Buying Advice First Tractor Need some advice BX or an L

[Tractordawg]

I would go with the L3130 to remove the snow from your 1/4 mile long driveway. I know sometimes you have to move the snow before you can get out to go to work in the morning. The L will make much quicker work of this.

 

[Tom_H]

This alone may limit your choice on tractor size. Getting into a stall with a B or L tractor may be impossible unless your stalls are very large.

Some B tractors are much narrower than others. I'm not usually one to recommend a color other than Orange, but there are blue tractors in the same class as the B that are specifically made for work in vineyards. They are extra narrow so they can fit between the rows. Nevertheless, a BX should be able to do stall work with no problem.

 

[Tom_H]

newbury,


As someone who is strongly considering a BX, what situations have you found the BX to underperform due to ground clearance?
gdh

1. Driving over fallen logs in the woods.

2. I have 1-6 ft. of clay on top of impermeable duripan. The stuff can get hypersaturated and turn into something akin to oatmeal. I get high centered in the stuff sometimes, but a taller tractor would likely sink right up to the belly as well.

 

[Bob_Young]

I've got 2.5 acres of residential property that I maintain with a B7610. The work is mostly mowing and snow removal. The properties are heavily obstructed with trees and the lawns are a bit rough. Although I considered a BX at the time, I'm quite happy I went with the B. For the tree studded lawns, the B is almost too big; but it's done a fine job for 4 seasons now. For snow removal, it's almost too small...particularly when the covering to be removed is over a foot; still it gets the job done.

Since I've got larger Kubotas (see sig.), I've tried using them to remove heavy snowfalls. Their size and lack of HST make them quite inconvenient in my cramped quarters. I'm about as well off sticking with the B7610 and putting up with its smaller bites and slower pace.

As to B-series tippiness, I haven't experienced it. Maybe it's because I have the rears filled (turf tires) or because The B7610 does let you set the rear tires wider (not all Bs will). Still, mine are set at bucket width so it's not like they're way out there. I think it may be more a matter of experience. With many sidehill hours on high-wheeled Ag tractors, my tippiness alarm system is less sensitive than some.

I will say that the filled turf tires on the B give me amazing traction in snow. I expected serious problems and having to use chains. That's not been the case at all. The 7610 is quite agile in snow and gives up nothing but wheel diameter and ground clearance to my larger L and MX with R1s.

If your lawns are rough, you might appreciate the larger rear tires of a B-series. The smaller BX rears can give you a rough ride over the bumps. Having to slow down to keep from being bounced around may not be the best use of the tractor's capability. The B7610 is fine on my rough lawns, but I didn't enjoy the jostling it gave me on an even rougher hayfield. The B's larger tire diameter and greater ground clearance also makes it less likely to become hung up in deep packed snow.
Bob

P.S. I'd get an old 4WD pickup with a blade to remove snow from that 1/4 mi. driveway. It'll be warmer and probably faster.

 

[Tom_H]

If your lawns are rough, you might appreciate the larger rear tires of a B-series. The smaller BX rears can give you a rough ride over the bumps. Having to slow down to keep from being bounced around may not be the best use of the tractor's capability. The B7610 is fine on my rough lawns, but I didn't enjoy the jostling it gave me on an even rougher hayfield.

What you experience with the B is pretty much the same I experience with my BX. I just don't have any problems with bumps on the lawn, no matter how fast I go. OTOH, when brush hogging with the 40" Gearmore rotary cutter, if I go very fast on the rough terrain, I can get bounced around pretty good. One would have to have a terribly bad lawn to be bounced very much, however, IMHO.

 

[wmitch1000]

Well, the weather finally got better here and I got out to see the dealer. After much discussion, they convinced me that I really did not need a snow blower, especially on a gravel driveway. They felt that I could get by with a rear rake, and use the FEL since the average snow fall here is 6" and to just keep up with the snow fall and go out and clean when I have 6" on the ground, which I can do.

With that out of the way, I got on a BX2660 and a B2920. Since I'm a big guy over 6' tall I found the ride on the B2920 more comfortable and didn't get bounced around as much as on the BX. After about 3 hours we came up with the following:

B2920HSD
LA364 FEL
RCK6029B 60" Belly Mower
LR1584 Land Pride 7' Rake
E1123 Deluxe Canopy

The dealer also told me that the turf tires would be fine for snow removal.

