Buying Advice Need buying advice

[pgrovetom]

Hi Everyone... I have 10 acres in Sonoma County California and after remodeling my home and building my Solar PV system by hand, I'm looking at buying a tractor. It will be for everything from maintenance, landscaping, building projects, gardening and generally moving soil around and shaping the ground for various projects.

I can see the need for light to modest pushing dirt around, cutting and shaping, trenching, drilling holes for various posts etc.

My property is somewhat hilly and can be wet in the winter so 'm sure I need 4WD. I've been looking at the various Kubota B and L models both used and new. I'm leaning toward new as a tractor seems like something where the hours are meaningful but it could have been light work or brutal work. I first zeroed in on the the little BX25 in the Kubota catalog. It looks rather small but probably would get the job done except the bucket is 5-6 cubic feet and it says AWD. I doubt I would move lots of dirt but 5-6 cubic feet seems tiny. I'm also wondering how AWD varies from 4WD and what kind of traction does it get on wet grass over dirt?

It doesn't appear they have an auger attachment for it, but is that true? Does anyone know which Kubota ( or other brand ) would be the next step up and roughly the advantages. I've found the comparisons of models confusing and prices are hard to come by for a model with attachments. I would prefer to be knowledgeable before talking to the local dealer on models, performance and price. I've also seen one can buy from a more distant dealer and have it shipped. Any thoughts on whether a new or used makes sense form a price point of view?

Thanks for any help

Tom

 

[CHDinCT]

First off, the BX series is 4WD. It is selectable meaning you can run in 2WD or 4WD - not like an AWD car at all. You don't want to be in 4WD on dray pavement, for example. Having said that, based on what you're looking to do on 10 acres and that you didn't mention mowing as a use, I'd definately be looking at a B series tractor at least, which is the next frame size up. This will get you the same or more hp vs a BX, a 3 range transmission (nice feature), better loader specs, a heavier tractor which will get more power to the ground, and more.

The B series has 3 sub-groups: the B2320, B2620, B2920 - 23, 26, and 29 hp. These are nice tractors with base features. Then there's the B2630 and B3030 series, the later available with a factory cab. These have a bigger frame and more bells and whistles - position control, telescoping lower links on the 3PH, deluxe seat, better loader spec's than the 20 series and more. Finally, there's the B3200 and soon to be B3300. I think the frames on these are about the same as the 30 series tractors, but are more basic like the 20 series tractors. These have 4 cylinder engines as do the 30 series, whereas the 20 series are 3 cylinder. The B3300 won't have a mid PTO, so no mower or front snow blower options for it.

Moving up to the L series, the L2800, L3400, and L4400 are base models of the L line, but pretty well featured tractors. After that come the Grand L models with more hp, features, better loader spec's and the option for a cab in some models.

As far as pricing goes, go to the Kubota web site and select the series you want to review, then look for the "Build My Kubota" link at the top. This will let you configure what you want and get MSRP. Have fun and good luck.

 

[montelatici]

"It doesn't appear they have an auger attachment for it, but is that true?"

I have one that I use on my BX1850. (Only because I keep my backhoe attached to my BX24). It is a Leinbach Line.


Post Hole Digger For Compact Tractors NEW. FREE Auger INCLUDED - The Smart Farmer, LLC.

 

[LBrown59]

I can see the need for light to modest pushing dirt around, cutting and shaping, trenching, drilling holes for various posts etc.

I first zeroed in on the the little BX25 in the Kubota catalog. It looks rather small but probably would get the job done except the bucket is 5-6 cubic feet and it says AWD. I doubt I would move lots of dirt but 5-6 cubic feet seems tiny. I'm also wondering how AWD varies from 4WD and what kind of traction does it get on wet grass over dirt?

It doesn't appear they have an auger attachment for it, but is that true? Does anyone know which Kubota ( or other brand ) would be the next step up and roughly the advantages. I've found the comparisons of models confusing and prices are hard to come by for a model with attachments. I would prefer to be knowledgeable before talking to the local dealer on models, performance and price. I've also seen one can buy from a more distant dealer and have it shipped. Any thoughts on whether a new or used makes sense form a price point of view?

2*The BX23 24 and 25 tractors are great machines just ask some of the many many TBN members here that own one.
3*Don't let it's looks / size fool you . Big things come in small packages.
3a*I have moved dozens of tons of dirt snow and gravel with my bucket.
4*I like the BX tractors so well that I own 3 of them .Traction is not a problem with any of them on Grass mud dirt sand or gravel.
5*You can get an auger for them but I would not buy one for a one time project/deal. Instead I would rent one or hire it done .
6*The B series is the next Class after the BX.
7*I bought 2 like that from Barlows, I strongly suggest you check them out. They come highly recommend by members of TBN.
8*The thing you have to watch with used is you don't spend more on finance charges than you saved on the tractor .

 

[LBrown59]

I have an auger I use on my BX1850. (Only because I keep my backhoe attached to my BX24). It is a Leinbach Line.

I have a tiller on a BX1500 because I leave the backhoe on the BX23.

 

[Sully2]

Hi Everyone... I have 10 acres in Sonoma County California and after remodeling my home and building my Solar PV system by hand, I'm looking at buying a tractor. It will be for everything from maintenance, landscaping, building projects, gardening and generally moving soil around and shaping the ground for various projects.

I can see the need for light to modest pushing dirt around, cutting and shaping, trenching, drilling holes for various posts etc.

My property is somewhat hilly and can be wet in the winter so 'm sure I need 4WD. I've been looking at the various Kubota B and L models both used and new. I'm leaning toward new as a tractor seems like something where the hours are meaningful but it could have been light work or brutal work. I first zeroed in on the the little BX25 in the Kubota catalog. It looks rather small but probably would get the job done except the bucket is 5-6 cubic feet and it says AWD. I doubt I would move lots of dirt but 5-6 cubic feet seems tiny. I'm also wondering how AWD varies from 4WD and what kind of traction does it get on wet grass over dirt?

It doesn't appear they have an auger attachment for it, but is that true? Does anyone know which Kubota ( or other brand ) would be the next step up and roughly the advantages. I've found the comparisons of models confusing and prices are hard to come by for a model with attachments. I would prefer to be knowledgeable before talking to the local dealer on models, performance and price. I've also seen one can buy from a more distant dealer and have it shipped. Any thoughts on whether a new or used makes sense form a price point of view?

Thanks for any help

Tom

Get a B2630 or a B 3030

 

[Sgt Schulz]

I had a B size tractor and it was great, but I was frustrated with the small loader. I had a dump truck that it couldn't load. It was great for just about anything else. I just went through the same process as you last week. I was all set to buy a B2920 or an L2800. I liked the mid-mount PTO on the B series, but the front loader on the L was the deal breaker. The dealer wanted 13554 for the B and 15385 for the L both were great prices. very close to invoice. They were on the lot awhile and I think they wanted to move it. New with zero % financing is the way to go.

 

[Tractor Factor]

I first zeroed in on the the little BX25 in the Kubota catalog. It looks rather small but probably would get the job done except the bucket is 5-6 cubic feet and it says AWD. I doubt I would move lots of dirt but 5-6 cubic feet seems tiny.

It probably can do the job for you, but it will take somewhat longer, and-for a business-time is money. B series may be a better choice for you. As for the loader bucket, yeah, it's the size of my contractor wheelbarrow. Check out this bucket expander, though, if that's all that's holding you back:

Bucket Expander

BXpanded makes some great products...Also (having been through this recently) the 0 down, 0% for 60 months (ends 5/31) makes buying used a much tougher choice right now.