New Tractor Questions

[KU Gator]

I have a B2920. I don't always use it on our 3 acre yard because I also have a JD garden tractor, but I does a pretty good job of mowing and the only time tracks are an issue is when the ground is pretty wet. With the R4 industrial tires, you just have to watch how fast you turn and not in 4wd when turning or it will tear the grass a little. If I didn't have the JD, I would use it without reservation to mow, just might have to wait an extra day or so after a lot of rain as I have some wet spots in the yard. When mowing the yard, I take off the FEL to reduce weight plus reduce my likelyhood of running it into something like the house while mowing.

The mower deck is a drive over so removing it or re-installing is pretty easy. The mower is also pretty robust. We also have about 12 acres of recreational property that once I mow it the first time in the spring with the rotary mower, I usually use the MMM to mow it because it is so much easier to get around stuff.

I think there is a difference in the FEL on the B2320 vs the 26 or 29 hp. We opted for the 29, not knowing what to expect and being new to tractors, but I doubt that the step from 26 to 29 hp would make much difference in performance. The Kubota B series does have the 3 range HST which is nice. The negative I would say with the Kubota would be the 1/4" valve for the 3pt hitch vs the position control valve. It only bothers me when using the rotary mower as it tends to want to gradually sag down as you mow so you have to watch it.

 

[TnWV]

I will certainly research the models that I decide on in great detail before making a decision. I tend to overanalyze everthing that I spend a good bit of money on, guess thats why I became an accountant...I usually know more about what I am buying than the salesman, they really hate to see me coming sometimes. Going to take my time and make sure I get what is absolutely the best for me. Even if that means waiting until next spring, although I really don't want to do that.

It has pretty much came down to the same three choices for me as well, and I have pretty much eliminated the same one for what sounds like the same reason.

I actually broke away from work for lunch today and stopped by a Kubota dealer close to work. They were not extremely helpful and didn't have much for me to look at, only a couple BX25's, and some larger B's. I will give them another chance since the main Kubota salesman was on vacation. He is suppose to call me next week. I was surprised at the size of the loader bucket on the BX it was a little larger than I expected. Also noticed by looking through the BX and B brochures they gave me that the BX2360/2660 loader has roughly the same capacity as the B2320, but the 2620 uses a larger loader. That means to me that to benefit at all I would have to go up to the 2620. I really hoped to see the B2620 in Person, but will have to wait I suppose.

I plan on visiting a Deere dealer and another Kubota dealer that also sells New Holland and MF on May 15. I take the CPA exam on May 14th so pretty tied up until then.

Tony

 

[KU Gator]

When we were looking, once we decided on Kubota, we were comparing the BX25, B2920, and B7800. All were about the same price, but the BX25 included the BH. The choice to go to the B was driven more by the rougher condition of the other property for which I wanted more ground clearance and the more capability. The other things I liked about the B was the 3 speed hst, the real tach, the fact that the HP comes from a bigger engine, not more RPM and in general, I just liked its size and feel better. With that said, there certainly seems to be a lot of happy BX owners out there.

As far as knowing more than most of the sales people, unfortunately that is not a very high hurdle.

 

[6dog]

I dislike the left foot braking on the John Deere,

Certainly not arguing, but I have to ask "why?". I love Kubota's, but hate their pedal arrangement. It just doesn't make any sense to me.

 

[dex3361]

I went through the same process as you did and probably the same dealers that you are dealing with. It really grates my nerves when you walk into a dealership and the sales people act as though you are a bother. I looked all around our local area Kubota dealers in Cross Lanes, Milton, Ripley, and ended up buying from Barlow Tractor in KY. I got better treatment and a better price from them.

 

[TripleR]

Certainly not arguing, but I have to ask "why?". I love Kubota's, but hate their pedal arrangement. It just doesn't make any sense to me.

For me, it is a matter of consistency. I drive several different tractors both HST and geared all of which has brakes on the right with the lone exception being the John Deere. Left foot braking is just very awkward for me; clutch left, brake right. For others it will be ideal.

I have often told the story of my father in law who put his new John Deere into ten feet of water because of being unfamiliar with the different controls.

