Tractor Sizing enough power for the job

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Other than having a bigger frame what are the differences of the smaller B's and the bx series. I noticed they have around the same hp but just don't come with a loader and backhoe. You also can't get any larger of a mmm than with the bx.

Ps. The owner of the property previously mowed the entire 7 acres with a 46 inch jd lawn mower which took him days. But he did it which shows land is not rough enough to really be a issue just an irritation. And the woods are not bad but do have a few dips and rocks throughout.

Dips and rocks can be really bad for a low to the ground BX but no issue for a B if they are not to bad. With my former BX's before getting landscaping to it's current level I couldn't raise the deck enough to not peel dirt or rocks. Finally got the dirt mowed down to level enough but rocks always made me cringe. With the B's I used RFM and could always lift the mower for the obstructions, rocks and dips.
If price is an issue, you can probably bet a B with a bigger RFM for about the same price, give or take $500, as a BX with MMM. If you do the RFM, get a good one like a Landpride. My first one was $1200 junk which Barlows gave me $1200 back for it toward the $1700 Landpride 6'.

 

[bp fick]

Yeah, it isn't the huge horsepower difference, although there certainly are B's with 29, 30 and 33 hp, I believe.

It's about not beating your buns and lumbar for hours on small wheels and no suspension type seat, imho.

Secondly, it about pulling a big 72" RFM. The only way to do, again, imho, for large acreage that is nice to mow. If rough stuff, then a bush hog.

Plus, I think you might underestimating all the things you'll use that tractor for around the homestead. B's range from 25% more hydraulic power and bucket size to double the BX.

All of the B series have a larger 3 pt geometry allowing for bigger implements. The taller B's operate implements different, pick them up higher for traversing the ground. Ok, this conversation could go on and on.

 

[HammA5690]

Ok last question. Could a little bx pull a 8 ft finish mower or does it not have the hp to turn the blades. My father in law has 2 tractors. One 32 horse and one 35 horse with every implement known to man. I'm assuming that the bx25 is too small to run these large implements though

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Ok last question. Could a little bx pull a 8 ft finish mower or does it not have the hp to turn the blades. My father in law has 2 tractors. One 32 horse and one 35 horse with every implement known to man. I'm assuming that the bx25 is too small to run these large implements though

Your assuming right. I had a B7800 (32HP) which pulled and ran a 6' cheap RFM OK. The cheap RFM kept tearing up so traded it for a good Landpride 6' RFM which would swing my B7800 around when I turned at the bottom of the hill. The B7800 had the HP but weight of mower was noticeable. Pulled the Landpride with a L3240HST (32/31HP). The L handled the weight of the RFM fine but started slowing at the crest of the hill. The L3240HST weighed 1000lbs more than the B7800 at about the same HP. HP and weight are big factors with tractors and implements.

 

[CompactTractorFan]

Ok last question. Could a little bx pull a 8 ft finish mower or does it not have the hp to turn the blades. My father in law has 2 tractors. One 32 horse and one 35 horse with every implement known to man. I'm assuming that the bx25 is too small to run these large implements though

If he has those tractors, I would strongly look at the B3200 (32hp)...:thumbsup:

 

[crazyal]

Ok last question. Could a little bx pull a 8 ft finish mower or does it not have the hp to turn the blades. My father in law has 2 tractors. One 32 horse and one 35 horse with every implement known to man. I'm assuming that the bx25 is too small to run these large implements though

Now you've entered a whole new world, lol. A tractor is just a power plant with wheels. I think it's clear mowing will be your biggest use of the tractor but if you have access to attachments it really is in your best interest to have a tractor that can use them. It's much easier to put a box blade or rototiller on a small trailer or the back of a pickup with the loader than to get with him so he can bring his tractor to you.

So how does it feel to really be shopping for a tractor? bet you thought it was going to be easy. :laughing:

 

[tommu56]

finish mow 7 acres with bx ? hmmm, the top speed at 8mph WOT is gonna be a long day with a screaming engine. figure about an hour per acre with 60 inch with small amount of obstruction like trees, etc. I am thinking you need at least a B series with 3 range gears, or an L. This way you can run at a lower engine speed and still have power to mow that much without lugging engine. If I were you I would think about getting a RFM that is at least 7-8 feet wide.

How long have you been running tractors?
Slowing the engine and up gearing transmission is just incorrect!

For most tractors to get 540 pto speed and pto horse power you have to run engine at close to the max engine speed.
To get a proper implement speed (mower) you have to keep engine at the speed that moves the pto at 540.
Then adjust the ground speed to get the proper cut.

tom

 

[aczlan]

We have a BX2660 that has a mower deck on all summer and a B7500 that has a deck on when we need it. The B is significantly faster than the BX, if I have to mow one of our fields, I will take the time to install the mower deck and remove the loader from the B as that is faster than mowing with the BX. The B is a little light on HP in the heavy stuff, but it gets the job done if you keep the grass mowed regularly.

Aaron Z

 

[newbury]

A little late to this thread but I went thru some of the OP's initial thoughts -
I looked at the BX's, they would have done about what I wanted and came with (BH, FEL, 3PT) and then when I finally looked at the BX24 in person I KNEW it was to small for much more than mowing, carrying a garbage can, and digging small holes.

And if the FIL has IMPLEMENTS he will lend and the OP would want to use it them becomes a no-brainer. Price of implements versus difference in price of a BX?