A B2630 or BX2660 for a mowing machine?

[Tom_H]

You've made good points. What is the cost of an "entry level" F series machine? They maybe out of my budget. I really think they are awesome machines and love the 4wd system. Plus the mower is first to contact the grass so no "mashing" or rutting of the grass before the mower gets there.

John Thomas is more qualified than I to answer this question. JT, can you take it from here?

 

[KU Gator]

Out of curiosity, I looked up on the Kubota website the retail on the F3080 with a 60" deck and it was $22363. The B2620 with a 60" deck and a FEL is under $20K and it shows a .1 MPH higher top speed. If you have a lot of obstacles, certainly the F3080 is likely to be faster. But I can mow my 3 acres including what trimming I do with a JD garden tractor and a 54" deck in less than 2 hours. It is less if I use the B2920, so I'm not sure there is huge amounts of time to be saved. I would suspect the F would give the better cut though. But on my yard, not to be confused with a lawn, I'm just not that picky about it.

 

[PapaPerk]

Out of curiosity, I looked up on the Kubota website the retail on the F3080 with a 60" deck and it was $22363. The B2620 with a 60" deck and a FEL is under $20K and it shows a .1 MPH higher top speed. If you have a lot of obstacles, certainly the F3080 is likely to be faster. But I can mow my 3 acres including what trimming I do with a JD garden tractor and a 54" deck in less than 2 hours. It is less if I use the B2920, so I'm not sure there is huge amounts of time to be saved. I would suspect the F would give the better cut though. But on my yard, not to be confused with a lawn, I'm just not that picky about it.

$22,000!!!! That's nuts! Too much money for a dedicated machine. I could buy a 3940 for that price... or a Toyota Camry. Forget that.

 

[wrooster]

I really like that aerator! Who makes it?

See details here:
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/199991-feldmann-turf-vent-aerator-stand.html

Nice stonework.

My little BX is the best wheelbarrow EVER! :laughing:

ps
The entire firepit saga is more or less documented here...
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-owning-operating/203027-taller-tires-bx-4.html#post2341639

Wrooster

 

[Tom_H]

Out of curiosity, I looked up on the Kubota website the retail on the F3080 with a 60" deck and it was $22363. The B2620 with a 60" deck and a FEL is under $20K and it shows a .1 MPH higher top speed. If you have a lot of obstacles, certainly the F3080 is likely to be faster. But I can mow my 3 acres including what trimming I do with a JD garden tractor and a 54" deck in less than 2 hours. It is less if I use the B2920, so I'm not sure there is huge amounts of time to be saved. I would suspect the F would give the better cut though. But on my yard, not to be confused with a lawn, I'm just not that picky about it.

The F3080 is not the entry level machine, which is what the PapaPerk inquired about. Also, the MSRP is not necessarily what you will pay to the dealer. You may run that garden tractor full out to get that kind of time, but I can only see that as possible if you are just giving a very light trim. In heavier grass, that garden tractor is going to lug down if you try running at top speed. As far as top speed listed on the B, one cannot mow at top speed with a B or BX if the grass is rather thick. My understanding of the F is that even when grass is fairly thick, you can still run at pretty high speed.

 

[wrooster]

In heavier grass, that garden tractor is going to lug down if you try running at top speed. As far as top speed listed on the B, one cannot mow at top speed with a B or BX if the grass is rather thick. My understanding of the F is that even when grass is fairly thick, you can still run at pretty high speed.

If he is mowing once a week, I can't imagine he'll have ANY issue mowing with a B or BX at top speed. You are talking about cutting on the order of 1" to 2.5" off of turfgrass -- even my BX1860 doesn't even notice that kind of trivial load while mowing in high range.

Now then you could argue about cut quality, generally a ZTR will be somewhat lighter than a tractor -- which in turn lessens compaction of the topsoil and creates less "knock down" of grass blades when cutting. Mowing slower, with higher blade tip speed, is going to give you a better cut, no doubt about that. If you desire then to hold the mowing time constant, that means you need a wider deck.

