Buying Advice BX2360 vs B2620

[susogoatfarm]

Buying my first tractor - well, something to maintain just over 4 acres - 3 plus acres of pasture and two 1/2 acre paddocks. One acre is wooded area, sloped and one pretty sizeable slope in the big pasture. There are some tight areas I would be working in the paddocks. I have a Cub zero turn I purchased with the intent to mow the pasture but it's a tad too rough for it. I use it to mow the acre plus around the house. Love the ztr, though. I also needed to do a little grading, clearing out drainage areas and maintain my drive. Eventually need to reseed and fertilize the pasture.

So I looked at BX2360 which my Kubota dealer has overstocked and has been sitting there awhile, priced to move - it does not have a mmm, I don't need one having the ztr. Also looked at the B2620 and B3300. I think the B3300 and L3200 were overkill for the acreage I have - plus I needed a smaller tractor to do work around and in the barn. That left the BX2360 and B2620. The problem - the B2620 is $3,100 more than than the BX2360 and what I can tell from the specs, I am not getting $3.1k difference in moving up to the B2620. What am I missing? I am getting an FEL and both are priced as such. The size of the two are very similar (the B having about 4 inches more ground clearance) but overall not a lot of diff in the size. The 2620 FEL is more powerful, but I won't be doing a lot heavy duty loader type stuff. I am getting a bush hog in the package. Both take a 4ft.

Any advice? I have read all the threads I can find and have seen a lot of good and helpful comments. The price difference is really driving my decision at this point. For my needs, I can't justify spending the extra $3.1k for what I would be gaining in the B2620 from the BX2360...but I don't want to buy too small.

Thanks!

Susan

 

[s219]

There is a world of difference between the two in terms of the frame, tire/wheel size, load capacities, and other things like ground clearance. One is a sub-compact, the other is a compact. They are two different classes of tractor, which is why there is a notable price jump. Compare all the specs and it will make sense.

I will say this, do not buy a tractor solely based on price -- it shouldn't be the defining reason. Choose based on which one does the best job for your needs, present and anticipated.

Most of what you mention is well within the capability of a BX, though I probably wouldn't pick one to re-do 3 acres of pasture. That seems like a big job for a BX just in terms of scale. A B series would be better sized to work a 3 acre pasture.

 

[TripleR]

Good points mentioned by s219, also the BX has an exposed HST fan which will need improved protection for working off yard w/o MMM.

We are on our second BX and love it; very versatile machine and competent beyond its size. It is exceptionally stable on slopes. It however rides pretty rough off the yard and the boots on the tie rods have been replaced due to the low ground clearance.

The BX2360 will do the tasks you have, but it would not be my choice between the two and I would add spacers to the 2620.

I would recommend driving both as much as possible and get into some rough ground if you can.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

I've had and still have several Kubotas. I currently have a BX25 which is the BX2360 with a FEL and Backhoe as standard equipment. I also have a B2320 which is the comparable B vs BX model.
The BX will feel safer on the hillsides because it sits a bit lower than the Bs thus giving the Bs the higher ground clearance and the BXs less. If your careful and go straight up and down hills as much as possible and not across them you'll be safer on any tractor. I have about 5 acres I mow and maintain and I'm convinced the BX will handle all of your jobs. If your fields are rough then you'll have a bit of a rough ride on either the B or the BX. My front yard that's a couple of acres was a field that I've mowed for several years with BXs and Bs and currently mow with a Kubota F model. It's still rough.
Price the B2320 vs the BX2360 and see how you feel about the price difference between the two. Get turf tires for either for a better ride and R4s for a bit stronger puncture resistance but a bit harsher ride.

 

[tractchores]

I recently looked at both for maintaining similar acerage, though i probably have more hills and eoods. I went with the b2920 due to better ground clearance, no exposed hst fan and it just seemed like a lot more tractor. I think in general bigger is better and will let you do more. I haven't had any issues on steep hills, you just need to be careful and i would load the tires.

 

[susogoatfarm]

Thanks for all the feedback.

Does the extra 4" in ground clearance I would gain on the B really make much difference? That seems to be the biggest concern. The area I need to maintain is pretty tame, my ztr can handle it, just need something more for implements and bush hog. And the bx did sound a little more stable than the b on steep areas based on the threads I've read.

The implement size on both is the same, the PTO hp is just over 1hp diff. Again, trying to justify that $3.1k. And once I get up to a B, it isn't much more $ to jump to a 3300, but then I'm back to more tractor than I need.

I asked about the B2320DT and the dealer highly discouraged me from going with that tractor. They don't carry them. They don't carry any 2320's as they didn't think it was a good tractor for the money.

 

[tractchores]

Thanks for all the feedback.

Does the extra 4" in ground clearance I would gain on the B really make much difference? That seems to be the biggest concern. The area I need to maintain is pretty tame, my ztr can handle it, just need something more for implements and bush hog. And the bx did sound a little more stable than the b on steep areas based on the threads I've read.

