Thanks everyone for helping me pick out a tractor

[aardvark]

I started out looking at BX23's, and then started looking up in size at B7610 and a 4410. However, I bought the BX23. I mulled over the size decision alot in the last three days, and I made the decision as I was sitting at the desk in front of the salesman about 4 pm this afternoon.

My reasoning is as follows (and please don't take these as excuses). /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif I was reading one of Bob Skurka's posts and am going to paraphrase what he said: "when you are done the big tractor work, what tractor will you need then". Well, I don't really have alot of uses for a tractor when my big tractor work is done, other than loading freight shipments onto trucks for ebay. Now, in the last five years I've been selling stuff on ebay, I have never had a forklift, so really, the 470 lb capacity of the BX23 is 470 lbs more capacity I've ever had before. My lot, although it is a mess, is completely flat, mostly sand, and actually pretty small at two acres. A BX23 should be fine, and once I have a lawn (sometime next year?), the BX23 is going to do a great job mowing. Also, and this one is actually weighted pretty heavily, the larger machines are too big for my trailer, and too heavy for my Toyota pickup to tow. The BX23 fits on my trailer, can be towed by my Toyota, and this makes it portable. If I was to buy a different truck and trailer, then sure, a bigger machine would have been chosen, but frankly, I don't want to buy a new truck and trailer. The mobility on my truck and trailer is actually important, because I also own a house in Atlanta, and if I ever need a tractor there, I can take mine with me. Factor all the above in with the fact that the BX23 is $4000 cheaper with the mower deck, and that puts the decision over the edge. I actually was at the dealership for about two hours walking back and forth between a B7610 and a BX2330, sitting on one, then sitting on the next, then sitting on the first again, I just couldn't make up my mind. This was one of the hardest decisions I've ever made. LOL. My salesman was very patient, to say the least.

So, next week I will be taking delivery of a BX23 with a 60" MMM. However, I haven't signed anything yet, and I won't have to until the BX23 arrives Friday, so I guess I still have time to change my mind, although I really shouldn't. I gave them a pretty big deposit, and I'm sure they would just move the deposit over onto the other machine.

Thanks to all, and especially v8dave for taking alot of time helping me via email.

 

[Cliff_Johns]

Sounds like you made the right choice for your situation. It's agonizing until you decide, then you can't figure out why you thought so hard about it. Good luck.
Cliff

 

[_RaT_]

I think you did your homework. I bought a Kubota L48. Did all the "big work" and my next main task was mowing. I downsized and it worked out beautifully. The cost was minimal.

 

[KiotiJohn]

Congratulations aardvark! I'm sure you made the right decision for your needs, and many others have done the same with reported great results. John

 

[jim_wilson]

Congratulations on your new BX23 purchase. Your decision factors sound a lot like mine were when I bought my BX23 a month or so ago. I have an even smaller lot than yours - just 1/2 acre. Some of the first projects I have to do though are almost too big for the BX23 - excavation of about 140 feet for a new driveway and then excavation of a foundation hole for my new garage. I also thought about going bigger - to a JD 4110 or a Kubota 7610 but in the end made the same decision as you did for pretty much the same reasons. Realistically once I am done with all the digging and big landscape projects and the construction I don't have much use for the tractor - I can easily mow my lawn with a push mower and will be able to clear the driveway with a snowblower. However like you I figured that if I decided to keep the tractor afterwards it would be easier to justify it if the tractor was smailer than if the tractor was bigger - much bigger than the BX23 in the end would be total overkill for me down the road. I have to admit that for doing some of the excavation work I have been doing I really wish the BX23 had higher FEL lifting capability but it does get the job done. I already find myself pulling out the tractor for even the smallest jobs - and it's small size makes it easy to do this. On the plus side you will be able to lift more than 470 pounds with the FEL. I actually loaded up my FEL one day with weightlifting weights and found that I can get 670 pounds from ground level to about half height - it would not lift any further than that. I believe the 470 pound limit is for lifting to full FEL height. I didn't get an MMM for my tractor but down the road I may get that and a snowblower. Being able to mow the lawn in 15 minutes will come in real handy when I am short on time!

 

[fishman]

Sounds like you are going to have some fun. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[trkbldr]

Congratulations aardvark /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif. Sounds like a good decision to me. Now just keep looking ahead and don't look back and second guess your decision. Hope you have much fun and accomplish some work at the same time /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif.

 

[jd2210]

Congrats on the purchase I'm sure you'll love it. You made a desison very similar to myself. I do need a bigger tractor than I bought, but only for about 20 hours and them the sub cut was the way to go. I'm actually quite pleasantly surprised what my 2210 (and your BX will be the same) can lift and move. I haven't even put on 10 hours yet and already I've moved and spread over 30 yeards of very heavy chunky dirt and clay. Have fun! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Kelvin]

Congratulations!

I don't remember "trailering" needs being mentioned in your previous posts, but certainly the smaller size & weight of the BX makes for a better "portable" machine. Portability is one of the main reasons that I limited my "larger" tractor to a B2910, but I can see now that I have a new (at least new to me) BX23 it will be the tractor of choice when I have to (or want to...) perform tractor tasks away from my home, unless the task requires the larger FEL capacity or larger yard box that the B2910 has.

Let us know how it works out for you... I always like to compare the new guy's (or gal's) tractor satisfaction with the advice they received prior to the tractor purchase to see how good the advice was.

Take care,
Kelvin

 

[bandit67]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Now just keep looking ahead and don't look back and second guess your decision. )</font>

If you hurry up and buy 2 or 3 implements sized for your tractor, then that'll make it extremely difficult to justify 2nd guessing as you'll be in too deep financially to even entertain the thought of a larger machine. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif