B7510 vs. B7610

[moosetracks]

Hi, I've been reading and learning all about the kubota compacts on this forum for the past several months. As a newbie I knew nothing. I've learned enough to be dangerous and now I'm ready to buy and am wondering if there is $1000 dollars worth of difference between the 7610 and the 7510? Both will have the LA 272 loader and the 4672 backhoe. My other purchases are a 48" rotary cutter (Bush hog brand) to mow the few acres of relatively flat fields (no manicured lawns here and I still have my MTD rider) and KK 48 " tiller for breaking some new ground (clay /clay-silt loam) growing areas for veggies. My other main uses are hauling creek rock for a 1/2 mile road and a 1/4 mile road. No scraping just adding rock. We also want to go into the woods (hilly to steep with some flat benches) to cut fire wood and help haul it out. All areas here are extremely tight but the BX just seemed too low for getting around. Any words of advice before I plunge? Also, what size trailer would be OK to use for the TLB? The above package came in at just under 20K including bucket hooks, filled rears, tax and delivery (50 miles of awful road).

P.S. 20 K seems to be a magic number for my husband who is getting me this tractor (after much groveling by me) for my 50th birthday. What a great guy!!

Moosetracks

 

[Bob_Skurka]

You want to run a 48" tiller . . . better check to see if the B7510 is rated to run a tiller that size.

If the 7510 is rated to run a tiller of that size, I'd say either tractor would work for you. Many people run larger tillers than are recommended for their machines, I prefer not to because I think it could lead to premature tractor death, or at least putting more strain on the engine than it was designed to handle.

Generally given my choice between two similar sized machines, I typically opt for the more powerful of the two. You never know what the future may bring in terms of work for the tractor. When I was buying a tractor, I looked several different models, I found the price difference between a NH TC21 and a TC24 to be only $300 so I opted for the TC24. The TC24 was cheaper than the comparable Kubotas (this was in 2003). I also use a Kubota B2910.

 

[moosetracks]

Thanks for the info Bob. I was going by what my dealer recommended. I actually don't need that wide of a tiller. I'm primarily interested in making raised beds so 36 inch or so would probably be better anyway. It appears that king kutter starts at 48". Any good smaller tillers out there? I would like to till 6" deep or so. Would consider kubota too if worth the bucks. Also, how about a small plow for initial sod busting??

Moosetracks

 

[Bob_Skurka]

<font color="red"> Any good smaller tillers out there? I would like to till 6" deep or so. Would consider kubota too if worth the bucks </font>


First, define "good" and define "worth the bucks" because we are about to enter a minefield of opinions here.

I tend to think that the more you use an implement, the more you should spend on it. So I advocate spending a lot on a mower deck if the tractor will be used for a lot of mowing because a mower deck will likely get more hours on it than ALL THE OTHER IMPLEMENTS COMBINED. I know you didn't ask about mowers but the logic remains the same. If you are tilling a lot, then spend more money on a better unit. I have no idea who makes the Kubota brand tillers so I don't know if they are worth it or not. I do know that King Kutter is generally considered a discount lower quality brand, but that many people find them well worth the money. So I think it all depends on how much you use something.

My tiller is a Land Pride unit, and I didn't choose it for quality, I chose it over 2 other brands that I had been looking at for one simple reason. I got it at an unbelievably low price (dealer was closing it out at $500 less than I had seen anywhere else). So my tiller choice falls into the "dumb luck" category of choices. I was looking for a reasonably good brand, but I also was not willing to spend $2000+ for a quality unit because I don't use it enough to justify that type of price. Now if I was an avid vegetable gardener, I probably would spend the extra money.

As for a small plow, take a look at your local Tractor Supply or visit Norther Tool (or check their website) they sell small plows, potato plows/middle busters, etc. Prices are low. But I have found when using a subsoiler with my TC24 that it doesn't have enough power in heavy clay. I switch to the B2910 and it pulls it with ease. So if you want to bust the sod and tear down deep before tilling you might need the extra power of the B7610, and even then you will find it light because that tractor is the equivalent of the TC24.

 

[jrlichina]

My BX handles a 48" tiller with no problem whatsoever, the 7510 has the same PTO horsepower so you should be just fine with a 48" or 50" tiller. I have a really nice tiller from Sweet Tractors I bought 2 years ago for about $1k. I'd check them out, they have great prices and great service.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

For what it is worth, Kubota's website recommends only one model tiller for the B7510. It is the FL850 tiller and tills a 33.5" wide path. They do allow for the B7500 to go up to the FL1021C and RC, both of which till 40" widths.

