OK, How About B7500 vs. B2410?

[Wheeldog]

Hi DaveM,

Sounds like you're working your way up the model (and $$$) ladder. It's okay if you don't get the BX2200, just don't let TresCrows or any of these other BX2200 owners know/w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif. Maybe it's just me, but there seem to be a lot of BX2200 owners flooding the discussions lately (and all of them seem VERY satisfied with their choice, which is great).

I'll offer a few comments regarding B2410 v. B7500, position control, and all that. You probably already know about the tractorbynet search options, but I'll remind you just the same. I think they work quite well, with keyword searches in various forums. Also, there are some good discussions in the jplan.com archives, and they don't necessarily duplicate the tractorbynet discussions. jplan is a little harder to search, but still well worth the effort. I plowed through as much of that stuff as I could before I bought my B2410. (Also lots of conversations about mower types). I ended up copying threads over to an MS-Word file, just so I could keep it all in one place - it ended up being about 60 pages long by the time I bought my tractor.

I believe you had also asked about the possibility of a backhoe on the B2410? Yes, there is a backhoe that Kubota makes for the B2410, and also for the B7500. I don't plan on getting one any time soon, and in truth, I think the hydraulic capacity and tractor weight may be a bit light for a backhoe on the B2410 (better look to a B2710 or above if a backhoe is your intention, as I understand it). Maybe somebody who runs one can respond too.

- Rob

 

[richfromPA]

HEY DAVEM,
i started out like you. i was gonna trade my grasshopper ztr on a new walkbehind. when i asked the dealer if they had any small tractors with a loader he showed me the bx2200. all of the sudden i knew i was gonna get one. well after a week i looked at the b7500. that was it, i was sold and was gonna spend 12,000 more than in the beginning. i always use my high dollar play toys to make side money. well anyway after reading all the posts on the bx2200 i decided i had better drive it since i had driven the b7500 twice. well, i have made up my mind on the bx2200 with FEL and 54 inch mower and maybe a blade and box scraper. i will definiatly find side work for the BX maybe moving dirt or mulch and cutting grass. my buddy does excavation work and turns down small stuff alot. the BX will be more manuverable than the b7500 and i dont doubt it guts. after driving it, it felt alot nicer being closer to the ground as i have some steep mowing. that thing is a little bruiser. my wife is a little happier also cause i only have enuff for the bx without dippin into the tax return.

 

[MReeter]

Dave,don't forget,the BX's have a cup holder,thats what sold my wife on hers.Ha!!!

 

[DaveM]

Many thanks to everyone for their input! I'm gradually leaning towards the B2410. In addition to the position control I suspect the extra power and weight will be an asset someday if not right away. Seeing as we have 35 acres (aprx. 25 being accessable to a tractor) it makes sense to me to "go larger when in doubt".

I have a B2410 question. In the brochure, in the 2410 section, it states "high-performance power steering- the same high-volume, high-output as our Premier models...", meaning the 2710/2910 models. Yet in the spec chart it indicates a total output of 7.0 gpm the same as the 7500 not 9.5 gpm as shown for the 2710/2910. Can anyone clarify this for me?

Thanks Again- Dave

 

[hayden]

Dave,

Here are a few thoughts from someone who went from a B2400 to a B2910 after about 3 years.

1) Everyone will encourage to buy bigger that you think you need because you will find more and more you can do with your tractor over time. I completely agree with this. I bought a B2400, and felt I was buying-to-last since I picked the B2400 over the B1700 and B2100. Now I have a 2910. Enough said.

2) At the same time, make a list of the things that your tractor must be SMALL enough to do. We all too after focus on how BIG it needs to be, but also consider how SMALL is needs to be. In my case, I needed to be able to trailer without buying a new tow vehicle dedicated to towing. This put a hard limit on how much weight/size my tractor would be. In some of the receint posts there have been other reasons for limiting the size of a tractor. Lawn compaction (from excessive weight), manuvering around trees, and fitting into buildings are some that come to mind. This exercise will set an upper limit on the size you should buy.

