Soon 2 buy first tractor; likely the BX1860 or BX2360

[dodge man]

I can't disagree with the others, even though I have a BX, from what you describe, you would be much better off with a B. A B3030 with the cab would be perfect, but money is money. If you can't afford it, buy what you can afford. One thing that you will find out and others have mentioned, get the FEL up front. Its almost a must have. If you have that much blowing to do, get the front snow blower. Buy the BX if thats all you can afford.

Another option is to buy a used B. They are plentifull. Just make sure that if it doesn't come with a blower, you can still get one for it. Do you know anybody that is a tractor guy that can go with you to look at used ones? If you do that would help. Other wise post questions on here. Another money saving option is a used BX. There is also alot of them used available. Good luck with your search.

 

[LBrown59]

1*Good to know Chuck that you are having good stability with your B-series relative to the BX.
2*I would think that the longer wheel base in the B-series helps offset the higher GC; 6.4" longer WB according to specs.
3*I'm also curious about the loaded tires that Chuck and harpoon mentioned. I haven't given the tire choice much thought yet; more or less assuming that since I wouldn't be doing any mowing (no lawn to speak of) that 4*agricultural R1 tires would be a good for snow work & misc. chores.
5*With chains though, I would think that turf tires probably would work out better.
6*I hope I can do without chains.

1*I've driven both The BX and the B .
There are places on my place where I won't take my BX23 so I darn sure hain't gonna get on them with a B series.
The B just feels top heavy to me compared to a BX.
A friend of mine just bought a new B3200 .
Says it's scarry on inclines and he's had it in some nervy situations.
Said you have to really watch it to keep it on all fours.
2*Long wheel base don't do a thing to help on side slopes but low CG does.
3*I have un loaded tires. and see no need to load them.
4*They are the only way to go in my book.
5*Get ags and you won't have to fiddle around with chains.
6*GetTurfs or R4s and you will more than like to get to fight with chains in most cases..

 

[bp fick]

I surely do not wish to start a thread within a thread on the whole tire issue, but I do grow a wee bit weary with generalizations of R1 versus R4 versus Turf versus Super-Turf.

Here's the thing. Generalization aren't that helpful. Making sweeping statements that one is ALWAYS superior to another is simply not accurate because there is no such thing as ALWAYS, as in ALWAYS the same conditions.

Variables, there are ALWAYS variables. One cannot just say dirt, because even dirt isn't just dirt. The endless permutations of soil experienced throughout North America prevent that.

Ditto snow. There are different kinds of snow. Frankly, in some situations, the friction patch of a super-turf can out perform a more aggressively barred tire. The reverse can be true in different situations.

Talk to your neighbors. Ask them what their experience is with this or that tire in this or that application. But even then, your tractor may be considerably different from theirs. Two wheel versus four wheel, weight distribution, etc. Again, these are variables.

In the end, try what you think is best. Live. Learn. Be willing to adapt and change if need be. That's all I have to say. No flaming intended whatsoever.

 

[dodge man]

I can't agree with L-Brown. I went about 8 months without my tires loaded, and have had them loaded about 5 months. Loaded tires is the only way to go, it makes the tractor more stable and counter balances implements that are on the front.

 

[harpoonalt]

Dodgeman and BP Fick are right. My dealer always loads tires. There are a few times more weight isn't good (soft lawns) but for most times more weight means more ballast and better traction. The tire thing is true too. No perfect tire. Some are specialized and some are compromise tires. If, like most of us, you do a little of everything, the r4 is a good all around tire. Kind of like an all season tire on a car. Do mostly woods stuff or mow and you can get a more focused tire.
Read a lot here. You'll learn who's giving you their best objective opinion and who's trying to justify their own purchases. I read a ton here and it helps a lot when you go to buy. You'll know what you want, what to look for and what a good , fair price is. The BX is a great machine, but unlike what some poster will tell you, cannot climb trees, fly thru the air, or turn lead into gold. Neither will a "B", but if it was my money that would be my choice with a set of mediocre R4's. Your mileage may vary

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Dodgeman and BP Fick are right. My dealer always loads tires. There are a few times more weight isn't good (soft lawns) but for most times more weight means more ballast and better traction. The tire thing is true too. No perfect tire. Some are specialized and some are compromise tires. If, like most of us, you do a little of everything, the r4 is a good all around tire. Kind of like an all season tire on a car. Do mostly woods stuff or mow and you can get a more focused tire.
Read a lot here. You'll learn who's giving you their best objective opinion and who's trying to justify their own purchases. I read a ton here and it helps a lot when you go to buy. You'll know what you want, what to look for and what a good , fair price is. The BX is a great machine, but unlike what some poster will tell you, cannot climb trees, fly thru the air, or turn lead into gold. Neither will a "B", but if it was my money that would be my choice with a set of mediocre R4's. Your mileage may vary

Very good advice. Attached pictures of BX2660 and B3200. The BX seems more stable going side ways on hillsides but the B does not scare me and does not feel unstable. I just won't drive it across hills, don't have to. As you can see a trailer that would haul one will haul the other one. The weight is not significant between either one. Have traded several times in 6 years so trading difference between a BX or B are slight to no difference when you figure what you pay for a BX and what you pay for a B the trade in value will be about the same amount of cost for time used. The 0% interest for new is the killer for newer trade ins but it's the same for either model. As you can see my choices for tires on each tractor. I don't do ags and never have, leave them for LB but when you study pictures he has some non ags I believe. Jobs determine tires. Ask around your area and talk to tractor owners concerning their issues but always remember to factor in their bias to justify their purchase as has been mentioned here. Also, what are tractor dealers of any brand in your area telling you concerning equipment and tire needs/recommendations.

 

[radioman]

chiming here again- I had my BX without loaded tires for a long time, nearly 2 years and then got them loaded. Talk about a big difference in feel !! I feel its alot better with loaded tires. Perhaps LBrown doesnt do things like we do so there no need for loaded tires for him. I wouldn't worry about getting tires loaded right away if you can't afford it. It always can be added later. At least that is what I did. I was glad I waited too since I was able to get the feel with and without loaded tires and know the REAL difference witht eh same machine!

 

[Mr. Ace]

Nice pics JT. Lots of multiple tractor owners on this site.

For those that have used the BX and B-Series tractors (or other similar tractor makes):

How useful and/or how nice is it to have the 3 range hydrostatic in the B-series vs. the 2 range in the BX?

 

[dodge man]

I don't own a B, but did look at them. In my opinion what make the 3 range nice isn't the top speed, but the middle range. On a BX the low range is pretty slow, and the high range lacks pulling power. On the B the middle range still has enough power for alot of tasks, but enough ground speed to be usefull.

 

[KU Gator]

We looked at a BX24 with the FEL, BH, and MMM but decided in the end on a B2920. Have had if about 16 months and happy with the decision. We still have a J.D. garden mower I use on our 3 acre yard. It has turf tires which are easier the the R4's especially when the ground is wet, but the 2920 does ok mowing. I use it to mow on the 12 acres we have about 30 miles South. With regard to the 3 ranges, I can mow on the grass we have there in high range with the MMM. It is pretty flat and we have mowed it enough and got the rocks out. I make the pass around the edge of the tree lines in mid and then kick it up adjusting the speed with the foot controls. That is the great thing about the hydrostat because you can keep the RPM where you want it and still adjust your speed. I also use the high range when getting from one end of the property to the other or when my grand daughter is riding with me saying "faster Pa". Mid range is good for like saturday I was using the FEL to move dirt from a pile I had made last year to the back of the dam behind the pond. It had enough power to push the bucket forward into the dirt pile and enough speed to go where I was carrying it. I even used the rear blade so smooth it out after I dumped it with mid range. Low is good when using the FEL and the dirt is real hard or using the box blade.

So I think for us the B size was a better choice, even if I skipped the bh for now. I figured it would be easier to add it later and have the right size tractor for now.