BX23 vs BX24?

[Northland]

I think the B7610 is a bit over priced for a used tractor (no quibbling with the 49hrs, that is just nothing, but it is at least two years old and therefore has little if any warranty left so you should be able to get a better deal than that). Also, the B7610 can use the much preferred LA352 loader so especially if the loader is new you should get that loader and it's increased capacity. Finally, while the Woods BH is excellent, I would personnally look at their newer "X" series to see if the 70X would fit on the 7610 as it has some advantages (and unfortuantely probably costs more) compared to the BH6000. That is not knocking the BH6000, I'd just want to know what the upgrade would cost if I were buying it new.

Just as an example, the local classified ads here in Massachusetts has the following really nice tractor for sale: 2003 MODEL 7800 KUBOTA TRACTOR W/7-1/2' backhoe. Larger bucket w/quick connectors, less than 125 hrs. 30hp. Always garaged, in exc cond. $19,500; (Groveland) 978-372-3172

That is more tractor, probably the LA402 loader with quick attach and a bigger BH for about the same as you are being asked for the 7610.

Here is another current ad: 2003 KUBOTA B7500 4WD TRACTOR W/loader & backhoe. Only 256 hrs. Hydrostatic trans, 3-cyl diesel, 3-pt hitch. Delivery avail. $14,750; E-mail for pics: saraandej@comcast.net. (Fremont, NH) (cell) 603-303-5499

If I were you I think I'd keep looking a while longer.

Thanks for the info/advice Island Tractor. If I lived in NH I'd buy that 7800 for sure

I was just quoted the following from a Michigan dealer: (all prices include block heater, BH sub-frame, block-heater & full tank of fuel)

B7510 w/302/4672 BH -$19060
B7610 w/352/4672 BH -$20600
B7800 w/BH75 -$23500

Even with the US exchange (1.1275) and adding Canadian sales taxes of 14%on top of all that the new 7610 is less expensive then the used 7610/303/BH600 I was quoted on. I am waiting for a quote from a Canadian Kubota dealer on a new B series units. Once I have that then I can decide and buy one. I think I will buy a 7610 and use the US $2900 difference (CDN$3727) from the 7800 to buy a front snow blower. Good idea?

 

[IslandTractor]

I agree that the B7610 set up is the sweet spot in the threesome you were quoted. The extra FEL power and a few extra PTO hp for snowblowing would be nice. The 7800 is a great machine but for an extra 3K you'd have to really need those extra HP to justify it. I do the land clearing you are describing with a 21hp tractor very easily so I don't think you really need 30hp (although again extra PTO hp is nice for snow blowing). Good luck with your selection.

 

[Northland]

Here's an update on my tractor buying adventure. Frankly I am sick of thinking about this-my poor wife wants me to shut-up about tractors as well. As much as I'd like to buy something now but I will not pay more $ then I should.

Right now I have the choice of buying a new B7610 w/302 loader (US $14730 or $14850 w/352) or B7800 w/402 loader (US $16900) in Michigan at prices that are $1000 to $2000 higher then quoted on TBN. For that $ the tires are filled and a block heater are put in but I have to rent/pick up a trailer and go get the tractor. The dealer rep is trying to find someone to deliver the unit to me.

I also have the option of buying from a guy who goes into the US, buys Kubota's and resells them back in Canada at what I consider reasonable prices; for Canada. He sells Wood's 6500's (no other models) at a good price-CDA$6150.

This guy has a 2006 B7800 (2 hours) but only has a Woods BH6000. That seems too small for this unit so I would want something larger. Should I wait and find a Woods 70x or whatever the next model up is? I would want the Woods sub-frame 4 point kit on either tractor as I plan on taking the BH on and off a lot. He also has a 2004 B7610 (50 hours) with LA302 & BH6000 but I would prefer the larger 352 loader as I have big rocks and trees to move around.

How good is a back blade for snow removal? We receive a lot of snow but I would prefer to buy find a good used front blower for the tractor and save $

So, do I either buy a new Kubota a Michigan dealer and pay more $, buy a hardly used 2004 B7610 or 2006 B7800 or perhaps wait and look for a used B7610/7800 in Michigan? For example I saw a 2004 B7800 with brush hog that went for US$12500 on eBay last June.

What do you think? Suggestions appreciated.

 

[IslandTractor]

Well, your price range keeps creeping here....the used 7800 looks to me like it could be the best deal if the price is less than the new one in Michigan. I think the B7610 would be fine for your needs but I don't personally like the idea of the LA302 loader for anything other than mucking out a stall or general moderate utility use. You'll be frustrated with that when you are trying to dig out small trees or carry a lot of brush/logs. The 7800 is obviously a lot more tractor and loader, maybe more than you absolutely need but it is still the sweetest of the two used options. I don't really know the specs on the Woods 6000 but if your main use is digging up roots and clearing land then it might be fine. Obviously a bigger more powerful BH will do things a bit quicker but I suspect you would be happy with the Woods 6000. I do fine with my Kioti 2365 doing similar work.

Some of the Kubota guys will know better what a virtually new 7800 plus Woods 6000 is worth delivered but I'd imagine any price under $21,000 US would be very good.

 

[Northland]

Well, your price range keeps creeping here....the used 7800 looks to me like it could be the best deal if the price is less than the new one in Michigan. I think the B7610 would be fine for your needs but I don't personally like the idea of the LA302 loader for anything other than mucking out a stall or general moderate utility use. You'll be frustrated with that when you are trying to dig out small trees or carry a lot of brush/logs. The 7800 is obviously a lot more tractor and loader, maybe more than you absolutely need but it is still the sweetest of the two used options. I don't really know the specs on the Woods 6000 but if your main use is digging up roots and clearing land then it might be fine. Obviously a bigger more powerful BH will do things a bit quicker but I suspect you would be happy with the Woods 6000. I do fine with my Kioti 2365 doing similar work.

