If you could do it over...would you?

frank_f15 · Jul 27, 2003

bill: if u know u would keep the smaller of the two tractors, why would u think u need a bigger one than the b2910? from your statement the bx22 seems to be more useful than the 2910, for your needs. or did i read that wrong? on ocassion i wish i had a larger machine but on the whole the b2400 is fine for me.

icat · Jul 27, 2003

3.7 Acres! Man the L3830 will NEVER work - you need a bigger tractor my man. Say something on the lines of a 150HP dirt chomping, monster killing, dual wheel driving, corn planting, pond digging, 4 by 4, do the yard in one pass, super tractor (Orange of course). /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Just ribbin ya Henro!

I have 22.5 hours on my L3130 and it's been great. The only time I think I need a bigger tractor for my 18 acres is when I read posts on TBN. Come on guys - bigger is NOT always better. There comes a point when you have to say, "This is the right tractor."

Now having "tractor envy" is something I can relate to - I've got it too. I'd love to have a HUGE tractor that could pull an large bush hog and mow my whole property in an afternoon. But the truth is, I'm never going to mow all of it at once (well not after I get the cross fences up and the cattle and horses out). The most I'm going to be mowing is five acres at a time. With the L3130 and the 5 foot Bush Hog that's a 2.5 hour cutting job. I could have upped the mower to a six footer, but I'd only gain 30 minutes.

Now, there is the chance that I'll "up" my acreage at a future date and then I'll need a bigger tractor - right! Well, not really. My cousin has 50 acres on his property and told me today that he bought a 250 gallon refueling tank 5 years ago. He has yet to use all the diesel. He has his property cross fenced and runs cattle. Same basic size tractor as mine - only with 2wd drive. How did he ever survive? /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

I think the point I'm attempting to make is that there is a right tractor for every property - and THAT tractor's size depends on what you need for your intended uses. An L3130 in the mountains of Washington state may be the worst purchase ever - but it is perfect for my needs.

So, to answer the original question - I'd do it again in a heartbeat. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Hum... 250 posts - went from silver to gold!

Henro · Jul 27, 2003

bill: if u know u would keep the smaller of the two tractors, why would u think u need a bigger one than the b2910? from your statement the bx22 seems to be more useful than the 2910, for your needs. or did i read that wrong? 

Frank,

What I was trying to say is that the BX [in my case bx2200] is a nice little tractor, a wonderful grass cutter for my property and the perfect match for whatever larger tractor I might own.

I don't think after owning the B2910 with loader and backhoe, that I could be satisfied with a tractor for non-mowing work that was smaller. The bx will do more than mow certainly.

At this point...especially since I don't have a loader for the bx, and it can't take a backhoe...the b2910 is still the more useful tractor. If I ever went crazy...unlikely as that would be to happen /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif .... and bought a larger tractor, it would probably end up being used less than the b2910 is! Bigger is not always better.

Case in point is my neighbor who has an International 454 tractor he bought new about 30 years ago. Only has about 920 hours on it. [as compared to my having put 215 or so ours on my B2910 in the first year] Probably too big for his 4.5 acres...I see him using his little green garden tractor for a lot of things...My b2910 is small enough that I can use it for about anything I want, but big enough to do a LOT of work when I ask it to.

Sorry for such a long answer to your question /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

MossRoad · Jul 27, 2003

What do you have now 

We have a Power Trac PT425.

and what would you change, if anything????? 

I wouldn't change a thing. I spent over a year looking and reading here at TBN and other places, did my research and made my purchase. I got what I expected and it works well.

Wish I could say the same thing about some other products that we've purchased. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

RobertN · Jul 28, 2003

If I could do it over again?

They had a B2150 there when I got my B8200. I would have went for the additional HP. I like the size of the B8200/B2150/B2910. Just my 19hp is a bit on the meager side.

I would have got the tractor with a loader and TnT. I got the tractor with a mower and scraper for cash. I wish I would got the loader and Tnt, even if it meant partial finance.

Otherwise the Kubota is everything I would want.

