Any suggestions as to models etc would be great. I really like the Kubota
BX1860 and the
B2320 (like the looks of it better).
The
B2320 is a better sized machine for your property. Now, about your budget, you won't be buying new. You'll be looking at a 5-15 year old machine depending on how long you want to wait for the right deal.
So anyone got a 7,500 with FEL under 500 hours? I can dream right?
Yes, you can dream, and dreams can come true. In July '08, I purchased a mid-90's
B7100HST with MMM, FEL, and 50" 3PH snow blower for $6500. It had 455 hours on it when I purchased it. I sold it a year later with 560 hours, w/o the snow blower for $7250, including the landscape rake the came with my
B7610 (already had another one), and a Linebach-Line PHD (the
B7610 deal included a Woods PHD).
I paid $7500 for my '05
B7610 w/ 124 hours (similar size and HP as the
B2320) with LA352 FEL, a Woods PHD, and a 60" landscape rake (forget the brand). A MMM would have added about $1000 to to the price, but the PHD and landscape rake both add value. I watched for about 6 months before finding this deal, but missed out on a couple of similar deals. I called on this one less than an hour after it hit CL.
The following Kubota models are all similar size and HP (Engine HP/PTO HP), but are the predecessors (newest models listed first):
B7610 (24/18)
B2410 (24/18)
B7510 (21/16)
B2400 (24/18)
B2100 (21/16)
B7500 (21/16)
B2150 (24/18)
B1750 (20/15)
Prices on these will be $6-$10k with FEL, and possibly an FEL. Higher end of that range for newer, and lower hours, lower end for higher hour, old machines.