Some of the Kubota guys will know better what a virtually new 7800 plus Woods 6000 is worth delivered but I'd imagine any price under $21,000 US would be very good.

I agree that the B7610 could do the job for me but like everyone suggests I would not regret buying the bigger B7800. Still, I am thinking if I went with the B7610 I could use the savings from not the B7800 and use it towards getting a backhoe. I am not sure how much use I will get out of the backhoe but I do have some drainage ditching and other chores to do with it now. I fear that unless I buy the BH now I may never get it. Then again for sure I want a grapple put on the bucket next year. Right now I want a tooth bar put on the bucket. I'd also like to get 3 hooks welded onto the bucket but I fear they may interfere with the planned grapple attachment? Whatdo you think?

BTW, I got a price on a new Kioti CK20 with loader and backhoe for CDN$22500. Unforunately the closest dealer is 500+ miles away. I do wish I had more choices but for now I hope to get a better deal from the Michigan based Kubota dealer and buy from him.

thanks for all your suggestions

 

[LBrown59]

Northland,
Do a search for the broken plastic fender problem on the BX24. The BX23 does not have this problem as they are metal. There are a few people here who are not happy with their BX24, but I don't recall anyone dissatisfied with the 23.

Ken

I woulden't trade my Bx23 for 2 Bx24s.

 

[LBrown59]

Thanks for the good suggestions IslandTractor. I looked at a 2002 Kubota 7500 w/woods backhoe and only 98 hours for about CDN $21K but it would have cost CDN $800 more for the beefed up sub-frame. That and the warranty was over. Like many others I think I have the idea that a TLB is somehow better then a tractor w/aftermarket backhoe. It may be incorrect but it's the perception I had prior to redaing soe posts here...like yours.

I ordered brochures on the CK20 last year from Kiota and it looked perfect for my my needs but there are no dealers anywhere near me.

So, today I bought the BX23 with a 48" snow blower (Kubota Harvest days are on here). I got $1400 off the blower (CDN $2800 total) which has the hydralic motor for the snow chute control. I paid $19600 for the BX23 with the block heater as well as hooks welded to the top of the bucket. It has 0 zero hours and a 3 year warranty so I am happy. Once I see how this works for me I will either keep it or trade-up to a B21 if need be.

I am going to order that BX thumb and skidplates from Brotek (part of my rationale in not going with the BX24 for the extra $1250. Apparently the BX24 also lost the locking differential that the BX 23 has. Those broken plastic parts on the BX24 didn't thrill me either. It gets to be very cold up (-30 F)here and plastic cracks in the cold when it gets whacked

What I understand from reading on the Tractor Boards Is you can't mow with the BH attached to the BX 24 like you can do with the BX23.
This would be a real serious drawback on the BX24 for me as I never remove the BH to mow with the BX23.

 

[LBrown59]

You made a good choice. I have a 35hp tractor and a BX23 and use the BX23 for a lot more of the everyday jobs on my 20 acres. Everyone under estimates the
BX23 because of its low ground clearance which i've not yet found to be a problem in the 2 years and 300 hours i've owed it.
I live in WV where the terrain is pretty rugged. They will do just about anything a 40hp tractor can do just in smaller bites. I put in over a thousand feet of drain pipe 36" deep in about a week part time. Most of the bugs have been worked out of the BX23 except for the air cleaner brackets and safety switches. Heard of more teething pains with the BX24 since its intro the then BX22 and 23 have had combined.

Neither have I in the 2 years and 751 hours I've owned mine.

 

[LBrown59]

Going w/the BX23 is a good start, no matter what you end up doing down the road.
It'll do an amazing amount of work all day long for you and it has a very good resale value.
I just went over 200 hrs on a BX23 and although there has been a few times I could have used a bigger machine, the BX23 still got the job done, albeit taking alittle more time.
And when it comes to finish mowing, it'll cut circles around the larger CUTS

Volfandt

You hain't even got yours broke in :I've already put 751 hours on mine siice i got it new 2 years ago.
751 hours in only 2 years is really a lot of work for the little beast.

 

[LBrown59]

Thanks for the good suggestions IslandTractor. I looked at a 2002 Kubota 7500 w/woods backhoe and only 98 hours for about CDN $21K but it would have cost CDN $800 more for the beefed up sub-frame. That and the warranty was over. Like many others I think I have the idea that a TLB is somehow better then a tractor w/aftermarket backhoe. It may be incorrect but it's the perception I had prior to redaing soe posts here...like yours.

I ordered brochures on the CK20 last year from Kiota and it looked perfect for my my needs but there are no dealers anywhere near me.

So, today I bought the BX23 with a 48" snow blower (Kubota Harvest days are on here). I got $1400 off the blower (CDN $2800 total) which has the hydralic motor for the snow chute control. I paid $19600 for the BX23 with the block heater as well as hooks welded to the top of the bucket. It has 0 zero hours and a 3 year warranty so I am happy. Once I see how this works for me I will either keep it or trade-up to a B21 if need be.

I am going to order that BX thumb and skidplates from Brotek (part of my rationale in not going with the BX24 for the extra $1250. Apparently the BX24 also lost the locking differential that the BX 23 has. Those broken plastic parts on the BX24 didn't thrill me either. It gets to be very cold up (-30 F)here and plastic cracks in the cold when it gets whacked

There's no way I'd want to give up the BX23 therefore I prefer adding to rather than trading up.