Comparison Newbee--Should I go for the B2620

[mhart]

Hello everyone and thanks in advance for your input.

This will be my first tractor buying experience. Please excuse if some of my questions have been answered in other posts.

I have decided to get a kubota and like some others on here, am trying to decide between a bx2660 and b2620 model

I have 16 acres that are mostly wooded. Two acres of flat grass that will need mowing. I also have a 1/3 mile gravel driveway with some moderate elevation changes and curves that will need routine care. I plan to get a box blade and FEL to help with this task. Some banks along driveway (not too steep) will need occasional bushhogging.

My biggest questions are: will the bx be able to handle the driveway well enough. Will I be able to use the box blade effectively and carry enough gravel with the FEL. Is the ground clearance an issue?

If I choose the b, can you maneuvre well enough to mow with a MMM?

90% of the time I will be mowing or doing some light bushhog work. I just am not sure if the bx will be enough for my driveway needs. Will I constantly be wishing I would have gone bigger?

Thanks again for any input

 

[bp fick]

Handle- as in power enough? Quite likely. Though both rated at 26 hp, the BXs get their rating using a little higher RPM. But, that's neither here nor there. Frankly, a 23 hp, in either the B or BX can work hard and never miss a beat. The B has a higher volume pump, so it can lift more with the FEL.

It's likely going to come down to ground clearance issues. The B has almost twice the ground clearance. The center of gravity is lower with the BX. You cannot have both very, very low center of gravity and have great ground clearance. In the end, this will be your foremost decision.

As many will tell you, the BX also has a different kind of HST (trans) than the B models. The BXs use a little cooling fan that is fragile and a pain to replace. Thus, guys who take their BXs into the woods, should soberly consider full under armor on it. BroTek makes a popular skid plate.

 

[gumshu]

I'd certainly go with the B as opposed to the BX. My BX is a nice tractor, but doesn't have the lift capacity. More lift capacity and PTO power always come in handy. With a property your size, you won't regret buying the B unit.

 

[sxs191]

Go with the B. I have the BX and wish i went with the B.

 

[bp fick]

I'd certainly go with the B as opposed to the BX. My BX is a nice tractor, but doesn't have the lift capacity. More lift capacity and PTO power always come in handy. With a property your size, you won't regret buying the B unit.

Don't mean to be disagreeable, but don't believe the overall size of the property has much to do with it.

It's not like there is a HUGE difference in these two 26 hp tractors as opposed to a 70 hp M series machine.

It's about the tasks. If you need a low center of gravity, you need it regardless of property size. If you need higher ground clearance, you need it. Even if you are on a 2 acre piece. If you need the lift capacity the B gives you over the BX, then you need it. If you need the higher geometry of the B's three point, then you do. If you need the lower price of the BX, then you need it. Etc.

 

[mrkirbyv]

I think you will find the BX has plenty of oomph for maintaining your driveway and road. If you are moving a lot of gravel with the FEL I think you will wish, as I have at times, that the loader had a larger capacity. A full bucket of gravel is teetering on the limit of its capabilities, and it can get a little tippy with that much weight in the bucket. You'll learn to make more trips with 3/4 bucket loads and keep something heavy like a blade or box on the back. I find a scraper blade more useful for most things than a box blade, so end up only using the box blade a couple times a year. I could probably get by without one. Make sure you get the tires filled, it helps with the stability with loads in the bucket.
I have had mixed success in the woods. It's tough to get the mower deck high enough to keep from snagging it on things. And with the deck off, I agree with BP, spring for some skid plates. Having recently broken off the hydraulic filter, I can tell you its an expensive lesson.
I recently bought my second BX and can highly recommend it for general handiness. There are tradeoffs with every different model, but for me the BX can handle the best mix of chores overall.
Good Luck!
Kirby...

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Don't mean to be disagreeable, but don't believe the overall size of the property has much to do with it.

It's not like there is a HUGE difference in these two 26 hp tractors as opposed to a 70 hp M series machine.

It's about the tasks. If you need a low center of gravity, you need it regardless of property size. If you need higher ground clearance, you need it. Even if you are on a 2 acre piece. If you need the lift capacity the B gives you over the BX, then you need it. If you need the higher geometry of the B's three point, then you do. If you need to lower price of the BX, then you need it. Etc.

I'm going to Amen this. Ground clearance is the key between them and not acreage.
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-owning-operating/148830-b3200-bx2660-side-side-not.html
Side beside BX and B with alot of input from forum members.

 

[TripleR]

Gotta agree with BP and John with just one very slight codicil in that the size of the property "can" be a consideration due to the smoother ride of the B from the larger wheels etc. The further you have to go the more important this will become.

I love my BX2660 and will replace it with another if I ever wear it out, but from your description I think you will be best served with a B Series. I prefer the Bxx30 as they have position control and a couple other things, but between your two primary considerations, go with the B2620.

 

[mhart]

Thanks again for all of the advice. It sounds like most of you guys think the B. I do think the stability of the BX on some of my banks is something to definitely consider that I had not thought of. Any more opinions are greatly appreciated. Thanks again

Sorry for the duplicate thread

 

[BrierPatch]

Let me start off by saying I love my B2620. My drive is about 1/4 mile long and steep. I also use mine as a mower, which I have about an acre to mow and it is in 6 different patches and the all have several trees and not a one of them is square. I can say with confidence that the 2620 is very manueverable, however depending on the condition of your grass it can tear it up in a sharp turn. I have places with thick grass and I can turn sharp and not hurt the grass and I have places that have thin grass and it will tear it up pretty easy in a sharp turn. I have R4's by the way. I think everyone has pointed out very good things to consider. And I have a few things also.
Compare the specs on Kubota's website and then try to prioritize which ones are important to you also taking price into consideration. In the long run the B2620 can do a little more in most things because it is a little bit bigger tractor, that being said, it is a little bit bigger tractor. Here are few things I consider to be the differences:

BX B
engine disp. 61.1 68.5 (B has bigger engine for same Hp)
3pt lift 24" 670 1058 (bushhogs can be heavy)
travel speed 8.4 12.6 (long driveway, does bx have 3sp hst I use High range often, down drive)
width 44.5 49 (curious about center of gravity. B is higher but wider)
clearance 8.7 12.8
wheel base 55.1 61.5 (longer wheelbase would handle bushhog better, but may be less manueverable)
weight 1389 1554 (more weight harder on yard mowing, but better for equipment work, not sure there is much diff here)

I reccommend doing the same comparison with the loaders to give you and idea of the differences as well.

In the end either tractor will serve you well.

It sounds like we have similar uses for our tractors. Obviously I would reccommend the B2620 because that's the conclusion I came to when I was looking. However the BX is more than capable of doing what you want as well. Definetly go see a dealer and take a good look at them and ask as many questions (here and dealer) as you can. For me these tractors are big investments.

Good Luck !