Kubota BX Series/B series Combo mow and utility...or Garden Tractor + later buy an L?

[TMR]

Let me know how you like the belly mower on the B series. Curious if it feels too big to be a mower. Maybe you mow a very open area?? Let me know how you like it. My current thought is to buy a Husqvarna at about $3K price point...and make a separate "tractor" choice over time. B series will be at the top of my list Thanks...TMR

Similar case here. Bought a Craftsman GT5000 some 10 years ago after trying equivalent Husqvarna (nicer and costlier). 54" deck does well, changed belt once or twice, and blades once. I think it worked harder in the winter time blowing snow with Berco snowblower, which is a very nice quality unit too.

I was looking from a similar perspective. SCUT is just a little cute unit. I looked at Mahindra, Kioti, NH, and Kubota. Ended up steering towards a compact unit. MMM was a requirement for maneuvering around trees etc. Mahindra wanted too much, Kioti does not offer mid-PTO, my heart was not with NH (or JD). Kubota seemed the best and most logical choice. For some reason nobody stocked B series around here, and previous guy at my dealer had to order one. I ordered mine, took almost two weeks to receive it.

With very little time on it, I cannot say much, but it's a one awesome machine. Very well built. Nothing personal, but made in Japan still means quality to me.

 

[tk tom]

I mow an acre and a half to 2 acres of grass on a weekly basis with a Husqvarna YT48XLS mower (fab deck, kawi motor) and it does a good job. The back 40 used to be a field, waist high grass, etc, uneven ground with dips and bumps and such. The mower has been a champ, the deck is awesome. I'm sure the Kubota would be a more comfortable ride and easier to handle (power steering), but all that much more machine for only 12" more deck (24" I guess if the 72" was the choice) would be a little much.

The only gripe I'd have about the Husqvarna is the steering. For the weight of the machine, it needs a better ratio. The X series Deeres are set up better in that regard. A X3 series tractor with the 48" deck would be a far better mower than the Kubota simply from a maneuverability and maintenance standpoint. I have to clean the deck out frequently as mowing when it's a little damp has to happen. Dropping a deck on a riding mower or lifting up the front is easy business. Doing the same on a tractor is a different story.

If the budget shows an allowance for a rider like a Deere X5 and a B or L series in a couple years, that's the route I'd take. If only one tractor was an option, then I'd make the BX or B work.

 

[ackerrj]

I use a B-2320 with a 4' King Kutter bush hog.

I use it here on about 2 acres, and since i sharpened the bush hogs blades with an angle grinder, it does a pretty decent job. Mowing is faster than with my old lawn tractor. To get around trees, and spots that I cannot get to with the B2320, I use a high wheel trimmer.

Warning: the bush hog does NOT like rocks. Avoid.

I also move rocks/gravel for my wife (with the front loader) who landscapes this place. Certainly beats a wheel barrow and shovel.

The machine has been reliable, and aesthetically, I like the sound of the 3 cyl diesel. At almost 67, being able to lift 600+ lbs is a bit of a macho thing <g!>.

You want to be careful about mowing across hills though, tractors generally have a high center of gravity, and the absolute last thing you want to do is tip one over... so going up and down, ok. Sideways, I avoid unless a really gentle slope.

I also use it to push snow down the driveway in winter... faster than a snow blower... save that for the deep stuff.

The "B" is really in a totally different class than a riding mower... It is a small piece of heavy equipment. For example it has power steering, which is easy to use with just one hand. The HST has 3 ranges, so you can get quite a bit of torque to work... as well as 4WD, and a petal to lock the rear axel when needed.

You would want to check the clearance (width) for your trail work... the ROPS can be folded back half way when over hanging trees are close.

Of course, you have to change the fluids and do or have the maintence done when called for.

I like having the thing.

 

[boggen]

skim read your thread.

some things that caught my eye, half deck mowing, field/fence/trail mowing, box blade fel work, cutting bigger taller weeds. trying to decided for bigger or smaller....

