Need advice/opinions on which model to get

[Timber]

Well all things considered go with the 610 because it is the one you really want. You also have implements available to you all ready. There is also a lot more you can do with the bigger tractor. Your property is certainly big enough for it. And it will grow with you instead of out growing the little one. It is a lot of money; if you make the wrong choice you will either live with it or take a loss. If you were admit about a backhoe then you would have to take a BX. It is you money but if you’re asking my opinion the B7610 is what you want

 

[HomeBrew2]

Just my experience for your use as you see fit.
I wanted the cheapest new, or slightly used, tractor with a backhoe. All I did was make a few calls. Finally got ahold of the guy with the BX key and traded him a check for it and a few implements. That was almost 2 years ago and almost 900 hours, zero probs. I have 5 acres of Sierra foothill land ... an oak woodland/grazing area. Rolling hills, lots of rocks, 6' deep seasonal crick (not big enough to be a 'creek'), a few dozen oak trees. I don't drive over rocks or brush, I move them first, or avoid them. So the infamous ground clearance is not a prob for me. I only bought "normal" Cat 1 implements of appropriate width ... no SCUT specific implements. Barring any unforseen or unplanned projects, I've done about every kind of task I'll need to do in fine style and time with the BX. Zero regrets. ... and I still haven't found a need for a toothbar yet ... when I do, I'll make one
Good luck with your decision!

 

[hunterridgefarm]

I will agree with Timber get the B7610.

You have a total of 3 and 1/2 ac to finish mow and if the pasture is 2 ac there may be a time when you skip it for one reason or another and will need to b-hog it once it gets to high for MMM. The extra PTO HP will help in this. You should be able to pull a 4' hog with no problem and possibly the 5' but I do think the 5' will be a little hard on 18hp PTO, but this all depends on how high the grass is.The extra HP will come in handy with landscaping, ground engaging equipment, FEL, and its better to have more power than you need than not enough. Plus it sounds like you really want the 7610.

I have a L185DT that I use to B-hog a 2 ac site I have with a 4' hog and I would not want anything smaller. I also have a L3130 and wish I had bought bigger but at the time I did not know I was going to acquire 130 more acres.

One thing you may want to consider is a RFM instead of a MMM. This would depend on your landscaping (trees, bushes, etc) of course and your personal preference. But it could save you a few $.

 

[Jay Hilliard]

thanks. I really like the BX series. I just dont want to say 6 months from now...I should have spent the extra $$. I have considered the rear mower and would save about $500-600. However, the MMM would stay attached mostly where the RFM would be on & off more, unless I was going places where ground clearence was optimum.

I got alot of thinking to do.

 

[DVR]

get the 7610 and gain a couple hp and some loader capacity for the price difference.

i would get a rear mount brush cutter and a rear finish mower (just the finish mower if you have light stuff). they are easy to hook up and remove. they will act as your rear ballast in areas where the length is not a problem. i read several posts where people did not like the b7510/7610's mmm.
i have been surprised at the ability of my 7510 in every regard. it pulls a 4ft bush hog well.

all bx's and b7510/7610's will run out of traction before hp. the wheels will spin before the motor bogs down even on the recently discontinued bx1500.

the bx is what i started looking at. it was poorly suited for the bush hog work I had planned. i decided on a 7610 and ended up with a 7510. i have never missed the 3hp.

my 7510 is the only tractor i have operated at length with an hst transmission. i would not consider a gear model for the type of work i use it for.

if you plan to use the 36mo 0% deal you can add attachments in the 0% deal.

 

[Jay Hilliard]

Thanks for the input Don. Your B7510 you are selling is a good deal, but with 0%/36mths and a good price for new its hard to not go new.

 

[DVR]

i understand. i hope nobody buys it.
my buddy told me today he is buying a m5000. if that works out i won't have to buy another one.

 

[Jay Hilliard]

Thanks for all the reply's. I've made up my mind. I plan on getting the B7610 w/ 352 FEL.

Should I get the 60"MMM or a woods 60" RFM? I have read alot of posts about this and have a couple of questions.

How hard is the MMM to remove and install?

Rear discharge or side discharge for a RFM?

thx again guys.

Jay

 

[Bob_Young]

Jay,
If the FEL is on the tractor, the MMM is not hard to remove or replace on the B7610. I usually swap one for the other each go-round, but put the FEL on before removing the MMM and then install the mower before removing the FEL. I use the FEL to lift the front of the tractor off the ground and then roll the disconnected MMM under the front wheels to either remove or replace.

Without the FEL, R & R of the MMM would probably be a struggle. With the FEL it's a 15 to 20 minute job to exchange implements (FEL on, MMM off or vice versa) with little or no cussing needed.

BTW, you made the right choice and got a good price. I love my B7610.
Bob

 

[Dusty]

I know that you have said that you have made up your mind, but if it isn't carved in stone, think about this.. If you buy a BX it will be easy for you to get on and off of as you grow older. It will also get into more places than the larger tractor. If you find that you have a particular project in mind that requires a larger tractor, you can rent one for a week and do the project. It is a lot easier to rent a larger tractor than a smaller tractor. I have the BX and on my 15 acres, ground clearance has never been a problem, nor has its size. I owned a larger Minneapolis Moline tractor, loader, backhoe before the BX. It was a chore to do anything with that monster. The maintenance cost were a lot more, as was the fuel. For me, the BX is the perfect size for my use. You never went into detail about your use, so in reality, everyone is suggesting what they think that you want, or what they believe is best for you, because it is best for them. I am no different, but wanted to give you the other side of the large tractor verses the small tractor discussion. Dusty