Tractor Sizing Newbie picking the right size fear

[Fallon]

I say look at a L3200 just for comparison. I have a B3200 now, with only 2.5 acres, and want to move up my self. so look at it at least, before you jump.

I'm loving mine for my 5 acres. The L is just a lot more tractor than the B. I was having problems pulling some 6" fence posts with my L3200 (granted had some ballast limitations at the time), and It would have been rough if even possible with a B. The R4s and weight (haven't even ballasted the rears yet) are enough to rough up the ground a decent bit. I'm glad I've torn down the fence around my back yard & just decreed my whole 5 acres field, as the L3200 & 5" brush hog would not leave a lawn looking pretty. Its nice on the rougher & weed infested parts of the yard though.

 

[newbury]

I originally looked at the BX's but to me they looked like oversize lawnmowers, and I don't mow much. I was able to get my B7610 for a pretty fair price and like the larger loader capacity, both volume and weight. I also wanted the extra clearance.

Figure out the weight of the bigger things you may want to lift and make sure you can. I had planned on wanting to be able to lift small logs on the 3pt.

Also try and determine any limiting factors such as gates or doors you might want to get thru. I've a gate that my B7610 will just barely get thru. I'll have to redo the entire gate to get my M4700 thru it. Do you have a trailer that a B will just barely fit and an L won't? Sometimes bigger is not always better.

good luck

 

[Gary Fowler]

I've owned most sizes of BXs and Bs. If your land is flat the BXs will do all the Bs will do in a bit longer time due to size of bucket.Not much difference in money between B and BX so don't let the money be the determining factor especially over 60 months with the 0%, I did a post a few years ago of a BX and B that I owned at the time side by side comparison so if your interested you can look it up under my name. Also there is a great comparison done by BPfick that had a BX and traded it to a B2320.

I agree here with JohnThomas. Why limit yourself to a BX when for about the same money you can get a B series and get better ground clearance and heavier load capacity with the FEL. If you don't need the extra HP for a mower, the 23XX series is all you need. Most CUT's run out of traction before they run out of HP so paying extra for a turned up motor wont do you any good. All the B23xx -B29xx series are the same frame size and motor size, they are just tuned different to provide more HP.

 

[swatter]

I am clearing land and doing landscaping around the house. When I went to buy my own tractor I looked at the B series and the BX Series. I decided on the BX25D for the backhoe since I knew I needed to remove tree stumps. At first I started digging stumps and thought this backhoe does not have the power i expected. So I started regretting my purchase. So I kept digging and thinking. After several days I figured out how to rip a whole tree up with a foot diameter without cutting it down. Now I love this little beast and it surprises me everyday I use it. I know the BX is not for everyone but after clearing a acre I have not had to borrow something bigger. Yes I have ran out of traction before I have ran out of horse power but you just have to take smaller bites.

 

[QueBota]

Very few posts (if any) stating that they had bought a tractor that was too big.

I would go for the B series if finances allow, ground clearance, hp, lift capability,
implement size and resale value a little better for the B.

Dave

 

[AHNC]

I have 1.5 acres and a BX2660 & a BX 23. I re-built my driveway, about 150' long. The 2660, which was my only tractor at the time did a great job. It was kinda like emptying Lake Tahoe with a tablespoon, but it got it done. I have nothing but praise for the BX's. That said, with a place your size and not mowing I'd go with a B if you have the budget. Initially I felt that I would not need a backhoe. Since I picked up the 23 I would admit how incredibly wrong I was about the BH. bX25 or the B with BH, again if the numbers work.

 

[swatter]

Yes my bx25d is a lot slower at doing the work but what counts at the end of the day is I had more seat time and the job is done! I could have gone bigger and could have afforded it but I have a lot of tight places I wanted to go. I thought at one point do I really need the backhoe. I am so glad I got it. I use it more than anything else.

 

[stoyan79]

Economy L is hard to beat for the money. Lots of tractor for few more bucks than B or BX. I would check L3200 or L3800.
Very rarely somebody would complain about too much tractor/power, but people upgrade for more tractor/power all the time.