BX24/25 or B2920 with backhoe?

[amigauser]

the long term value of the backhoe is the issue, after the trenches I will be building the house, planting probably a hundred or more pine trees as wind breaks. also will be getting a tiller and tilling about 2 acres a year for gardens, which is why the B2920 looked good, not to mention about 800 feet of snow removal. but, do the backhoes get used enough to justify purchase?
and the B2920 does have a suspended deck, but now what about the new B3200 the size of the B3030 but less expensive, and do the "deluxe" features of the B3030 actually get used? My previous B1750 and L3010, never used the cruise control.

I agree that a backhoe is nice to have. I was not aware that the new B's had the suspended deck like the BX have. What I meant by my earlier post was that you can get the BX24/25 TLB or the new BXX20 series with the BH65. Both operate in a similar manner. The BX24/25 and new Bxx20 series have one seat that rotates forward for driving and backward for backhoe use. The larger B's (like the B3030 that I have) have two seats, one for driving and one for the backhoe. They are not nearly as well integrated with the backhoe as the new smaller B's and BX24/25.

I guess it really depends on your wants and needs. I wanted a cab tractor so I purchased the B3030 cab version. I probably could have gotten by with a BX but I do operate in woods quite a bit and the BX ground clearance would have been a liability. If I was choosing between a BX and new B I would go B again. The 3 speed hydro alone is well worth it.

As far as "deluxe" features. That to depends on what you are using the tactor for. If you have multiple 3 pt hitch implements it is nice to have position control, telescoping lower links and the ratcheting side link adjustment. The tilt wheel is nice to. I don't use cruise control either.

 

[LBrown59]

do the backhoes get used enough to justify purchase?

Mine sure does.

The BH on my BX23 has been a very valuable tool...Everything from its design for digging/trenching to reaching out and ripping away overgrown black berry vines and numerous other chores...I'm very happy with the BH and some day for what ever reason if and when I need a different tractor the BH will be more of a sales feature to boot.
Don

If my BX23 didn't have a BH I'd fell like i didn't even have a tractor.

The backhoe would be an asset for you anyway as it costs 90 plus dollars an hour plus set up and travel time for a back hoe here in new york anyway and you will use it for a lot of things that will come up like ripping weeds and woody brush out of places along with removing woody poison ivy brush too.

The big problen with hiring out BH work is Most if not All the smaller BH task would never get done.
Who wants to shell out 90 dollars for a 10 minute job.
Who wants to do that 5 or ten times a year?

I have customers with BX's that do all of what you have to do!

You can do a lot more with a BH than you can without one!

 

[bandit67]

I "wanted" the deluxe features of the B3030, even after running a B7800 rental for a couple of days and not really having any complaints. You don't know what you're missing, and never really will, until you have those features.

I never used Position Control, but boy do I use the living heck out of it now that I have it. Not sure if you need to move all the way up to a B3030, but I can say you should be able to justify it with the 2 properties. I had a subcompact, and borrowed my neighbor's BX22 plenty, and I just don't think you'll be happy with the subcompact with all the work you have lined up. I think the B2920 with the backhoe would suit you well, but I can pretty much guarantee you won't be sorry if you go with the B3030. It's a great size machine, not too big, not too small, and very powerful for it's size. It's a lot bigger and stronger than the B2x20 machines, but I don't ever find it to be too big on my 2+ acre property. Of course, it's gotten quite a bit of use on other folks properties too, and that's a big reason why I'm glad I didn't go any smaller.

As for the backhoe, you'll get a lot of use out of it. I honestly have never met anyone that has ever parked their backhoe and let it rust after finishing up their "initial" backhoe work. You will find all sorts of things to use it for once you have it.

 

[LBrown59]

I "wanted" the deluxe features of the B3030, even after running a B7800 rental for a couple of days and not really having any complaints. You don't know what you're missing, and never really will, until you have those features.

I never used Position Control, but boy do I use the living heck out of it now that I have it. Not sure if you need to move all the way up to a B3030, but I can say you should be able to justify it with the 2 properties. I had a subcompact, and borrowed my neighbor's BX22 plenty, and I just don't think you'll be happy with the subcompact with all the work you have lined up. I think the B2920 with the backhoe would suit you well, but I can pretty much guarantee you won't be sorry if you go with the B3030. It's a great size machine, not too big, not too small, and very powerful for it's size. It's a lot bigger and stronger than the B2x20 machines, but I don't ever find it to be too big on my 2+ acre property. Of course, it's gotten quite a bit of use on other folks properties too, and that's a big reason why I'm glad I didn't go any smaller.

*As for the backhoe, you'll get a lot of use out of it. I honestly have never met anyone that has ever parked their backhoe and let it rust after finishing up their "initial" backhoe work. You will find all sorts of things to use it for once you have it.

If I didn't have a BH I'd think somebody stole my tractor.