3pt hitch finish mower, can be rather nice when you have correct deck, that sends everything directly out the back. vs a regular belly mower deck that sends everything out the side of the deck. by sending everything out the back, it can reduce clumping of stuff better.

if you are mowing tall stuff, a small rotatory cutter (bush hog) on a 3pt hitch) even a small unit, can make mowing easier on you and the machine.

you have riding lawn mowers,
garden tractors (a bit beefer riding mower)
scuts (sub compact utilty tractors) a bit bigger yet riding lawn mower
cuts (compacty utitly tractors)

when ya hit the SCUTS and CUTS there is a gray area were some units out there, were the frame work is completely redone. from a riding lawn mower, to more of a tractor frame. which sets higher off the ground. and you begin getting extra features of more of a typical tractor. vs a riding lawn mower. along with bigger diameter taller tires, and "weight" higher setting frame off ground, is a big deal for me when hitting woods and fence line with wash outs that i might come across and sticks fallen down in the thick tall weeds. weight can be a nice thing when it comes to pulling stuff via 3pt hitch.

with above said, having a tractor with a "CAT 1" category 1 3pt hitch, opens up a whole new world of attachments and implements. that a riding lawn mower or garden tractor will never have. it is almost like you go from a city slicker town folk, to a country bumpkin. regular riding lawn mowers and garden tractors in theroy have "CAT 0" hitch on the rear of them. basically a hole in a piece of metal and maybe some hookup points for very specific manufacture only tillers, or snow plow or like stuff that tends to cost a whole lot more, vs 3pt cat 1 equipment.

if you stay with a riding lawn mower / garden tractor, you can get RTV (4 wheeler) style pull type implements and attachments. but you end up paying a good amount more for them vs 3pt cat 1 attachments and implements, and generally don't have the extra control that you would get from a 3pt hitch cat 1 setup.

with 80 and 40 acres. spend some cash if you can for a tractor and get out and away from riding lawn mowers / garden tractors. and get some implements to help ya clean the rough spots up, and maintain the land, vs beating yourself to death on a riding lawn mower.

============
if your in the situation of to big of tractor and new is to much, then get a old FEL (Front end loader) tractor with 3pt hitch to do odd jobs, and then get a new dedicated finishing mower.

==========
80 acres here for a farm. and use to run riding lawn mowers all the time, but eventually went route of the old 1950ish allis chalmers CA tractor narrow front end (think 3 wheeler look) with belly mower. larger tires, smoother ride, mow so much more quickly with the extra HP, go through thicker grasses, fill up on gas once, vs having to check every hour if i am going to run out of gas or not on riding lawn mowers.

the old ford 555c loader backhoe tractor, was also obtained. most likely will trade both tractors in at some point. for a single unit. once the bigger jobs for the 555c loader/backhoe are done. to maintain the land, vs doing major repairs and clean up.

i tend to see more folks here on TBN, go with a 2 unit setup, 1 dedicated for finish mowing the regular yard around house, and then 1 tractor that does everything else. with some folks going with single unit in the SCUT and lower end of the CUT range of tractors.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Posting my reply here also from your PM.

I have written a couple of "articles" comparing the B vs BX and BPFick also has done one. Search these and read but bottom line is ground clearance. If your mowing fields and going to go in the woods then the B is preferred over the BX plus B currently has 3 speeds while BX has 2. The BX has the fragile fan and the B doesn't. Woods work of almost any kind, for me, would leave the BX out of the picture.Mowing quality: The BX might mow a bit better for the person with a LAWN vs someone like me with a YARD (some of it a farm field that I just started mowing). I now and for the past 5 years have used the Kubota Fs for mowing and nothing else compares to them especially on hillsides with the 4wd.
I The MMM deck will be easier to remove from a B than a BX since the B sits higher off the ground. Changed oil, oil filter and small HST filter and greased my B2620 FEL BH yesterday at first 50 hours and at 66, almost 67 was able to get under it without any jacks or raising off ground with FEL.
Every size bigger will have stronger FEL lift and maybe 3ph lift but any B will lift about anything it will pull or be able to use. I bought an L one time and it is a great farm tractor, heavy and stable on FLAT land. Scared me on my hillside and wouldn't be much for mowing except for Rotary or rear finish mower and would be great for those but heavy to use around a yard or confined space and to trailer to different location.
You need a B2320 or B2620 or B2920. Get the 50 series if you "need: the heated or ac cab.
Also posting this reply on your open post. John
PS Every day you wait is a day older your getting and a day less that YOU will have the machine assistance for your benefit. Maybe your replacement will be glad you waited. It's time to get off the pot and go get or call Barlows and order a NEW B equipped with what you want on it and start reaping the rewards for the years you've scrimped and worked!!!! :cool2:

