Soon 2 buy first tractor; likely the BX1860 or BX2360

[JOHNTHOMAS]

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?

Can't say I've ever gave it much thought. I mow with my BX2660 and rarely get it out of low, don't have paved smooth yard, use Rabbit only when going up the street with 4wheel off. Use the B for fel work so when digging or loading I usually use low and then when moving the load I do M or H and always use H on paved road with 4wheel off.

 

[LBrown59]

1* I have rears only loaded.
2*Have not and will not do the cross hills with B.
3* To me amount of acreage is not one of the factors between a B and a BX.

1*I'm thinkin It says in my manual do not fill front tires.
2*would i not either.
3*I don't consider that a factor either.
A 20 x 30 x 6 foot hole is the same size on a 1/2 acre lot as it is in a 20 acre field.

4*The BX seems more stable going side ways on hillsides but
5*the B does not scare me and does not feel unstable.
As you can see a trailer that would haul one will haul the other one.
6*The weight is not significant between either one.
7*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.
8*The 0% interest for new is the killer for newer trade ins but it's the same for either model.
leave AGs for LB but when you study pictures
9*he has some non ags I believe.
what are tractor dealers of any brand in your area telling you concerning equipment and tires.

4*I'D say it sure is.
5*A friend just recently just bought a new B 3200 and was telling me how unstable it felt to him funny how perception varies from person to person.
6* I would think it would be when you consider the Bs bigger wider attachments.
7*Rite on.
8*Exactly.
9*I have Turfs on one of the BX1500s but only because that's what it had on it when I delt for the tractor.
I just wasn't in the mood to have the tires switched to AGs at the time.
I did not wind up with the turfs as a matter of preference.
I can say the the turfs can spin out easier and do more damage than the AGs do.I Should Know Now That I Have Both.

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 a lot better with loaded tires.
10*Perhaps LBrown doesnt do things like we do so there's need for loaded tires for him.
11*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 each/ same machine!

10*I've never had a traction stability or ballast issue that would suggest any need to fill my tires.
11*Good solid suggestion very good.

12*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?

12*Not enough to make it the leading factor in deciding.

I don't own a B, but did look at them. In my opinion what makes 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.
13*On the B the middle range still has enough power for alot of tasks, but enough ground speed to be usefull.

13* But I would not let that be the determining factor in chooshing a B over a BX .
Although it could sway me in chooshing a B over a JD compact.

 

[newbury]

My primary purpose for wanting a tractor will be for snow removal for the private road/drive. We're a bit out in the wilderness. I have nearly 1/2 mile to clear, all of it well packed dirt/gravel, in good condition, a bit less than 2 cars wide, cut through the forest, with a few mild - moderate hills (no severe grades). We're in the lake effect snowbelt and average 20' of snow/year.

So a measly 20' of snow a year? Why Mr. Brown in Canton Ohio gets about twice that number - in INCHES.

I'm sure Mr. Brown could clear 1/2 mile of road 2' deep in snow with his tractors as fast as 1 larger, say 30hp w/ snowblower could clear the road. If all 3 of his tractors had snowblowers and drivers.

You need clearance and HP.

I grew up with many 1' plus, sometimes 3' snowfalls. A cute little BX will get buried.

You should definitely check out some of the well known used dealers here such as Barlow's and Messick's. They often can provide a VERY reliable tractor at a significant discount from new.

You may even get lucky and get a JohnThomas trade in, I haven't heard of him getting a different tractor yet this fall

 

[smfcpacfp]

I always say we get 20 to 30 feet of snow and I got the tractor below for that purpose primarily but in reality I use it less than half the time for that purpose. I use the front endloader a lot, and a wood chipper and back box also.

I think my tractor would be the perfect choice, but it is more expensive. At least first see if there is a used one available. It seems like tractor owners usually like to get something bigger in the end, so there are used B3030HSDC units available.

It always seems like these threads gravitate to something more expensive, just like the tractor dealer will try to do when you go to buy your rig. The tractor that you are talking about will do the job, just a little slower and a little more unpleasnat when doing it. One of the advantages of a smaller tractor is that it is more maneuverable which is a plus when blowing around objects.

Here is the link to a movie of my tractor blowing snow:YouTube - Kubota B3030 snowblower

 

[newbury]

That's purty.
Do you ever need tire chains?

 

[smfcpacfp]

That's purty.
Do you ever need tire chains?

My land is quite flat, so the answer is no. I did a friend of mine which had a 20% grade and I couldn't blow up the hill usually, only down the hill due to slippage. I bought my tractor used 77 hours on it.

 

[Mr. Ace]

..........Also, what are tractor dealers of any brand in your area telling you concerning equipment and tire needs/recommendations.

One dealer advised that I get the Industrial (R4) tires, another advised I get the Turf tires (no chains)

Sweet looking B3030HSDC. I sure wish Kubota would offer the factory cab option in the compact tractors.

Decision coming soon. Currently leaning to the B2320 by a thin margin over the BX2360.

 

[Earl Ohl]

[QUOTE Decision coming soon. Currently leaning to the B2320 by a thin margin over the BX2360.[/QUOTE]

My advice would be to forget about them & look at a B3030HSDC. I got one about 2 1/2 years ago & I gotta tell you it sure is nice inside a heated cab in winter & having A/C in summer. I'm not up to date on current prices, but if you compare either of those tractors with that Curtis Cab added, to the B3030 cab tractor you might be within a couple thousand dollars? I don't know but it's something to look into. And judging from pictures I've seen the cab on the B3030 is alot more refined than the Curtis Cab. That's my impression anyway. And don't get a tractor without a front end loader. That would be a HUGE mistake unless you already own another tractor with one on. You'll find jobs to do with the front end loader that you never knew you had to do before!

 

[Mr. Ace]

I would be looking at about $5k more for the B3030HSDC with its factory cab over the B2320 + Curtis hard cab. I may trade up to it someday, but I'm going to see how it works out first with a smaller tractor. From what I have learned on these forums, I expect that the B2320, or even the BX series will meet my needs nicely; and it will certainly be a huge upgrade over my walk-behind 28" snowblower. I have kept my eye open for a decent used B3030HSDC, but nothing yet.

Still thinking about whether I will get the FEL or snow blade initially - the one not chosen will have to wait til next year.

By the way, Curtis hard cabs are not yet available for the B2320, so that will have to be a future add-on too.

 

[harpoonalt]

The tractor you really want will always be a bit more than you really want to spend. Just the way it seems to work. FEL's are harder to buy after for a tractor. A blade does one thing very well. The FEL does a whole crapload of stuff really well. You will NEVER regret getting the FEL. NEVER! LIsten to us on one thing, get the FEL.