BX2200, B7500, or Other?

tractor_newbee · Aug 25, 2002

I will soon be purchasing my first tractor. I believe I have narrowed it down to a Kubota (but i did find a great deal on a used NH TC33D so that is still in the running), but I have received conflicting opinions from the dealers I have visited and from friends as to what size I need.

The tractor will primarily be used on my 5 ac. I will finish mow about 1.5 to 2 ac. have a fairly large garden, and bush-hog the remainder. I will be doing some landscaping and land development projects over the next few years (maybe a fence, etc.). I know I want a FEL, to be able to run a good tiller, the power to tow a box scraper, and the ability to run a post hole digger.

After the initial bush-hogging and land development the tractor will be used mostly for finish mowing and tilling the garden as needed.

I agree with most posts I've read about not going too small, but I also don't want to go too big, since a large part of the time I will be just mowing grass.

I was told the BX2200 3PH is too low to the ground to run a standard post hole digger, and the field I will need to bush-hogg currently has not been touched in about 5 years so it is quite thick and rough underneath and I'm concerned about not having enough power to bush-hog and/or smooth out the ground. It seems that the bigger size of B7500 might handle the roughness a little better.

Thats the background info, here are my questions:

Which is a better machine for finish mowing? (BTW...I have another post in Atachments about MMM vs. RMM and I'm not sure yet which way I will go so let me know what you think.)

Does the BX2200 have enough power to bush-hogg thick, tall orchard grass? How about the B7500?

I guess I'm leaning towards the B7500, but will this be overkill after the land is under control?

One dealer has told me that I should go even bigger. Any comments?

Thanks for the help!!

Kodiak · Aug 25, 2002

I have a NH TC29 for my 3 acres. It is equipped with a FEL and backhoe, and I pull a 6', 3pt rear discharge mower 5' brush hog and tiller. I've got to tell you this is a perfect size tractor for my uses. It has all the power I need to run that size of PTO driven equipment. And yet is still small enough to get into most any area I want to. It also has enough weight for good traction if I want to handle small to medium ground engaging implements. And I can handle a big enough loader to reach over the side of small dump truck or pickup 1200 lbs. As I'm sure you realize the the NH TC29D and TC33D are the same size tractor except a couple of horsepower.

I think the BX2200 is going to show its weakness when it comes to ground clearance and lift capabilities. The B7500 will probably accomplish everything your asking for. But in a limited way. Only going to be able to handle a 4' brush hog or tiller, 5' finish mower and a smaller loader.

If that TC33D is really a great deal I'd say go for it.

cchoate · Aug 25, 2002

I own a b7500hst and love it. I mow over 3 acres, have a 1 acre pond and bush hog another 4 acres with it. Use a dirt scoop for digging around the pond and pull a 4' x 8' trailer weighing as much as 2000lbs. The 3 point hitch is much stronger on the 7500. Almost bought a bx but now glad I didn't because of all the new jobs I've found that I hadn't thought of before. For the extra $20 a month it's worth it.

Will_C · Aug 25, 2002

It would seem like the 7500 is your choice, due to the brush hogging and rough terrain. I am very happy with my BX, but my acreage is all finish lawn. I don't think going bigger would be a wasteful, but the 7500 size will do.

frank_f15 · Aug 25, 2002

the 7500 will probably do all want , but if that tc33 is in really good shape and the price is decent, i might give that some serious thougth.

rdricks · Aug 26, 2002

I have a BX2200 and absolutely love it. Although it would probably be fine for your 5 acres, I would probably go for the larger 7500. The 7500 will be able to finish the job quicker, and will most likely make a better machine for the brush-hog. (Besides, you can never have a tractor that it too big, can you?)

theboman · Aug 26, 2002

I have a B7500 and couple with a 4' bush hog it'll put a whippin' on that tall grass. I use mine on saplings and hog 6-7 acres of weeds/brush once a year. It does everything I ask of it going up and down the hill.

SethO · Aug 26, 2002

I have a BX22 for a 35 acre wooded lot. So far it has acquited itself well mowing (60" MMM), rough cutting (48" Land Pride rotary cutter), digging and moving stuff around. The buckets (both FEL and BH) are a little on the small side, but considering what I paid for it, I believe that I got a bargain. Also it is not an intimidating machine.

Bottom line, buy what you can afford, it is true you can have a tractor that is too big!!!

RFischer · Aug 30, 2002

I recently purchased a B7500 with MMM and FEL. I have 6 acres of woods and grass and cut about 3 acres of grass. I went back and forth between the BX2200, the B7500 and the 2410 before I decided on the B7500. So far she does everything I ask of her. She has plenty of power on the hills and for the FEL. The only thing I haven't done is use the tiller which I plan to use this fall. From what you described you have the B7500 should give you the service you need.

RFischer · Aug 30, 2002

I recently purchased a B7500 with MMM and FEL. I have 6 acres of woods and grass and cut about 3 acres of grass. I went back and forth between the BX2200, the B7500 and the 2410 before I decided on the B7500. So far she does everything I ask of her. She has plenty of power on the hills and for the FEL. The only thing I haven't done is use the tiller which I plan to use this fall. From what you described you have the B7500 should give you the service you need.