Upgrading from BX to B

[mike69440]

I have a 2002-2003 BX1800 with an LA211 and a Woods BH6000. I live just outside of a 40,000 person city and own a 3/4-1 acre lot. I really like the BX for it's size, and when I purchased it the intent was to utilize it for mowing, snowplowing and general construction and maintenance type tasks.

Eventually I added a commercial zero-turn to my equipment and find that the BX only serves as a back-up mower when that one is down for maintenance (rarely). I am at a point where I am considering the purchase of a larger B series. I have found that I consistently hit the hydraulic relief on the BX trying to move materials or debris. I have used it to move busted up concrete during sidewalk replacement, log moving during tree removal, material movement during garage construction, unloading semi's, unloading equipment off of trailers. Each time I have needed to revise my plan to stay under the BX's lift capacity, sometimes just abandoning my plan and renting equipment, or using a shop crane.

If I could easily increase the lift capacity of the BX I would keep it, but merely increase the hydraulic pressure will not be enough for my uses. I would like to have around 1000#'s of lift or more in a compact size.

I have also never been happy with the snow plowing properties of the BX. I have the Kubota manual blade and plow about 300 ft of drive and have issues with the snow shoving the BX sideways and or lifting the front. Many times I have just abandoned the blade a switched to the LA211 to move the snow. Here again I have hit the limiter if it is wet or hard packed at the entrance from county plows.

I am strongly considering a used 26-30hp B with a FL402 or 504. I would also plan on moving my BH6000 to the new/used tractor. I think with this plan and the sale of my BX I could accomplish this for a small expenditure.

I am looking for some input on this plan and the size of tractor for my small lot. I am concerned that I am considering more tractor than my lot really needs? I know this is a loaded question, and on here is like the junkie asking the dealer if they need more. I have seen a lot on here make this move and hope to get some good feed back.

3/4 Acre is a small lot. If you plan on staying put, I would recommend you not go up to a small L frame tractor or even a B2650 etc. B2650 is a nice tractor if the size suits you but seems big to me on 3/4 Acres.

Just take a look and a Mahindra Max 24 It will lift as much as a B Series, but is a giant size Sub Compact vs a small Compact. Turns tight and is made by Mitsubishi for Mahindra. Decent, but still not Kubota Quality. Price is a bit lower than a Kubota in most parts of USA.

 

[robertm]

I agree, a B on 3/4 acre is overkill. The lifting capacity of a BX using forks from Jery Dunn will come close to a stock B. Close to 1,000#. The quality of a B mowing will not compare to a BX. The maneuverability of the BX without tearing up the grass, will let you know a BX is the right choice. I have double the yard, and all three of my B's gouged circles around my landscaping and trees while mowing.

 

[mile9c1]

I have double the yard, and all three of my B's gouged circles around my landscaping and trees while mowing.

Turf tires or industrial tires?

 

[robertm]

Turf tires or industrial tires?

Turf. And, BOTH types of available turfs. I have had three B's. It's the geometry of the front end. The top of the outer front wheel tips out on turns, so the edge of the tire cuts sod like a knife. It didn't matter what I did to try and alleviate the problem. Two wheel drive, or four (hey, had to try it). Slow. Fast. Wet. Dry. No loader. No matter.

I finally did three point turns to help a little. I LOVE the B's. I really prefer them just because of my size, but they destroy my yard. I keep thinking I'll go back to one next spring, but I need to decide if I have a yard... or a lawn.

 

[mike69440]

Turf. And, BOTH types of available turfs. I have had three B's. It's the geometry of the front end. The top of the outer front wheel tips out on turns, so the edge of the tire cuts sod like a knife. It didn't matter what I did to try and alleviate the problem. Two wheel drive, or four (hey, had to try it). Slow. Fast. Wet. Dry. No loader. No matter.

I finally did three point turns to help a little. I LOVE the B's. I really prefer them just because of my size, but they destroy my yard. I keep thinking I'll go back to one next spring, but I need to decide if I have a yard... or a lawn.

