Make This Decision For Me

cnoel · Apr 3, 2004

I think the price on either is quite fair, (quite cheap if you were in Wyoming!), and if I were selling you the tractor, I would push the 7510. If mowing is your end application, it will do all your other stuff as well, might take longer than the 7800, and will be a much better mower in the end. I would actually think a BX would be the best choice, but you seem to have ruled that out at this point. Good luck, they are both great machines. Keep us posted. Christa

Moon · Apr 5, 2004

Sounds like a little buyers remorse to me. I think we all go thru some form of it after all major buying decisions.
Truth is I don't think you can go wrong. Either tractor will work for you. I went thru the same process, I ended up going bigger than I had ever considered. This month marks the 2 year anniversary of purchasing my Grand L 3010.
Looking forward to hearing which tractor you'll get, but ... Good luck with whatever you end up with!
Moon of Ohio

GregJ · Apr 5, 2004

Matt,
I think all the previous posts have covered a lot of different perspectives. I have a B7500 and there are times I wish I had a B7800 and times I'm glad I have the B7500. No matter what tractor you buy, this will be the case.

One option that hasn't been brought up, is if you have a little extra in your budget, what about the B7510 with a backhoe? I have used my B7500 for a lot of landscaping and a backhoe is very useful. If I had the choice of a B7800 without a BH vs. a B7510 with a BH, it would be the B7510 every time.

Just another thought,
Greg

snmhanson · Apr 5, 2004

Alright, thanks again for all of the great responses. I called the dealer this morning and he had no problem with me upsizing to the 7800 so it looks like I am going to do that. It is just going to take him a day or two to get the FEL attached and then I'll switch the tractors out. I did pay attention to those of you who said that the 7510 would be better for mowing, however, if the 7800 does not work well enough for us we will probably just get lawn tractor for mowing (remind me not to let my wife read that line). My other path may be to get all of the tough landscaping out of the way and make do mowing with the 7800 during that time. Then I would sell the 7800 and get a BX2230 or even smaller machine at that time if I can't get used to/don't like mowing with the 7800. I'm wondering if the 7800 will tear up the lawn with turfs on it and how good the cut will be with the 60" deck. We'll see. I don't think manuevering will be too big an issue because it is going to be pretty wide open without many obstacles to go around.

The main reason I'm going with the 7800 is that I am going to be doing quite a bit of grading with a box blade and moving dirt and large rocks I think the 7800 will be able to pull bigger implements and make the work it go significantly quicker. Plus the 7800 should be worth more than the 7510 if I go to sell it in the next few years anyways so I consider it more of an investment of sorts than paying more for a bigger tractor. Also, the 7800 is brand new while the 7510 was a demo unit with ten hours on it so I really don't know if it was abused at all during those important initial ten hours. He could get another unit in but it would take a few weeks and I need a tractor right now. There is also just more to like about the 7800 machine-wise such as three speeds and a stronger frame among other things. And finally, I'll admit it, after considering all of those facts, the 7800 will be cooler to show off to my friends. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Anyway, I should have the new tractor in my hands by Wednesday and I am definately looking forward to it. Thanks for all of you help.

Matt

garbageman · Apr 5, 2004

Matt,
I cut the lawn with a 7500 w/loaded R4's and a rear mount mower. If the ground is even a little soft the grass will tear. You can't make any sharp turns. I was considering getting turfs for cutting the grass but the dealer wants $800 for the tires and rims. We will see what the wife says. In my situation the 7500 is largest tractor I would use for cutting grass, in both size and weight. Everyone has different needs.
Good Luck,
Ray

frank_f15 · Apr 5, 2004

get a small LT for cutting the grass around the house, unless u have no trees or any thing , and not much turning, the tractor in my estamation is too large for that and the tires will tear up the grass

BillyP · Apr 5, 2004

Attached is a pic of my yard mowed with a 3,400 lb JD 4610. I don't think the weight of the 7800 will be an issue.

GV40U · Apr 6, 2004

I think you made a good decision. Having grown up "across the creek" on the Oregon side, I understand about the kind of terrain you will be managing. You will enjoy the extra power and utility of the larger tractor. You live in a beautiful area, good luck with your projects.

Moon · Apr 6, 2004

I don't think you'll have any trouble mowing with a 7800, especially since it's an open area. I mow with my 3010 with R4's (RFM). Once in awhile I'll leave a mark, but the majority of the time it's no problem at all. You'll get to know the questionable areas of your lawn and that will help cut down the turf marks.
On another note, I'd wager you won't want to sell the 7800 in a few years to go smaller. Naaaa, just don't think that will happen.
Happy Tractoring!
Moon of Ohio

DAP · Apr 6, 2004

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( But I bought the BX because I felt it could do better at grass cutting and at the same time make the larger tractor last longer as it would be resting while the little one worked.
)</font>

Never ceases to amaze me the reasons people put forth for having a lot of what they like. I intentionally refrained from typing "having too much....".

/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Henro .. by the time that B is on it's last leg, you'll have over 10 other machines. Your daily dilemma will be which one to fire up first each day. Sheesh.

Or maybe .. you'll be checking in with wirelessTBN to see if ROPS can support a ninth pair of drilled holes ... or adding 360 degree halogen support from a solar cell ... or swapping out a solar powered hydro tranny for you antique Deere-Kubota BXZ41 TLBHF (HF = hydrofoil).

ReSheesh