Buying Advice Contemplating a 1870 vs a 2370

[meos1]

Looking for help on which and what. I have test driven the 2670...Nice machine, but more than I need. I have also tested the 1870. Again nice machine but I got the feeling it was going to be under powered. I am considering this purchase for mowing 2 acres of lawn, doing some landscaping/grading work, and overall use in the barn (clearing stalls, moving hay, etc.), and family sized gardening.

What are your thoughts on one versus the other?

 

[bp fick]

Just depends on your budget. All the BX's are so similar that it is kinda splitting hairs to discuss the different package Kubota markets to try and slot every possible buyer. I had the 18 hp BX and never ran out of power. I honestly think that's pretty much a no brainer unless you are talking running heavy duty PTO equipment out the back which requires more HP to operate efficiently. PTO hp is much less than engine or drawbar hp on these machines.

The sweet spot is probably the 23 hp model. That's what I have now. NO HUGE, earthshaking difference, but since I bought it with 24 hours on the meter, that's what was available. The ability to use wider mowing decks is the biggest advantage. The front end loader is also slightly larger on the 23 and 26 hp units than on the 18 hp model. Again, these are slight tweaks designed to justify marketing 3 BX models to consumers. Each one carries a different price. So, pick your poison. And enjoy. I love the Kubota BX.

If you have any specific questions, about specific tasks, I can probably relate and might be able to help.

 

[Rocky Hoffler]

If the physical size of tractor is the same then you can do a job with more h.p. even if its not needed but you can't do a job with less h.p. if it requires more if that makes sense this is a big purchase and not something you kick yourself when more h.p. is needed and the war dept. won't be saying you already have a tractor. so the question is do I spend more now and be happy or?

 

[knukey]

I think the 1870 will spit some black smoke pulling a 5' finish mower in TALL grass, but will pull it fine in regular grass. My 20hp (18hp PTO) does not belch smoke in tall grass.

 

[oldnslo]

I had a BX1850 and I found the FEL to be a little weak. It would lift a bucket of dirt but not a full bucket of wet heavy dirt. NOTE: I moved several dozen yards of dirt though at it got the job done. I have never operated the 23** or 26** models so I can't compare the loader capacity.

 

[Pepsiboy]

Looking for help on which and what. I have test driven the 2670...Nice machine, but more than I need. I have also tested the 1870. Again nice machine but I got the feeling it was going to be under powered. I am considering this purchase for mowing 2 acres of lawn, doing some landscaping/grading work, and overall use in the barn (clearing stalls, moving hay, etc.), and family sized gardening.

What are your thoughts on one versus the other?

I have a 2008 BX2350 with FEL, MMM, Rear tiller. Along with my 2 1/2 acres, I take care of another 2 3/4 acres of my 3 part time neighbors. I just mow for them, but it still is quite a bit to do. I only wish I would have gotten the BX2660 instead, just to have the higher lifting capacity on the FEL. Other than that, I have NO complaints with it at all. It takes EVERYTHING I throw at it and asks for more. Sorry, don't have any pics, but I don't think you would be unhappy with the BX2670. In fact, having a little extra hp would tend to make it work a little less and be just a bit easier on fuel.:2cents:

Dave

 

[bp fick]

The current Kubota website info is a bit hard to discover the data, but it used to be that the 18xx horse model had slightly smaller wheels and tires, a smaller mowing deck availability and a slightly lighter lift on the FEL. 203 kilograms versus 243 kilograms on the 23 and 26 horse models. Thus, the 26xx has more PTO hp, but no different FEL and no more lifting power on that loader than the 23xx hp model. All three models have the same hydraulic pump and the same 3 pt lift ratings.

That's still likely the current reality.

 

[jeff9366]

What are your thoughts on (BX1870) versus the (BX2670)?

There are three BX models. Go with the middle model, the BX2370.

You do not have to consider yourself an outlier with either too little nor too much.

 

[meos1]

Thanks everyone for the input. Im beginning to think the middle of the road is the right place based on HP and price. I went to the Kubota site and built my own 2370-1 with the following:

View Standard Features


1 FRONT - 18x8.50-10 R4 OTR Trac Master
REAR - 26x12.00-12 R1Maxxis Power Luginc.

1 BALLAST BOX$245.00

1 FOUR POSITION CONTROL VALVE$656.00

1 FRONT LOADER PACKAGE$2,376.00

1 54" SIDE DISCHARGE 3-BLADE FINISHING MOWER$1,824.00

1 BOOT KIT FOR 54" 3-BLADE MOWER$165.00

1 3-BAG GRASS CATCHER 9.5 BU. CAPACITY$1,968.00

Total without SC state tax is $18,996 MSRP. With the zero-zero-60 deal that is along the lines of $320 bucks a month with no money down. So, not horrendous but certainly more than my last sports car, which by the way sucks at mowing and cant do any front end loading.

I have had the upper and lower end units here on demo, so I think I know where I want to be. Are these typical prices at the dealer or is MSRP really suggested? I think I saw someone say 14% off MSRP was typical. Keep em coming. I think I am gonna hang around here a while.

 

[jeff9366]

14% off MSRP is not typical. However, it can happen when a machine has been in inventory a long while (low demand), implements are bought with the tractor, when it is a cash deal and when there is snow on the ground.

Real world discounts are more in the very general area of 8%, especially with Kubota financing, which the dealer partially funds. (Your on-site demo of two machines is another portion of your discount.)

Max discounts when there is snow on the ground. Minimal discounts in the Spring and during harvest.

Consider KTAC (Kubota Tractor Acceptance Corporation) insurance. If you finance through Kubota, I believe the KTAC insurance remains mandatory (~$400/year~).

In Florida, ag and forestry equipment are sales tax exempt. Check the sales tax exemption rules in S.C.

