Time to come clean........

ChuckinNH · Nov 16, 2006

It is often said here that no one ever wishes for less horsepower, but I suspect that there are those that sometimes wish they had a smaller tractor for many tasks.... If you are out there, and honest, let's here about it for the benefit of those who are new, and might not forsee such circumstances. What do you have, and what do you sometimes wish you had for some tasks? What are the tasks you think about something smaller for? The time of year for heavy use of our tractors is about over, so things should be fresh on everyone's mind...
Chuck

dentonsisk · Nov 16, 2006

I find that my m4700 turns about as tightly as my 8N ford or tighter. No comparison in power. Front end loader is the trick. I still like mowing with the 8N better though even with a 5foot rotary vs the Kubota's 6 foot.. Its like a big riding mower after using the Kubota. Also I haven't mastered taking off the front end loader so it hangs out there. If I'm clearing really heavy stuff, pulling stuff, digging stuff, or need a testosterone boost, the Kubota is the thing.

Double 00 Soul · Nov 16, 2006

I have a B3030 but am toying with the idea of also getting a BX1850. While the B3030 isn't a monster by any means, it's just too big for some areas I have to mow and remove snow. My riding lawn mower does not have a locking rear end or 4-wheel drive so I'm concerned about snow removal this winter. I had intended on using the mower for snow removal, which can get nasty in Minnesota. The BX1850 can be had with a small 48" MMM which is about the max for some of the areas I have to mow, otherwise I'm back to the dark ages with a push mower for a couple of hours in the tight spots. Also, the 1850 with 4-wheel drive will be great for snowblowing. There, I've talked myself into it. Love that B3030 though and it has done everything I've asked it to do with ease. Naturally, if I do get a BX1850, the B3030 will remain as big brother.

Jethro · Nov 17, 2006

I have a B1550 HSD and find that it is great for aerating my customer's lawns. A larger tractor would not get into some of the areas that I can get with this one. It also is light enough to allow me to get into some fairly soft areas with minimal impact.

PBinWA · Nov 17, 2006

Aren't we all supposed to have a complete stable of tractors? One for each implemement and one for each task? That's what I told my wife and I'm sticking to it!

ChuckinNH · Nov 17, 2006

I like that approach!!!

kwolfe · Nov 17, 2006

Double 00 Soul said:
I have a B3030 but am toying with the idea of also getting a BX1850. While the B3030 isn't a monster by any means, it's just too big for some areas I have to mow and remove snow. My riding lawn mower does not have a locking rear end or 4-wheel drive so I'm concerned about snow removal this winter. I had intended on using the mower for snow removal, which can get nasty in Minnesota. The BX1850 can be had with a small 48" MMM which is about the max for some of the areas I have to mow, otherwise I'm back to the dark ages with a push mower for a couple of hours in the tight spots. Also, the 1850 with 4-wheel drive will be great for snowblowing. There, I've talked myself into it. Love that B3030 though and it has done everything I've asked it to do with ease. Naturally, if I do get a BX1850, the B3030 will remain as big brother.

Ever thought about a 1500. You could probably get it cheaper and it should do exactly whhat you want. I have one, and that little thing is a mule. No problems with HP.

Double 00 Soul · Nov 17, 2006

kwolfe said:
Ever thought about a 1500. You could probably get it cheaper and it should do exactly whhat you want. I have one, and that little thing is a mule. No problems with HP.

Hadn't considered the 1500, thanks for the idea. One thing I like about the BX1850 is the ground clearance but for snowblowing and mowing, ground clearance isn't that much of a problem. If I'm not being too nosy, what did a 1500 set you back? I'm going to a dealer next week and will check out the 1500 if they have one in stock.

GaryE · Nov 17, 2006

I am still kicking myself for getting rid of my B-6000. It was great for dragging logs out of the woods and working on soft ground. This time of year it is just to muddy for my L-3710 unless I am using the backhoe. My Sears GT-5000 is useless for anything other than cutting grass. Often I find myself using my old Rally Roper (which has no cutting deck) to drag things around. It is great for pulling the rollers around on soft ground.....But then again there are times when I can see I do NEED that M series Kubota.

Am I making any sense?

Gary

Dusty · Nov 17, 2006

GaryE said:
.........
Am I making any sense?

Gary

Do you really want an answer to that question???

GaryE · Nov 17, 2006

Dusty said:
Do you really want an answer to that question???

Umm.... No...not really

Dusty · Nov 17, 2006

GaryE said:
Umm.... No...not really

Whew....... I was afraid that you were going to say yes...

proudestmonkey · Nov 18, 2006

For getting around all the trees on the part of my property I mow, I sometimes miss the smaller JD riding mower I had last year. On the other hand, even those trees require me to climb hills to get to the grass under them, and I do not miss the slippage with one wheel drive.

I am glad I have my BX. I think anything bigger and I would be regretting my decision. I like being low enough to the ground to feel nice and stable on the hills, while having enough clearance to get through the more rough areas of the yard (e.g. down by the pond/woods).

capt jack · Nov 18, 2006

After 3 Kubotas, I had worked my way up to a M105 , great for large tasks,all the power you could ask for , a real pain around the house or barn (ever try to trim with a 15ft. bat wing shredder?). Last nite my dealer delivered me a B21 TLB. Kind of a big spread between sizes, but the B21 was a deal (I was really looking for a L35). If I don't like it I'll swap again.

PlanMan · Nov 18, 2006

Gary - The b6000 was a great tractor, I grew up with one. I agree about the craftsman. Replaced my snapper with one just to get a bigger deck, what a mistake. I have lots of orange scrapes along the back fender where I have pushed it with my kubota after my son has it stuck and just spinning on the lower parts of my property.

rdsaustintx · Nov 18, 2006

proudestmonkey said:
I am glad I have my BX. I think anything bigger and I would be regretting my decision. I like being low enough to the ground to feel nice and stable on the hills, while having enough clearance to get through the more rough areas of the yard (e.g. down by the pond/woods).

Same here. My dealer originally recommended a B21 with the best of intentions, but I really like the way a BX can wind its way through trees and dig like a dawg in tight places, esp. around fences and buildings. It has been tough as nails so far (400 hrs in 2 years).

Russell in Texas

LBrown59 · Nov 18, 2006

rdsaustintx said:
Same here. My dealer originally recommended a B21 with the best of intentions, but I really like the way a BX can wind its way through trees and dig like a dawg in tight places, esp. around fences and buildings. It has been tough as nails so far (400 hrs in 2 years).

Russell in Texas

756 hours on mine in 2years

LBrown59 · Nov 18, 2006

PlanMan said:
Gary - The b6000 was a great tractor, I grew up with one. I agree about the craftsman. Replaced my snapper with one just to get a bigger deck, what a mistake. I have lots of orange scrapes along the back fender where I have pushed it with my kubota after my son has it stuck and just spinning on the lower parts of my property.

Sounds like my PowerKrap

AndyM · Nov 18, 2006

LBrown59 said:
Sounds like my PowerKrap

I'm not familiar with that brand.

JIMTORL · Nov 18, 2006

Well I talked my wife into letting me buy a tweener. Some thing bigger than my Dane charriott, Xmark 61 mower, 140 framall w/woodsmower & yammar 226D and smaller than my Case 580. So now I told her I really need something like a Kubota 3400. This is the great thing about being a salesman,
It's all in the presentation.