Steppin' up from a B7100

[Anonymous Poster]

Steppin\' up from a B7100

I'm movin' up from my B7100hst to ........something. I have 7 acres and two horses. An acre to mow regularly. 6 to mow with a bush hog occasionally. Manure to move and snow to remove from a three hundred foot drive. Midatlantic area so snow is not too bad. I'm about to jump on a b7500 with 60" midmount and the 302 loader. I keep toying with maybe the 2410 or 2710. What do you all think is the b7500 a good step up or should I go bigger. It's quite some extra cash to move up from the 7500...is it worth it? Also what is the B7100hst w/60" mid mount and 150 hours worth?

Thanks for your input.

 

[Bird]

Re: Steppin\' up from a B7100

NMT, it's only money; go ahead and jump all the way./w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif I moved up from my B7100 to a B2710 a year ago last August.

Bird

 

[GlueGuy]

Re: Steppin\' up from a B7100

I guess my answer is "it depends". Are your reasons mainly financial or do you need a smaller tractor? I have a B7500 and love it. I have said it before, and I'll say it again, I think the B7500 is seriously under-rated. It has essentially the same frame as the B2410, with a little less torque (44 vs 50 ft-lbs). The horsepower is "rated" as less (21 vs 24), but if you look at this chart, you can see the smaller engine produces more HP at some points.

We're on 40 acres, with a 4300' gravel driveway. We get no appreciable amount of snow (although we did get about 8" at one time last winter /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif).

Sometimes when I do the driveway, I would like a bigger tractor. Sometimes, when I do the mowing, I would like a smaller tractor. Most of the time, it's just right.

Your mileage may vary. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

The GlueGuy

 

[bpence]

Re: Steppin\' up from a B7100

I have a '95 B7100 and have toyed with the idea of stepping up a notch in tractors, too. My first choice would be a B7500. Personally, I think it's a nice size, very manuverable, well powered, and a good operator's area. For me, mowing, bush hogging, grading a driveway and pushing snow, and just moving stuff with a FEL, it would be a great machine. I just kind of like it for the money, although I can't justify to my financial advisor (read that as wife) that we need a new tractor right now. Good shopping.

Bob Pence

 

[70boss]

Re: Steppin\' up from a B7100

I recently compared the 20-21HP machines on the market and narrowed it to the B7500 and the NH TC21D. I bought the B7500, and am glad I did. After driving both on my driveway, I could tell the diference in power...the B7500 drove up my steep driveway without hesitation, and with authority. I agree with GlueGuy, the B7500 is an real sleeper. It is big enough to get the job done, but not to big, so it fits where the L series, and upper B series wont. Pricewise, it is a better value than the B2410, and in 5 years, I would bet the used market value wont be much different on a B7500, and 2410. The Bx series is nice, but the ground clearance becomes a liability in rougher country. You should shop around the B7100 for potential trades, you may be suprised at the great deals you will be offered. Take your wife too, since the improved ergonomics, and simplicity will impress her as well.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Re: Steppin\' up from a B7100

Thanks for all the great info. No wife convincing necessary. If she get to keep the horses I get to get the tractor.

Also I opted not to go BX because of the ground clearance issues. I've learned it makes a difference.

Good tractoring to all.

 

[ronjhall]

Re: Steppin\' up from a B7100

NMT
Sold my 7100HST last year for $5,000.00. It had 700 hrs, 48" mid mower and was a mid 1980's model. It was in very good condition. A newer one should go for more. I bought a 2910 with 72" mid mower and glad that I didn't go smaller. Hope this helps.

 

[frank_f15]

Re: Steppin\' up from a B7100

i move a lot of snow, and quite a bit of dirt, and have found the slight extra hp of the 2400 to be useful, do remember tho, that the bigger the tractor the more wieight and the more footprints u will leave.u know best what features are needed for your conditions. also give consideration to the type of tires u will put on it. but if $$$ is not a major concern and it will fit in the garage, get the bigger one./w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

 

[HR_Mutt]

Re: Steppin\' up from a B7100

NMT
Any chance of keeping the B-7100? Mine has worked so well over the years I would not consider parting with it. I went bigger but still use the little one when I can get it away from the wife/w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif.
regards
Mutt

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Re: Steppin\' up from a B7100

$s are somewhat of a concern as I am buying lots of other stuff as well, PVC fencing, new kitchen....you know the drill.
So, I'm still leaning B7500 with the bar turf as this rig will have to do the finish mowing and the bush hogging.

The 2410 would be another 2,500 and then the 2710 is only $500 on that...then the 2910 ....where to stop.