My wife says I'm buying too much tractor HELP?

Anonymous Poster · Mar 29, 2003

Re: My wife says I\'m buying too much tractor HELP?

Interestingly enough, the day you started this thread, the CFO decided I needed to buy a tractor. When I had first started looking, I had gravitated towards the BX-22, and that was what she had seen, and the price she knew. But I had already pretty much made up my mind that I wanted to go for something a bit bigger- the B7500HSD, or the TC-21. The problem was going to be the price increase... So the next day when we went to buy, we looked at the BX-22 first, then the B7500HSD. All I said was that it had about as much horsepower, but was had a greater overall size and capacity. That was it. She said "Yeah, that's the way to go". The TC-21 didn't fare well in her opinion, other than the color. So the B7500HSD it was. And I had already decided that for now I could not justify a backhoe, so the overall cost ended up to be less that the BX-22. Since purchasing one is not an option with the BX-2200 as it is with the B7500HSD, I wasn't losing the BH option by going this route. We actually looked at a bigger unit, the B7800HSD, but agreed we couldn't justify the size, not even considering the cost.

Ignoring the BX-22 and its BH, for me the increased cost of the B7500 vs the BX2200 is justified by;
<ul type="square">
[*]The BX-2200's engine has been pushed to 3200 RPM to make its rated HP. The B7500 makes its rated HP at 2600 RPM. As discussed in a recent thread, this could be expected to shorten the life of the engine.

[*]The ground clearance issue, as has been discussed.

[*]Tire size- separate from ground clearance, smaller tires get hung up in ruts, ditches etc more easily.

[*]Issues with implements and the BX-2200 lift height.

[*]660 lb bucket capacity on the LA 302 vs 460 on the LA211

[*]1058 lb hitch lift capacity on the B7500 vs 680 lb on the BX-2200.

[*]Separate implement and power steering hydraulic pumps on the B7500 vs shared on the BX-2200

[*]6.6 ft minimum turning radius on the B7500 vs 7.5 on the BX-2200- important in a residential setting
[/list]
This was actually the list I had prepared, but didn't have to use /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Sorry if I am repeating things already said. Good luck!

Rick Jay · Mar 29, 2003

Re: My wife says I\'m buying too much tractor HELP?

TractorlessSacto,

You did your homework and found the tractor that was best for you. I would like to slightly tweak your statement that:

( 6.6 ft minimum turning radius on the B7500 vs 7.5 on the BX-22- important in a residential setting )

Although your numbers are correct as quoted in the literature, it neglects the qualification that the B7500 achieves it's minimum turning radius with the assistance of brake steering. Since the BX series doesn't offer independent brakes and the B7500 is a bit longer in overall length and wheelbase, I would assume it's non-brake assisted turning radius to be a bit larger than the BX's. (I don't think you'd want to use brake steering while on your lawn, and it's dang near impossible to do with Kubota's hydro pedal layout anyway, unless you've either got cruise control or 2 right feet /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif)

I'm really nit-picking here and I don't think this would be an issue to decide one way or the other. You've got a great tractor. Actually, they'll all great tractors, you just have to find the one best for you. It looks like you did. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Just wanted to clear things up.

~Rick

frank_f15 · Mar 29, 2003

Re: My wife says I\'m buying too much tractor HELP?

ME EITHER!!! /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif BUT WOULD BE INTERESTING to see what thread that would be under /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Anonymous Poster · Mar 29, 2003

Re: My wife says I\'m buying too much tractor HELP?

( Since the BX series doesn't offer independent brakes)

Add to my list
<ul type="square">
[*]Independent brakes on the B7500, not available on the BX2200.
[/list]
/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

( I don't think you'd want to use brake steering while on your lawn, and it's dang near impossible to do with Kubota's hydro pedal layout anyway, unless you've either got cruise control or 2 right feet)

Haven't actually got a change to try it, or anything else, yet /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif, but I do know for a fact that I have two left feet. ( I guess if I can find a reason to stomp on the clutch and the diff lock at the same time, I'm good to go /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif )

ejb · Mar 29, 2003

Re: My wife says I\'m buying too much tractor HELP?