My heavily ballasted Max28 (+3,000 lbs) with R4's is surprisingly gentle on our front yard if the ground is somewhat dry. The RTV is good also. Steering does not dig in in 2WD and has excellent turn radius. My wife does not want the L39 on the lawn, and the excavator only by special permission if not other option.
I wonder why the B series is rough on lawns?

 

[robstaples]

I moved from a 20 hp Simplicity Sunstar similar to BX to a B3350 cause I wanted 4wd ( cut on a slope) and a cab. I have the 60 inch deck and rear pto vac grass catcher. I have the 554(?)loader which I have to keep off when I cut grass. Even with the bucket off. The front end would plow in on turns. The B cuts well but its weight works against it. I don't cut when it's damp. I have to use 4fwd on my slope or the grass shows slide marks. I don't have full-sun-all-day grass so it's "softer" grass. Overkill? Maybe. I have 1.8 acres and only cut .3 ish. I cut yesterday in 20 minutes. And I'm keeping my L39tlb for its lift capacity. ~2800 lbs . The l39 will leave grass marks after 1- 3 passes. But they grow out.

 

[mile9c1]

Turf. And, BOTH types of available turfs. I have had three B's.

Is the B2301/2601 steering different than the larger B's?

 

[robertm]

Is the B2301/2601 steering different than the larger B's?

I'm sure the B2301 and B2601 are identical to the earlier B2320 and B2620. Also same as the B7500/7510/7600/7610.
The B3300 is a longer and larger frame. While the geometry of the steering may be the same, I doubt the components are identical. The B2650, on the other hand, is a much different, longer, wider, and substantially heavier beast than the B2620, and similar.

 

[nmk61802]

I agree, a B on 3/4 acre is overkill. The lifting capacity of a BX using forks from Jery Dunn will come close to a stock B. Close to 1,000#. The quality of a B mowing will not compare to a BX. The maneuverability of the BX without tearing up the grass, will let you know a BX is the right choice. I have double the yard, and all three of my B's gouged circles around my landscaping and trees while mowing.

How do you get 1000# lift from a LA211? It is rated @ 450# at the pin. I have have the Jery Dunn forks, and no way I could lift close to 1000# with the FEL, 350-400# is about the max. 3-point lift is not an option, it does not have enough height and as mentioned I have a backhoe installed.

Mowing is not a concern either, as mentioned I now have a dedicated Zero Turn. If I mow with it it will be few and far between now.

I currently use my BX for lifting, pulling, digging, and plowing. I don't disagree that the B is large for my lot, but find the BX1800 lacking in power for the work I am currently using it for.

 

[robertm]

How do you get 1000# lift from a LA211? It is rated @ 450# at the pin. I have have the Jery Dunn forks, and no way I could lift close to 1000# with the FEL, 350-400# is about the max. 3-point lift is not an option, it does not have enough height and as mentioned I have a backhoe installed.

Mowing is not a concern either, as mentioned I now have a dedicated Zero Turn. If I mow with it it will be few and far between now.

I currently use my BX for lifting, pulling, digging, and plowing. I don't disagree that the B is large for my lot, but find the BX1800 lacking in power for the work I am currently using it for.

I have a BX2670 with a LA243. I just took a full 55 gallon drum of diesel out of my truck on a hardwood pallet. That's over 500# alone... NOT at the pins. I measured over 800# on a pallet in landscape blocks, with a HD oak pallet from an 85hp vertical turbine pump that weighed probably 75#. That's over 875# on the forks. Granted, it won't go full height, but at least 50%. I wouldn't want to go full height.
In early June, I lifted a 12 foot long blue spruce log. I am serious, that it measured 22" in diameter at one end, and 16" at the other. On line says it is about 1,150# I know that shouldn't be possible, but I held the trunk in a felled position, lifted it, the guy cut it off, I drove to the truck with it 30" off the ground, lifted it to about 60" and it wouldn't go anymore.
I doubt that you'd have any issues with the BX in a 2380 or 2680 size. To me, the baby BX is a glorified lawn mower.