Buying Advice First tractor- Could really use input

[TripleR]

Lol! Yes- it does add up. I think I am leaning towards the L2501 with bush hog and FEL. A back hoe would be awesome but I can't justify the expense. I'm trying to figure out how to post some pictures of the property but I can't seem to do it.

See if this helps: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/photos/107314-photo-posting-how.html

You might also find these informative:

"How To" Operate and Drive a Tractor: Part 1 - YouTube

Hooking up a Three Point Implement - YouTube

Three Point Options - YouTube

 

[houstonscott]

Hello! I have been lurking and reading the forums for the last week and decided to join and hopefully get some feedback on the tractors I am looking at. I have 14 acres with a 6 acre pond. The remaining acres are fenced for livestock or horses by the people that previously owned it. Some of it is pasture. I also have the pond area that will need maintenance around. I originally looked at an L2501 with FEL and bush hog but got scared it would be too big since my acreage isn't wide open and is divided into little areas. So then I looked at the B2601 with FEL and MMM, BX 25D with MMM, BX2370 with FEL and MMM, and then even looked at a ZD zero turn. I think I have eliminated the zero turn as there are just many things we could do with a FEL around the place. I really like the L2501(actually my favorite) but am afraid it is too much for the areas I have to maneuver around and down like the pond dam. So then is the B2601 small enough and then is the BX too small are things I am asking myself. Also, do I really need a small backhoe but it's only $74/month difference to get it so I've basically talked my self into it. I would be the main one running it, not my husband. He told me just pick as we have price quotes on all of the above. I would appreciate any positives or negatives you have regarding the above models. Thanks in advance!

I have an L3800dt working 18 acres. It fits just right. I mostly just mow pastures, but do fence repairs, move down trees and branches, spread fertilizer and grass seeds, clear brush, move hay. A FEL with forks and buck are useful. I have a rototiller for the garden. I think your choice of L2501 is spot on. HS

 

[2ndhalf]

I am just clearing some fence lines/cross fencing that is needed. It has just been a place for trees and brush to grow up and we don't need it. And clearing brush/saplings that have grown up around the edge of the pond. I am so torn- right now I have a gentleman doing it by hand for me and if I got a tractor it would make it even easier for him and he could move much faster.

No doubt you could make quick work of that with any sub or compact tractor and loader.. I agree with DragonEggs though I see no reason why you would want more than a B series. You will be absolutely astounded by what that tractor will do.

I went and looked at both the B and L series and from reading what you need and plan to do I think you will be throwing your money away to get the L series. I would be interested in hearing the L series proponets tell one thing she couldn't do with the B that you can do with your L series? I think the smaller tracters are also better suited to run a midmount mower if that is what she is planning and as was mentioned a big tractor does tear up yard when wet. 1,000 lb difference in weight between the two.. thats a lot.

 

[houstonscott]

No doubt you could make quick work of that with any sub or compact tractor and loader.. I agree with DragonEggs though I see no reason why you would want more than a B series. You will be absolutely astounded by what that tractor will do. I went and looked at both the B and L series and from reading what you need and plan to do I think you will be throwing your money away to get the L series. I would be interested in hearing the L series proponets tell one thing she couldn't do with the B that you can do with your L series? I think the smaller tracters are also better suited to run a midmount mower if that is what she is planning and as was mentioned a big tractor does tear up yard when wet. 1,000 lb difference in weight between the two.. thats a lot.

I think your right, if you want it to do double duty as a lawn mower you might have to make a choice were you want the focus, yard or pastures. I have a GR2120 that does the yards. The L3800DT works pastures. I think a B will get real small fast. It takes all of two or three days to mow my pastures with the L3800, I wouldn't dream of tackling it with a B. HS

 

[momof2crazygirls]

You can do pretty much anything that you have listed with the BX it may just take you a little longer.. Bigger is not always better and especially if it is your first tractor. I would get the BX if the areas you have to box blade and bushhog are less than 4 acres. You can do pretty much anything with the BX that you could with the L series it will just take you longer due to smaller implements. Most of the guys on here don't like smaller tractors.. I happen to love mine.. It is the equivalent of the BX in a different tractor make. Use the money you save to buy a post hold digger, drag harrow, etc.

