Buying Advice Kubota model selection Advise please!

[70boss]

Ok, I have posted some of this in the past, but I am very close to buying something now. Here is my situation.

Roughly 1.5-2 acres of finish mowing, ground is not real level, some steep areas, ground is not real smooth.

2-4 acres light brush hogging inbetween small trees.

Moderate landscaping, moving dirt, and gravel.

SNOW REMOVAL..probably the most important, 750 foot gravel drive, one VERY steep section. ( I used a Polaris ATV to plow this past winter..worked great)

Machines I currently have unrestricted access to, 1.5 miles away (in-laws)

John Deere 2640 (60 HP diesel) with FEL, and the biggest and heaviest Bush hog I have ever seen (7 foot I think)

Gehl 6635 ( 80 HP!!) skidsteer... will do more excavating and loader work than any of these compact tractors could ever hope to ( 2200 lift capacity), the thing is a tank...7000 pounds!

I am now leaning towards the BX1800/2200 only for the extra stability on slopes. I have looked at the 7500, and B2400 too. In fact I have found a B2400, FEL, 48" Bush hog, 60"woods 3pt. finish mower, 500 hours for 10,500. That seems like the right buy, but stability is most important.

Sorry for the long wind, but the access to heavy machinery may sway some of your opinions. I also live on 63 acres, right in the middle of the woods. Has anyone gotten stuck with their BX2200?

Thanks for reading the "book"
Rob

 

[GlueGuy]

Rob,

Sounds like you could get your work done with a BX, especially if you could snow plow your "worst" section with the Polaris.

That said, how rough are your <font color=blue>not real smooth</font color=blue> areas? If ground clearance is an issue, you may want to try to demo a BX on that rough area to make sure it isn't too rough.

I have a B7500, and it is doing real well. The heaviest work I am putting it through is maintaining our driveway (4300').


The GlueGuy

 

[Darins]

70Boss, I also have a new b7500, My property is fairly flat with trees and lots of brush. With some slopes. When I just received my new B- they had set the wheels all the way out. And filled them with calcium to. I did have it on some hills this weekend and it felt very stable. I have used my nieghbors tractor which is a little larger w/ no caluim just a 600# weight on the back and my tractor feels a LOT more stable. And it also has great ground clearence. I have taken it in the woods and it has no problem going over the trees or all the brush. So far I love it.

 

[70boss]

Thanks for the response, one clarification. I am selling the Polaris. My intent is to sell all of my machine to replace them with one. The 8N Ford is gone, the Polaris is for sale or trade, and the Cub Cadet I will get rid of, or trade-in when I get my new tractor. I think I will try them both out once the snow clears. The BX2200, and the B7500. Any BX2200 owners with a similar use??

Thanks,

Rob

 

[bpence]

For $10,500 you might want to investigate the B2400 some more. That's a fine tractor and with a FEL it's a real worker. You can always widen the rear stance, add wheel weights, fill the tires, or all of these if you feel stability is an issue. About all you'd need to get serious about pushing snow around would be a back blade. I know a brand new tractor is a real draw sometimes (I went through it), but the best values are often found in used tractors, if you're at the right place at the right time. Sounds like you might be looking at an opportunity with the B2400. If it were me, I'd look real hard at the B2400.

Bob Pence

 

[Roy]

Rob; Similar use question…. Mowing… very happy with the BX. Snow removal with a rear blade… also very happy with the BX. Moderate landscaping, moving dirt, and gravel… very happy with the BX. Heck, it can excavate. Never got stuck with the BX (snow, mud, loose dirt)… but then again, I am not in swamp conditions /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif.

Roy

 

[Thomas]

Snow removel,land scaping,mowing the BX sound real good.
Brush hogging I would think the B2400 would be tad better also for snow removeal,also if you plan later on to get a tiller.

Thomas..NH /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

 

[DaveNH]

Another satisfied BX owner. I moved up from a 14.5 Murray with a 42" cut.
Primarily used for mowing and some snow and dirt moving.
I move snow with the FEL. 12 inches no problems but had a time with the recent 26".(My fault for waiting too long.) I can and do get it stuck. Rides up over the snow and high centers. Have to push myself back with the FEL. Lose traction before power.