Wrooster

 

[KU Gator]

The F3080 was the entry 4wd, which for some reason I thought was of interest. The F2680 is the entry level 2wd with an MSRP of $18796 with 60 mower. Of course that is not necessarily what you would pay, nor would it be for a B2620 which I listed as a comparison. Living in KS, the grass in my yard is not that thick, so slowing down for that really isn't an issue. When I lived in FL, it was a bit different. My neighbor has a ZTR which he bought after I bought the Kubota. If we each start mowing at the same time, he will finish up a few minutes before me, but not much. But then I end up helping him when the snow gets too deep or he needs some other help like pulling a dead tree out the other day. In the end, to each their own. If I was running a mowing business, obviously the F or a ZTR is the only way to go. On a typical 3 acre lot without a bunch of obstacles to mow around, I just don't see a huge time savings.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

I've had a BX2200, a BX1500, a BX2350, a BX 2660 a L3240. a B7800, a B3200 and now have a F2680 which I've had for over 3 years and I have a F3080 which I'm using for my second mowing season. I also have a B2320 and a BX25. I considered a ZTR but I'm to used to steering wheels and not levers to steer.
The speed of the F and ZTR according to Kubota indicates the F will go faster than the Kubota ZTR. Those are parking lot speeds and I don't mow parking lots. I've mowed with the B's, the BX's and the L and two F's. The tractors can not match any where close to the mowing speed of the F. No where close. The tractors would be bouncing all over my yard if they were ran at anywhere near the speed of the F. I'm not trying to sell any thing, I'm just telling that experience does reveal more than statistics.
I normally don't mow fast on my F's but a storm was coming in one day a few weeks ago and I was flying on the F2680 getting the yard finished before the storm hit. Everyone watching commented about how fast I was moving and it was still in rabbit speed. A tractor would have turned over at the speeds I was going and I would have probably suffered permanent kidney damage on any of my tractors.
I mow about half as often as I should and I do mow high grass and the F never hesitates but the bigger HP tractors wouldn't either but if there are turns and the yard isn't perfectly smooth the F will cut the time close to 30% to 50%. Just my experience.
My F2680 has a 60" rear discharge deck and my F3080 has a 72" rear discharge deck.
All I can say is it ain't all on paper and the F is the finest (both F's) mowing machine made but it's a mowing machine, not a tractor. No FEL.
Prices are usually discounted a lot from the Kubota website.

 

[Tom_H]

If he is mowing once a week, I can't imagine he'll have ANY issue mowing with a B or BX at top speed. You are talking about cutting on the order of 1" to 2.5" off of turfgrass -- even my BX1860 doesn't even notice that kind of trivial load while mowing in high range.

If I am taking 2.5" off my lawn, I cannot go very fast, and I have sharp blades. The variety of grass and its density can make quite a difference. I have tall Fescue that is quite dense and the stems put up fair resistance. Later in the season, when just the skinny seed stalks go up, I can fly. Differing conditions affect performance.

 

[PapaPerk]

Well last night I operated a Kubota BX2200 and large pro grade JD zero turn.

I really like the little Kubota. The ergonomics are a bit off for me anyway. I feel like I have to reach for the steering wheel, etc. I was very impressed by the tractors power and ground speed. Mowing quality was pretty good but I did notice some tracking in the grass (tires mash grass down and it doesn't get cut evenly). Steering is awesome and very easy to use... minimal effort.

The zero turn really has high blade speed and obviously very easy to cut around tree, etc. However you can't help but feel it's a very overpriced push mower. :laughing: But man can it mow! And it is very comfortable to drive around... good ergo, etc. The sticks did require more throw than I'm used too however.

So I'm still on the fence. I like zero turns but cannot get past the fact they are dedicated machines for mowing. The Kubota tractor is a solid piece that will last for years and get's excellent fuel economy. Not to mention is extremely versatile and will hold it's value longer than a zero turn.

Anyone know if the newer belly mowers on the BX series have improved cut? Thanks!