How big of step from BX25 to B2650 TLB?

[Rock Crawler]

The question is how big of a step up is it in loader/backhoe digging ability when moving from the SCUT BX25D to the CUT B2650?

My primary use is finish mowing lawn (2.5 acres) and then the other use is digging virgin dirt from one spot to fill or transition to another spot for landscape reasons and water/erosion repair reasons. The BX has a small bucket, and digging is able to be done, but the curl and lift power are a bit underwhelming. My thoughts are that the specs on the loader and backhoe for the B2650 make me think that the loader and backhoe performance (more loader) may be substantially improved, and with the larger standard bucket on the B2650 your going to move more dirt with each move resulting in less time to accomplish the land filling work.

The BX25D is great and all, I'm not trying to insult it. It will "eat the elephant" one small bite at a time. I'm looking at the ability to take bigger bites with less frustration.

My other assumption that I feel is pretty solid is that both will cut great with the available mid mounted mowers, so I don't expect any changes in that performance.

So for any of you BX TLB owners that stepped up to the B2650, were you pleasantly surprised with the B2650 and its ability to get down and dirty while digging into the earth? Do you feel that for the extra $12,000 or so over your trade in value that you spent good money and got what you were hoping to see?

 

[mguitas]

You said it yourself, it will take less time to do a job.

 

[jeff9366]

It requires a 50% increase in bare tractor weight before you notice a significant difference in tractor capability.

If your BX25 in not enough, consider a Kubota L2501. However, no mid-PTO on the L2501, so no MMM available.

Alternately to a MMM, a Three Point Hitch Finish Mower is good for open areas.

 

[ultrarunner]

I love my BX and my brother wanted the same... suggested he look at an L and the dealer had a nice 100 hour L3800 and he is pleased.

For noticeable Backhoe ability the B26 would be the next in line.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

You said it yourself, it will take less time to do a job.

I've owned a couple of BX25s and a B2650 and B2620 with BH. Time is the primary difference/factor and how valuable is it to you. There will be some rocks the B will move and the BX won't due to weight constraints on the BX. If you spends many hours every week using your tractor and your not able to be doing other money producing work at the same time then you do the math. If your doing that home sometimes when you can think it up jobs utilizing a BH then your not going to come out economics wise but everything isn't about economics. As Tim the Toolman always said....MORE POWER.....Sometimes we men like more power and are ready and willing and able to pay for it!!!:cool2:

 

[Rock Crawler]

It requires a 50% increase in bare tractor weight before you notice a significant difference in tractor capability.

If your BX25 in not enough, consider a Kubota L2501. However, no mid-PTO on the L2501, so no MMM available.

Alternately to a MMM, a Three Point Hitch Finish Mower is good for open areas.

My problem is that I am trying to get the smallest footprint with the best loader and hoe. The BX is a tight fit on some of the things I am doing, the B would be pushing it, but I think I could make it work. I went and looked at the CK2610/L2501 last Friday and essentially walked away saying no way, too big to get into where I need to be.

So I am flat out not interested in the L/CK, and honestly... I could suffer the BX. But maybe the happy place is the B2610? But... maybe others have been here and done this only to come out the other side saying that the B2650 was really not worth the cost of admission? Or conversely... maybe they said that the B was a great relief for landscaping/digging compared to the BX.

Jeff, do you know the bare weight of the BX25 and the B2610? I believe that the BX series 1443 lbs is including the loader while the B2610 weight is 1786 bare with ROPS? Or am I wrong and there is just a 340 lb difference?

But then is the L 2623 lbs bare 850 lbs more than the B2610 when the size difference between the B2650 and the L2510 does not appear to be near as dramatic as the difference between the BX25 and the B2610?

Also looking at the B compared to BX it again appears that the lift/curl power are nearly double that of the little BX, and the B2650 compared to the L2510 is a negligible upgrade in lift/curl power. So it looks like your getting L2510 kind of digging power in a smaller (shorter and more narrow) B2650?

Length they are (bare) 95"/101.2"/106.3". The loader and BH extend longer on the B/L over the BX.
Width they are 44.5"/53.7"/55.1"
Height at the ROPS they are 85.4"/88.4"/91.7"

The B2650 would just make it under the garage door, and it would be CLOSE! The L would not.

 

[jeff9366]

The question is how big of a step up is it in loader digging ability when moving from the SCUT BX25D to the CUT B2650?

My primary use is finish mowing lawn (2.5 acres) and then the other use is digging virgin dirt from one spot to fill or transition to another spot for landscape reasons and water/erosion repair reasons. The BX has a small bucket, and digging is able to be done, but the curl and lift power are a bit underwhelming.

Do you have a Tooth Bar bolted on the BX25 FEL bucket? Piranha is the Tooth Bar brand most favorably reviewed for light tractors here on T-B-N. Tooth Bar will improve FEL digging capability around 30%.

I am trying to get the smallest footprint with the best loader and hoe.

The B2650 would just make it under the garage door, and it would be CLOSE! The L would not.

I bought my L3560 in February 2013 when they first came out. Kubota still had some obsolete L3540 specs within its L3560 listing. I had to have excellent local welder remove a 4" section from the ROPS before new tractor could enter garage.

(If you push up on motorized garage door as it lifts, door will often retract it 2" to 3" higher than is possible without manual assistance.)

 

[Rock Crawler]

Do you have a Tooth Bar bolted on the BX25 FEL bucket? Piranha is the Tooth Bar brand most favorably reviewed for light tractors here on T-B-N. Tooth Bar will improve FEL digging capability around 30%.


I had to have excellent local welder remove a 4" section from the ROPS before new tractor could enter garage.

LOL, The safety Nazis would tear you alive if you said that on the Kubota FB pages! Those guys are relentless.

I actually just made a tooth bar last weekend for the BX from a throw away skid steer bar my buddy had laying out in the mud at his saw mill. I cut it to width and plasma cut new brackets to fit my little bucket.

I also got a 72" back blade gifted to me from my father in law, no clue what make or vintage other than OLD! But it's pretty heavy, I would say 250 lbs. I can not pick it up and move with it easily, I have to stand it on end and kind of bear hug it and waddle with it. This is my hold over until I can source a used/cheap or better yet broken/free box blade.

I'm a big fan of used, cheap and better yet... free. I can usually fix things that others don't want to or can't.

 

[s219]

The B2650 is within inches of the L2501/L3301/L3901 in most dimensions, in fact I think the B actually has a longer wheelbase. The difference is that the B is a lot lighter built and lighter duty. That makes the B better for mowing and other uses, but in terms of size, the B2650 is going to be just as unwieldy as one of those L models, because it's more or less the same size. SO I would not be thinking the B2650 is the happy step back from the L models, at least in terms of physical size. The B2601 would be that model.

 

[Tompet]

I did a similar move you are contemplating. In my case I went from a Massey GC2310 to a Kubota B2920 and then to a Kubota B3300 all with BH. Yes, it is a noticeable difference in BH capability and was reason I made last trade. I'm pretty satisfied.

I also wanted to keep size down for similar considerations and only other option for me would be a B26. A mmm was something I had no interest in, but in your case then the B2650 would be the choice to maximize BH capability with mmm.

I then purchased a used 40hp tractor for 3pt chores, so combination has worked for me. Piranha toothbar on both...great product.

Good luck in your decision!