BX24 v. 2320

[cotterd]

Hi,
I've read over a number of the posts here and learned a lot already. We're going to buy a tractor, and need some help choosing between a BX24 and B2320 TLB. We have a mid 1800s house 4 acres with an old barn and tractor shed (so need _something_ to fill it). The property is mostly open field which we mow with a ZTR, so we don't need mowing capacity now.

Here is what we do need to do:

1. dig trenches for some French drains/swales around house
2. erase ruts/tire marks from heavy equipment
3. fill in water line trench which settled ~10-12 over the winter
4. grading yard to slope away from foundation
5. moving large rocks (not boulders but head to torso sized fieldstones)
6. dig out 12遅12 section for bluestone patio
7. digging a few 4-6 stumps
8. excavate for footing in corner of old barn where foundation has collapsed (down to 4 frost line for approximately 40 maybe continuous maybe post and pier).
9. maintain ~100 yards of gravel driveway

Obviously we're looking at a few years worth of projects with a bunch of seat time.

So, our question is, can we do this with the BX24? I知 thinking a box scraper and/or landscape rake w/ gauge wheels would be the thing for all that smoothing/leveling work. But we're also looking at the B2320 for ~$3,500 more. Would it help to have the extra weight, loader/BH capacity and clearance?

Finally, we may acquire an additional 10-15 acres which is more rocky and uneven and would require a brush hog/rear mower.

Thanks in advance for your advice.

cotterd

 

[offcamber]

If your budget won't allow for a larger tractor than a BX24 than defiantly go with the BX24 for the BH alone. When you say move large rocks how big are we talking? For everything else the BX24 sounds like it will fit the bill. I grade my driveway with a 5' landscape rake without guide wheels. $400 at Tractor Supply. IT has worked great and is a good fit for the BX tracors. There is a lot of opinions on guide wheels...I haven't found a need for them...

Also get a thumb for the BH...it will help with your rock and stump moving...

Good Luck

 

[ChuckinNH]

Many of us are faced with the same choices, and between the two tractors you are looking at, the choice can be difficult. Here is a link to a large lawn project that Kiethinspace completed with his BX, and it sure looks great!
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-owning-operating/120304-update-massive-lawn-project.html

Here are some pictures of rocks that I dug out, and moved around with my BX22. The rocks in the pile are about as large as you can move around with that size tractor using the loader. The rocks pushed against the stone wall could not be lifted, and had to be rolled /pushed using the loader. The smaller rock in the hole is easy for a BX, the large one I didn't even try! The loader capacity of the B2320 isn't much different, but the backhoe is somewhat stronger, and has a bit more reach, and swing. The big advantage of the B is that while the weight of the tractor isn't much different, the tires are larger, and would hold more fluid for weight. The bigger tires also put more of that HP to the ground, and that makes a difference when pulling a box blade, etc. If you buy that rougher ground, you will want the clearance of the B2320 I think. I feel your pain since I am still debating the two myself.

 

[bandit67]

Finally, we may acquire an additional 10-15 acres which is more rocky and uneven and would require a brush hog/rear mower.
cotterd

I'd say go for the slightly bigger machine based on your list of projects, but the above quote is the part that would cause me to advise you to go with the slightly larger B2320 TLB. That type of terrain would pose some challenges for the BX24 - it would probably work, but I think this is an instance where moving up a size would really benefit you.

 

[Volfandt]

Would it help to have the extra weight, loader/BH capacity and clearance?
Finally, we may acquire an additional 10-15 acres which is more rocky and uneven and would require a brush hog/rear mower.

It always helps to have more capacities in tractoring. You rarely hear someone remark that they wished they had something smaller.

If the "may" becomes a definite "will" aquire those additional acres you'll definitely want the B2320 or larger....

As for the brush hogging, you'd have to go with the B2920 or B2630/B3030(5') to work a larger cutter than the BX24/B2320 (4').

I'm going on my 4th season w/a BX23 and it's done a very good job of taking care of what I've tasked it to do, which is very similar to your list of jobs. The addition of a thumb to the BH made the clearing and cutting up of trees so much easier that it was like having one or two big strong helpers
A bucket grapple would have made it even better.....

If the new B series had been around when I was tradeing I'd have probably gone w/ one of them over the BX simply because of the suspended MMM. Finish mowing was going to be the primary purpose for my machine and I wanted the suspended MMM, hense the BX23 won out over a similarly eqt'ed B7510/B7610.
Since I only have alittle over 4 acres and have them mostly tamed I don't need a bigger machine as the BX23 does an outstanding job with them but, if I were to go with more rough land to clear and maintain I'd be trading up to a B3030 in a New York minute

Good luck

 

[bx24]

I absolutely LOVE my BX24 and it can do amazing things .....

Go with the bigger machine! (2320)

 

[cotterd]

Hi,
Thanks to all of you for the input. We ordered a BX24 w/ box scraper and landscape rake last night (to be delivered Monday). The 2320 was tempting, but since the extra acreage is only a possiblity and some ways off, the BX should give us a sufficient introduction to tractoring. When the time comes we'll either trade up, or get one of my stepdad's Ford 8n's to brush hog the field.

 

[shownuff]

i am just wondering if there is a big difference in price between the two?

 

[cotterd]

The price difference between the BX24 and the B2320 (with loader and backhoe) for us started at about $3,500 but the dealer was more willing to negotiate on the BX so it wound up being closer to $4000. Not a trivial amount especially psychologically since the BX was closer to 15k and the B2320 more like 20k. Since we also knew we wanted to add a couple implements (rake, box scraper) the savings were helpful.

 

[Tom_H]

To assist you in the rock moving business, two extra items may be helpful, a Bro-tek thumb for the backhoe and an American Solutions grapple for the loader bucket. There are also several methods of placing hooks on the loader bucket for help with securing items with chain or webbing.

To assist with the grading, a Top and Tilt hydraulic system from Carter and Carter to use with the box blade. The Top and Tilt will make the box blade ten times as useful as trying to grade without it.

If you cannot find links to these three businesses in recent threads in this forum, post here and I or someone else will put up links to threads discussing those items and links to the companies.