 

[TMR]

Thank You John for the great input...I will search for your and BPFrick's articles about the B v BX. When I sent you the PM I tried to explain to my wife your Kubota history/purchasing habits...but I also told her that from reading your posts for quite a few years that I feel I "know" you somewhat. Little did I know that we are just about the same age...I turn 67 in October. Also, I told her I felt you were a "good" person and would likely be quite helpful to me as you have actually experienced the products I am looking at...some more than once

Well, turns out you and the others at TBN have passed along quite a bit of your wisdom. Yesterday I was speaking with an old friend that had purchased a BX TLB 6-8 years ago and lives in my a couple of miles for me on 15 acres. He was very helpful and positive about the BX. He did mention he broke a fan underneath. I told him that there are two aftermarket companies that make "guards for the fan and also told him he should be on TBN to learn what he doesn't know about his BX BTW...I did not tell him he might like the B series as he does use it for some pretty rough stuff in the woods.

Now I need to shift to details like 2320/2360 or 2390...all same frame with 1/4 ing valve. Is the 3 and then 6 HP increase valuable and worth paying for...assuming I don't buy and trade like you do and keep mine for many years???

OR...what about the new B2650/3350 with a little larger frame and position control....and likely some new and untested pollution control "irritants"?...and probably a pretty good increase in price vs the xx20 series. IF you were buying today (I guess that is not rhetorical with you Mr Thomas!)...which vxxxx would you buy???

Then I need to configure, add a list of options and attachments and begin to decide where to buy and for how much. BTW...if you haven't guessed...I am a CPA accountant by training...not a troubled business "turnaround guy"...although my wife would tell you that I am not doing much "consulting" at all these days. I guess pretty soon I will need to say...Semi-retired to be generous to myself. I guess it is time for an Excel spreadsheet

Again...John...Thanks you very much for your posts over the years and for your advice. You have been very helpful. Tom R in rural Two Harbors between Duluth and Two Harbors and 5 miles inland from glorious Lake Superior! TMR

Posting my reply here also from your PM.

I have written a couple of "articles" comparing the B vs BX and BPFick also has done one. Search these and read but bottom line is ground clearance. If your mowing fields and going to go in the woods then the B is preferred over the BX plus B currently has 3 speeds while BX has 2. The BX has the fragile fan and the B doesn't. Woods work of almost any kind, for me, would leave the BX out of the picture.Mowing quality: The BX might mow a bit better for the person with a LAWN vs someone like me with a YARD (some of it a farm field that I just started mowing). I now and for the past 5 years have used the Kubota Fs for mowing and nothing else compares to them especially on hillsides with the 4wd.
I The MMM deck will be easier to remove from a B than a BX since the B sits higher off the ground. Changed oil, oil filter and small HST filter and greased my B2620 FEL BH yesterday at first 50 hours and at 66, almost 67 was able to get under it without any jacks or raising off ground with FEL.
Every size bigger will have stronger FEL lift and maybe 3ph lift but any B will lift about anything it will pull or be able to use. I bought an L one time and it is a great farm tractor, heavy and stable on FLAT land. Scared me on my hillside and wouldn't be much for mowing except for Rotary or rear finish mower and would be great for those but heavy to use around a yard or confined space and to trailer to different location.
You need a B2320 or B2620 or B2920. Get the 50 series if you "need: the heated or ac cab.
Also posting this reply on your open post. John
PS Every day you wait is a day older your getting and a day less that YOU will have the machine assistance for your benefit. Maybe your replacement will be glad you waited. It's time to get off the pot and go get or call Barlows and order a NEW B equipped with what you want on it and start reaping the rewards for the years you've scrimped and worked!!!! :cool2:

 

[Cherokee140]

I am a pretty new BX25D owner. I mow a pretty rough field...about 13ac all together. On rough ground the Kubota is a pretty harsh ride. If I could do it over again I would not spend the money on the belly mower for my machine. It does cut fantastic, but the ride is rough. You say you are older as well, so that bumpy ride might be as hard on you as it is on me.

