Should I buy a BX or a B?

[skipperbrown]

I currently have both a bx and b. I am going to recommend the b unless you are going to use this tractor for mowing your yard. The b will give you more lifting height to help get stuff in and out of your pickup (with the forks you will definitely need even if you don't know it yet-I can lift a pallet on the b to the height of my gutters for easy roof access), it will be much easier to hook up implements as there is much more room to hook up the pto and make adjustments, many implements need the additional lift height to work properly (there is a whole class of bx sized implements, but they generally cost more-the b has the same ground clearance as many much larger tractors), the ground clearance of a b is needed in the woods where a stump can leave you stranded in a bx, that pesky fan hanging down on the bx is always a concern if you aren't carrying the mmm, the ride is infinitely more comfortable on the b, the b has position control which is a most underrated upgrade if you have never experienced the frustration of finding the right height with quarter inching, and there are some other advantages to the b that don't come to mind. If you won't be using it on the yard, I'd go for r1 tires to get you through the woods and wet spots. My second choice would be turfs. R4's are good in construction areas, but I found them lacking traction in the field and they still marred my yard. I like to think of my bx as a lawnmower on steroids and my b as a tractor wannabee. That said, either will probably serve you well. My bx was purchased in 2002.

 

[Diggin It]

Two KEY things others have touched on:

Make sure YOU fit on IT. Get on and off a few times. How much of a step up and down is it for your knees and back? Once seated, do your knees bump things? Can you reach pedal and controls?

Make sure IT fits on your PLACE. Do you have narrow or low clearance issues? With the ROPS up, you need a minimum of 8' overhead clearance, 9' would be better. Low hanging tree branches can be an issue if they can't be trimmed higher.

 

[Diggin It]

Two KEY things others have touched on:

Make sure YOU fit on IT. Get on and off a few times. How much of a step up and down is it for your knees and back? Once seated, do your knees bump things? Can you reach pedal and controls?

Make sure IT fits on your PLACE. Do you have narrow or low clearance issues? With the ROPS up, you need a minimum of 8' overhead clearance, 9' would be better. Low hanging tree branches can be an issue if they can't be trimmed higher.

 

[jeff9366]

Multiple reasons owner/operators trade up from Subcompact Tractors:

More tractor weight.

More FEL lift capacity.

More ground clearance.

Three-range (3) HST (Lower LOW, Higher, HIGH) ~~ rather than two-range (2) HST.

Larger wheels and tires have a larger tire/tread "patch" in contact with the soil. Larger wheels and tires bridge small holes, ruts and tree debris maintaining traction, which stall subcompact tractors. As a result, larger wheels/tires yield more tractive power pulling ground contact implements and logs, pushing a loader bucket into dirt and pushing snow. Larger wheels and tires decrease operator perturbation operating over rough ground.


VIDEOS: So you want to TRADE UP for a new Tractor? - TMT - YouTube

Kubota BX Series VS. B Series - YouTube

 

[Haff]

I remain undecided. It would be an easy decision to get the B except for 2 things:

1. the cost. The B adds a few thousand and I would much rather apply that money to a snowblower attachment and things like that.
2. how well the backhoe integrates. I have seen a lot of reviews saying the bx26s backhoe integration is a work of art, and the B backhoe is less so with a decreased departure angle, less secure mount, less comfortable seat. etc. Problem is, I dont know how much of that is just noise.

 

[jeff9366]

Half

I do plan to spend a fair amount of time working the woods, so the ground clearance is a concern. And to make it worse I'm getting all caught up in the numbers, and I was comparing the 2601 to 2650, and the 2650 looks to be a lot stronger.

VIDEO: Kubota B261 VS Kubota B265 - YouTube



What about the backhoe integration. I understand the 23s is great, but I have seen some people complain about how the seat and mounts work for backhoes on the 2601 and 2650. Are these people just nitpicking, or is there a real concern there?

The BX23S is a subcompact INTEGRATED T-L-B. The B2601 and B2650 Backhoes are not integrated designs. Whether that will make any real world difference depends on how many hours you will operate the T-L-B per year.

You should also consider Kubota's B26, the lightest of Kubota's "commercial" T-L-Bs.

VIDEO: Comparing Kubota TLB series tractors(B26, L47, M62) - YouTube

 

[jeff9366]

I have about 3 acres total, about 1 is grass/landscaping, 2 acres wooded. I have plans to refresh my landscaping as well as to peel out some of the trees and put in a garden. I also want to make some paths through the wooded parts for some small bike trails for me and the kids. I have some hills, so tippiness is something I have to keep in mind. I plan to fill the tires and add spacers with either rig.

For three acres total, forget the Backhoe. Buy a Piranha (digging) Toothbar for FEL bucket and a Ratchet Rake bucket attachment for tearing out brush and grading. That is all you need for three acres. Put the money saved toward the heavier B2650 without a Backhoe.

VIDEOS: tractor Piranha - YouTube

tractor Ratchet Rake - YouTube

In most cases a tractor FEL has about twice the lifting capacity of the tractor Backhoe.
A Bucket Spade will concentrate lift capacity in a reduced area.
With a Bucket Spade you move the tractor to a new digging area from the regular seat.
With a Bucket Spade the Three Point Hitch is available for use with an implement in alternative moments to the Bucket Spade.

VIDEO: bucket spade FEL - YouTube

 

[jeff9366]

Here is another developed thread addressing your topic:

https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums...ons/421384-new-tractor-buyer-bx23s-b2601.html

 

[check 6]

Some mentioned stepping up,and off with knee issues. I have a bad knee and I had the dealer put the step from a B2650 on my B2601. All the holes are already there.
Second point, the back hoe. One of the BX tractors I had years ago had I back hoe . I think I used it twice as I would dig a little and then have to move the rig and re set up. When I bought this B I mentioned a backhoe to my dealer and he talked me out of it. Said if I had to dig he would rent me the small Kubota excavator for$200 for a weekend and deliver and pick it up . Saved me some money and I have yet to need it. If you do get a B I would recommend the quick disconnect front end loader bucket and a pair of pallet forks , lots of uses as are welded chain hooks on the FEL bucket.

Please, if you are new to tractors don’t forget to keep weight on the rear three point hitch when using the FEL bucket to stabilize the tractor
Enjoy you new tool

 

[Haff]

Some mentioned stepping up,and off with knee issues. I have a bad knee and I had the dealer put the step from a B2650 on my B2601. All the holes are already there.
Second point, the back hoe. One of the BX tractors I had years ago had I back hoe . I think I used it twice as I would dig a little and then have to move the rig and re set up. When I bought this B I mentioned a backhoe to my dealer and he talked me out of it. Said if I had to dig he would rent me the small Kubota excavator for$200 for a weekend and deliver and pick it up . Saved me some money and I have yet to need it. If you do get a B I would recommend the quick disconnect front end loader bucket and a pair of pallet forks , lots of uses as are welded chain hooks on the FEL bucket.

Please, if you are new to tractors don’t forget to keep weight on the rear three point hitch when using the FEL bucket to stabilize the tractor
Enjoy you new tool

i'm planning to remove a lot of stumps and rocks. i was planning the backhoe for those tasks... but you raise an interesting point.