New to tractors, did a lot of reading, still need advice :)

[Captain Dirty]

Congratulations!

Tractors are made to work. Given only 12 hours in the time it probably took to repossess, the best thing you can do is exercise it.

Using the FEL, you may want a little more weight on the rear than the approx. 200 lbs the post hole digger weighs. You could use that as an excuse to get an attachment you want or build a weight. The most elegant (simple and inexpensive) weight I have seen was a cement-filled plastic barrel with appropriately-sized horizontal rod for lift pins, vertical plates for the top link, and vertical sections of PVC pipe (for carrying shovels, rakes, etc.) embedded in the concrete.

(See how quick we are to spend your time and money.)

Captain Dirty

 

[McREBEL]

I believe you will be happy with your decision. I have a B2920 I bought used with 112 hours. The B2920 is the B2620 plus 3 HP. There was no warranty left when I purchased it (it is an '08) but I have not needed it either. I have had it a little over 2 years. It is a solid tractor with a lot of power for its size.

 

[bspeedy]

You made a smart move. Almost impossible to harm a tractor in 12 running hours. Enjoy it.

 

[smp22]

Just an update for any searchers out there.

Took delivery of the B2620 back in January and have been fooling around with it. We love it! Happily, my fiancee has taken a liking to it and seems genuinely keen.

I was originally considering a rear mount blower, or a blade, or both, or whatever. I agonized about this stuff a little like I'm sure any consumer does for any large purchase. Didn't get any of that! So far, the bucket is working out great. We've not had very much snowfall however. We have turfs on it. The problem this winter has been ice! So I am ordering tire chains. Not really sure what to do about the ice on the gravel drive, I'de be grateful for any suggestions. Not a big fan of salt, what do most people do? Sand?

Tractor came with a post hole digger w/ 8" auger. Nice touch, I think we'll get some use out of it planting trees, doing concrete footings and fences. I think the t-stat is stuck open because the temp gauge doesn't really move. In low gear pushing snow on the driveway the needle will just barely move so I think the gauge is working. What is the common failure point, the gauge, the sensor or the t-stat? The dealer has so far worked with me to resolve it but I'm disappointed they didn't catch it prior to delivery - they indicated a typical commissioning as they would do for any new tractor.

 

[DuckSlayer1017]

Your t-stat sounds normal. You really have to work these little diesels hard to get the temp up. I've pushed mine really hard brush hogging and tilling on 90 deg days and never seen mine over 25%. In the winter doing snow the needle goes just above the bottom of the range.

 

[bspeedy]

Your t-stat sounds normal. You really have to work these little diesels hard to get the temp up. I've pushed mine really hard brush hogging and tilling on 90 deg days and never seen mine over 25%. In the winter doing snow the needle goes just above the bottom of the range.

The Kubotas I've had don't seem to show much on the temp gauge. If it moves off of cold, it's good.

 

[PJSprog]

Congrats on the new tractor, smp22. Surely you are aware of our penchant for pictures here. Let's see it!

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

If you don't already have wheel spacers you may have fender clearance issues with your chains. Just FYI. :drink:

 

[broadsword6]

Smp22,

Welcome to nirvana! We couldn't think of any other way to live but in the country. Room to breathe.

We live in I Lanark County and commute to Ottawa almost daily. We have 200 acres and an 800 meter gravel driveway. All the advice you are getting here about tractor size and weight is right on. Blowing the drive at 0430 so you can get to the early GO Train for that meeting loses its appeal pretty quickly in mid February! The list of what you need for it he tasks you have described has already been well articulated but to reinforce the point you need about 45 hp, cab, loader, 4WD, chains, possibly a snow pusher and, if your conditions allow for it, a drag blower. I suggest you avoid HST if you can. You lose too much power to the transmission. Go simple gear drive with a shuttle shift and learn to drive it. More power and cheaper.
I recommend the drag blower to save your spine. Scoliosis is a very real outcome of having rear mounted push blowers for a long time. Doesn't happen immediately, but it will. Save your back early in life if you can. Sounds like you are going to need it for all the other tasks you have planned.
At the risk of being flamed by all the "orangemen" on this site, I would encourage you to look at Branson tractors. They are not exotic, but they are tremendously well built and great value for money. They also weigh more than comparable tractors by any other manufacturer pretty much. This is a good thing in tractors not like cars.
I have two Branson's; a 6640 and a 3510h. I had New Hollands before that. I can afford pretty much any tractor I want but the sheer value in Branson is irresistible. The loaders are not as sensitive as NH or Kabota and they are pretty bare bones on electronics (which can be a blessing), but they are tough customers and anyone I know who has them besides me finds them reliable as well.

Something to consider

 

[grm61]

Just an update for any searchers out there.

Took delivery of the B2620 back in January and have been fooling around with it. We love it! Happily, my fiancee has taken a liking to it and seems genuinely keen.

I was originally considering a rear mount blower, or a blade, or both, or whatever. I agonized about this stuff a little like I'm sure any consumer does for any large purchase. Didn't get any of that! So far, the bucket is working out great. We've not had very much snowfall however. We have turfs on it. The problem this winter has been ice! So I am ordering tire chains. Not really sure what to do about the ice on the gravel drive, I'de be grateful for any suggestions. Not a big fan of salt, what do most people do? Sand?

Tractor came with a post hole digger w/ 8" auger. Nice touch, I think we'll get some use out of it planting trees, doing concrete footings and fences. I think the t-stat is stuck open because the temp gauge doesn't really move. In low gear pushing snow on the driveway the needle will just barely move so I think the gauge is working. What is the common failure point, the gauge, the sensor or the t-stat? The dealer has so far worked with me to resolve it but I'm disappointed they didn't catch it prior to delivery - they indicated a typical commissioning as they would do for any new tractor.

If it gets too icy, you can throw snow back on the driveway:laughing:, heck of a thing to have to do, but it works.