One of the problems I have with making tiller recommendations to other people is that soil conditions very greatly from one piece of land to another. Different soils will till differently, clay is harder on a tiller than loam, loam is harder to till than sandy soil.

Also, tillers are used by different people in different ways. Many of the postings on TBN have people using large tillers but then having to till the same area several times. Personally I like to use a tiller the way it was designed to be used. One pass, slow enough to turn everything in its path into fluffy soil. It takes less fuel and less time than making multiple passes, even if my tiller is a little narrower than someone else has. I also, as stated earlier, don't want to bog down the engine and cause engine damage that could have been prevented. But then again, I have pretty heavy clay, so I guess I am cautious because clay soils tend to create problems. I think another advantage to using a tiller in the size range recommended is that I can till right through the sod to create new garden beds without undue stess on the machine. I just paint an outline in the lawn of the area that I want to turn into a planting bed and start tilling. It grinds the grass up along with everything else.

 

[GregJ]

One thing that I noticed is that you have spec'd a low end FEL. I have a B7500 with a LA302 loader and that is typical for that model. The B7610 can be equipped with the LA352. You may want to consider the extra capacity if you are hauling rock. Of course, it's always easy to spend other peoples money. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif There is a significant difference from the 272 to the 302, and even more to the 352. Of course it all depends on your needs. I also have the 4672 BH and have been very pleased with it. Have fun shopping!

Greg

 

[8561]

I would second Greg's advice regarding the loaders. I believe if you review the loader specs, you will find that an LA352 has quite a bit more capacity than the 272 they have quoted you. It was one of the reasons I purchased a B2410 (which is similar to the 7610 you are looking at, with more features) over the B7500. I wanted all the capability I could get while remaining in that frame size.

 

[8561]

I forgot to mention in my last post - you also asked about trailers. I have a B2410 with filled rears as well as a backhoe. I have a 16' trailer that has the last two feet dovetailed. I would recommend the dovetail as it makes loading with the backhoe on easier. It is a dual axle 7000lb trailer with brakes on both axles. I have used it to pull the tractor with the backhoe mounted and my landscape rake set on the front with the loader bucket sitting on top of it. Haul it all with a 1/2 ton GMC 4x4 V8 with no problem at all.

 

[Henro]

Go for the larger tractor. And get the biggest loader you can for it. You will not regret it after the fact.

In my case I started looking at the BX22 (now BX23) and ended up buying a B2910, with only 3.7 acres to deal with. It was the best thing I could have done in my case.

That was two years ago. Last year I bought a BX2200 for grass cutting and smaller chores. I love it. But the larger tractor is MY TRACTOR. It does a lot more work than the smaller tractor is capable of. But it is not as good for grass cutting...

Once you get a tractor, the more you use it the smaller it gets. At least that is the way it worked for me. I can't imagine wanting anything smaller than my B2910 for the work I have been doing on my property.

Go a little bigger than you think you want to right now, and you will find next year you did the right thing.

You have a lot more property than I do...so my opinion is my guess based on that fact alone... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[luvbug]

moosetracks, Welcome to the club. For my 2 cents, I would go with the 7610. You get a little bit bigger tractor size over the 7510, more hp. both pto and engine and a more comfortable seat (very important /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif). About the FEL, I personally would go with the LA 352, it's a better loader, capacity size and overall lift rating, and for only a little bit more money. If you want to save some of the money go with a Woods brand backhoe instead of the Kubota brand. It has the same output ratings as the Kubota brand and is $1,000 cheaper in price, not quality. With more hp. you can also get better results with your brush cutter. It won't bog down in really tall and or wet brush or grass. Plus you can cut down a little larger size brush with it. I would also think the larger hp. would held with the tiller if your land is really rocky or heavy clay based. Either way Good luck with your decision and let us know which way you went with tractor size. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif John

 

[WayneW]

Was considering the same 2. I chose the B7610 because of the larger loader (LA352) and the 3 extra HP. Thought the extra HP may come in handy with a snow blower and getting a 5 ft rotary cutter to work efficiently. (4ft cutter I think would be too small for me...take too long to cut)

It essentially was a $900 difference betweeen the 2. That was for the tractor upgrade and the loader upgrade (from LA302).

