Buying advice for small land-owner in New Hampshire

[nhbubba]

Do yourself a favor and get all the optional dealer installed "stuff" you need now. Get that backhoe. Get the snow blower. Package it up, and it will be a big pill to swallow, but only once.

I've received that advice a couple times now. It's a reasonable point but I'm not going to stress over that too much. Dilemma I'm having is spending on implements I'll park and rarely use. The tractor itself is a hard sell.

I'm still really hoping a used unit pops up on my radar. I just had a lead on a BX24D TLB with a blower for reasonable money. Holding out for a B-series instead. 0% is hard to say no to.

 

[Bullwinkle123]

The biggest complaint I read on these forums about rear mounted snow blowers is Neck pain. It sucks to have to look backwards for long periods of time.

There are also "pull" type rear mounted snowblowers, which is probably what I'll get if I ever get any type of snowblower. 3-Point PTO Rear Pull Snowblower | Snow Equipment | Snowblowers | Tractor Attachments | Erskine Attachments LLC
Sure, it's a whole different dynamic in terms of what your result will be like (because you've driven over the snow before removing it, but I can barely look back at my blade much less travel backward.
And the cost of a front mounted snowblower was just ridiculous.

To other topics on getting it done at the dealer, my decisions were (a) get the front SCV for my grapple, which I love. I really would have _liked_ to have top-n-tilt for my blade, but the hydraulics alone for rear SCV's would have been an additional $2k, and I'd just pretty much reached my saturation point cost wise. I figured I would just try to live without it. If it's sufficiently awful I'll get the top-n-tilt later, on some service call, knowing it'll cost me more.

In the same sense of what you need vs. what you want, TBN members are pretty vocal that if you're going to do any snowblowing, you should have a cab. Another one of those pricey decisions. For me personally, I decided to spend my dollars on a bigger tractor to meet various needs, rather than the rear SCV's and top-n-tilt and a cab. Good luck. And remember, how bad can it be to retire a year later?

 

[airbiscuit]

I love my rear pull snowblower.

 

[BEAGLES]

Definitely would not get the backhoe for the same reasons that the many replies b4 mine gave. I personally would go for the small compact tractor b4 the sub compact. Also at least one rear remote, a grapple can be run off that. However the 3rd function sure is nice to get with a new tractor. I would still insist on a rear remote. If you get a flail mower you will certainly need it. I made my own mistakes and lived through it. Best of luck whatever you do. Take care of your equipment and someone will be happy to buy it from you or give you a good trade in, especially if you stay with the same color/brand. The orange being Kubota.

 

[nhbubba]

I love my rear pull snowblower.

That thing rips! That is awesome. I didn't know these were a thing until the other day.

 

[CJinNH]

Hello, I think I might be your neighbor....

I bought a BX 23s few months ago, I love it. I had owned a MF 1428e several years ago and hated removing attachments. I can remove the FEL and backhoe in minutes on the BX 23s - the FEL comes off without leaving the seat (just lean forward and disconnect the valve). I haven't gone through a winter yet, I bought a rear blade for snow - my drive is 200 feet gravel/sort of pavement (next project pulling up the pavement and installing stone). There is MB Tractor and Chappell that are local dealers. I have 11 acres, but most is untamed woods. Mowing 2+ acres with 54" MMM is quick.

I will say I'm a Kubota fan, it's rock solid so far.... a whole 11 hours wahooo!

 

[Carl_NH]

We are also close by and have done pretty much everything you mention - patios, foundations, clearing up the woods, snow removal and cutting wood. I wouldn't be without a BH personally to lift logs, dig planting beds, rock removal and more.

I also use a back blade for snow removal, and have a 60" rear snowblower too - used once in last 4 years - bought after the mega storms in 2015 110" in a month, but since then haven't used it. Get a QA bucket on your FEL and a plow attachment if you decide you need more than a rear blade/FEL for snow.

Have you considered the Kubota L2501 - they are a bit heavier than the B2650 series - same BH and the 4 point direct attachment method Kubota uses is very good as well. For trenching (wires, irrigation etc) with a BH I found the ripper tooth is perfect for doing a 12-14" deep x 6" W trench. The ripper tooth and thumb is great for rock picking and root removal.