The dealer quoted me $18,200 for the tractor, FEL and mower, $813 for the rake, and $395 for the canopy. Oh yeah and of course Kubota 60 month 0 down, 0%.

Your thoughts are greatly appreciated on the tractor, the turf tires, and of course the price.

 

[medicshawn]

I think that tractor will be a good choice for you. I would think you'd be better with a rear blade for snow removal. I would look at 6 foot attachments such as the rake and blade. Otherwise everything sounds good.

 

[Yankee]

The L is definitely too big. The BX is a good choice all around for your described usage.

I was in a similar situation a few years ago, also in Virginia, though without ANY trees. Because I wanted future flexibility with increased ground clearance, I went with a B7610 and a RFM. It worked fine, and since moving to NH where I do more work in the woods than anywhere else, I do appreciate the clearance. The work is harder on the tractor, though, and I'm now considering an L.

I've often wished I had the BX's BH, though! Had I been certain that I would have stayed in VA, I would have gone with the BX.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

If that is a hydro L3130, the price is very very very good. Having an L3130, it's not too big for what you want, especially the driveway work. If the L3130 is not hydro, and probably isn't for that price, than I would consider the B over the BX. Just my $.02.

 

[wmitch1000]

Well, I did it. :drink:

After all of the great information from everyone here and a number of great conversations with Brady at Barlow's I made my decision:

B2920HSD, filled turf tires, block heater, HD alternator
LA364 FEL wit 3 chain hooks on the bucket
60" drive over MMM (RCK6029B)
Kubota Deluxe Canopy
Taylor Way 7' rear blade with tilt
Taylor Way 7' rear landscape rake

Great price, and Great Guy (Brady) with lot's of patience. Hoping to have it delivered by next weekend

 

[TripleR]

Congratulations on your new tractor, I am sure you will love it.

 

[KU Gator]

Sounds like a great package and I am sure you will enjoy it.

A couple minor tips:

1. The tractor won't go in a normal height garage door with the ROPs fully up. I don't know about the canapy, but just in your excitement don't run it into the garage door.

2. That 7' blade will be great for clearing snow off the driveway. But keep in mind when you get near something such as your house that it is sticking out beyond the tires so you don't catch it on something.

3. There is a float function with the FEL that alows it to ride along the surface without putting much down force. It is not very well explained in the FEL manual. To get it into float, push the FEL control level forward as if to lower it, then give it an extra little push. You will feel a click and the bucket will continue to lower to the surface. Level the bucket with the surface and it is very helpful feature for removing snow from concrete surface or clearing drifts or piled up snow.

4. The Pat's quick disconnects for the 3pt hitch which are advertised on this site are very helpful in removing and replacing hitches.

Enjoy the ride.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Sounds like a great package and I am sure you will enjoy it.

A couple minor tips:

1. The tractor won't go in a normal height garage door with the ROPs fully up. I don't know about the canapy, but just in your excitement don't run it into the garage door.

2. That 7' blade will be great for clearing snow off the driveway. But keep in mind when you get near something such as your house that it is sticking out beyond the tires so you don't catch it on something.

3. There is a float function with the FEL that alows it to ride along the surface without putting much down force. It is not very well explained in the FEL manual. To get it into float, push the FEL control level forward as if to lower it, then give it an extra little push. You will feel a click and the bucket will continue to lower to the surface. Level the bucket with the surface and it is very helpful feature for removing snow from concrete surface or clearing drifts or piled up snow.

4. The Pat's quick disconnects for the 3pt hitch which are advertised on this site are very helpful in removing and replacing hitches.

Enjoy the ride.

It may go in your garage ....but it may do this to your garage. Congratulations on your purchase!

 

[radioman]

It may go in your garage ....but it may do this to your garage. Congratulations on your purchase!

Is that your garage ?! :laughing:

 

[wmitch1000]

Hey everyone "Thank You All So Much" for the advice. Barlow's delivered my B2920 perfectly without any issues, and on time just a Brady said.

Like a little kid I could see the bright orange coming down the road! Now it's time to get working (really playing) and reduce my to do list!

Also, all I have to do is lower the canopy a few inches and it will FIT in my garage, so I won't have a garage like in John Thomas's picture.

I posted a few pic's for you.

 

[LBrown59]

Now it's time to get working (really playing) and reduce my to do list!

.

That will perhaps be quite a challenge as while you are working on 1 project you will probably discover 2 more projects to add to the list.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Is that your garage ?! :laughing:

My tractors garage and upstairs is the Babies Playhouse.