Soon 2 buy first tractor; likely the BX1860 or BX2360

[Mr. Ace]

Greetings. First post - excellent forums here; I have learned a ton already. I will soon be buying a new Kubota tractor, my first ever tractor, and am hoping to mine some expertise from those who have been through the process. Until a few days ago, my knowledge of tractors was near zero.

I need a tractor for the nearly sole purpose of snow removal. I have a place in the snowbelt of northern MI with 1/2 mile of driveway/private road to clear. I believe a Kubota compact with the front blower attachment will suit my purposes, and the Kubota 0% financing offer is nice. I have it narrowed down to the BX1860 or BX2360, but will probably end up going with the 2360, as there is not a great price diff. If I can scrape up the coin, I would like to get the Curtis hard cab too, as the dealer will install for free.

My likely configuration for the 2360 (or 1860) is: bar tires, front snowblower (with hydraulic chute rotator & electric chute deflector), quick hitch sub frame, mid PTO. If I get the Curtis hard cab, I would get the usual options like heater, defrost, wipers, etc. I am also considering a rear blade.

I would be grateful for any suggestions/advice regarding my prospective purchase; such as; what "throw-ins" should I try for (service or otherwise), options, things I should look our for, etc. Also what percentage less than MSRP (retail) should I be able to negotiate in the Kubota world?

Thanks!

-Ace

 

[SeymourBota]

That would be a 50" blower, so you may be making 2 trips out and back to widen out the drive.

Other than that, excellent choice. I have a 2200 and 2660 with front blowers on each.

If you are not mowing, a hard cab is also great for winter use. Not something you would take on and off, though.

 

[LBrown59]

to widen out the drive.
choice. I have a 2200 and 2660 on each.

*If you are not mowing, a hard cab is also great for winter use. Not something you would take on and off, though.

I'd think when mowing a cab with air would be very nice.

 

[TheFlatlander]

I'd think when mowing a cab with air would be very nice.

Nobody said mowing- Just snow clearing. I would Definatly like a cab for that. Either tractor would be good for this. Personally I would like the tractor with the larger tires.

 

[Evil the Weasel]

I have the hydraulic rotation which is awesome. I didn't opt for the electric deflector because I never need to move it when clearing snow. I only occasionally set it before getting started based on the wind and snow consistency. Drift knives are nice to have but my blower doesn't have any factory holes for them.

 

[Evil the Weasel]

That rear blade option is a good one. It'll give you some ballast and come in real handy for those first heavy wet snows that clog up the blower chute.

 

[harpoonalt]

I have a BX2350 and a 1/2 mile road that I have plowed with a Back blade. It works fine but if mowing is not in the cards, I would step up to the "B" series to get the 3 range hydro, higher top speed, more ground clearance and bigger tires. With a front blower, I would add a nice back blade. You could run the blower and the back blade at the same time for an awesome combo. Not saying a BX won't do it because I have, but the "B" will do that job better. My .02.

 

[Mr. Ace]

Excellent suggestions, thanks. I think I will forgo the electric chute deflector on the blower; that will save me $500. My first thought about upgrading to the B series, was that it would surely be nice, but way out of my budget. But, I might be able to pull it off, if I nix the hard cab. If I get the B2320 without the hard cab, it would be less than the BX2360 equipped with the hard cab. I would still eventually add the cab in a year or two. I'm seriously going to consider that.

 

[Mr. Ace]

I have a BX2350 and a 1/2 mile road that I have plowed with a Back blade. It works fine but if mowing is not in the cards, I would step up to the "B" series to get the 3 range hydro, higher top speed, more ground clearance and bigger tires......

Correct, I won't be using it for mowing, at least not in the forseeable future. Nevertheless, you can still install a mower onto the "B" series tractors can't you?

 

[art]

Depending on the model of the B-series they will take a 60 or 72" deck.