3) List out the implements you will/might want. This too will help bracket the machine size. This was touched on by someone else, but I'll reinforce it. If a backhoe is on your list of possible implements, I HIGHLY, STRONGLY, FORCEFULLY (am I making my point) recommend going with a 2710 or larger. This will let you use either the Kubota 4690 BH or the Woods 7500 in place of the 4672 or 6500. I've used (owned) both and the smaller BHs are very limited in what they can do. If you are going to spend the money, I really think you will be much happier with the slightly larger backhoe.

 

[Wheeldog]

DaveM,

I think the B2710/B2910 has an implement pump capacity of 6.9 gpm (v. 4.4 gpm for the B2410), which explains the comment about the power steering pump being the same (2.6 gpm).

- Rob

 

[DaveM]

Hayden- You've given me even more things to ponder! I spoke with my bro-in law last night who's much more knowledgable about tractors than me and he really likes the compact tractor design too. He owns an old large ag tractor and hopes to get a compact someday. He thought he'd be looking into the 25-30 hp range based on what he knows/needs and has heard from friends. I will also consider the 2710 or 2910. Once the snow melts maybe I'll let the dealer demo BOTH the 2410 and the 2710 on our property to see if there's any clearance or stability issues that would rule out the larger tractor.

Thanks again to everyone. I love this forum!

Dave

 

[MarkV]

Dave, I was looking at your bio and wondered if you plan to mow the 18 ac of pasture? That is a fair amount of bush hogging and the 2710 or 2910 would let you run a larger bush hog. When I think of what I would do on 40 ac I see mowing, tilling, fencing, log skidding, tractor road building/maintaining, snow plowing, leveling (for tractor barn),lots of loader work, ect. Think I would have to look at the 2710 or 2910. Big jump from the DR mower, but unlike a car, you will only buy it once if it is maintained. Just more fuel for the fire./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

MarkV

 

[PaulB]

Dave - I have been so busy plowing the d@mned snow that I may have missed your original thread, so I may not be of much help. I do, however, own a B1700 which is virtually identical to the 2410 but with a 900 cc engine instead of a 1100cc. I have only 10 acres, and I bushhog about 5 of those. I use a 4 foot rear mount unit, and 5 acres takes a long time. I get it done and it is fun for me, but if you have 25 acres, up to 18 to bushhog, no way would I go with a machine the size of mine. I think you are in the 2710 range at least maybe even (dare i say it) a small L series??? Ssame goes for my driveway. It is 350 feet long, and another 350 feet of path to the pastures to plow, and I can figure on 2 hours to move a decent snow fall using my tractor and its 5 foot rear blade. a bigger tractor equals a bigger blade equals faster work.

 

[DaveM]

Morning All- No, I won't be cutting all of the 18 ac. Maybe an acre or two just to maintain some open pasture. Our place is sort of like a small nature preserve and I want to keep it that way. But I will want to make and maintain 1-2 miles worth of paths so we can enjoy the land. My plan for this year was/is to rent a walk behind bush hog for a day, cut the paths with it and mow down some huge wild rose bushes then maintain those paths with the tractor and belly mount mower, raised high enough that I won't be cutting sapling stumps. A 4' or 5' brush hog may come into the scene once I see how this idea works. I suspect that the 2710/2910 is the largest tractor I can use to mow lawn with and this is my first priority. Second priority would be maintaining the driveway and snow removal. I think I'd try to do this next year with a FEL and see how that goes. Of course I think I'll find lots of other uses for the FEL (and maybe a backhoe!), landscaping, foudation prep for new tractor/toy barn, etc. I'm really starting to think though that the larger 2710/2910 makes the most sense for our situation, in the long run. I'll definitely keep everyone updated in addition to asking more questions.

Really appreciate everyone taking the time to help! Dave