Comparison BX 25 or B3200

[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?