Comparison BX 25 or B3200

[jimmeehan99]

I own about 5.5 acres 2.5 acres field and 2.5 acres that need to be stumped and cleared, mostly old pine stumps thAT WERE CUT 4-5 YEARS AGO. Was looking at the BX25 because of the small backhoe that comes standard but the dealer says after the stumps are cleared I probably won't need the backhoe very often. it would be better to rent a backhoe(he says he will let me use one free for a weekend with the purchase of a B3200). He says the 3200 will be a better fit and to buy the backhoe attachment down the road for 7k if I really want it. I really just need grass cutting and field tilling going forward. Is he right?

 

[jimmeehan99]

No opinions out there? I know the 3200 is bigger and liked that about it. The BX25 seemed awful small to me. I thought what he said made sense. I know it would be 25k if I bought the backhoe attachment later with the 3200 vs 17k for the smaller BX 25, but the 3200 looked like it would last the 20+ years I'm hoping to get out of it.

 

[namesray]

I own about 5.5 acres 2.5 acres field and 2.5 acres that need to be stumped and cleared, mostly old pine stumps thAT WERE CUT 4-5 YEARS AGO. Was looking at the BX25 because of the small backhoe that comes standard but the dealer says after the stumps are cleared I probably won't need the backhoe very often. it would be better to rent a backhoe(he says he will let me use one free for a weekend with the purchase of a B3200). He says the 3200 will be a better fit and to buy the backhoe attachment down the road for 7k if I really want it. I really just need grass cutting and field tilling going forward. Is he right?

depending on how many stumps and how big they are, you might want to just get someone with a dozer in to clear that 2.5 acres. if it is littered with some big stumps, you might be awhile trying to dig at them with that backhoe on the b3200. if it just a few stumps, then go ahead with the back hoe idea. 2.5 acres can be a lot if it is full of stumps.

you don't state what you want to do on your 5.5 acres other then stump removal. 2.5 acres field, i am guessing mowing??? bushhog??? if the case then you could get by with the bx series. if you have no drainage projects planned, or sheds to build that might require foundations or concrete floors, then i agree with your dealer, you don't really need to buy the hoe. the b3200 is a great tractor, might be a little over kill for just 5.5 acres (i use a very simular kubota tractor to maintain 117 acres (b7800) just for comparison) all depends on what you want to do and what you want your money to go towards. both are good tractors. maybe a bx tractor without the backhoe???

 

[Carl_NH]

Jim,

What size are your pine stumps and do you intend to use the BH to dig these? Personally I would get the area stumped or ground by a commercial operator and then either get the BX or the B32-3300 and some other attachments. If you do get the area cleaned/stumped by others, I think you will find the BX25 a perfect fit for mowing, planting, digging holes for new materials. I predict you will use the BH on the BX25 for replanting a lot.

Alternately if they are 4-8" stumps the B32-3300 will do a good job - I would vote the B3200 series with BH if you are going to do this over time - the BX is capable but the B32-3300 would be a better fit.

So, get the 2.5 Ac stumped or stumps ground then get either tractor and do clean up and start planning what you want to plant.. unless its all going to be grass and no trees?

Carl

 

[jimmeehan99]

Thanks Ray, I'm going to either do some gardening or plant some fruit trees on the new 2.5 acres after the stumps are pulled and the lot is cleared. Might just leave the other 2.5 acre feild in grass for animals to graze down the road when I retire.

 

[jimmeehan99]

Carl,

I was going to slowly excavate it all with the BX25. The stumps are up to 16' in diameter and cut flush to the ground. The stumps are 4-5 years old and pretty soft. The dealer is offering me a backhoe for a weekend to pull stumps and he says the 3200 would be good to clean it off and use for the future all around. Then if I want the backhoe attachment later on down the road to do other work I can spend the 7k for that attachment on the 3200.

 

[Carl_NH]

Plant fruit trees = BH or Post hole digger, Animals grazing = fence so BH or Post Hole Digger.

