Upgrading BX2200 to B3030 or 7800

[swmpbgy1]

I did give strong consideration to getting the Woods BH 6000 backhoe for my BX back in the summer but was concerned with the rocky dense soils here in New England that it might have difficulty digging. I was planning on planting a row of aborvitaes or spruces as a privacy fence but since we purchased the adjacent lot that need went away.

My thought right now is to keep the BX and make due with possibly adding some implements that will help complete some of these projects.

Thanks for all the input!

BXBota:

I was in the same boat as you......but my biggest problem here in the hills of WV, was exactly that......the hills on my property are pretty steep. I rough cut the less severe acreage with the 2230 and a 42" howse brush hog. It did a great job. It was when I tried to cut the rougher, steeper inclines, where I ran into trouble. The 2230 would do it, but it was a strain. I wouldn't see why you wouldn't be able to pull a 48" brush hog. Your land is pretty flat.

I also used a 60" rfm to to keep the fields groomed. I've never had any issues with it on the 2230, even on the less severe slopes.

This past July I traded my 2230 for a 3030 and have no regrets. My 2230 was 3 years old when I traded. It had 160 hours, FEL, and 60"mmm. Paid 12,500 and got 10,000 on trade.....20% loss....not too bad.

BTW....Nice spread! My wife and I are in the process of beginning a build similar to yours. Where did you find your plans?

Thanks......
Swmpbgy1

 

[BXBota]

BXBota:

This past July I traded my 2230 for a 3030 and have no regrets. My 2230 was 3 years old when I traded. It had 160 hours, FEL, and 60"mmm. Paid 12,500 and got 10,000 on trade.....20% loss....not too bad.

BTW....Nice spread! My wife and I are in the process of beginning a build similar to yours. Where did you find your plans?

Thanks......
Swmpbgy1

I've been offered about 70% (also $10,000) of my original cost for tractor plus all attachments which has about 450 hours which I thought was a decent amount.

Our house is a custom timber frame ranch built by a small design/build contractor so he produced an original design based on our needs.

Thanks for the advice, since mowing season is over here in MA I am inclined to wait until next summer to see how the BX does after a season of mowing. Since we just purchased this additional land I haven't had to mow the entire parcel. I will likely lose money on trade if I wait until next year but if I can make due with the BX the savings will be in the 12-15K range.

 

[Tom_H]

I rough cut the less severe acreage with the 2230 and a 42" howse brush hog......It was when I tried to cut the rougher, steeper inclines, where I ran into trouble.

A BX with a brush hog can do very well on steep terrain by taking this tack. Find a less steep path to the top of the hill and then drive straight down. One side must not go lower than the other side and the nose must be perpendicular to the "elevation line" of the hill. I have some mounds that are around 38 degrees incline and my BX2200 with 40" GearMore heavy duty brush hog cuts well if driving straight downhill. It is imperative, however, not to traverse even slightly. You must be certain that once you commit, you can make it all the way down, because there can be no turning around, no backing up, and no turning sideways. Once you begin, you are committed to finishing the run. You must chart the course ahead of time and make sure that you will not get stopped by a tree, a hole, or hung up on a partially hidden rock, as these could cause you to to turn, which would likely roll the tractor. Cut one pass, take the other route to the top, and start down again.

 

[Timber]

Welcome to the group, What a beautiful home you have. I love the look of the house and drive. I would love to know where in Mass you are. I am in eastern Ma myself near the city of Brockton. I have a small horse farm an use a B7800 for all my chores. I truly do love this tractor but I would love some of the features of the 3030. I use a boxblade a lot. It is almost never off my tractor, position control would be nice at time. I also don't care for the threaded rod and turnbuckle design on the 3 point. Pushing with the boxblade tends to be hard on them. I am at the point were I have to replace one side because the are rather bent up. Rather small issue when I consider all the incredible projects I have done with this tractor. I would recommend filling out your profile so we can all help you better
Charlie

 

[BXBota]

Thanks for the compliments on our house, we do love it here and I did add some profile information since I had a little time. We are hockey parents for two kids and this time of year is crazy traveling to the rinks.

I'll have to revisit this upgrade idea next year after a season of mowing to guage the timeframe it will take to mow all areas. I anticipate not having to mow the field areas as often as my grass since it isn't fertilized. I just added my upgraded seat from Messick's which sure made a big improvement on comfort. I'm still working on tackling the brush and am amazed sometimes the amount of brush the BX will tackle.

