Wow! Tried to respond this morning before work, but ran out of time and coffee. Lots of good points here and discussion and I appreciate the contributions. I apologize as it takes some time for me to put words to paper
In considering a larger tractor I am looking at a lot of different factors: size/weight/lift + volumetric capacity. I also have a decent understanding of what we can afford and what my yard will support in terms of maneuverability and weight induced damage. Those last two factors are what has been driving my specific interest in the large B, Lx & L2501 range of tractors in considering if trading up in tractors would provide added enough functionality for my needs/wants to make it worth the cost&effort.
I would love to be able to afford an MX or Grand L; however they are simply beyond what we can reasonably afford. Also, while weight is a huge factor in considering usefulness, those tractors are simply too large to be easily maneuverable on our property and likely also too heavy for our property.
Things that important in considering whether to buy larger piece of equipment are:
- Increased ability to move larger volumes of light materials (mulch) per trip.
- Increased capacity and ease of brush transport
- Occasional need for the ability to dig and transport larger amounts than I am currently capable of sedimentation from the ditch alongside the gravel road running to the shop
- Occasional homeowner level trenching + excavation of holes for planting/landscaping
- Occasional re-excavation to repair water lines to the house
- Innate loader quick attach, preferably SSQA
- *Higher material transport speed...... Caveat because, based on conditions, it may not be useful/safe
Things that are not important:
- Mowing… is handled by a zero turn
- Heavy ground engagement work
- Woods/trail work
Understand I have read any number of threads on TLB's and their utility vs value curve. Having a backhoe attachment is a significant want and small need for me. The wife and I have pretty hectic work/life schedules. I like working in the yard and highly value being able to work on projects without having to deal with rental companies.
I had an old IH2500b with a 3/4 cubic yard bucket.
I have a PowerTrac PT425 with a 10 cubic foot (a little more than 1/3 cubic yard) bucket and a 5 cubic foot bucket.
The little PT425 with the smaller bucket would run circles around the larger IH with the larger bucket when doing tasks like moving mulch, stone, and other loose materials because it is so fast and nimble.
The IH could squash the little PT425 like a bug because it was so large and strong.
You can’t really compare bucket widths without looking at depths and heights. You need to look at cubic displacement to see which one will carry more material is what I’m trying to say.
Then you need to see which machine can carry which bucket with X amount of weight, etc.
Anyhow, a bit to think about. Good luck in your search.
Moss - you make a bunch of good points both in terms of maneuverability and in regards to what I was looking at/for regarding bucket sizes. What I wish I could find is a listing of dimensions, similar to what W.R. Long provides, for the buckets that Kubota offers on their tractors.
If I had that I could do some caculating to have some hard numbers, which would better help to make a determination if it was worthwhile in terms of wants/needs to get a larger TLB (hopefully with grapple) or just add a 3rd function and grapple to the bx.
We enjoy our B26 as a multi-use machine. 54” grapple is used often. 60”HD gp bucket. Strong heavy duty tractor made for lifting yet compact. Landscaper’s dream. 4 post ROPS and canopy offers good operator protection. Many modifications to suit our use.
We had a B20 for over twenty years and was handy as a pocket on a shirt on our farm. Tried to replace with L3830. No Go. Too big and awkward. Tired several pieces of equipment for mowing what the B20 did was disappointing. Finally got a B26 and couldn’t be happier. Wife thinks it’s hers and that’s OK. Experience has helped buddies get one. Bought both used to save considerable cost.
BXPANDED is about 5 miles away. Many good tools for BX and other small tractors. Amazed at some of the jobs BX owners tackle.
I had originally looked at the B26's I really like that they are overbuilt to function in a commercial environment. Pretty early on I had discounted them from consideration based on the MSRP. Would you be willing to ball park what you paid and the year you bought it?
I feel like you're getting what I'm putting down. Weight and power (Loader, hp, 3pt, backhoe) is always a nice thing, but in many cases there's a sweet spot compromise. I'd love to be able to afford an MX and what if offers, but there's definitely places on my property where I need to go that it wouldn't fit.
As example, if I got an MX TLB the power and capacity of the backhoe bucket would be great, but there's no way I could use it to clear the ditches I have because of the clearance on either side of the gravel road on our property. Seat of the pants, a B TLB feels right for what we have....but, excluding the backhoe, if it's a neglible increase in capabilities it might not be worth taking on a loan.
Get a light grapple that opens wide with good gullet space. You will be amazed how much brush it will carry compared to a bucket. Learn to position the grapple and curl forward to compress piles down before clamping them. Maybe you can get a grapple attachment that bolts to your bucket.
Single Add-A-Grapple for Sale - Ask Tractor Mike-Ozark, MO
That's the plan regardless of the outcome of my research into a larger tractor.
Sometimes, the solution to a problem is simpler than one might think.
If I were faced with this problem, I would pull a trailer/wagon behind my tractor (or with a SxS) to the work area. Then, I would unhitch and proceed to use my grapple to fill the wagon. Then transport the wagon to brush pile (or other desired location). Empty/dump wagon. Repeat as needed. If the goal is fewer trips back and forth with the tractor, this is the way I would go. Works even better if you can pull with pickup or SxS.
That being said, I think you need more tractor than you have for other reasons...and even more than you are considering. The smallest Kubota I would get in your situation is the L4701.
I don't necessarily disagree with your assessment about the trailer and its something I will consider... The one plus side of using the BX is that while the bucket size means more trips, the tractor's size means that I can get where I need and mostly position the bucket over the bed and dump directly where I need the mulch with minimal spreading. The other thing is that while I certainly could pile brush into a trailer the location of the brush pile largely precludes being able to get a trailer down to it.
I would honestly appreciate hearing your thoughts about why you think I might need an L4701 or bigger...While I have a spreadsheet comparing the specs for B's, Lx, and L2501 I honestly don't know if or how much bigger an L4701 might be. More lift,volume capacity and power would certainly be nice, but if size and weight significantly limits my ability to work in the yard that I have it would be worse than just sticking with the bx.
