Thinking about buying a new B2650

[BubbaJr]

I like turf tires and have had them on several tractors now, but it all depends on your particular soil. Our soil is sandy and loose, so Ag tires will "plow" terribly during turns. Turfs are the answer for us, but wouldn't serve as well on black loam. Yes, turf tires do slip more....but they do less damage when they do. Turfs definitely need chains for winter snow and ice.
rScotty

Thanks Scotty. We have a heavy clay soil here that gets slick as the dickens when it turns to mud. But at least I can get through it with my R4's. I guess I'll stay with the R4's. If I pay attention and take the time to make wide circles or multiple attempts at making a sharp turn, the gouging of the grass is minimal.

Joe

 

[rScotty]

Thanks Scotty. We have a heavy clay soil here that gets slick as the dickens when it turns to mud. But at least I can get through it with my R4's. I guess I'll stay with the R4's. If I pay attention and take the time to make wide circles or multiple attempts at making a sharp turn, the gouging of the grass is minimal.

Joe

With heavy clay I'd agree with staying with the R4 industrial tread. Of the the two places where I have found my turf tires to be preferable one is on turf of course. But surprisingly the other situation is our creek bottoms with sandy gravel & rocks. On that kind of sand & rock surface lugs are no advantage at all, not even the relatively short flat lugs on R4s. What is needed there is a wide tire with lots of rubber.
I've worked on clay soils - probably most of us have - and my guess is you would be disappointed with turfs.
Right now I have R4 on two tractors and my opinion is the R4 is a good summer/winter compromise tread. Good enough for most things, no real downside, and noticibly improves sidehill stability.
rScotty

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Had a B2650 and a sweet deluxe model B. I'd suggest considering a Rear discharge rear finish mower instead of the MMM if you think a longer machine will meet your mowing/obstacles needs. Will be much easier to service and attach/detach and usually a bit less money. I have owned Landpride RFM and now have bought a used Woods RFM but haven't tried it yet. I did buy a cheap one first years ago and learned not to buy cheap and pretty implements if your going to use them.

 

[BubbaJr]

Had a B2650 and a sweet deluxe model B. I'd suggest considering a Rear discharge rear finish mower instead of the MMM if you think a longer machine will meet your mowing/obstacles needs. Will be much easier to service and attach/detach and usually a bit less money. I have owned Landpride RFM and now have bought a used Woods RFM but haven't tried it yet. I did buy a cheap one first years ago and learned not to buy cheap and pretty implements if your going to use them.

Hi John, I've been using a MMM for 16 years, so I know what a PITA it is to remove and replace it. But other than that, it works great for my needs. I don't think the 2650 is much different size wise than my 2910. If it is, that won't cause any problems for me.

Thanks guys, I plan on going to the dealer Monday to check it out again. I was in town last Sunday and stopped in, sat in it, and drooled over it, now it's time to get down to business.

Joe

 

[BubbaJr]

I went to the dealer this afternoon. Talked to the salesman, drove the tractor, then sat down with pictures of my tractor and a couple of implements I don't use anymore. He's going to get with his sales rep and give me a price tomorrow. I'll then take it to the dealer I bought my first one from and get a price from them. I will give dealer #1 another chance to beat #2. Then comes the hard part, giving away a wheelbarrow full of money.

Several of you commented on the noisy hydrostatic drive. I was surprised how quiet the engine was, and maybe that's why the transmission sounded so loud. I did find out the one they have is a 2016 model which has extendable 3 pt. arms and a ratchet height adjustment on the rt. arm, like my 2910 has. I found out that they are an option on the 2017 models.

Joe

 

[check 6]

I''l try and comment on several questions/ opinions presented. first I agree with John Thomas I have a middle mower on my B 2650 as I'm concerned about length. that said if I were mowing with it on a regular basis ( I have a Kubota zero turn for the lawn) I would go with a rear mower on the tractor. Maint. is easier and it balances the tractor if you leave the front loader on.