>>Like has anyone here been sorry that they bought too big of a tractor???

I haven't been sorry that I bought a big tractor, but I think the "you'll never regret buying a bigger tractor" saying is only true within reason...I have a pretty big tractor (JD 5410), and I need a pretty big tractor for most of the things I need to do, but there are real limits to what it can do when a smaller tractor would be better. You can't finish mow with this, you really don't want to drive it on a finish lawn unless the ground is dry and solid, implements for a bigger tractor are quite a bit more expensive..and the shear size makes it tough to get into tight places..etc.

So imo, buy a little bigger than you think you need, but don't un necessarily jump yourself up into a whole new weight class unless you really need to.

Then again there are times I wish I had a JD8400! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

Woodbeef · Mar 29, 2003

Re: My wife says I\'m buying too much tractor HELP?

Hey riptides,

Exactly!!

5030 · Mar 29, 2003

Re: My wife says I\'m buying too much tractor HELP?

( Well maybe the thing to do is go out and get brochures for all the bend-in-the-middle tractors 

I couldn't agree more! /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
I own one and it works great! )

That's a cute little nipper, and I see you live in "South Bend" so a "bend in the middle" unit is pretty appropriate!!!

Daryl
Forage Services, L.P.

rww_94 · Mar 29, 2003

Re: My wife says...follow up...

Thanks for all the great information. I'm sold on the 7500 size unit for many reasons at this ponit. Just as I have all the pieces in place to take the plunge on teh 7500hst, another option was presented to me today that although does not equal the 4x4 capabilites of the 7500, does get us a work machine for significantly less. Read on..
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One interesting option came up today.. - I got a call from a guy that is selling a Bolens Iseki 16 HP diesel that he bought new in 1986. He claims the hour meter stopped working about a year ago and reads 626 hours. I suspect double that but she started right up on a cold day. The tractor shows obvious wear but seems solid for its age: here is the specs & equipment that is available:

- 16 HP iseki diesel, 2 wheel drive with rear locker, Manual tranny and 3 speed Rear PTO, mid mount mower (mmm) is driven by shaft that attached to front near axel and engaged via separate pto clutch.

- comes with 48" mmm is far condidtion, 4' jbar brush hog is good condition and 6' woods rear blade is fare condition.

Is this a good deal for $3,000? Granted this is a far cry from a new 7500HST. One thing I noted was that removing the deck would be significantly more complicated than on the new kubota. Frank Feedback is welcome. I did like that the exhaust could be positioned vertically or horizontally but this is cosmetic.
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So my choices come down to a new 7500HST or a short term solution in an old Bolens/iseki 4x2 manual for 3K. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Jeff396 · Mar 30, 2003

Re: My wife says...follow up...

If purchasing the B7500 isn't a huge hardship just do it. If your property is like mine with many hills I wouldn't even consider a 4x2 tractor. When I bought mine I was unsure if a 4x4 was necessary. After mowing the lawn I have found many spots I need to get into that I simply can't get out of without putting it in 4wd. You would also be missing out on the greatest implement known to man....the FEL!!! One last consideration that I would mention is the great interest rates Kubota has been offering lately. I doubt that they will be this low in the future once the economy gets going. In my opinion it's a better idea to put the $3k toward a tractor that you know will meet your long term needs rather than one that may only be a temporary solution. I also wouldn't hesitate to buy used but wouldn't even consider anything without 4x4 and a fel. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Jeff

Moon · Mar 30, 2003

Re: My wife says...follow up...

Go new if possible. I had a bolens, had trouble finding someone to service it. Not sure if they are still in production. 3k for a 16hp 86 model sounds high to me.
Moon of Ohio