BX2350 vs BX24 vs 2320 - First Tractor

[bandit67]

I agree, a hoe is an expensive attachment. When I bought my subcompact, I thought about the backhoe, but didn't think I could justify the expense. What ensured I didn't spring for a hoe was a neighbor on an adjoining property with a BX22 that said I was welcome to use it whenever I needed, so long as I stocked up on some 3pt implements that he could borrow as he needed. That arrangement worked great.

I logged between 75-100 hours on his machine in a 2 year period doing backhoe work. It's amazing how many little projects continue to 'pop up' when you have a backhoe at your disposal.

After that experience, I told myself, and my wife (who must also approve all big purchases), that after we moved, and I got into a bigger machine, I needed to buy a backhoe. I don't think I could live without one after running a BX22 for all that time, and renting 4 different sized TLB's from a small Almand up to a full size NH over a 3 year period.

I can guarantee that you will find at least twice as much to do with your own personal backhoe than the list of things you can come up with while trying to justify the initial added cost. And whenever you sell the tractor someday, you will get a portion of that initial expense back.

You also have the option of adding the backhoe 1,2, or 3 years down the road, but the financing deals when purchasing the tractor are a nice incentive.

As for the argument about the attachments being a PITA to put on/take off, that's a load of bull. Most every manufacturer has spent a lot of time & money designing tool-less attachment systems that are quite impressive and rather easy for even the marginally mechanically inclined. If someone is too rich, too lazy, or incapable of taking advantage of the well designed attachment systems, then maybe using a complex piece of equipment such as a tractor is better left to folks that don't find simple attachment changes to be so challenging.

 

[ChuckinNH]

Well, some folks buy a tractor because it is attached to a backhoe, and some buy a backhoe because their tractor can power it, and move it around. The nice thing is that both ways work, and the backhoe, with tractors larger than the BX, are the same price now, or later, though I understand that financing options are not. If we try to justify any tractor strictly by the chores that we really need one to do, many of us would come up short. The question is what things do you WANT to do with a tractor. Let those chores decide which tractor you buy. If you want to do it now, you will want to do it later, when you have a tractor, and you will be sorry if you don't have the right one then. If it is something that YOU don't want to do yourself, or have limitations that keep you from doing it yourself, you would be wise to hire it done, or rent the equipment. There is no need to beat yourself up that way about not doing things that you really didn't want to do in the first place. Your tractor will be a fun, and practical tool for you to enjoy, so what you enjoy using is pretty important.

 

[amigauser]

I went through a similar quandry back when I was looking at purchasing a tractor. I figured it would probably be a once in a lifetime purchase and I did not want to under buy. In my case I really wanted a cab tractor so when I weighed the cost of a BX with a add on cab vs the B3030 with the factory cab I end up going with the "B". It has done pretty much everything I have asked it to do.

The new B2x20 series was not available when I purchased but they make a fine TLB if you really want to get the backhoe. They appear to be a great choice over a BX24 if you are looking for a little more FEL capacity and ground clearance. The backhoes really are not well suited to a cab tractor so that is primarily why I did not get one.

The mid mount Kubota mowers are a little bit of a pain to change out (especially attaching the mid pto connection) but are really not that bad. Three point implements are very easy to hook up if you make dollies for all of your 3 pt attachments and/or get one of the 3rd party quick hitches. The Kubota hoes and FEL are quick attach and both come off very easily with practice. Most people who run two machines have one larger tractor that would damage the turf and one smaller tractor or a ZTR to mow with.

Good luck in your decision

 

[stimpee]

I think I have all but decided on the B3030. Now I just need to finalize details of configuration. I am not really interested in a cab. It would be nice for snow removal, but that doesnt happen often here in northeastern MD. However that is more than offset by my desire to get some "outside time" and fresh air when using the tractor.

The hoe is VERY tempting, but even with 42 month 0% it adds nearly $150 per month to something where I have already blown my original budget. I COULD afford it, but I don't know if I want to go that far. I know if I have it, I will probably use it a lot. However I also know I can survive without it. I would love to have it, since my experience operating a mini-excavator was hella-fun when I did it a few years ago! It would make some otherwise pain in the butt projects be quite enjoyable.

I could go with one of the other financing options to keep the payment down, but then the Hoe ends up costing me way more than the initial purchase price, which makes it even harder to justify.

You guys are all bad influences though...

 

[ChuckinNH]

Clever how they move up in price increments so that adding something to one tractor a l m o s t buys you the next size up.

 

[stimpee]

True, very true. And it just keeps going up from there.

I was pretty well sold on the 2920, but then for just a LITTLE bit more (not) I could get position control, telescoping links, independent PTO, bigger more stout frame, 10 more lb-fit of torque, a 72" deck vs 60", more loader capacity and a quick change bucket attachment, 50%+ more 3 point hitch capacity, etc!

I am still SORELY tempted by the Hoe, but I think my wife would truly kill me. She has been quite supportive thus far!

Steve

 

[bandit67]

I started small, and kept moving up, but stopped myself before going any further.

As for your wife - a nice dinner out, maybe some flowers, and being extra romantic and telling her how much you love her for a day or two before you sit down and start talking to her about this tractor should help.

Make her see how stressful it is for you trying to decide what to get so you can do your husbandly duty to properly take care of your family, and how maybe you should just hold off on buying and instead just shell out all the money (inflate your estimates) for rentals for the next couple of years. Explain that maybe it won't be so bad if you can't properly take care of the property, or the horses, until you get a new tractor with all the attachments you 'need', but maybe it's just a sacrifice you'll all need to make for the next couple of years.

There seems to be a threshold for rental $$ going out vs. having no equipment to show for it in some wives eyes. It's also important for all of us consumers to do our part to help get this economy going again, and consumer spending is critical to a healthy economy.

Hope this helps.

 

[stimpee]

I don't need that much help with my wife. She went with me shopping for it on Saturday, took a look and some discussion with the salesman on the BX24 I was looking at and supporting moving to the XX20 series. Then when I was trying to decide which of the 20 series to get, she said "just get the big one and be done with it" where big means the bigger engine.

Then when I told her last night I was reconsidering and why, she just said "get whatever you think will work best".

I don't know if I can carry that over to an additional 6+k for the hoe though. She is the one that primarily wanted the big property and has the horses though, so she is mostly on board with the "need" for the tractor.

Steve

 

[bandit67]

It's nice having an understanding wife that doesn't make you pull out all the stops, isn't it?

My wife has been surprisingly understanding, and also told me to just get the bigger machine with the attachments I 'need'. It's good when you marry the right woman, who understands that us guys also need to 'accessorize', just like they do.

 

[Tom_H]

stimpee,

With the B3030, you can always decide to add the backhoe later without the penalty you face with with the BX.

When considering BX24 vs. BX2350, you save a good $1500 by getting the BX24, rather than getting the BX2350, then adding the Woods backhoe later. Changes have to be made to the seat, hydraulics, etc.

With the B3030, you buy the tractor and backhoe separately from the get go. The tractor comes with the rear remote hydraulics already in place for a bh, top n' tilt, other attachments, later. No seat changes, etc. either. With the thought in mind that you can always add the Kubota BH75 or a Woods BH70X or BH80X at any point later in time, without paying any more (except normal inflation), you can go ahead and buy the B3030 without the BH and WITH some peace of mind that you can purchase later as finances allow.

I agree with the fresh air, but for those really nasty blizzard conditions, have you considered a removable soft cab? Less money along with the ability to have fresh air when you want, and the ability to keep out the abominable snowman.

Just some thoughts to mull over. Good luck!