As to the other issue, noise in a compact tractor cab YES it is. I have solve the problem by wearing Bose Quiet Comfort headphones. The really reduce the noice and bluetooth to my phone so I can respond if I'm called. Interestingly even though the radio in the cab is not bluetooth ed I can hear it through the speakers quite clearly with the headphones on as they cut out the normal cab noise.

Lastly how do I like the 2650 GREAT you just have to be aware that the small tractor with a narrow wheel base and a cab has a higher center of gravity. If careful you can safely operate on uneven ground but lack of attention can get dangerously interesting quickly. all in al great tractor that services all my needs and provides some creature comfort in our "warm" south Texas summers

 

[Utopia Texas]

The only thing I do not like about my new B2650 is that it Idles at 1100 rpm even with the AC off and since there is no clutch pedal engaging the PTO on a rear shredder is quite traumatic. The small Ford 1215 with hydrostatic I traded in did have a clutch pedal and you could feather the PTO. On the B2650 I cannot imagine what turning on a post hole digger might be like!

 

[BubbaJr]

The only thing I do not like about my new B2650 is that it Idles at 1100 rpm even with the AC off and since there is no clutch pedal engaging the PTO on a rear shredder is quite traumatic. The small Ford 1215 with hydrostatic I traded in did have a clutch pedal and you could feather the PTO. On the B2650 I cannot imagine what turning on a post hole digger might be like!

It never occurred to me to flip on one of the PTO's. Are they traumatic at idle or are you engaging it at PTO speed. My 2910 is also clutch engaged and I always feather it in.

Joe

 

[BubbaJr]

I''l try and comment on several questions/ opinions presented. first I agree with John Thomas I have a middle mower on my B 2650 as I'm concerned about length. that said if I were mowing with it on a regular basis ( I have a Kubota zero turn for the lawn) I would go with a rear mower on the tractor. Maint. is easier and it balances the tractor if you leave the front loader on.

As to the other issue, noise in a compact tractor cab YES it is. I have solve the problem by wearing Bose Quiet Comfort headphones. The really reduce the noice and bluetooth to my phone so I can respond if I'm called. Interestingly even though the radio in the cab is not bluetooth ed I can hear it through the speakers quite clearly with the headphones on as they cut out the normal cab noise.

Lastly how do I like the 2650 GREAT you just have to be aware that the small tractor with a narrow wheel base and a cab has a higher center of gravity. If careful you can safely operate on uneven ground but lack of attention can get dangerously interesting quickly. all in al great tractor that services all my needs and provides some creature comfort in our "warm" south Texas summers

I'm used to the MMM and all it's issues, and I get along with it fine. A rear mount mower would not work in my situation. I never mow with the loader on as that puts additional weight on the front tires and the R4's tear up the yard bad enough without the FEL on.

I have a noise cancelling headphone I use for shooting, but there is no Bluetooth with it. How much would a pair of Bose quiet comforts cost? I like the idea of linking to the bluetooth in my phone. With my current tractor there is no way I can feel the vibrator or hear the ring of the phone. I currently use a pair of Hear-O foam ear plugs. They are not made like normal foam plugs, they have 3 silicone valves that block out an incredible amount of noise IF you install them correctly.

Joe

PS. I'm also very aware of the tip factor. I've almost pinched a hole in my seat several times mowing my ditch.

 

[Utopia Texas]

It never occurred to me to flip on one of the PTO's. Are they traumatic at idle or are you engaging it at PTO speed. My 2910 is also clutch engaged and I always feather it in.

Joe

I am engaging a 4 foot rear shredder/ mower at the 1100 rpm idle speed. Maybe I will get used to it but on any tractor with a clutch pedal I would not pop the clutch at 1100 rpm with any implement attached.
PS- I have also never owned a tractor that idled this fast but the salesman said it was normal for the B2650.