Now, it is almost five years later... I see definite benefits of Bobcats, but mostly because of a change in business.

My Farmall, I wish I would have held out for hydraulics and a rear hitch. Otherwise, it is just perfect. And, I will eventually add what it needs.

BigEddy · Jul 28, 2003

I've got a Deere 322 L&G and an 855. Perfect balance. My 855 has a backhoe and loader, and does all the hard work. The 322 gets in the tight spots and does most of the mowing.
Would I go bigger - NO! I have 75 acres of woods, and the 855 can go anywhere. Bigger would mean wider trails and less maneuverability. It's as big as I want on the lawn as well.
My 855 has 24 HP. I've never found it wanting. I can run a 5' snowblower, bushog, and never load down the engine. It cuts grass as fast as I can comfortably drive. I'd like some more hydraulic flow, but that's a pump size issue, not a tractor size/power issue. Occasionally I'd like to lift more at once, but that just tells me to get the trailer out and load it up. Occasionally I run out of traction, I blame my turf tires.

Would I change anything - Yep. If I was starting from scratch I would buy the 855 again, but I'd buy a Front Mount Mower instead of the L&G tractor. As a mowing tool, the FMount is superior. I would stay with 2 machines though. One for dirt work, one to cut grass and haul trailers. For the dirt work, I prefer the 55 series over the newer 4000 series, as the 55 series are smaller framed for the same HP. Bigger may be better for some, but as was said above, it's also less maneuverable.

I guess the key is understanding what your needs are and what each machine is optimized for, then picking the best balance. Every machine is best at something, No machine is best for everything.

garchib · Jul 28, 2003

This is a tough one....I own a JD 4100 HST with 85 hours on it and love it.
However, I think if I did it over I might have bought a 4200/4210, as it is far more comfortable in the operator platform department. Or I would
have bought a Bx 22, as it is a powerful little package, but ground
clearance is a concern with that tractor and my "lumpy" land out back.....
......I have even toyed with unloading my 4100 for either a 4210 or maybe
a BX22 instead of buying an FEL for my 4100, but I decided to hold
off as the tractor works fine and I want to make sure I get some useful
life out of it before trading it......maybe I will keep forever ;-)
Upgraditis is definately a tractor disease /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

RobS · Jul 28, 2003

I've sorta got two tractors now... my 790 and my Craftsman lawn tractor. No finish mower on the 790 though I did get a mid-PTO for that possibility. We don't plan on a lot of finished lawn so the Craftsman is doing well. The 790 with my assortment of implements handles everything else so far.

IF I were to do something different it may depend on our needs at the time. I could see a larger CUT for the rough work and landscape projects. I keep thinking the Craftsman is due to die anytime so I may need a finish mower. Not sure I'd actually put a mower on the 790 as it is larger than what we'd need right now. I've got a snowblower on the Craftsman from our subdivision days but it's a bit small for the rural property. So maybe a snowblower on the 790 or bigger CUT and a dedicated mowing machine to replace the Craftsman. Several of the landscapers around here use Dixie Choppers and I sure am impressed with the mowing speed and cut quality.

Who knows, maybe the Crafstman will die, the wife will decide she wants that back 4 acres in grass and I can get a new toy /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Trev · Jul 28, 2003

I got the JD 72" rear finish mower with my 4300, and I wish I had gotten a rear-discharge mower rather than a side-discharge. Other than that, I can't think of anything I wish were different.

I'm glad I got the Sync-Reverser transmission, as sometimes the machine just sits there running a PTO generator (like in that last ice storm.) It's nice to not have the HST fluid churning and needing changing in a situation like that.. and I'm more comfortable on a manual transmission machine. I honestly can't say there is anything I would rather have for my current needs... except a side-discharge mower deck. The 4300 does it all for me.

Of course I want to buy more implements for it.. but that's another question! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

frank_f15 · Jul 28, 2003

NOW I GOT IT! you basically are pretty well pleased with your choice of both the bx and the B2910. Sometimes i wish i had a bigger one, but for most cases i am happy. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif