BX Sold, Time For B2320

bp fick · Oct 2, 2010

JOHNTHOMAS said:
As some of you know, I have been up the scale on size of Kubotas owned and back down the scale. The bigger is better theory doesn't hold water with me and that's from experience for my needs at the time. I've owned a BX1500 up to a L3240HST and many in between. At this point I as BP Fick would buy the smallest B made if I were going to buy one. I'll probably see one (B2320) Monday when I go look at and price a Kubota RTV900 at Barlows.
I started the day considering 4 wheelers and then moved to a Polaris Ranger 400 4X4 and now seem to be locked on a Kubota RTV900 as what will most closely meet my needs, desires and finances or what I'm willing to pay. Would I rather have an RTV1100, yes, but it won't do any more for my needs than an RTV900 and I won't pay the difference unless Steve Barlow goes crazy on price Monday.

Sure as the world, if you get that RTV900, someone will say, "I got the 1100" and proceed to proffer the standard reasons why. "It was 'only' so many dollars more." "It has that extra power that I need." and so on.

What gets lost is that they needed/wanted the 1100. What they wanted/needed has no relation to what I want/need or you want/need than the man on the moon.

bp fick · Oct 2, 2010

OrangeRidge said:
There's just enough difference and price between models to make most people move up a notch or two . It's all about getting more money out of you . I went for a 23 over the 18 because for not much more cash there's more power and tyre , but in the B range my head would spin with upgradeitis :confused2:.
If it's a tool rather than a toy , then you can stay more focused.

Well said.:thumbsup:

OrangeRidge · Oct 2, 2010

Would you post some photos of
what you grow ?

bp fick · Oct 2, 2010

OrangeRidge said:
Would you post some photos of
what you grow ?

Early this year, I put together a silly little video of some of my stuff. FWIW
http://www.youtube.com/watch_videos...hlFK1IJY&type=14&feature=mfu_in_order&index=3

OrangeRidge · Oct 2, 2010

Looks alot like Australia ! I checked your rainfall , and it's not
alot in the summer . What do you do about irrigation ?

Neil

easygo · Oct 2, 2010

Nice looking garden and quite a good choice of music too.

ps: as far as tractor. Go with what you want not what I or any other member here. :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup: I like the thinking of not giving in to the HP mania.:drink:

bp fick · Oct 2, 2010

OrangeRidge said:
Looks alot like Australia ! I checked your rainfall , and it's not
alot in the summer . What do you do about irrigation ?

Neil

Neil, soil is sand with no base. Vertical drainage. No retention. No ponding, no puddles. Irrigation is usually required during periods of no rain, sometimes lasting a month.

I have a deep well, but intend to wash in a shallow well next year. Had everything assembled, but did not have time this summer.

I use elevated "rain bird" pulsating sprinklers. They are portable. Fed by hoses. I typically irrigate at dusk or very early morning, before 9 am.

Verticaltrx · Oct 2, 2010

OrangeRidge said:
There's just enough difference and price between models to make
most people move up a notch or two . It's all about getting more
money out of you . I went for a 23 over the 18 because for not
much more cash there's more power and tyre , but in the B range
my head would spin with upgradeitis :confused2:. If it's a tool rather
than a toy , then you can stay more focused .

I also agree. I use my B-series for my small construction business, as well as around my farm. I knew exactly the tasks I needed it to do and what implements I would be using on it so it made my decision easy. Would an L2800 or L3400 have done all the same tasks, yes, but it would have cost more and only had limited benefits. Since it was for my business I bought based on need vs. want.

JDGreenGrass · Oct 2, 2010

Congrats on the new tractor. Nice machine.!! Best wishes with that....

I just looked at the specs and would like your thoughts on a couple questions....

The tractor is 29hp which is great.!!..But, only 21ptohp.?? This sounds a bit on the light side for a 29hp tractor. No,?? Will you use the pto>?? and if so, what attachments.??

The one other down side I noticed was the weight of the tractor...1550lbs. That sounds quite light. Will you add weights and if so, how and what.??

So many trade offs with these rigs.

TripleR · Oct 3, 2010

As is so often mentioned on here, "sometimes bigger isn't better, sometimes bigger is just bigger." On my last three tractor purchases, on one I went bigger, one smaller and one the same. I am happy with all three.

bp fick · Oct 3, 2010

JDGreenGrass said:
Congrats on the new tractor. Nice machine.!! Best wishes with that....

I just looked at the specs and would like your thoughts on a couple questions....

The tractor is 29hp which is great.!!..But, only 21ptohp.?? This sounds a bit on the light side for a 29hp tractor. No,?? Will you use the pto>?? and if so, what attachments.??

The one other down side I noticed was the weight of the tractor...1550lbs. That sounds quite light. Will you add weights and if so, how and what.??
So many trade offs with these rigs.

JDGreenGrass - Hey there. First, I posted a photo of the B2920, but that was just a tractor, in stock, at the dealer. I will answer your questions, however, about the tractor that I am getting, the B2320, essentially the same tractor.

Remember, I am moving from a BX1860 with 13 pto hp. (think something inbetween a X700 and 2305 in Deere) The B2320 has 17 pto hp. in the hydro model. I mow my yard with a 48" RFM. It operated smoothly with the little BX, so it will be a breeze for the 2320.

Since my tasks are plowing snow, working my gardens, mowing grass and general utility, there will be no need for adding extra weight. The kilogram rating of the BX1860's FEL was 203. The rating for the B2320 is 304, or a 50% larger capacity. Since I never taxed my BX loader, the loader on the 2320 will be overkill.

bp fick · Oct 3, 2010

JDGreenGrass's questions do lead me to review the selection process of the B2320. I did look at Deere's similar offering and liked it. I admit that the other offerings, in this size, from other colors, a.) didn't entice me and b.) the dealer networks up here is extremely spotty beyond Blue, Orange and Green.

In moving from the BX1860.

The little BX ran the 48" RFM just fine. Pulled the middle buster in the garden just fine, (although it was disconcerting to be bottoming out the tractor all the time), had a plenty strong enough FEL for what I do, and did just fine in clearing snow and other tasks.

What the BX could not do was operate the field cultivator worth a darn. It just didn't have the clearance. It dug the potatoes, but barely. These were ground clearance issues that could not be over come.

The B2320 almost doubles the ground clearance of the BX, in the real world. In fact, Kubota's ground clearance is a class leader against the competition.

The FEL has 1/2 again the capacity of the BX1860, so that will be a major increase, although it wasn't a factor for my needs. The weight gain, for compaction of garden soil will be minimal. The 2320 is only 200lbs heavier than my little 1860. The overall length is virtually identical, which is a good thing for my needs. Width is also virtually identical.

The fuel use will likely increase, but only marginally. It don't expect it to be an issue. The D1005 engine will be 1/3 increase in displacement and horsepower, but again, I didn't require it. Never ran out of power with D722 in the BX. The higher center of gravity will make the B2320 seem slightly less stable than the BX1860, but our land is flat, so that isn't an issue.

That's the wrap up. I would simply say that the B2320 is virtually identical, in weight, width, length and shares the same engine as the BX2660. Think of the B as merely a much taller version of the BX2660, with 3 ranges and no little cooling fan and you get the idea.

ChuckinNH · Oct 3, 2010

BP, I think that you are going to be really happy going with the B2320. The points you made are well thought out, and clear, but I think you will also find other benefits that are more subtle, but make every day operation more enjoyable. I also had a BX, and consider the upgrade to my current B much more signifigant than most folks would guess by just reading specs. One thing is that you will have to look at the second set of holes in your lower 3pt arms to get that middlebuster as deep as you want it. Mine works great for digging potatoes, and tilling once I did that.

bp fick · Oct 3, 2010

ChuckinNH said:
BP, I think that you are going to be really happy going with the B2320. The points you made are well thought out, and clear, but I think you will also find other benefits that are more subtle, but make every day operation more enjoyable. I also had a BX, and consider the upgrade to my current B much more signifigant than most folks would guess by just reading specs. One thing is that you will have to look at the second set of holes in your lower 3pt arms to get that middlebuster as deep as you want it. Mine works great for digging potatoes, and tilling once I did that.

Thanks Chuck, yes, I am sure their are many things. I look forward to discovering them in real life situations, not merely as spec sheets, as you say.

OrangeRidge · Oct 4, 2010

bp fick said:
The B2320 almost doubles the ground clearance of the BX, in the real world.

Isn't it a third more ?

........ but I know what you
mean about using the BX as a tractor ; really is more a mower
with FEL and hitch ability .........
I'm going to drill holes in the arms to get a reduced drop for
a carry-all . My lowest hitch height is about 9 1/2" . Would
like 6"ish really.
You'll notice less wallowing-around in the ruts . I'm on 10lb
in the backs to try and get some suspension-effect
happening on my bumpy lawn sections . It's not a comfortable
ride TBH.

bp fick · Oct 4, 2010

OrangeRidge said:
Isn't it a third more ? ........ but I know what you
mean about using the BX as a tractor ; really is more a mower
with FEL and hitch ability .........
I'm going to drill holes in the arms to get a reduced drop for
a carry-all . My lowest hitch height is about 9 1/2" . Would
like 6"ish really.
You'll notice less wallowing-around in the ruts . I'm on 10lb
in the backs to try and get some suspension-effect
happening on my bumpy lawn sections . It's not a comfortable
ride TBH.

On specs alone, the ground clearance goes from 7" to 12". I figured my comment might be construed as somewhat imprecise, as the rear wheel on the BX is a 12" while the rear wheel on the B is 16". But, in real use, there are other design features that just give the B much more practical, useable clearance.

I will, however, disagree somewhat with the implication the BX is not really a tractor, it is. But the design centers on being a mower first. That much seems true. No tractor has a suspension type ride. That has to come from the seat alone, and I found the BX seat to be pretty good.

JOHNTHOMAS · Oct 4, 2010

I found out several years ago after buying a BX2200 to be my life time mower that the BX's are tractors with some clearance issues but they are tractors and specifically sub compact utility tractors (SCUT). L and M owners could say the same thing about B's but they are also tractors or compact utility tractors (CUT). I've had several BX's, B's and an L and a couple of F's. The F is a Kubota mower that will do other things but it's primary function is fantastic mowing. My current BX doesn't have a mowing deck, just a FEL and BH sooooo BX's are tractors (SCUT) that are also fair mowers. Some of us have had BX's for awhile and maybe forgot our old Craftsman riding mowers but put them side by side and anyone will see they are not alike in any way other that basic shape and one of them mows only.

bp fick · Oct 4, 2010

Yes, my BX was indeed my tractor. It pushed snow efficiently and powerfully. Great in tight quarters!!! It pulled my utility trailer loaded with a ton of gravel. All that was pretty good.

But when I plowed with my middle buster, one set of wheels are in the bottom of the previous furrow. Ooops! Or when I dug my potato crop, you have to straddle hilled rows. (see photo) It was in these applications that I was constantly bottoming out the BX. Here is where the ground clearance limitations were magnified and proved insurmountable. Forget cultivating taller plants.

Oh sure, all the bigger lines of tractors have even more clearance, but such machines would be highly inefficient in tight quarters and far too heavy, of course. The B simply hits the sweet spot, for my use. Insignificantly heavier, and no longer, and no wider while providing much greater ground clearance. All plusses. The Bxx20 series is indeed, still a very small tractor.

It's the Goldi-Locks phenomenon.