B7800 vs B2910 opinions?

   / B7800 vs B2910 opinions? #1  

hurl54

New member
Joined
Oct 30, 2004
Messages
5
Location
NH
Tractor
JD 650
Thinking about buying the B7800 and wondering if I should go for the B2910. The 1/4"ing valve is fine with me and I do not care about the creature comforts of the 2910. I want a solid 30HP for basic work...mowing, loading, grading and woods work. Any thoughts from you happy owners!
 
   / B7800 vs B2910 opinions? #2  
I have a B2910.
The list of projects that the B27-2910 and B7800 can accomplish are well illustrated on TBN.
The one item that moves it to the top of the list is mowing. I would highly recommend a 72" MMM for this tractor. I can cut 2 acres of lawn in 1 hour.
I also use my tractor for all the items you list as tasks. It does them all well for a small 30HP tractor.
 
   / B7800 vs B2910 opinions? #3  
I don't think that I am knowledgeable enough to want to recommend, but I will share my own reasoning about getting the B7800, FWIW.

I, too, didn't care much about the 2910's bells and whistles and creature comforts and decided that rather than spend the extra $ on the 2910, I would get a 7800 with some custom enhancements:
1. larger capacity alternator, block heater, rim-guard filled rear tires and extra front and rear facing worklights.
2. TCC (topNtilt) hydraulics for the 3ph. (if you are going to use a boxblade this is extremely useful functionality - it also makes attaching 3ph implements considerably easier.

Bottom line line was that for a bit less than the cost of the 2910, I got a package of custom extras that I really wanted.

Hope this helps.
 
   / B7800 vs B2910 opinions? #4  
I don't know what the current price difference is, but the B2910's options are worth $1000 or so to me. If you plan to be using a mid-mower, be sure and compare prices using a B7800 with the mid-PTO (it used to be an option; not sure if it is any more).

As far as the B2910s comfort items go...

I use the extendable arms frequently, and it saves on the back strain (the older I get the more I will enjoy that feature).

I use the B2910's much-improved cruise control quite a bit while finish mowing, whereas I never used the speed-set device that my older B2150 had (similar to the speed control on the B7800). Note: In case you're not familar with the B2910 cruise control, it is simply a hand control that you use to totally control the tractcor's forward movement in lieu of the foot pedal, similar to the way small garden tractors hydrostat hand controls are rigged. On the B2910 you can't back up using the hand control, but you can start, stop, and change forward speeds totally with the hand control and leave it set at a comfortable pace as desired. This design helps overcome limitations imposed by having the hydrostat foot pedal on the same side as the brakes in case the operator needs to use differential braking.

I like the included tool box, as I keep the mid-mower pins and other handy items there.

I don't remember if the B7800 has the ratcheting 3-point height adjustment, but that has come in handy on my B2910 on several occasions.

POSITION CONTROL: When it comes to grading, I used a box blade on my old B7100 (no position control) and my old B2150 (w/position control) and there is a world of difference in the smoothness of the job. However, I ultimately found the best way to smooth out a new yard was to use a landscape rake in the full down position. With the landscape rake, I preferred to use it on my B7100 and position control didn't matter. Mowing with a rotary was the only other task that I strongly prefer the position control.

I don't use the tilt steering wheel nor the telescoping wheel very much at all, though the arm rests are comfortable.

I'm sure that you'll be happy with the B7800. If you ever did regret not getting a B2910, it would probably be several years down the road.

Good luck, not matter which choice you make!
Kelvin
 
   / B7800 vs B2910 opinions?
  • Thread Starter
#5  
Thank you for the info. The upgrade in NH for the 2910 is $1800. I know I would enjoy the extras but those $ can go towards the rear snow blower. It's great to get info from owners rather than sales people looking at a catalog!
 
   / B7800 vs B2910 opinions? #6  
I bought a B7800 two years ago and had the same thoughts. Right now I can tell you I am more than satisfied with the 7800. Of course you have to understand I grew up on a farm with an old Massey Ferguson with a collar shift, so just about ANYTHING is an improvement.

But seriously, I bought it to landscape my yard and plow snow. I've since moved better than 300 yards of soil with the front loader, used the box blade to level the yard, a garden, and my driveway, drilled more postholes than I want to count, and made some monster snow piles for the kids in winter.

For my limited funds the money was better spent on the attachements than on the features of the tractor.
 
   / B7800 vs B2910 opinions? #7  
I agree with everyone else. I would rather spend the additional money on attachments. I'm looking to add TNT to my 7800. It does do an outstanding job mowing, but I had to go with the 60" deck because the 72" wouldn't fit in my shed.
I've had mine for a year and have about 150 hours on it.
I am currently seeing how deep of a pit I can dig with the FEL. At last check I was at about 3.5 feet and still going.
 
   / B7800 vs B2910 opinions? #8  
Now that we are getting more info on the replacement for the B2910, the B3030, I think you should be comparing the B7800 to the B3030 and make your decision based on what the new B3030 offers over the B7800.

Best things I see are the (In my opinion) improved BH75 backhoe and the factory cab option. There are also other things like the slightly sloping hood and no cross bar on the back of the loader.

Don't know what the price difference will be between the B7800 and the B3030, but it sure looks like there is a lot more contrast between these two models than between the 7800 and 2910.
 

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