Comparison Bx or B? That is the question...

[skspurling]

The B and BX 3PH's are both Cat 1 just to clear that up. Good luck with your decision.

Yes, but this is where ground clearance makes the difference. Just because they are both cat 1 doesn't mean you can use all the same implements. The problem comes in how high you can lift the attachment to disengage from the ground. Post hole digger is one example. My Dad's 4010 John Deere has a cat 1 hitch on it, and I am not even going to pretend my little B2620 is in the same class as that. I believe a cat1 is spec for anything up to 100HP? or is it something lke 85hp? I forget, but it is up there.

 

[ChuckinNH]

The difference is obvious, isn't it? The consternation escapes me, personally. They share much, much more than they differ. Having had both, it is right there in front of one's eyes.

The B has virtually TWICE the real world ground clearance. It has stronger hydraulics, a 3 speed trans, and a much better dash board and no HST fan to worry about. That's it.

The BX has a low center of gravity (thus half the ground clearance). That is either a negative or a positive. It's different. Not better, not worse, in and of itself, just IS.

It is all about your needs, flat out simple. The B2320 (rated at a lower RPM has the same D1005 engine as the BX2660 (rated at a higher RPM). Same - same. And, the price difference is tiny, around $500, that's it. So money shouldn't be the HUGE deciding factor.

Would I personally ever go back to a BX, after having a B2320? Sure. Absolutely, if my needs changed. But..... Kubota would have to follow Deere's new 1000 series and make some improvements and updates. If so? Sure, I'd go "back" to a BX. But not right now....

I have to say that you are one of the most straight forward guys around BP, and I enjoy your posts very much. I agree wholly with your assessment of the B/BX. They are both good tractors for different reasons. I've had both, and enjoyed both a great deal. Right now I am strongly considering going back to the BX size because my situation has changed, and I am unable to complete some of the tasks I had lined up for the B. If I do, I will miss some of the good things about the B for sure, just like I missed my small backhoe when I sold my BX, but I think the B is just a bit too large for mowing on a regular basis. Yesterday I was tilling some gardens, and had the loader off to give me more clearance in some tight spots......... and I may change my mind about that since it handled more like a go cart than I remembered from the last time I had it off.

I see that JD has done away with that foolish transmission cooling fan on their new 1 series, and perhaps Kubota will too on their next version.

 

[Adryan]

Hi,

does the cruise control work in the same way on the BX and the B series?

 

[OrangeRidge]

...a much better dash board and no HST fan to worry about....

I want that rpm dial and tran oil cooler ! :cool2:

 

[OrangeRidge]

The B and BX 3PH's are both Cat 1 just to clear that up. Good luck with your decision.

I think you'll find our BX's are "limited Cat1" . The dimensions
are noticeably less than a Cat1 . Annoyingly , it doesn't lower
as much because there's less overall movement possible and
previous model owners complained that the lift wasn't enough.....
so now the drop is compromised. Scaled down rear pto imps
are not readily available outside the US , and this renders
the BX's disadvantaged over B##20 .

 

[bp fick]

I think you'll find our BX's are "limited Cat1" . The dimensions
are noticeably less than a Cat1 . Annoyingly , it doesn't lower
as much because there's less overall movement possible and
previous model owners complained that the lift wasn't enough.....
so now the drop is compromised. Scaled down rear pto imps
are not readily available outside the US , and this renders
the BX's disadvantaged over B##20 .

Even if one agrees to disagree over whether the BX has a Cat 1, because it seems the definitions for what is/isn't Cat 1 is foggy with fuzzy edges anyhow, the truth remains that the diminutive size of the BX makes for some limitations. BX owners aren't limited to Limited Cat 1 officially, but each and every implement is a bit tricky.

The XB styled implements? One doesn't usually have to worry about those, but other Cat 1? Gotta take them one at a time and see if they'll work OK. Sometimes yes, sometimes not so well.

 

[bp fick]

I had a BX22 TLB with MMM and rear bagger, it was a fantastic machine for maintaining a 3 acre property. Mowing was a pleasure and almost fun. My sister and meat head X husband bought a B7500 with a front loader MMM and a bagger at the same time. The B did have a bit more ground clearance and maybe a bit stronger loader but for mowing it was no where near as good. The wider tires will lay the grass down as you mow. Now if I was going to stomp through the woods all day than the B would be a better choice. But for a yard machine it is tough to beat the BX

Just for accuracy sake, and I don't know about the turfs, but the R4 on my BX and the R4 on my B are the same 12" rear and 8" front width. Don't think your concern comes into play. B just has a much larger diameter providing the increased ground clearance. Folks who mow sure do like the BX, though.

 

[donn12]

If you cant decide get the B. When I bought my BX24 the B was just coming out and I had it way back in my mind. About a year and a half later I upgraded and I did okay but I still threw some money away. I would use a ZTR to mow and get the B if at all possible. To me that is the ultimate combination.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

If you cant decide get the B. When I bought my BX24 the B was just coming out and I had it way back in my mind. About a year and a half later I upgraded and I did okay but I still threw some money away. I would use a ZTR to mow and get the B if at all possible. To me that is the ultimate combination.

To me, the ultimate combination is a F for mowing and a BX25 and a B2320 for all the other stuff. Maybe add an L3540HST to top it off if one has flat land, which I don't.

 

[dodge man]

I have a BX 2350 and it is my primary mower, plus I use the FEL and a rear blade for snow removal, and I use it to haul wood, move dirt and gravel etc. My opinion would be the BX would be the best machine for you. If you plan on doing a lot of loader work and need the ground clearance, the B would be better. I've sat on B's since I've got my BX, and they look like very nice. I'm sure I would be happy with one. Don't worry about the 3 point hitch on the BX unless your are planning a lot of heavy work, they make a lot of implements for that sized tractor. This is really a win-win decision, you can't go wrong either way.