 

[Matt_Jr]

Although I only have 1/2 an acre I've used my backhoe more times than I can count. Gutter drains, ditches, rocks in driveway, leveling yard, more rocks in yard... making a couple extra bucks doin' stuff for the neighbors, and their friends, and their friends. Although I have a BX24 and will brag a ton about what it will do... if I had more land I would definately go bigger. The hoe has a little trouble with bigger rocks, does good for it's size but sometimes bigger would be nice. Just remember.. if you buy small you'll wish you bought bigger. I like my 24 'cause I've got some steep hills and like I said 1/2 an acre.

 

[check]

Was going to buy a B2920 but had not finalized the deal yet, but now I am buying 2 1/2 acres of ground to build another house. Already have 4 1/2 acres and will be taking care of another house we own for mowing. Question is with building a new house there would be a need to install a culvert, trenching for gas line, 2 ft. deep and water line 4 ft. deep both at least 200 ft long, hard soil, maybe 18 inches top soil and the rest shale. Would it be beter to get a BX24/25 or get the backhoe attachment for the B2920?

I was told to get a tractor that came with the BH rather than adding one on later, and I got the BX25 instead of the 2620 or 2920 because the BX25 has an extra frame member joining the front and back, just because the FEL and BH come standard together, and are expected to be used in more demanding situations. Note that the BH only digs 6 ft. deep, but that seems enough for your needs.

 

[bandit67]

I was told to get a tractor that came with the BH rather than adding one on later, and I got the BX25 instead of the 2620 or 2920 because the BX25 has an extra frame member joining the front and back, just because the FEL and BH come standard together, and are expected to be used in more demanding situations. Note that the BH only digs 6 ft. deep, but that seems enough for your needs.

You must be a bit new to these types of tractors, and therefore, it appears as if your dealer salesperson slightly misled you. Most of the compact tractors nowadays that have backhoes available from the manufacturer, have what is called a 4-point subframe backhoe mount that has steel plates on both sides of the tractor to tie the backhoe subframe to the loader frame, so the tractor frame, loader frame, and backhoe frame are all solidly tied together.

The B2x20 series machines have a very well designed TLB setup, including a TLB style single reversible seat, which essentially makes it a larger version of the BX25, which is stronger and more capable. My B3030, though not a true TLB design, also has a solid 4-point backhoe subframe that ties into the loader frame, thus increasing the tractor frame's overall strength and rigidity.

After logging 100 hours on a buddy's BX22, I feel that the original poster will be much better suited to at least the B2X20 series size with the tasks he has lined up.

 

[J0be269]

I have a B2620 with FEL and BH, I can say that I would never own another tractor that didn't have both. For one, the BH makes a GREAT ballast for FEL work. I have used the BH itself for everything from planting shrubs (I'm lazy) to picking up trees (have thumb) to saw them up, stumps, and of course just digging holes.

I don't yet have a tooth bar, so hard ground gets broken up with BH first when using FEL. Just today I used it to remove some gravel from the edge of an old driveway to widen my yard a bit. The FEL wouldn't hardly touch the packed in gravel but the BH made short work.

So to the OP question about usage, I use my BH as much or more than my FEL. I have never removed the BH (have another CUT close by for 3 point stuff) and probably never will remove it. You will not be disappointed with the BH65. I can say though that for all intended purposes the B2620 will serve you just as well as the 2920, and is a bit cheaper.

 

[bandit67]

For one, the BH makes a GREAT ballast for FEL work.

You bring up an excellent point. The backhoe is the best rear ballast you can put on a tractor, due to its weight.

I don't yet have a tooth bar, so hard ground gets broken up with BH first when using FEL.

I've had a toothbar in the past. It can be a little rough on these smaller machines. I don't plan on ever getting a toothbar, because I can use the backhoe, which is much better suited to breaking up extremely hard ground.

 

[check]

You must be a bit new to these types of tractors, and therefore, it appears as if your dealer salesperson slightly misled you. Most of the compact tractors nowadays that have backhoes available from the manufacturer, have what is called a 4-point subframe backhoe mount that has steel plates on both sides of the tractor to tie the backhoe subframe to the loader frame, so the tractor frame, loader frame, and backhoe frame are all solidly tied together.

The B2x20 series machines have a very well designed TLB setup, including a TLB style single reversible seat, which essentially makes it a larger version of the BX25, which is stronger and more capable. My B3030, though not a true TLB design, also has a solid 4-point backhoe subframe that ties into the loader frame, thus increasing the tractor frame's overall strength and rigidity.

After logging 100 hours on a buddy's BX22, I feel that the original poster will be much better suited to at least the B2X20 series size with the tasks he has lined up.

Yes, I know the 3030 has a good subframe, but I believe the frame of the BX25 I bought is tougher and more suitable for a backhoe than either the 2620 or the 2920, which do not come standard with the BH. And, by the time you pay for the base 3030, and then add in the extra for a BH, you are in to quite a bit more money than the BX25, wgich somes standard with the BH.