of the smaller size of the 2620 for my woods (about 4.5-5 acres are wooded), but I also like the size of the b3200 for loader work and snow removal. I am only looking at an $800.00 difference between the two (Kubota has a 300.00 CIR for the 3200 if bought with the loader).

Also - my property does have a number of slopes/inclines that I will be negotiating when establishing trails. Any thoughts on the stability of the 3200 versus the 2620? Thanks!

 

[TripleR]

It's quite obvious that you need to go out and look for an L or BX to ever get that B.

You may be on to something; for some reason, I just really like the B Series, but just can't really find a niche for one.

 

[bstrom]

I appreciate everyone's feedback - I am still split on the 3200 and the 2620 - I like the idea of the smaller size of the 2620 for my woods (about 4.5-5 acres are wooded), but I also like the size of the b3200 for loader work and snow removal. I am only looking at an $800.00 difference between the two (Kubota has a 300.00 CIR for the 3200 if bought with the loader).

Also - my property does have a number of slopes/inclines that I will be negotiating when establishing trails. Any thoughts on the stability of the 3200 versus the 2620? Thanks!

I can only speak for the B2620. I've got some fairly hilly terrain in the woods and some of my cleared area. It feels pretty stable once you get used to it. I've gone to 15 degrees but that's about it for my nerves. It's pretty stable going over rough ground in the woods. No problems with stability or power going up and down hills with loads. The 3200 is somewhat higher so leaning it to 15 degrees might feel pretty uncomfortable but I'm just guessing. Somebody that's owned one with hills would have to chime in.

 

[ChuckinNH]

I agree with what Bstrom says. Remember when you are trying things out that you will likely have some implement on the back when you are in the woods. There have been a time, or two that I kind of wished I got the B3200 (which wasn't available when I bought mine) but then I go in the woods, and have all I can do to get turned around with my chipper on the back, and I'm so happy that I don't have anything larger! Often with just the forks, I have to curl the forks back, and raise the loader arms to clear things when I'm turning around....... even with just the box blade, or nothing on the rear. Though I have widened a few spots that were really tight, I still have spots between boulders, and trees that I don't want to damage that make me happy for the smaller tractor too. What I have now is also the largest tractor that I personally would mow my yard with.

Remember too that loader capacities are given at full height, and that the smaller loader will lift as much as the 504, just not as high, and believe me you don't want much weight at full height on the uneven ground in the woods with either tractor! That is just asking for trouble!

 

[davatk]

You may consider the new B3300 if you don't think you'll have need of a mid-pto. Also, the B2630, same general size specs as the B3200/B3300 may be a consideration if you don't need the extra horses. Plus I believe there is still an $1000 incentive on that model.

i have a B2630. I went with that over the B3200 because I didn't necessarily need the extra horses, and liked the smoothness of the engine as compared to the b3200. Also the premium options such as PTO postion control, tilt wheel, make it a little nicer overall tractor IMO.

Hope that helps, and good luck in your desicion making process.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

I appreciate everyone's feedback - I am still split on the 3200 and the 2620 - I like the idea of the smaller size of the 2620 for my woods (about 4.5-5 acres are wooded), but I also like the size of the b3200 for loader work and snow removal. I am only looking at an $800.00 difference between the two (Kubota has a 300.00 CIR for the 3200 if bought with the loader).

Also - my property does have a number of slopes/inclines that I will be negotiating when establishing trails. Any thoughts on the stability of the 3200 versus the 2620? Thanks!

Had a B3200 and had a L3240. I have hillside property. The higher off the ground I sat the less secure I felt. I understand the B3300 has higher wheels so will sit higher.

 

[ChuckinNH]

It's funny, the feeling of stability is somewhat subjective. In the woods where the ground is constantly changing side to side, my BX22, especially with the backhoe on made me nervous sometimes. I guess it is narrower, but is closer to the ground than my present tractor. I drive the same areas with my B2620 and I am much more comfortable with the difference being like night, and day. The BX always felt like it was tipping side to side everywhere I went. I think the larger tires soak up those small variations, rocks, etc. better, and give you the feeling of stability. In my yard, on the other hand, my BX with the loader, and backhoe off felt like a mountain goat, and I aerated, etc. places that I would approach with some caution on my B2620 though after getting familiar with the larger B, I have been every place that I went with the BX.

 

[TripleR]

It's funny, the feeling of stability is somewhat subjective. In the woods where the ground is constantly changing side to side, my BX22, especially with the backhoe on made me nervous sometimes. I guess it is narrower, but is closer to the ground than my present tractor. I drive the same areas with my B2620 and I am much more comfortable with the difference being like night, and day. The BX always felt like it was tipping side to side everywhere I went. I think the larger tires soak up those small variations, rocks, etc. better, and give you the feeling of stability. In my yard, on the other hand, my BX with the loader, and backhoe off felt like a mountain goat, and I aerated, etc. places that I would approach with some caution on my B2620 though after getting familiar with the larger B, I have been every place that I went with the BX.

The thing that concerned me when looking at the B2920 was when sitting beside the BX2660, the tread width was about the same, but the B was much taller. The B "appeared" to have a much higher COG and since much of my mowing is across slopes, I chose the BX.

I don't "know" that the B is less stable than the BX, only what it appeared like it would be. Of course I also have other tractors to do those tractor type things the BX won't handle.