Good luck with your search and welcome to TBN!

 

[nhbubba]

Hello, I think I might be your neighbor....

No, you are not. But you must be close. I watched your purchase thread with interest. Figure you can't be far from me.
FWIW my experience is matching up with yours re: some of the other brands and their dealers in the area.
Did you end up buying from Chappell or MB? I thought Chappell only sold Kubota out of their Milford location.

I think I have my heart set on a B-series machine. I will not be mowing and am purely looking to move dirt (and rocks, and stumps, and trees).


I visited MB over in Kittery and got a nice intro to the B2301. Sales guy surprised me when he downsold me from the B2601. I am on the fence as it looks like a $1000 buy-up for the extra couple of HP (17 PTO vs 19 PTO). I am not sure I care. Loader specs are obviously identical. I drove the B2301 and it was exactly what I expected out of a Kubota; very nicely put together and very usable. Quote was actually pretty reasonable. And have we mentioned that zero-down, 0% incentive rate?! Hmph. Seems like the time to buy! MB sales guy was very helpful.


I also visited Concord Tractor (Kioti) and was very, very impressed with the CX2501. I was in a rush and didn't have a chance to demo. But it too is just about exactly what I am looking for. I didn't get a formal quote yet (I will Monday). But by the numbers I'm expecting their final quote to be at least $1000 less than the B2301 (so $2k less than the 2601). Concord is really sweetening the deal with a lot of small extras; tires loaded, hooks welded on, etc. A lot of stuff I want. They have a sweet value. I gather it is a family op and the young woman I spoke to was extremely helpful. A buddy bought a CK3510 from them not long ago and I think they took very good care of him.


As I see it Kubota wins in a few places:
- 3-range HST transmission (vs 2-range)
- Available R14 tires, possibly the perfect choice for my use
- Superb reputation for reliability
- Easy resale
- Great dealer support network
- Nicer fit and finish
- Split brakes!
- BH has a 7' digging depth (vs 6.5')
- Nicer PTO engagement (no clutch pedal)

Advantage Kioti:
- Lower initial cost
- 84 mo incentive finance (vs 60 mo)
- 11 gpm hydro flow (vs 8 gpm)
- Better loader capacity (1092 vs 938)
- 2260 lbs base tractor weight (vs 1566 for the B2301)
- Better control ergos, GREAT suspension seat
- I think I prefer the split pedals vs Kubota "treadle" pedal
- Separate BH seat (vs lift and swivel)


At this exact moment I figure I'll cave and sign for a new Kioti CX2510 with BH by the end of the month. We'll see how I feel about this tomorrow.


I am already hunting used implements. :thumbsup:

 

[nhbubba]

Good luck with your search and welcome to TBN!

Good stuff. Thank you.

As I say, I'm all over the map on the BH choice. I'm leaning yes right now as I think a homeowner like me owning a tractor is kinda looney to begin with. If you are going to go crazy, go all the way. Amirite?!
Real good tip re: the ripper and trenching. Hadn't considered that. Which ripper tooth do you have/recommend?

Good advice re: the blower. I worry about banks plowing. I've always owned walk-behind blowers and always enjoyed not having to think about where the snow goes or planning my season ahead.

I'm also getting advice that a rear blade will pull a smaller B-series sideways if you try to plow with it. Any experience there? Dunno if the cat giving that advice has loaded tires or what. He wound up with a 60" or something blower. I'm pretty impressed with the 2nd hand options I'm seeing for blowers. Seems worth $1000-1500. We shall see.

I looked hard at the L-series. A close friend has one as well. It is just too big for me. I can't store a machine that size. The L is also much wider and so I'd be into another class of implements. Here I have more time than money and so can take more passes with a narrower rig. Or so I have it in my head.

 

[Thomas]

Some dealers still offer Kubota B2650 which is one size smaller than L...I believe Townline Equipment has one B2650 left...I like my B2650 whole more than L2800HST I had for doing projects.