Need advice/opinions on which model to get

Jay Hilliard · Nov 6, 2006

Ok....Sorry for the long post, but here goes. I am new to the board, but have been reading for a month. I have 1 1/2 acres to finish mow and 2 acres (pasture type) that I will need to mow also, but a finish mower could do the job as it has been cleared of saplings, rocks, stumps, etc. I also will be using FEL, scrape blade etc for dirve and landscaping around my land.

By reading here, it seems the BX2350, FEL, 60"MMM will suffice fine, but I also am very interested in the B7510/7610 with same implements for jsut a couple of thousand more. I have read about the limited lift of the SCUTS and how the B series gives more loader capacity and 3PH lift etc.

So, I went to the local dealer and checked out the BX2350 and B7510. Today I got prices back from several dealers. A couple of dealers told me that they dont stock the B7510 and prefer to sell the 7510's due the 7610 is more tractor for just a little more money than the b7510.

Here is my best prices I received for the tractors. What should I do?

BX2350 - 243 FEL, 60"MMM, R4 tires, grill guard - $12,100 + tax
B7510 -302 FEL, 60" MMM, R4 tires, grill guard - $14,675 +tax
B7610 - 352 FEL, 60" MMM, R4 tires, grill guard - $15,250 +tax

Again, the BX will do everything I need to do, but 2,3 or 5 yrs down the road, I dont want to regret not getting the bigger tractor for not that much more $$$. PLEASE HELP! I'm struggling here.

thanks in advance.

Jay

machmeter62 · Nov 7, 2006

Jay: I know very little about the B series Kubotas, but looking at the quoted price of the B7610, you maybe able to step up to the L2800, and have more tractor for the same or even less money, if you go with the manual shuttle shift. However, if mowing is your primary duties in confined areas; HST is probably your transmission choice. I have a 2004 L2800 Manual shuttle shift, L463 loader, foldable ROPS, and R-4's with the purchase price of $13,410 plus tax. The price may have gone up some, but it is a lot of tractor for the money. The shuttle shift gives you 8 forward speeds, and 4 in reverse. You have HIGH and LOW RANGE going forward, and LOW in reverse. It has 24 PTO HP. Here is the price breakdown which is important in any tractor purchase: $10050 -Kubota L2800 manual shift and R-4's, $3200 -LA 463 loader, $160 -foldable ROPS, You may know this already, but the numbers on Kubota loaders is in Metric measurements, and to convert to lifting pounds multiply X 2.2 which gives you a lifting capacity of 1019#. Good luck to you on your purchase.

Timber · Nov 7, 2006

I personaly could never consider a BX because of my property and I do love My B7800. The 1st concern is ground clearence and that is why I could never get away with a BX. The HST is great to work with. I would go with the 610 for the price difference but you have to draw the line somewere I would go with ground clearence and 4 wheel drive. 1 other note be sure to get a toothbar on your loader regardless of what you buy. My B7800 is the same tractor as the 510 and the 610 with a different motor and features

MarkV · Nov 7, 2006

Jay, welcome to the forum. I think you need to be looking at your finish mowing and figure if the larger tractor is going to do the job. If you have a lot of trees and planting beds the larger the tractor the less maneuverable it will be. The other thing I would consider is your soil and whether a heavier tractor is going to be to much for your situation.

MarkV

Jay Hilliard · Nov 7, 2006

Thanks for the replys. Keep them coming.

I live in central NC and all the dirt is red clay. Packs very hard. You definitely dont want to dig post holes by hand in July and August

.

I just dont want any regrets on not getting the larger tractor. $3k is alot of money to me, but not in the big scheme of things over many years and especially when its paid off.

Another pro to getting the CUT over the SCUT is my grandfather-in-law has many implements I could borrow (post hole digger, 5ft BB, 5ft BH, etc). These of course would not work on the SCUT. However, with that said....I would eventually want my own implements as well, so buying SCUT implements or regular implements would be a wash.

I never thought it would be this hard. I see what alot of you have gone through. I feel your pain. I think I need to goto tractor's anonymous counseling

KeithInSpace · Nov 7, 2006

Living with the BX2230, I can say that it has unique capabilities, but most are saddled with deficiencies. Very compact and easy to maneuver, even for the novice. But at the cost of overall capability and lifting power. Very approachable and convenient to use if you're used to a 'regular' lawnmower. But at the cost of ground clearance.

I would have gotten a B7510 if it wouldn't look silly in my yard. I'm on 2 wooded acres in a subdivision and would look like wanna-be Farmer Bob in a bigger tractor than a BX. And the BX suited all of my needs. If you're on the fence, I would 100% endorse the larger tractor.

Timber · Nov 7, 2006

I think we all can relate to this. I decided I wanted a tractor and never realized just how many different kinds and sizes to choose from. Like you I looked at a BX and dismissed very quickly. I thought I wanted a Hoe and that was the way to get it with the money I had. Then I went to the 510 and the 610. Then the 7800 with the 4 cylinder and 30 horses, Then I looked at the 3030. It was kind of ugly so I went back to the 7800. Well you just can't buy the tractor. You need a tooth bar (big fan of this) then you need a wt. box. Do you want your tires filled, oh and you need bucket forks. Dam a Tach-All would be sweet too. You’re in for a ride. Oh then you decide what you want and the way you want it. Oh we have to build it. Then you wait, no didn't come in today. Then well we have everything but the bucket you gona have to wait. Now you have no hair, you nipping at your wife for no reason and the dog is always in your way.

Jay Hilliard · Nov 7, 2006

Its a difficult decision and Im on the only one who can decide what I think is best for me and what my budget allows, but I can be pursuaded in a certain direction

. This weekend I'm taking the wife to look at the B7610 and the BX2350. I want her to feel comfortable on it also, which I think either one she would be ok/compfortable with.

I just dont want to kick myself in the butt 2 months, 2 yrs, 5yrs down the road for not buying the correct tractor.

BTW...the JD dealers where way higher on their 2305's with MMM & FEL. Almost $2k more than the BX2350. I figured they would have them priced the same or lower than Kubota to get a bigger slice of the market away from Kubota.

hunterridgefarm · Nov 7, 2006

Jay,

What city are you close to (Central NC) and what Kubota Dealers have you received pricing from?

Jay Hilliard · Nov 7, 2006

hunterridgefarm,

I live in Pittsboro (30 miles west of Raleigh). I have quotes from Carver, Central Carolina Power, Graham and Callicut equipment. I also got a quote from Danville, Va. Callicut (near Asheboro) gave me the best quote on BX2350 and matched the best price on the B7610 which I got from Carver. Asheboro is 40 mins from me.

I will say all the dealers have been extremely helpful and quick with response on quotes. However, there have been some prices on the high side also.

Any suggestions on which tractor and why? I'm waying the pro's and con's now....literally on paper.

Jay