 

[cfdwarrior]

There have been some very good posts on here, the links and comparisons and honest opinions have been invaluable, very helpful and very informative. I think my "man voice" was doing a lot of talking and the slightly larger higher sitting tractor seemed to be the best choice. After reading some of the posts, it seems the BX is starting to retake the lead in my choice. Reason being, the tractor will be my primary and only mower. Snow removal will be my secondary use, and light landscaping will be my third use. I have very little wooded area use and terrain is mostly level. The one comment that has stuck in my mind is "the money you could save with the BX will buy you another implement".
The minor concerns I have read in the posts are 1) The whiney HST of the BX compared to the B 2) The cooling fan of the BX compared to the B
I am not sure if these concerns are real "issues" that make the BX mechanically inferior or they are jusy merely "differences"?

 

[lstinthot]

I heard you can not buy 3 pt hitch parts for the BX from any tractor supply store, so if you bend it or do something to hurt it on Sunday, your day is done till you can get to a Kubota dealer.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

There have been some very good posts on here, the links and comparisons and honest opinions have been invaluable, very helpful and very informative. I think my "man voice" was doing a lot of talking and the slightly larger higher sitting tractor seemed to be the best choice. After reading some of the posts, it seems the BX is starting to retake the lead in my choice. Reason being, the tractor will be my primary and only mower. Snow removal will be my secondary use, and light landscaping will be my third use. I have very little wooded area use and terrain is mostly level. The one comment that has stuck in my mind is "the money you could save with the BX will buy you another implement".
The minor concerns I have read in the posts are 1) The whiney HST of the BX compared to the B 2) The cooling fan of the BX compared to the B
I am not sure if these concerns are real "issues" that make the BX mechanically inferior or they are jusy merely "differences"?

I've bought at least 5 as I can remember BXs and at least 2 Bs that I can remember. I've never broken a fan, that I know of and the whine has never been a concern it just does it on the BXs, it's just a part of it that comes with it.
I had a B7800 and the FEL brace arm ran right across the fuel filler lid. There are even some that are concerned that the hydro pedal is one piece or two piece and some with the brake being on the right or wrong side. Everyone has some type of "issue" that maybe could have been done differently but almost every car/truck I've bought has also had something that I'd want done differently.
Do't gag on a gnat here and swallow an elephant.

I heard you can not buy 3 pt hitch parts for the BX from any tractor supply store, so if you bend it or do something to hurt it on Sunday, your day is done till you can get to a Kubota dealer.

I'm going to save this one. Of all the posts I've read with reasons not to buy a BX, this is a first.:thumbsup::laughing::confused2:
Go to Church and rest on Sundays and this won't be an issue or get tight with a non Church attending and non resting on Sunday Dealer that will come in on Sunday for that broken part on a BX 3ph. I actually doubt most dealers have parts for the BX 3ph in stock on the other days for that immediate repair and I've not heard about many breaking parts on the BX 3ph anyway.
I guess the breaking on a Sunday part on a BX 3ph and for those that even have a generic tractor supply open on Sunday store will have to consider this as one of the reasons to not buy a BX.:confused2:

 

[Machold]

I faced the same choice before I got the B3030 (already had the B7400). I solved the problem of choosing simply by comparing ground clearance heights.

 

[bp fick]

Tractor Supply has few, if any, parts for any modern 3 pt hitch, on any tractor, in stock. 95% of the modern tractor is dealer only parts.

Pins, tops links, what-nots that's about it. TSC is a fine enough general store, catering to rural life, but actually being a tractor supply store? Not so much.

 

[keyman1808]

I use my Bx as my primary mower and it does a great job. It also is used for clearing snow from a 200' driveway with parking area. I have used the loader for this as well as my BX2750D front blower. Both work but blower is far faster and better. Well worth the money. Its also used for landscaping, moving mulch, stone, and anything else that I can fit in the bucket (or on it). Its just an all around great machine. I have not found the need for a bigger machine yet and my uses are almost the same as the OP. As far as the 3PT goes. I have yet to use it. Still in the box. The onky two item on the back of my BX so far is a GCK60-23BX bagger and the BH (BX24). So the 3PT may not be an issue for him

 

[taborekle]

Since the OP lives in Ohio, if I were him, I'd take the ground clearance of the B. You may need that extra clearance when the snow is heavy and deep.

Larry

 

[fredhargis]

There have been some very good posts on here, the links and comparisons and honest opinions have been invaluable, very helpful and very informative. I think my "man voice" was doing a lot of talking and the slightly larger higher sitting tractor seemed to be the best choice. After reading some of the posts, it seems the BX is starting to retake the lead in my choice. (snip)...

I'm glad you posted back with this, because as I read the diversity of responses to this post (and almost all others) I always wonder how it shaped the thinking of the OP. The info here is wonderful and you can't get enough of it, although it is sometimes contradictory.

 

[radioman]

Since the OP lives in Ohio, if I were him, I'd take the ground clearance of the B. You may need that extra clearance when the snow is heavy and deep.

Larry

You really don't need the ground clearance when clearing the snow unless you ram into the bank too far or on a hill and slide towards the bank and be high centered. All the ground clearance in the world wont help when stuck. granted it might be easier with a higher tractor(less work manual digging in/around tractor to get out but I cant tell the difference with a higher tractor stuck from lower one since I'm the one digging).

 

[tonio]

Didn't know my BX1800 had a whine until reading this post. Easily forgotten with the smooth running diesel. I pull a single-point bottom plow with ag tires - the 3-pt plow is rated for upto 40HP - so get ags if you need extra umph and grip - especially in the snow or dirt. Doesn't hurt the lawn either if you let it dry for a day.