You didn't say... or may you did and i missed.. how much wooded and do you plan to clear or do anything with the woods... this my make you want a larger tractor for the loader lift capacity.

I think your right, if you want it to do double duty as a lawn mower you might have to make a choice were you want the focus, yard or pastures. I have a GR2120 that does the yards. The L3800DT works pastures. I think a B will get real small fast. It takes all of two or three days to mow my pastures with the L3800, I wouldn't dream of tackling it with a B. HS

When you say B series you mean th true B series and not the BX correct?

 

[4570Man]

I've got a L and B. The L is better for anything that involves actual work. The B is primarily used for mowing. The L is used for most of the bush hogging because the 3' cuter on the B is a lot slower. My B doesn't have a loader, but I've used one that did. I'd highly recommend skipping the MMM and getting a RFM or separate mower. I would be disappointed with the small tires on a BX. I would have been stuck many times over with small tires on my B.

 

[2ndhalf]

I've got a L and B. The L is better for anything that involves actual work. The B is primarily used for mowing. The L is used for most of the bush hogging because the 3' cuter on the B is a lot slower. My B doesn't have a loader, but I've used one that did. I'd highly recommend skipping the MMM and getting a RFM or separate mower. I would be disappointed with the small tires on a BX. I would have been stuck many times over with small tires on my B. View attachment 483883View attachment 483884 View attachment 483885 View attachment 483886 View attachment 483887

I have no doubt the L will do more work since it has grapples, a loader and a backhoe. :laughing: compared to the no loader B ... come on man.. :laughing:Nice Rigs though.,:thumbsup:

 

[2ndhalf]

When you say B series you mean th true B series and not the BX correct?

Correct true B series not BX pretty big difference in frame. I had a B7800 with a Rear mower.. my wife could attach the mower to the 3pt to mow... little bit of a pain but not bad. the newer B series are a very capable tractor I did a ton of work with it and ran a 5' KK Tiller, a large bushog and a 5' box blade. It was never under powered with those implements.

Looking at the specs on the larger B2601. You could also run a 5' tiller on that with no problem.

It honestly comes down to what your going to do with the acres that do not have a pond. If you are going to mow 9 acres.. maybe you do want the L so you can put a 72" RFM on it. But if you put horse or cattle in there to eat it down you don't need as much tractor.

 

[4570Man]

I have no doubt the L will do more work since it has grapples, a loader and a backhoe. :laughing: compared to the no loader B ... come on man.. :laughing:Nice Rigs though.,:thumbsup:

Even if the B had a loader and backhoe how do you think it would hold up to the L? The B certainly has it's advantages. It only weighs 1200 pounds. Weight is usually a plus, but not when I'm trying to drive it in the water around a pond bank. It's tough as nails. Despite severe punishment I've been unable to tear it up. It's relatively cheap compared to the L. Biggest plus it's easily hauled on my lawn mower trailer behind a 1/2 ton. My trailer loaded with the L weighs 11,000 pounds.

 

[2ndhalf]

Even if the B had a loader and backhoe how do you think it would hold up to the L? The B certainly has it's advantages. It only weighs 1200 pounds. Weight is usually a plus, but not when I'm trying to drive it in the water around a pond bank. It's tough as nails. Despite severe punishment I've been unable to tear it up. It's relatively cheap compared to the L. Biggest plus it's easily hauled on my lawn mower trailer behind a 1/2 ton. My trailer loaded with the L weighs 11,000 pounds.

If the B had a loader and a backhoe I think it would easily do what the OP needs it to. Agree, weight is a plus for a lot of tractor things though mowing not one of them.