I would certainly appreciate your feedback. I know it will cost me a few bucks to make a trade if I do, and I would like to be as sure as possible before I make the final step. I figured that I would be buried at 101 years of age with this B7500 (about 60 years from now /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif), but now that I look at it, I am think I should have planned for the next five years... not ten.
Will I regret downsizing from a B7500?
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Koz
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As I am expecting to get a Kub 7610 delivered any day (week?) now, I have been reading these threads with great interest.
Given the negligible difference in weight between the BX and 7500, it seems to me that cutting capability is the biggest issue you have with the 7500.
Before selecting the 7610, I was concerned about the ground contact decks cutting ability compared to the BX's suspended deck. My neighbor has a BX, and his yard always looks fine, similar to my yard mowed with the 445.
I had my dealer bring a demonstration 7500 to my house. For an hour, I mowed with it on both finished lawn and a rough field. After it was taken away, I pulled out my JD 445 (60" suspended deck) and mowed.
For the field (thick grass), the 7500 was vastly superior. The JD just didn't have the HP to use the 60" deck in the thick grass. The 7500 didn't come close to bogging and gave results much better than the 445.
For the lawn, I can honestly say that you could not see a difference. My lawn is definitely not the smoothest. I usually use a roller in the spring to smash down the areas that get heaved upwards during the winter, but I have not done this yet this year. So....my lawn is bumpy. So bumpy that it is irritating, especially when trying to mow fast.
For me (3.5 acres), a BX could certainly accomplish everything that I want to do with a tractor. Initially, I just assumed that I would end up with a BX2230. I test drove one, and remember thinking that it sure is not as comfortable as my JD 445 (even thought the 445 is much smaller). I am 6'-2" tall. I ended up looking at bigger JD's (much more comfortable than the BX), the 2210 and 4110.
Some of the local JD dealers really pushed the 2210 hard. others definitely advised against the 2210, saying that the entire design/construction process for the 2210 was greatly abbreviated and that the tractor was developed for the sole purpose of having good stats and pricing compared to the BX versus quality/longevity. This sounded legitimate, as the 2210 seems to share very little with its only slightly larger 4000 series cousins.
I was resigned to paying a lot more for a JD 4110 when I realized that surely Kubota must have larger tractors that are more comfortable than the BX. I drove to a dealer, found the 7510 and ended up buying the 7610.
I'm sure you will take a beating trading the 7500 for a BX. Make sure you find the BX to be comfortable. If it is acceptable, I guess the question is whether the possible improvement in cutting capability (get a demo and see for yourself if it is better) and grass wear (maybe you can increase the radius around obstacles to reduce wear) is worth the loss. My gut feeling is no.
Given the negligible difference in weight between the BX and 7500, it seems to me that cutting capability is the biggest issue you have with the 7500.
Before selecting the 7610, I was concerned about the ground contact decks cutting ability compared to the BX's suspended deck. My neighbor has a BX, and his yard always looks fine, similar to my yard mowed with the 445.
I had my dealer bring a demonstration 7500 to my house. For an hour, I mowed with it on both finished lawn and a rough field. After it was taken away, I pulled out my JD 445 (60" suspended deck) and mowed.
For the field (thick grass), the 7500 was vastly superior. The JD just didn't have the HP to use the 60" deck in the thick grass. The 7500 didn't come close to bogging and gave results much better than the 445.
For the lawn, I can honestly say that you could not see a difference. My lawn is definitely not the smoothest. I usually use a roller in the spring to smash down the areas that get heaved upwards during the winter, but I have not done this yet this year. So....my lawn is bumpy. So bumpy that it is irritating, especially when trying to mow fast.
For me (3.5 acres), a BX could certainly accomplish everything that I want to do with a tractor. Initially, I just assumed that I would end up with a BX2230. I test drove one, and remember thinking that it sure is not as comfortable as my JD 445 (even thought the 445 is much smaller). I am 6'-2" tall. I ended up looking at bigger JD's (much more comfortable than the BX), the 2210 and 4110.
Some of the local JD dealers really pushed the 2210 hard. others definitely advised against the 2210, saying that the entire design/construction process for the 2210 was greatly abbreviated and that the tractor was developed for the sole purpose of having good stats and pricing compared to the BX versus quality/longevity. This sounded legitimate, as the 2210 seems to share very little with its only slightly larger 4000 series cousins.
I was resigned to paying a lot more for a JD 4110 when I realized that surely Kubota must have larger tractors that are more comfortable than the BX. I drove to a dealer, found the 7510 and ended up buying the 7610.
I'm sure you will take a beating trading the 7500 for a BX. Make sure you find the BX to be comfortable. If it is acceptable, I guess the question is whether the possible improvement in cutting capability (get a demo and see for yourself if it is better) and grass wear (maybe you can increase the radius around obstacles to reduce wear) is worth the loss. My gut feeling is no.
That is an excellent point. Thank you. One dealer (local) said I should just come on down and try a BX on his lot, where he stated his was much more bumpier than mine (assumption). Another dealer said he's bring one over and let me try it. So, I should set a time up to mow with the BX and B7500 (at the same deck height) side by side. Thanks again.
Bob_Skurka
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If MOWING is your prime concern, you might want to look at STEINER and VENTRAC tractors. Their larger models are similar in size to BX series Kubota and will accept a FEL. BUT, the real difference between those 2 brands and everyone else is that they are designed as TURF tractors. I recently purchased the smallest Ventrac model and cannot believe the cut quality and how much better it is compared to my Cub Cadet or my New Holland. On the Steiner and Ventrac tractors they put the deck IN FRONT of the tractor and they have much tighter turning radiuses than normal CUTs. The model I have is comparable to a garden tractor, but I find that it it mows so much faster and better that I may not need to even use my New Holland for field mowing at all. In fact, mowing time will probably be reduced by a couple hours each week, and the cut quality is superior.