The implement size on both is the same, the PTO hp is just over 1hp diff. Again, trying to justify that $3.1k. And once I get up to a B, it isn't much more $ to jump to a 3300, but then I'm back to more tractor than I need.

I asked about the B2320DT and the dealer highly discouraged me from going with that tractor. They don't carry them. They don't carry any 2320's as they didn't think it was a good tractor for the money.

The clearance really depends on the landscape you're operating on. In my case I've got a lot of rocks that jut up, some stumps and plenty of softer ground so I use every bit (and sometimes more) of the clearance. If it were possible to either rent one of the models or try it out on some similar landscape that would be a good way to get a feel for it fast. When i drove both back to back that really helped me decide.

In terms of 2320 VS 26 or 2920 the step up for more HP isn't much and the 26 and 29 offer better hydraulics which makes a difference. For what it's worth around here there are a couple of used 2320's and they've sat on the dealer lots for a while, all the 26 and 2920's seem to sell pretty much immediately for whatever reason. In my case I tried both a 2320 and a 2920 and went with the 29 because I wanted the extra HP at the PTO to run a wood chipper and the extra hydraulics power for BH work (pulling stumps mostly). My view was I'll have the tractor for a very long time and you can't add power after the fact and who knows what kinds of new jobs or implements I'll find for it in that time.

 

[TripleR]

Thanks for all the feedback.

Does the extra 4" in ground clearance I would gain on the B really make much difference? That seems to be the biggest concern. The area I need to maintain is pretty tame, my ztr can handle it, just need something more for implements and bush hog. And the bx did sound a little more stable than the b on steep areas based on the threads I've read.

I think tractchores pretty well sums it up, it matters if you need it and not if you don't. My son in law has torn the boots off and bent the tie rods on his BX2200, but his land is so steep he prefers the stability over clearance. I or one of my sons or wife has torn the boots on our 2660, but again, stability won out when we were comparing a BX2660 v B2920.

And since JOHNTHOMAS has owned/owns a bit of everything, he knows a lot more than I, so will defer to him on this one.

 

[GPintheMitten]

My thoughts are that what you've described as your uses, you would be good with the BX, but I would consider what future uses you may want beyond what you've talked about. Would you ever want to use a post hole digger for fencing or barn? Or would you need to move a lot of dirt or gravel with the loader? The extra height and stronger frame and hydraulics may be necessary, or maybe not.

My daughter has BX (don't remember which model) with 26 hp engine and a small loader, no mmm, a 4 foot brush hog and a 4 foot back blade. She uses for her horse barn and paddocks and mows the pastures. It does what she wants, but I think her bucket is pretty small. She has brought in limestone for her paddocks because they turn to mush without it. It takes a long time to spread semi-loads of gravel, but it beats the wheelbarrow.

I have a B2620 that I prefer over her BX for both the chores and the comfort of the operator, but I'm 6', 230 pounds, You're probably smaller.

Just from reading your posts, if it is hard for you to justify the $3k difference and you think it will handle the chores, then you'll probably be fine with the BX.

 

[bp fick]

Thanks for all the feedback.

Does the extra 4" in ground clearance I would gain on the B really make much difference? That seems to be the biggest concern. The area I need to maintain is pretty tame, my ztr can handle it, just need something more for implements and bush hog. And the bx did sound a little more stable than the b on steep areas based on the threads I've read.

The implement size on both is the same, the PTO hp is just over 1hp diff. Again, trying to justify that $3.1k. And once I get up to a B, it isn't much more $ to jump to a 3300, but then I'm back to more tractor than I need.

I asked about the B2320DT and the dealer highly discouraged me from going with that tractor. They don't carry them. They don't carry any 2320's as they didn't think it was a good tractor for the money.

In the real world, the difference in ground clearance is much more than 4". I've had both a BX and a B 20 series, and the ground clearance is night and day. There are many other features on the B series that are also an improvement; the dash board, the larger 3 pt hitch geometry, etc.

Your dealer has a particular bias that shows through. I personally feel he is wrong. He should offer the B2320 because it is a heck of a buy. He doesn't because it is priced right at the top BX and he wishes to have a bigger price gap between his BX series and his B 20 series. That's his decision, but as a consumer, I highly disagree.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/.../185147-bx1860-vx-b2320-contrast-compare.html

You might enjoy reading this comparison I did between owning a BX and B in this little thread I share a year or so ago. Whatever you choose, you'll love the tractor, but you need to realize your dealer's biases are his and his alone. Personally, I'd buy the B2620 he has and not even blink, for the tasks you have at hand. The wheel spacing kit on the B would make it very, very stable. Afterall, the B 20 series are NOT tall tractors. The abilities of the B2620 are substantial over the BX. The BX is an awesome machine, but it is short to the ground and that will always be the case. For it's intended purpose, the short stature of the BX is perfect. For what a taller tractor needs to be and do? That short stature would forever be a handicap.