I am not sure if anything would be better, but if I could do it again I would bank the deck money and start looking heavy at mowers with suspension....Ferris and Simplicity.

As to the "trail work" you don't say what kind of trails they are....motorcycle, 4 wheeler, horse, walking? All very different.

The one thing I LOVE about my BX is just how tight I can squeeze it into areas. It would be my first choice for woods work....simple belly armor takes care of the fan issue to make it a non-issue. Make your own or buy one already made up. As to its lifting, it will lift a full bucket of dirt, gravel, whatever....yea that bucket is smaller, but in the tight areas of a forrest trail I would want a small machine so I don't tear up too much of the woods around me.

The BX I think for a nice woods-ey type trail would be a great choice.....mowing...it does mow real well, cuts great, gets in close, but if bumps bother you it is not the best machine.

 

[tk tom]

The B2650 doesn't have the emissions stuff on it, and they are available w/o a cab. I love mine so far.

 

[TMR]

Cherokee...you are reading my mind. Current thinking is to buy a GT lawn tractor in the $3K range and skip the mower deck completely. I anticipate taking the deck on and off on a frequent basis...sometimes not on a paved garage floor...would get very old. Probably get a B2360 or B2650 w/loader/box blade and maybe brush hog...48" I would guess? Might get the B 2650 with the skid steer quick attach?? Seems like that would make chage over on the front quite easy? Not sure where I would land for the GT?? Maybe back to the Husqvarna GT 48KLSi for just of $3K. Thanks...Tom R

I am a pretty new BX25D owner. I mow a pretty rough field...about 13ac all together. On rough ground the Kubota is a pretty harsh ride. If I could do it over again I would not spend the money on the belly mower for my machine. It does cut fantastic, but the ride is rough. You say you are older as well, so that bumpy ride might be as hard on you as it is on me.

I am not sure if anything would be better, but if I could do it again I would bank the deck money and start looking heavy at mowers with suspension....Ferris and Simplicity.

As to the "trail work" you don't say what kind of trails they are....motorcycle, 4 wheeler, horse, walking? All very different.

The one thing I LOVE about my BX is just how tight I can squeeze it into areas. It would be my first choice for woods work....simple belly armor takes care of the fan issue to make it a non-issue. Make your own or buy one already made up. As to its lifting, it will lift a full bucket of dirt, gravel, whatever....yea that bucket is smaller, but in the tight areas of a forrest trail I would want a small machine so I don't tear up too much of the woods around me.

The BX I think for a nice woods-ey type trail would be a great choice.....mowing...it does mow real well, cuts great, gets in close, but if bumps bother you it is not the best machine.

 

[wawajake]

To the original poster.........I have a BX2660 but have been thinking in reverse about the same issues you have , I soon need to replace my lawn tractor (a old Husky 42 inch) and wonder about adding that task to my BX2660 by buying a 60 inch underbelly mower.

I can tell you that I use my BX2660 with a Brush hog and other implements to take care of my mile or two of four foot wide ATV trails that cut across my meadows and or go deep into my bush, (and I have deep bush that had to be cleared to make these trails).
My BX handles the rough bush no problem, I did add a plywood protection panel hanging from bottom and so have had no fan repair issues, I also did get 2 inch rear wheel spacers to add stability on my hills.

You will find no problem with a BX in regard to ATV trails and the FEL will be a blessing you will use steady ! ...but you will also get hooked on seeing how many other jobs your tractor could do and you will spend $2000 a year adding new attachments (see my signature) I will say that you will run out of traction before you run out of horsepower, so if you see advantage to larger wheels to add to traction ability then I would go to the B series instead of BX.

But now that I see I have yards not lawns (as J Thomas attested to) I see that in theory I could even do my two lawns (yards) with my brushhog, but probably will convince my better half that buying a 60 inch belly mower will reduce the number of pcs of equipment I must store and maintain and be cheaper on fuel too.