If you are interested in either tractor, and since you said you need to keep the FEL, you might want to consider the Ventrac 4200 or the Steiner 430MAX tractors. They are amazing tractor, the cut quality is superior, and the effective mowing speed is significantly faster because they are more manuverable. Size and price are probably comparable to a BX series Kubota. But they are funny looking with their front mounted decks.
I can say that now having mowed several times with a front mounted deck, I cannot even imagine going back to a MMM and having to use one of those again. The difference is as wide as NIGHT versus DAY.
If you are interested in either tractor, and since you said you need to keep the FEL, you might want to consider the Ventrac 4200 or the Steiner 430MAX tractors. They are amazing tractor, the cut quality is superior, and the effective mowing speed is significantly faster because they are more manuverable. Size and price are probably comparable to a BX series Kubota. But they are funny looking with their front mounted decks.
I can say that now having mowed several times with a front mounted deck, I cannot even imagine going back to a MMM and having to use one of those again. The difference is as wide as NIGHT versus DAY.
Well, the BX23 is on my trailer and sitting in front of my workplace. They did not have the mower deck....so I can't mow with it until it comes in....but I kept my ZTR for that purpose until the 60" deck comes in. There was a 7510 sitting right next to the BX23 on the lot. The only reason it appeared larger was the larger diameter tires. The BX tires are short and fat, and look impressive.
Sitting on the two, I like the B7500 a little better, the seat sits lower...but the BX has great visibility and all controls seem natural in placement.
Ground speed does not seem as fast in fast transit.....especially compared to my ZTR.
Very nice quality unit.
Sitting on the two, I like the B7500 a little better, the seat sits lower...but the BX has great visibility and all controls seem natural in placement.
Ground speed does not seem as fast in fast transit.....especially compared to my ZTR.
Very nice quality unit.
Bob_Skurka
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BotaGuy . . . If your experience is anything like mine, you will find that your mowing time will increase by 50% by switching from a highly manuverable ZTR to a slow turning tractor.
It used to take us about 6 hours to cut our property with 2 of us on tractors. Now, using the Ventrac, mowing time is under 4 hours and probably pretty close to 3. And a ZTR will mow faster than a Ventrac, but I can't use a ZTR on my property because of steep hills, rough fields, etc.
It used to take us about 6 hours to cut our property with 2 of us on tractors. Now, using the Ventrac, mowing time is under 4 hours and probably pretty close to 3. And a ZTR will mow faster than a Ventrac, but I can't use a ZTR on my property because of steep hills, rough fields, etc.
_RaT_
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I think you make a good point Bob. It really depends on what your main purpose and uses will be. MY experience on ZTR's is that nothing comes close to doing what they do. If weekly mowing on relatively flat land with lots to do, a ZTR is tough to beat for agility and speed.
Bob_Skurka
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_Rat_ . . . the original post said that 80% of the use was for mowing but that a FEL would be essential for material moving.
That being the criteria, it seems like a mowing machine that is able to do some additional things might be in order. That is why I brought up the Steiners and Ventracs. They will go places that no other tractor will go so despite their small size they are amazingly capable. But they are also designed for cutting quality, and are used commercially on golf courses, parks, and at monuments like the St Louis Arch.
Cutting speed is much more than ground speed, it is also comprised, in very large measure, by the mowers abiltiy to go around landscaping quickly. I did a lot of testing and research before buying my Ventrac, and from what I can see, the larger units by Steiner & Ventrac are probably much better mowers than the BX series Kubotas, and they are pretty darn good tractors too.
That being the criteria, it seems like a mowing machine that is able to do some additional things might be in order. That is why I brought up the Steiners and Ventracs. They will go places that no other tractor will go so despite their small size they are amazingly capable. But they are also designed for cutting quality, and are used commercially on golf courses, parks, and at monuments like the St Louis Arch.
Cutting speed is much more than ground speed, it is also comprised, in very large measure, by the mowers abiltiy to go around landscaping quickly. I did a lot of testing and research before buying my Ventrac, and from what I can see, the larger units by Steiner & Ventrac are probably much better mowers than the BX series Kubotas, and they are pretty darn good tractors too.
That is something I really liked about the B7500 over the BX. I am tall and longer legged, so I like sitting up on the B7500 where my knees are level with my keister. On the BX, is seems like my knees are up toward my chest. That is something I am going to consider because I have a 3 year-old boy who smells the diesel fumes from the Bota (and from the truck, too), and goes nuts... he HAS TO RIDE. That is why a zero turn is out for me, as well as the Steiners with the seat styles they have (at least I've seen they do not readily accomodate a man and his co-pilot. In addition, I am concerned that the stock BX has a rigid ROPS, which may interfere with some of my trees, but then again, I cut all the limbs off that caught my B7500 ROPS, and that sits much higher.
As an option, is anyone using the 54" deck on the B7500 or 7400? It looks like that deck IS suspended like the BX Series, so maybe somebody has some input on using it. To go to 54" vs. 60" wouldn't be that big of a deal for me... I think... as long as it helps the lawn cut quality.
As an option, is anyone using the 54" deck on the B7500 or 7400? It looks like that deck IS suspended like the BX Series, so maybe somebody has some input on using it. To go to 54" vs. 60" wouldn't be that big of a deal for me... I think... as long as it helps the lawn cut quality.
Egon
Epic Contributor
I'm assuming MMM and just can't quite understand what the difference would be. If the lawn is not level a mower sure isn't goint to make it level.
Egon
Egon
