Tractordawg
Bronze Member
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.
Buying Advice First Tractor Need some advice BX or an L
- Thread starter wmitch1000
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Tom_H
Veteran Member
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
Veteran Member
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
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Jul 5, 2002
- Messages
- 1,244
- Location
- North of the Fingerlakes - NY
- Tractor
- Ford 4000; Ford 2000(both 3cyl.);JD40; 2004 Kubota L4300; 2006 Kubota B7610; new 2007 Kubota MX5000
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.
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.
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Tom_H
Veteran Member
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.
OP
wmitch1000
New member
- Joined
- Feb 21, 2010
- Messages
- 15
- Tractor
- Kubota B2920, Filled Turf Tires, HD Alternator, Block Heater
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.
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
Platinum Member
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
Gold Member
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.
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
Epic Contributor
OP
wmitch1000
New member
- Joined
- Feb 21, 2010
- Messages
- 15
- Tractor
- Kubota B2920, Filled Turf Tires, HD Alternator, Block Heater
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
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