Kubota B2910 or BX23???

[gregmhtd]

Trying to decided between the two (before 0% interest runs out in a week), I like the pricing of the BX compared to the 2910 with similar implements, but have concerns about how much the BX loader can lift and its ground clearance. I don't know if I will need to lift more than 460 lbs, but you never know. I believe I read in some other posts that the BH attachment lowers the ground clearance of the 2910 to something similar as the BX, but I'm not for sure. I'm only on 5 acres in North Texas, and have many projects to complete from planting trees, removing brush, mowing, & lastly, clearing debris out of a creek (rotted trees, silt, etc).
Any and all input is welcome, thanks in advanced from a newbie.

 

[KiotiJohn]

Greg, welcome to TBN.
First thing is, these are not apples to apples tractors as I'm sure you know.
The sub compact BX23 is just not on the same line as the B2910, but for your purposes, you may be happy with either.
I, myself, would much prefer the larger of the two as the HP would be much better utilized with the heavier frame tractor putting more weight to the wheels.
I'm not sure either that the BH on the 2910 would reduce the clearance back to what the BX is, but I don't think it's quite that low. You would be way ahead having the higher clearance, even if you lost a little with a BH.
I suspect that you may want to post in the Kubota forum for more input from those who may not read the general forums. Go try them both out, and find out what works for you. There have been many posts from members who have BX tractors and they all seem pretty satisfied except for some who have complained that the 3pt. hitch doesn't always accommodate full size 3pt. implements.
I'm sure Henro and others will be happy to address this with you. John

 

[riptides]

For me it was wieght and ground clearance. I delegated the mowing duties to a mower. The front-end loader did not really factor into my thinking. That was almost a mistake. IMHO better to have more FEL capacity than not enough. And when I am moving stuff around now, I get an ocassional rear end lift!

Anyhow, you mentioned creek beds, I'd worry about moving over and through stuff.

Also try and think about what you want your place to look like in a year. Can you size your tractor for a lush lawn? A clean creek bed? No more debris or piles? That thinking might change your perspective on size.

Good luck.
-Mike Z. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Bob_Skurka]

Have you considered splitting the size and going with the B2410 or B7610? Both are 24hp machines, the B2410 is the deluxe full feature version, the B7610 is plain jane and basic, but functionally they are going to do the same work. The 24hp machines will give you the ground clearance similar to the B2910, and will provide greater capacity on the FEL and BH than the BX would give. For 5 acres, 24hp seems about right. The creek bed work would worry me with the BX, I think you may get in trouble down there with lower ground clearance, especially if you have a mower deck on it. Not sure if you intend to have a mid mount mower deck on the B2910, but I don't think you can mount the mower deck and the BH at the same time. Henro should be able to answer that for us? Also don't know if the MMM can used with the 24hp machines if the BH is attached to those?

 

[Cliff_Johns]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Have you considered splitting the size and going with the B2410 or B7610? )</font>

That's what I was thinking too. Seems like a pretty big jump to the B2910 from the BX. The 7610 is a very nice comfortable size with pretty good ground clearence and it's quite a bit cheaper than the 2910 (although if I had more land, that 2910 is a pleasing machine.)

Cliff

 

[fishman]

On your list of things to do, all can be accomplished with a FEL and a post hole digger (tree planting). If I were going to be moving big chunks of trees and scooping up silt and gravel, I'd want a little more capability than the BX FEL. The 2910 with a FEL is about the same cost as the BX23, I think, so the real question is how bad to you need/want the little backhoe? If $ isn't a problem, then the 2910 with backhoe will be a LOT more capable.

I have a 2910 and do everything you mention, and I just have a want for a backhoe, certainly not anywhere near a need.

 

[aardvark]

I am going through the same decision making process right now. I started out looking for a used B series machine, but didn't have any luck finding a good one for a decent price. I then upped my price range about $5k and looked at the new BX23's. Again, I thought through things, and realized I can use the extra loader capacity as a fork lift, to support my ebay sales and freight shipping. I've gotten quotes on the BX23 TLB at $15.0k, the JD 4110 TLB at $18.8k, and the B7610 TLB at $18.0k (price came down since my other post yesterday). My dilemma is, once I'm done with my yard, the only real use for the extra loader capacity is for ebay freight shipping. Also, I've managed to survive the last six years without any forklift at all, so maybe I don't really need the extra forklift capacity, I just think I need it. I'm not sure what I'm going to do, but I need to decide before tomorrow, because that's when I told the dealers I'd make a decision. I better think quick tonight.

 

[Rick Jay]

gregmhtd,

I have a B2910 with a Woods 7500 backhoe on 2/3 of an acre, so that will give you some idea as to where my experience and preference lies. I'm only averaging about 30 hours/year useage and think the whole package is one of the best home improvement investments I've ever made.

Personally, with your property, I'd be trying to decide between the B2910 and an L3130. I'm sure the BX would do most of what you wanted to do, but it does have some limitations that the larger machines will be better prepared to handle. Plus, the "creature comforts" are more abundant on the B2910 and L3130 tractors.

If you have need for a backhoe, the BX hoe is only 6', as is the hoe on the B series up to the B2410. The B2910 and L3130 can take a 7 1/2' hoe...the L3130, with the proper loader, I believe can handle the 9'. I find myself wishing for more reach with my 7 1/2' on my postage stamp property.

I have never felt that my B2910 is too big for our property, but there have been a few times I'm glad I've got all the tractor I have under me.

I will say that I don't mow our lawn with the B2910. I have a separate lawn tractor for that chore. I bought my tractor to be a digging machine and that's what it does. And it does it very well.

Interest rates are still low. Great if you can get 0%. When I bought mine in 2000 I got 7 1/2% and thought that was great.
Tractors, if well maintained, hold their value very well over the years. However, if you buy a BX and then decide in a year or two that you need more tractor, it will cost you a bit to trade up. What will interest rates be in a few years? Who knows? If you can afford the larger tractor, I'd say go for it.

Good Luck

~Rick

 

[aardvark]

You can get the 7.5' backhoe on the B7610's. I have a quote with that hoe, and my dealer assembled one that way for thier last customer (or so they told me).

 

[Rick Jay]

aardvark,

I don't doubt that the 7 1/2' hoes can be mounted on the other tractors. In fact, there is TBN member whose dealer mounted one on a B7500 (I think).

According to the Kubota website, the only hoe listed for the B2610 is the B4672. IF you can find a Kubota dealer to mount the BL4690 on a B2610 and will stand behind it should the tractor be damaged, then I'd say go for it. To me, it's just a bit "chancey" if Kubota does not approve of it's use on the smaller B's.

~Rick