Made my decision - got the 7610

[Verdemont]

Well, I posted my original message in the general forum, but I should have posted it here. Was considering the BX2230, the B7610, and the B7800.

Got the 7610 with FEL and 5' blade today. Nice price. Local dealer is good.

The 2230 was too small and lacked ground clearance. It could only lift the 4' blade about 6" above the ground. I think that was the clincher. I want to use the blade as the counter-weight to the FEL.

The 7800 was awesome. However, it just felt TOO big for our little 5 acres full of trees. The bucket felt like it was 10' wide.

The 7610 is still probably a bit of overkill but it just felt right. Like the bigger wheels than the 2230 but not the BIG wheels of the 7800. Went with the R4 Industrial tires, we don't have much grass.

Hope to get it delivered later this week. The unit I test drove is the unit I'm getting. It had .8 hours on it so it was pretty new.

I really appreciate all the information here. This place is great.

Tom
Colorado Springs, CO

 

[WiJC]

congrats! good luck waiting till it shows up /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

from what ive seen/done, i think you are going to be happy with it.

post pics

John

 

[NIXON]

Tom . Congratulations ! You'll enjoy everything about it .....
Except waiting for it to be delivered /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif John

 

[8561]

Congratulations - I think you'll find that you picked the perfect size.

 

[Yankee]

I just did the same thing this weekend - bought a 7610, in my case with filled R4s, LA352 loader (new model FL-1 with 4-way valve), Landpride FDR16-60 mower, Woods GB48 box, block heater, rear fender-mounted worklight, and 3 hooks on the bucket. Discussed ROPS-mounted lights, top-and-tilt, folding ROPS, toothbar and several other things, but opted for none of them for now. (For those interested in the why-nots, except for a few, most of his landscaping customers don't even buy top-and-tilt. The folding ROPS is higher, presenting canopy limitations, plus the rigid ROPS is a good height for my purposes. The toothbar I'm going to wait and see. ROPS-mounted lights I can do myself.)

The dealership is excellent - can't say enough good about it. It's Cavalier International in Ashland, VA, just outside of Richmond. Same goes for the salesman, Luther Sims. As I said in another post, there were others that I had a good experience with when shopping around, but none that came up to the combination of responsiveness, patience, and service that Cavalier presents. That also extends to the owner, whom I met on 2-3 visits, several other salesmen, the counter staff, and even the mechanics - one of whom walked me in after hours when I forgot my hat.

Unfailing follow-up on top of all that really caps it. I had my calls returned every time. All my information was on a clipboard in the salesman's office. He even had a copy of an email I sent to Case (they're also a Case dealer) on the Farmalls, which I discussed with him and the owner.

Last but not least, they came in at a good price. I doubt I could have done much better, considering shipping costs, even out of state. (Yes, I know I pay the sales tax by buying in-state.) I should know the delivery date tomorrow. Tossed in pickup and delivery for the 50-hour service too, though not the service itself. I may do that anyway, though.

Like you, I also looked at the 2230 and 7800 and rejected them for the same reasons (with even less acreage). Honestly, the 2230 or BX23 would be more than enough tractor for me but I just didn't want to deal with the tighter 3 point hitch geometry or have to think about clearance. I also figured the quarter-inching valve was an improvement over a simple up-and-down valve. I also just liked the feel of the 7610 better when I tested all of them.

I was also interested in the New Holland TC24/Case DX24, but couldn't find a local NH dealer I liked quite enough, and couldn't get detailed Case information to save my life - nor could the dealer. Case is really shooting themselves in the foot on the Farmall line. Talk about squandering good will. (They had the 33s but were waiting on 24s).

I wrote off the M-Fs pretty early as they seemed kind of rough around the edges and the local dealer is more geared to the ag market. Looked at Kioti, but it never really grabbed me, as solid as it seems. And the smallest Mahindras, Bransons, etc. are all too big. I never seriously considered Chinese or gray market Japanese tractors.

That leaves Deere. Why not Deere? In this case I also liked the local dealership, and it is also geared to handle the homeowner. I liked the 4115. The reason boils down to value for the money. Good tractor, but not better than Kubota (talking quality here, not features), but at a significantly higher price point. Sort of the same argument that many make for Kioti vs. Kubota. For me it all settled nicely around the Kubota and Kubota dealership.

I also appreciate the help here. It's nice to know exactly what you bought and why.

Bill

 

[mathteacher]

Congratulations, I guess there is another 7610 owner. I only have a little over 13 hours on mine and I love it. It is the perfect size for what I needed. Even the neighbors like it. One asked me to smooth there road out the other day. Said that he would pay me. Made a quick $50 for about an hour of work.

I am sure that you will love it.

Donald B.

 

[MarkLeininger]

Since several of you priced comparable 7800 and 7610s at the same dealer, I'd be interested in the price difference between them.

 

[DanR67]

Welcome to the 7610 Club, Tom!

Nearing 30 hrs on mine - continue to be amazed at the amount of work I've been able to do!

Example: recently completed first lawn mow of the season - used to take 2 - 2 1/4 hours on 38" Sears rider - now just a quick 50 minutes! Then picked up ALL the "gardening piles" my wife had made in 3-4 hours in ONE trip - and added all this to our rapidly growing compost pile.

The only thing I have to watch out for is the R4s leaving marks when I'm on the lawn - the firm / dry areas are no problem whatsoever - but you can definitely tell I've rolled through the soggy areas. That being said - I KNOW I would have been "stuck in the muck" several times by now had I gone with turfs.

Enjoy your new toy....err.... tool! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Dan

 

[maxtractor]

Welcome to the club. I have had my B7610 for a week and already have 10 hours on it. I found it can be hard on the turf on the corners if you are not careful. But I have loved it so far. It has plenty of power. My friend's old M Farmall tractor isn't running, so I helped him out by grading his drive and bush hogging some of his field with his 6ft pull behind bush hog. The field was rough, it hadn't been touched for a couple of years. The tractor had plenty of power to handle the mower. I wouldn't recommend a 6 ft mower, but it can handle it. You are going to love your new B7610. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[TresCrows]

I would not use a 6 foot brush hog/rotary cutter behind that size tractor. The 7610 is essentially a 2410 size tractor and I think that would work it to hard. A 60 inch pull behind finsih mower or a 54 inch hog (none exist) is about the limit.
Yeah, I agree this size tractor is perefect for many things, not to big, not to little, just right /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif. J