 

[Timber]

LOL I thought that looked like western mass. I dated a girl from there about 28 years ago when I was in school in that area. Is that Barn and paddock part of your property. I see you mentioned horses in your future. Keep in mind that horses will keep pasture grass all clipped for you but it will also create a whole new list of chores for you to do. A tooth bar on your loader will rip the brush up pretty well. Your BX will do much of what you need but may also be the best time to upgrade as well. The new B7800s are coming out this year and I really don't know what that means as far as the upgrades. I can tell you Horses take a lot of time. You will need a good PHD Like a landpride or woods. Everyone will tell you to get a 12 inch auger but in New England you want a 9 inch. The bigger the hole the more likely to catch a stone. I recently purchased a grapple to make riding trails this winter. Like I said your BX will do the job but issues of ground clearance will be a real factor. I personally use a cub cadet lawn tractor for all my mowing. I will however purchase a Bush mower for trail maintenance. I abut 157 acres of conservation and already have permission from my town to make riding trails. Good luck in your choice, I am afraid we can only offer are own experience with what we own. Many members do incredible things with there BX tractors and if you already have a stable of implements it might be worth just marching on. I personally just rent bigger equipment when I need it. If that is your option then buy a car trailer so you don't have to pay to move equipment around.

 

[davitk]

Hey BXBota,

Just want to say what everone else is saying: nice place! When I saw that first pic I went and saved it to my photo library - hope you don't mind. Very nicely done.

Seems to me you are busy and getting busier all the time - I have a football player, a baseball player, and a couple of soccer players. Busy busy busy. No plans for horses. Phew!

You need a bigger tractor of some sort, and it seems to me the right sized tractor will make your seat time more like play than compulsion. Everyone deseres aome R & R, and while that BX is a super nice machine, my guess is you'll end up loathing it after awhile, especially if you add farm chores to the list. Keep an eye out for the 2008 Kubotas, should be some very nice machines.

 

[Timber]

I think there may be much to consider, My 1st question is what are we talking about when you say including implements. I know you have a mid mount mower and a snow blower but is there anything else you are going to lose in the deal. I know I paid 16,300 for my tractor and loader alone over a year ago. now replace those implements your going to lose. At 0% financing you might be OK but with a note on it hard to say. Personally you might be best off working with what you have. But then I have made bad deals with pickup trucks trading them and taking a big hit. Tractors last a very long time so no mater what in the long run you can not loose

 

[BXBota]

The implements included in the trade of $10,000 include the FEL, 60" MMM, and 50" snowblower. I paid $15,000 for all of these in 2003 with 0% financing. I also have a small Woods landscape rake that I used during my lawn installation that isn't included in the trade. I would anticipate if I traded for another tractor I would hold onto it for a long time although I thought the same with the BX in 2003. To upgrade to B3030 would cost roughly 15K (or 12.5K for 7800) after trade adding the same implements but larger sizes, i.e. 63" snowblower, 72" deck, and larger loader.

The horse situation is unknown at this time. My wife and daughter love the idea but my son and I are less enthusiastic. I've never owned horses so I would need to learn much more before we decided. Both my neighbors own them so I could get more information close by. I do know much of the work would likely fall into my hands so I would be reluctant without knowing how much time would be involved. I did hear that the BX may be better at cleaning stalls since it is smaller.

The barn and paddock belong to my neighbors.

I do plan to wait until the 08s are out to see what changes are coming. The dealer I checked with said no changes would be made to the 7800 or 3030 but that isn't what I'm hearing here.

Thanks again for all the advice and house complements. In case anyone was wondering here is what the back side of our house looked like back in 2005. The grass and plants have filled in quite a bit already and it's only been two years.

 

[Timber]

Well It does sound like your getting a pretty good offer on your BX and If I were you and I had the money and it was with in my ability I am sure I would go with an upgrade to one of the 30 horse models. Let me tell you about Horses.1st off you are never going to use a tractor in a barn to clean stalls. A wheelbarrow is much better for that task. In the paddock it is useful for cleaning and boxblading the arena. You are very correct in planning on doing the work of horses yourself. I work long days at my job and come home to my chores with the barn every day. I can tell you that there is a soothing close of the day to muck stalls & feed and grain the animals. Something with the smell of the Barn and the gentle nudge of a horse that relieves the stress of the day. I know my barn chores are kind of on cruise control and it gives me a space in time all my own. Animals are funny, they are kind of the best people in fuzzy body's. I don't really know how to explain it really but there is something about the innocents & the ignorance of the human world that makes the company of animals so relaxing that even the labor of there care is a pleasure.