We're all in this together! (3)
Yuppie tractor owner.

 

[Charliebrn]

Ditto what the others have said. I have a BX, and am very happy with it. On occation I've lost traction trying to move too much, but I'm sure it's because i have turf tires. The others have mentioned adding ballast to the 7500 to get a bit more stability, and it does work, just remember that more weight isn't necessarily good for your lawn. In any case, you won't be disappointed with either machine, they're both fine machines...

 

[DavidH]

Rob: The rental store near me where I rent equipment on a as needed basis has a B2400 HST with front end loader. He's rented it out for over a year now and has had no problems with it. That's over 500 hours of abuse use and he says it runs as well as the day he put it in service.

DaveH

 

[TresCrows]

Well, I will jump in on this topic also since I have barged in on all the other BX vs 7500 discussions. First, that B2400 may be a deal to consider if the machine is clean and in good condition. Is it? The B2400 is a bit wider than the 7500 and may be more stable on hills. Adding wheel weight or calcium may make the 7500 more stable but what will that do to your lawn? The BX will not likely need any of that. All the work you plan to do I do with my BX though my driveway is not so long. I also have not brush hogged with it but a BX about 2 miles from me does Brush hog with a 48 inch unit. I have not gotten stuck on my 6 acres but I have not gone out into the woods on it but with the mower removed I doubt you would have much problem unless you are talking "rough" in which case the 7500 or B2400 would likely benefit from added clearnace. I think the BX would do what you want but I have a reservation--you seem to have a predisposition to larger machines such as you mentioned the ones at your disposal. Maybe you would be happier with the 2400 but do not be surprised if a neighbor get's a BX and it mows circles around you and you have to get out a push mower to finish some areas the BX guys can cut. The BX will be more stable on hills but I imagine some inventive person could roll the thing! The BX is a gutsy little tractor. Is that what you want or do you really want some thing that is "big" even though the BX is enough? Not intended to be a flame, just consider that you will be spending a pile of money and in the end you should be happy with your decision and emotional factors are as important sometimes as what the unit can really do. Frankly, I doubt the 7500 or B2400 can do much the BX cannot do. They simply do not have that great an advantage in horsepower, weight or traction over the BX. They are better suited to backhoes and heavier loader work and in the rough but still for most people with situations like yours the BX can do the work. Good luck with your purchase. J

 

[70boss]

Thanks for the response. I do not take anything as a flame, althuough I'm sure some 7500 owners will take aim..

I am not predisposed for a large machine, actually I prefer a smaller machine since I have some tight areas to consider. Most people will try to urge a person to buy a larger machine, but I have the other equipment that will simply run circles around these compacts in many situations. My biggest fear is getting the BX2200, and then getting stuck every time I have to plow snow from my driveway. In winter, my driveway to the house is 4X4 ONLY, otherwise, you will not get out. I had tow tow out a full size Ford Expedition this past December. Thanks again for the response, the collective knowledge of the group is terrific. The B2400 is in good condition, and it really seems like the right purchase.

 

[markcg2000]

The only thing I wonder about is the 3PH finish mower. I've got a cutter, and I know that it makes the tractor less stable when it is on. I feel much better when I'm using my mid-mount finish mower. Also, the mid-mount is far more maneuverable then a 3PH mower would be... of course, the darn thing costs twice as much, too!

mark

 

[M. Sullivan]

As mentioned, look hard at the used 2400. If I had 60 acres of woods, and primary use was plowing/grading and 3 pt. work would go with the 7500/2400. The 2200 I believe was targeted at the estate mower segment, with the other capabilities added as a competitive advantage. Great product, don't get me wrong--I almost bought one (got the 2710 instead, long story...). At any rate, cheap used garden tractors are plentiful (just got a nice sears for $200)--so might target your buy more on the tractor, vs. mower functions. Note: My 2710 is also an awesome mower--just use the sears for dodging some tree stands and pulling a trailer around the property.... Was also concerned about stability on hills, thought the 2710 was too high. A smart dealer brought one over for a demo, and left with an empty trailer! Would guess the 7500/2410 is even better on hills: A neighbor has a 7100 (similar chassis set-up as the 7500/2410) and mows some hills I would let go to pasture. Good luck!