Mow grass, carry hay for animals in the winter, trench a water line for the animals, I think this is a nice fit for a BX25 once you get the stumps cleared.

If you want a QA FEL bucket and forks, you can do this with the BX but the B32-3300 has more lift and capability.

16" stumps are large, 4-5 years old wont make a difference, if you only have 10-20 stumps then grind them down, if you have a lot more then get someone else to do this.

Of course try out a machine, but its going to take a bit to learn the operation of the BH if this is your first one.

Carl

 

[namesray]

Carl,

I was going to slowly excavate it all with the BX25. The stumps are up to 16' in diameter and cut flush to the ground. The stumps are 4-5 years old and pretty soft. The dealer is offering me a backhoe for a weekend to pull stumps and he says the 3200 would be good to clean it off and use for the future all around. Then if I want the backhoe attachment later on down the road to do other work I can spend the 7k for that attachment on the 3200.

if you like the b3200, and don't see the need for a mid mount mower or front mount snow blower, may i suggest the b3300su. it doesn't have the mid pto and will save you around $1000. i have been pricing both these tractors in my area recently. i still think you might have a time with those stumps though! if you are going to try the stumps yourself, definitly not the bx. it probably could be done, if you have the time and the patients, emphisis on patients. be some hard work as some of those roots might go deep. sounds like some interesting projects you got planned.

 

[jimmeehan99]

Ray,

I'm going to need to cut grass, one way or the other. Can you elaborate a little more on the 3300vs the 3200? Will the 3300 take the backhoe attachment down the road like the 3200?

 

[NevadaMOGuy]

Thanks Ray, I'm going to either do some gardening or plant some fruit trees on the new 2.5 acres after the stumps are pulled and the lot is cleared. Might just leave the other 2.5 acre feild in grass for animals to graze down the road when I retire.

I'm,also, looking at doing some fruit trees. The backhoe with the 12" bucket with make it a breeze. I also have the 8" bucket.

I've used my backhoe for planting 230 holly trees along the fence line, popping out rocks, digging a drain across my driveway.
With the Bro-Tek Thumb I've used it to remove old fencing and brush..and more rocks. Even holds up tree branches so I can cut them easier.

I've used the backhoe to get my out of mud, I really thought it was dry enough to mow. :ashamed:

I have a few stumps I've been thinking of digging up with a possibility for more down then line.
Really considering getting the Bro-Tek Ripper.

A BX-25 Backhoe with a Ripper might be all you need. :thumbsup:

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

The age old question of "which model/size" Kubota should I buy and the lower down the list of questions of "what Implement/attachment" should I buy. You got em both.
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-owning-operating/148830-b3200-bx2660-side-side-not.html
Here lies some more info for you to read to help with your decision.
I've owned several BXs and B model Kubotas. Had a B3200 and actually traded it for my curent BX25.
My work demands have changed somewhat over the 9 years since I started clearing my hillside, treed, rocky, gullied home site and after buying my first Kubota a BX2200 FEL MMM. That tractor was a power house and opened a new world for me.:thumbsup: After a year the ground clearance issue became to limiting and I traded that BX to a B7800 FEL RFM and bought a BX1500 MMM for my wife to help me mow (That never really worked out as planned).
Anyway 3 years later I went up in size again to L3240HST Grand FEL and a BX2350. Both were mistakes (L to big and BX2350 to jerky in reverse) and shortly there after traded them to a BX2660 MMM FEL and a B3200 FEL.
Several times I pondered buying a BH and even posted a thread asking for input by BH owners to help kick me over into the buying mode of a BH. Rec'd little to no feedback on that request.
Time moved on and I obtained some rental property that has 6 septic tanks. I also have reached the point at my home site that major work has been done and I'm now into make work, changing around landscaping and doing smaller jobs and just moving some grasses, trees, shrubs because I want to or wife wants me to. I also have neighbors, Brother and Nephew on my street that are aging some that need holes dug from time to time.
My BX25 is my most used tractor and the BH and FEL are used often. Can't see me ever giving it up unless it's for a BX26 and even then it would have to be a pretty good trade.
I've honestly determined that a BH is one of those things that one can't totally appreciate until one has one or that has absolutely been my situation.
I also call in for help from a man that has a track loader to do some jobs on my steep treed hillside. He can do it safer and in an hour he can do what takes me days.
I'd never tackle a bunch of big stumps with a BH myself unless I had free fuel, someone elses BH and so m uch free time that I was going crazy. The first stump can be fun but I don't think fun would be my description of the second and all there after.
Take your dealer up on his offer and try one and then decide. You have a great opportunity there to make a better informed decision. I'm not trying to talk you out of the BH but for stump removal is not my idea of why to buy a BH, there needs to be more possible uses for it and if you like doing dirt work and landscaping around your home it can be your best tool or it has been mine (My Brother would agree).