 

[TnWV]

KU Gator - I now agree that knowing more than the salesperson is no high hurdle after visiting a dealer today. Absolutely blows my mind that the only information they can give you comes directly from the brochure they are showing you. Hopefully on the next trip i will be able to speak to someone more knowledgable. I found that the BX was a little bigger than I expected but also liked the layout and feel of the B better, I just wish they had a B2X20 series on the lot to look at. They did not even have any B tractors with MMM to look at. I will eventually have time in a couple of weeks to start hitting more dealer lots.

dex3361 - It really gets on my nerves as well when a dealer shows little interest. I thought it was just me they treated that way, and that extends to vehicles atv's, etc. I recently bought the wife a new SUV, as we are expecting our first child in a few months, and I bought from the dealer that treated me with the most respect and acted like they actually wanted to sell me something. I have already begun buying my atv's out of state due to the local dealers attitudes. My worry on doing the same with a tractor is what do you do if you need warranty work? I am mechanically able, but if I get a 3yr warranty I would like to not have to due the work myself in the event something breaks. I am interested in knowing how you handle it? I have read on this site lots of good things about Barlows and if I decide on Kubota I may look into them if the locals aren't up to par.

Thanks again for the replies, it really helps to get actual user opinions.

 

[Redneck in training]

TYM supposedly gives free loader with every tractor purchase.
I have TYM 330 HST. It has two brake pedals on the left and one (operating both left and right brake) on the right. Since my tractor is HST I in fact use brakes very seldom.

My property is also very hilly with a lot of trees. My experience is our ZTR (Grasshopper 725) will go slopes where tractor will certainly kill you. If you have a lot of obstacles such as trees ZTR is way to go. Needless to say that not all ZTRs are created equal. For hills you need front mounted deck with caster wheels on the back and high traction tires.

 

[dex3361]

KU Gator - I now agree that knowing more than the salesperson is no high hurdle after visiting a dealer today. Absolutely blows my mind that the only information they can give you comes directly from the brochure they are showing you. Hopefully on the next trip i will be able to speak to someone more knowledgable. I found that the BX was a little bigger than I expected but also liked the layout and feel of the B better, I just wish they had a B2X20 series on the lot to look at. They did not even have any B tractors with MMM to look at. I will eventually have time in a couple of weeks to start hitting more dealer lots.

dex3361 - It really gets on my nerves as well when a dealer shows little interest. I thought it was just me they treated that way, and that extends to vehicles atv's, etc. I recently bought the wife a new SUV, as we are expecting our first child in a few months, and I bought from the dealer that treated me with the most respect and acted like they actually wanted to sell me something. I have already begun buying my atv's out of state due to the local dealers attitudes. My worry on doing the same with a tractor is what do you do if you need warranty work? I am mechanically able, but if I get a 3yr warranty I would like to not have to due the work myself in the event something breaks. I am interested in knowing how you handle it? I have read on this site lots of good things about Barlows and if I decide on Kubota I may look into them if the locals aren't up to par.

Thanks again for the replies, it really helps to get actual user opinions.

Tractors are supposedly like cars if you take a Kubota to a Kubota dealer they should fix it under a Kubota warranty. That said there is nothing that would keep them from putting you in the back of the line or other games. I had a small issue with the wrong remote valve from Barlows and they sent the right one and I swapped it out. If I had a major issue I may take it the 5 hours back to Barlows or I may take it to one of the local dealers. I would have reservations if their service dept is the same as their sales. Funny thing is that the guys at the Cross Lanes Kubota Dealers service department seem like great guys. I do not worry about it though. I figure I would deal with it and the worst i would have to do is take it back to Barlow or have them pick it up on their way through the area(I am sure there would be a fee). I would recommend getting your prices and if you go with Kubota visit their
(Barlow Tractor) web site and make an offer.

 

[6dog]

For me, it is a matter of consistency. I drive several different tractors both HST and geared all of which has brakes on the right with the lone exception being the John Deere. Left foot braking is just very awkward for me; clutch left, brake right. For others it will be ideal.

I have often told the story of my father in law who put his new John Deere into ten feet of water because of being unfamiliar with the different controls.

Ahh... that makes sense.