 

[TresCrows]

Oh definitly purchase a belly mower if you get the used 2400. If you get the BX be sure to get the 60 inch unit. The BX has the power to turn a 72 but unfortunately will not fit between the wheels. Love the BX. J

 

[markcg2000]

Took me a couple of tries, but I think I figured out what your attachment was - an airplane view, right? Which place is yours?

mark

 

[JATO_RaT]

First, I have to say that the picture from your tractor shows what great clearance you have, how do you dismount? Secondly, my concern about the BX series if I were interested in one is the wheel size. They seem so small which would make me think that it would give a rougher ride on uneven terrain and it would be easier to get stuck. My neighbor just purchased one with a mid mount mower, chipper/shredder and loader. It looks like a great mower, very smooth and great on his hills. The loader is pretty wimpy looking, but I'm not a good judge of the smaller compacts since I have never used one and only have been on large compacts and industrials. Rat...

 

[TresCrows]

Wimpy!!? you say--Bam-Bam!! Well I suppose compared to large earth moving equipment it is wimpy but it is a decent little unit for a compact tractor. Yes, no problem with ground clearance in that machine, my Kitfox I built back in 96. The house north of the road in the center. I just wanted to show what 6 puny, wimpy acres looks like from 1000 AGL. That is where my BX lives. Yes, when carving across an area in my back 4 acres that was rutted up when I let some morax cut the hay off the small wheels do bounce a bit. Again, if rough terrain is your intended primary use the 2410 or 7500 may be better for you. The BX is a surprising unit and the FEL is not so wimpy--really and in most conditions the ride is fairly decent! It was a concern of mine also but I am satisfied. J

 

[Anonymous Poster]

I'd seriously consider the B2400. With the attachments you listed, it sounds like a pretty good deal. I just bought a two-year old B2400 HSD 4WD with 198 hours for $10,000 (just for the tractor). It was a bit more than I originally planned (I was looking for an older, less expensive rig), but it was in mint condition and has a one-year warranty from a local dealer. I also bought a new FEL and 60" mid-mount mower (all original Kubota equipment), so I have a practically new rig for about $2K less than a new B2410. I have a small (5 acre) horse farm, and the mower will easily handle both our 3/4 acre yard and over 4 acres of pasture. The FEL will come in handy with routine landscaping and manure pile management, plus snow removal in the winter. I also looked at the new BX series and B7500, but decided on going with the larger B2400 for the additional power and loader capacity, plus the three-point hitch position control which isn't available on the smaller tractors. I've already made a few practice runs around the house to test the tractor's manuverability while mowing and it gets almost everywhere my old Cub Cadet garden tractor could go, although I will have to use the hand mower between a few trees and our fenceline. In my view, the B2400 isn't too large for mowing around the house and shouldn't tear up the yard if you use turf tires and stay off the grass when it's real soft or wet. It will also provide the power and additional features you'll need for trail maintenance and other work in your rough areas. The B2400 also feel very stable to me; however, I don't have any real serious terrain to deal with. I agree with everyone who advises to use a brush hog for the rough cutting. You can probably find a cheap brush hog for cutting saplings and heavy brush. The position control on the B2400 will come in handy when you start tackling high brush and need to jump over logs and rocks along the trail, too. Save your finish mower for the yard and it should last forever. My advice: use the right tool for the right job. If the B2400 is in good shape and has been well cared for, I'd go for it... I'm already looking forward to this weekend so I can hit the field with mine !!! Good Luck... JACK

 

[campster]

<blockquote><font size=1>In reply to:</font><hr>

My neighbor just purchased one with a mid mount mower, chipper/shredder and loader.

<hr></blockquote>

Rat: What kind of chipper/shredded did he choose?


Thanks...