 

[jimmeehan99]

NevadaMOguy and John,

Thanks for the reply. I will also need to move a lot of fill around and grade the stumped area as it is low lying. I have a pool that needs all the landscaping removed, mainly stone. Then the pool needs new stone and grading. I just thought the Bx25 seemed a little small for grading 2 acres and future grass cutting and FEL work. The FEL lift capacity on the BX 25 is fairly low compared to the 3200. I almost want to spend the extra $ for the 3200 with the BH attachment. 17k vs 25k

 

[Carl_NH]

JIm,

Its better to buy the right size for "you" the first time than getting a BX and always wishing you had a little bigger unit. If the B3200 feels like its a better fit vs the B25 then get the bigger machine - you wont regret it.

There are other features with the B as well- QA bucket and get a thumb for the BH77 they are invaluable. The B will also lift higher if you have to load a truck etc..

Or get a separate ZD331 mower, and a BX25 then trade them in a year..I am poking fun at JT..

 

[jimmeehan99]

Thanks Carl thats the way I was leaning, I don't want to be sorry I didnt go for a few more bucks for the B3200 w BH and be unhappy with the smaller Bx25.

 

[ddobson]

I would also recommend using a dozer to remove the stumps. I rented one for a week and did a ton of stuff clearing our ground including popping stumps with the corner of the blade. It makes fast work of it.

 

[NevadaMOGuy]

The FEL lift capacity on the BX 25 is fairly low compared to the 3200.

It's not all in the numbers.

I have pulled a lot of fence posts out of the ground and even moved an LP tank, weird round 200 gallon tank with 8% capacity still on the gauge.
You just get the right angle, lift as high as it will go...then...curl the bucket. Puts that big center cylinder to work.

I'm in the process of whipping into shape 8 out of my 40 acres. Next toy will be a box blade to level out the many bad spots.

The B3200 is a fine looking machine, you can even get a 72" mower for it instead of the little puny 60".
Sometimes I wish the BX had a larger mower deck than 60" but that is just me getting in a hurry.

When I slow down the BX does all I currently need it to do with my acreage. I'm just concerned that, with you maintaining 2.5 acres, if you get to big a tractor you might not get much seat time. :laughing:

 

[jimmeehan99]

ddobson,

My brother in law is telling me the same thing, by the time I'm done with all this, I might be able to say I know what I'm doing!!Definitely a lot to learn here.

 

[jimmeehan99]

NevadaMOGuy,

I'm leaning toward the 3200 thinking I can take care of most of my needs on the 5 acres and pick up some side work and put my young lazy boys to work a little!

 

[NevadaMOGuy]

Now is the perfect time. :tractor:

Kubota is doing that 0 down 0% thing again for 5 years.

Don't forget the box blade.

You'll have a some fun with that 3200. :drink:

 

[jimmeehan99]

NevadaMOGuy,

Is the box blade like a dozer blade? What exactly is the thumb? Is that like a joystick control?