I realize perhaps that it could be argued that it may not be money well spent if you dont need more lift capacity with the FEL (and a slightly larger bucket) and won't NEED the extra HP. (right, like who doesn't?) But my thought was IF I ever did need either, $900 seemed like cheap insurance. My whole purpose of buying a CUT was to make my life easier and less stressful.

-good luck

 

[Bob_Skurka]

Not to throw fuel on the fire, but I generally have come to think that the Kubota loaders are pretty wimply. And since I use a B2910 with a LA402, I am slinging mud on myself!!! But I also have a TC24D using a 12LA loader, which is the same size as the B7610.

Here are some things to consider with loaders:
Kubota 352: 925# lift, 1336# breakout, vertical lift 5'8"
Kioti 120: 1064# lift, 1511# breakout, vertical lift 7'4"
NH 12LA: 1090# lift, 1720# breakout, vertical lift 7'1"
JD 410: 800# lift, 2130# breakout, vertical lift 6'2"

All of the above loaders are for 21hp to 24hp tractors.

For 21hp machines, the Kioti CK20 is often a bargain price compared to the other machines. The New Holland TC21 is typically slightly more than the B7510. The NH TC24 is typically pretty competitive with the B2410 and typically slightly more money than the B7610. I have no idea if the Kioti engines are smooth, but they are featured filled tractors. I've got about 70 hours on my NH without any problems, but I have a lot more than that on my Kubota without any problems either.

My mid-frame B2910 with its 402 loader is larger with 6 more HP than my TC24D, but the 402 loader is actually weaker than the small frame TC tractor. The visibility of using the curved arm loaders is also amazingly better making loader work faster/easier.

It strikes me that when buying a tractor, price is a major consideration, but I also put a lot of weight on the dealership I buy from. I am lucky to have NH, 2x Deere, 2x Kubuta, Cub Cadet, Branson all in under 10 miles from me. I have relationships with a couple dealers now and know I can count on them to hold my hand if I break something. They have excellent service departments. They also have fully stocked parts departments. I personally would not buy a Deere, but their tractors sure look nice. My bias against Deere is a personal one against the closest dealership that, on 2 occasions, left me feeling unwanted and unappreciated as a customer. When I spend $15,000+, I wouldn't mind if they smiled when they took my money! But again, my problem is with the dealership not with their tractors.

So Moose. . . as a potential buyer, I would strongly suggest you look beyond color of paint and consider the dealership, the features of the machines, etc. Any properly sized quality brand machine will do the tasks you need, and do them for 20 years, but will your dealership support you with a smile or will they grudgingly show up after they take care of their bigger customers?

 

[moosetracks]

I really want to thank everyone for taking the time to respond to my question. Still don't know what I'm going to do yet but I guess I'll do it soon!! I think any tractor I get will beat the heck out of shoveling gravel out of the creek into a truck then shoveling it back out onto the road. It's hard to get past that perspective so I think no matter what I'll be happy. I just want to be really happy!! Ditto for the tilling. Seven years with a gravely walk behind. I love the work but I ain't getting any younger (I recently found out that my dad was actually one of the first gravely dealers in our area so it must have been in my genes). So it's back to the dealer next week with more questions. Thanks everyone for the help.

Moosetracks

 

[DanR67]

Hi moosetracks -

I'm a bit late to the dance - but here's my 2 cents:

Since it appears that you have more "work" (ie moving gravel & logs / firewood) in mind as opposed to "mowing" tasks - I'd also heartily recommend the B7610 / LA352 combo over the B7510.

That being said - if you really plan on "lots" of gravel & logging - you might want to go even one "size" bigger - like a B7800 / B2910. These would surely be better suited for the "heavy work" tasks - but then a bit "overkill" for mowing. Granted - either of these would challenge your $20K budget if you are going with the backhoe - but they might be a better match for your needs - your Bio says you have 62 acres to work - better suited for a bigger machine I think?

My "needs" when I was considering a tractor were primarily "mower replacement" - so I know I wanted to stay in the CUT range. But I also knew I had some occasional "heavy work" (ex. moving firewood / wood pellets / yard rocks etc.) - so I wanted something more powerful than a subCUT. I think I've found the perfect match for my needs in the B7610 - it exceeded my mowing expectations (better looking / almost no "striping") and met my "power" expectations - contrary to Bob S's opinion - I do NOT think this is a "wimpy" FEL!

Hope this helps & happy shopping!

Dan