BX2200 to B7800 Upgrade???

[r0GuE]

It looks pretty promising that I will be purchasing a 3.2 acre valley across the street from my home. I am purchasing it mainly to protect my view. It is not terribly builder friendly as it has about a 50 foot drop from the highest to the lowest part. It is stepped and has some flat areas.

I am thinking that I would like to work with this ground to cut in a road, and improve some of the better spots for building. It is also heavily wooded so I will be thinning the less desirable trees and such. I even have some half arsed ideas that I might like to put in a tree nursery, or a small personal vineyard. Last I do plan to clear some spots for picnics and bon fires and also I want a garden to till and use (though I may choose to keep that in my current yard).

So the basics I'm seeing is that I'll be using the loader and a back blade allot. Perhaps a BX blade too?... It seems that this is a lot more work than I had originally planned for my BX2200. That said, it'd probably do it, just in smaller bites. My bigger concerns for the 2200 are ground clearance, and stability in uneven ground. The 7800 can have its wheel track adjusted extra wide for a more secure footing. I looked at the B-7510 and B-7610, but I’m thinking that if I’m gonna take the hit on the BX in trade in, I should probably be darn sure to go big enough. Plus I like the round headlights!!!

My concerns about the B-7800 is that it might make mowing my 3/4 acre lot difficult (BUT!!! - the turning radius in the brochure stated a 6.9 foot turning radius with brake). The BX states a 7.5 foot turning radius.

I'm open to advice, suggestions, other options, or just a good old fashion reality check.

Thanks all!

 

[Henro]

rOGuE,

<font color="blue"> My bigger concerns for the 2200 are ground clearance, and stability in uneven ground. The 7800 can have its wheel track adjusted extra wide for a more secure footing. </font>

I don't think the 7800 has adjustable rear track. My B2910 doesn't anyway.

What I would consider is keeping the BX and buying the larger tractor without a mower. My B2910 with loaded tires is hard on the grass, as compared to the BX2200 with turfs.

I tried my box blade on the BX and granted it is a 5' and I have turf tires on the bx, but there is simply no comparison to what the B2910 can do with that box blade. Not apples and oranges, more like watermellons and peanuts...now I know it is not a fair comparison...a 42" box on the back of the bx would work a lot better...

I think the B7800/2910 may be less stable on slopes that the smaller BX, but that is just a feeling and one would have to look long and hard to find any documentation that really quantifies which might tip first.

Ground clearance is an issue with the bx I suspect. I know my B2910 will rub the axle housings on the dirt when I get into soft stuff. and it has about double the ground clearance.

I don't think the actual grass cutting with the B7800 would be an issue if you buy the MMM. I had a RFM on mine and did not find it easy to use due to things I needed to cut near to/around. Buy the widest mower like a 72." Mine was 60" and it was hard to get close to anything.

Just a couple thoughts off the top of my head. For me my two most used and like implements are my toothbar and box blade...[not counting the backhoe... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif ]

 

[bobs]

If there are alot of cedar trees, those are the ones you want cut down first.
bobs /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[ByronBob]

Could you rent your equipment and when your done use the BX?? I sounds like after the road way is in that the rest could be handled with it.

 

[KubotaSteve]

I didn't see anyway to adjust the width on my 7800 either. As far as the mowing, I mow with mine all the time and have loaded R-4's. I leave my grass a little on the high side and I've never had a problem with it cutting the sod up unless I cut it really sharp or I am using 4wd. One other note about the size of the MMM. I wanted the 72" but ended up getting the 60" mainly because I couldn't get the 72" deck through the door of my storage shed. And finally, the turning radius with the brake is a little bit of a joke as the hydro pedal is on the same side as the brake, so you either need two right feet or bring your left leg across and try to hold the brake while using your right foot on the hydro pedal. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[schmeal]

just curious what you don't like about cedar trees, my "new" yard has a few in them... sweet gums are the ones that will come down first in my yard, /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Tom_H]

As some others said, keeping the BX and also getting a bigger tractor or just renting a bigger tractor for the heavy work make some good sense. I love my BX, but if I were going to a bigger tractor, I'd look at a New Holland TC45DA with SuperSteer. It's a CUT TLB with 45 hp. It takes a 72" MMM and with the pivoting front axle SuperSteer it has a turn radius of about 18 INCHES.

See SuperSteer Turn Radius

 

[texbaylea]

I have a lot of cedars (junipers) and am rapidly getting rid of them. They are water hogs and will starve out other species. I, personally would prefer sweet gums to junipers. I will keep a few junipers but only a few.