 

[Rocky Hoffler]

I noticed in your build list you have a ballast box I guess for rear weight why not spend money for say a box blade that will give you weight but also can be used. just thinking but spend your money as you want.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Thanks everyone for the input. Im beginning to think the middle of the road is the right place based on HP and price. I went to the Kubota site and built my own 2370-1 with the following:

View Standard Features


1 FRONT - 18x8.50-10 R4 OTR Trac Master
REAR - 26x12.00-12 R1Maxxis Power Luginc.

1 BALLAST BOX$245.00 I'D BUY A BOXBLADE BEFORE BUYING THIS:2cents:

1 FOUR POSITION CONTROL VALVE$656.00

1 FRONT LOADER PACKAGE$2,376.00

1 54" SIDE DISCHARGE 3-BLADE FINISHING MOWER$1,824.00

1 BOOT KIT FOR 54" 3-BLADE MOWER$165.00

1 3-BAG GRASS CATCHER 9.5 BU. CAPACITY$1,968.00 :2cents: I'D NEVER BUY THIS BUT I HAVE A YARD AND NOT A LAWN AND I NEVER FERTILIZE MY "YARD" WHICH IS DONE WITH THE DECAYING GRASS CLIPPINGS

Total without SC state tax is $18,996 MSRP. With the zero-zero-60 deal that is along the lines of $320 bucks a month with no money down. So, not horrendous but certainly more than my last sports car, which by the way sucks at mowing and cant do any front end loading.

I have had the upper and lower end units here on demo, so I think I know where I want to be. Are these typical prices at the dealer or is MSRP really suggested? I think I saw someone say 14% off MSRP was typical. AROUND 10% off is more typical in my experience
Keep em coming. I think I am gonna hang around here a while.

I noticed in your build list you have a ballast box I guess for rear weight why not spend money for say a box blade that will give you weight but also can be used. just thinking but spend your money as you want.

Kubota owns almost all of the new tractors on a Franchise dealers lot and Kubota Credit Corp is the financing agent for all of the financing. When a possible sale is made the dealer contacts Kubota Corp about current cost to them (Dealer) for a specific machine (on their lot or at the warehouse serving that region) and the dealer then decides on a price to the customer which includes his profit. If a customer wants longer term financing than the 60 months some dealers may prepay the interest for that extra 12 months of financing which used to be common on cars and houses but the dealer doesn't pay part of the advertised 0% financing. Kubota also offers some cash incentives and also other incentives to a dealer which may or may not be passed to the customer, dealers option. I buy from Barlows because he has passed additional discounts along to me that were distributed to dealers between our deal making and final paper signing. Have had a couple of pleasant deductions in price because of this.
I've seen very little seasonal changes in pricing but some times some additional discounts from Kubota to dealer come out when a model number may be changing. Bottom line is determine exactly what you want and give those exact specifics to 3 or 4 dealers and ask for bottom line price to the lot if your picking it up or delivered to your door if you require delivery.
As BP Fick says, very little difference between machines. I've owned a few BX23xx and one BX26xx. The 26HP sounds louder and more powerful but probably mostly muffler tuning and much more HP than weight of the machine can handle. Also mental thinking of "I'm driving the Big Dog now" feeling that was probably more mental than anything else.:2cents: The 23 is a sweet middle machine but the 18, I believe , would do the job. Don't save $5 a month and be disappointed (mentally) for many years if your the type to regret or question whether you bought the right machine. To thine own self be true.

 

[bp fick]

Agree on the "weight box". I've always got something or another on the back, if I packed the FEL with super heavy stuff. I wouldn't waste money on anything for doing counter weight specifically. I also agree that 10% discount and the supplies for your 50 hours service would be a great deal. Since my tractor is for farm use, there is no sales tax here, but each state is different that way.

 

[bp fick]

Getting back to why you want the tractor in the first place? Handier than a pocket on a shirt.

 

[bp fick]

Just good to keep your focus on all those things you actually need to do and wish to do.

 

[bp fick]

Some of these photos show the BX18xx
Some the B2320 (same engine as BX26xx)
Some show the BX23xx

All these Kubotas worked for me and worked well. They all get the job done, and doing the job? That's what fun about owning a Kubota.

 

[meos1]

I spent the day putting the 1870 through the paces. I already cut the grass. It does a fine job of that. My yard is unimproved. Meaning, there are some spots that simply red clay and rock. So I want to use this to distribute some soil and of course till out a garden.

As for the weight box, you are right. I will get a box blade instead. I tried to use the FEL to scoop out a tree stump. I felt like the 1870 did not have enough weight to get traction. I think the 2370 will be right since it has 5 more horses. All in all, I have tractor fever and cant wait to put it in my barn, or clear out the horse stall, or till out the garden, or simply ride the thing around. I let the wife drive it this afternoon and she likes it as well. I think we are a go. The deal is closed on Saturday but will call me next Saturday to help me put in my order. Im feeling pretty good about this. Thanks everyone. I will post pictures when I take delivery.

 

[meos1]

That stall clean out looks familiar except its done with a wheelbarrow today. My back is going to very happy with me soon.

 

[bp fick]

I don't believe I've ever had much success using the front end loader as a backhoe, of sorts. It just isn't designed to be much of a digger of stumps, in my experience. Frankly, it is barely a good enough "digger" to bury a large animal, etc. Marginal. I reckon they call it a "loader" for a reason.

 

[dragoneggs]

I never opt for the smallest engine in anything. I don't ever want to feel underpowered just to save a few dollars. I went with the BX25D because I have a lot of digging to do. Whether you need a back hoe or not, I would definitely put on a Piranha Tooth Bar. The loader cannot dig much at all without one, but with one and some weight on the back it can do much more.

I think you are going to want some kind of blade for the back, I would love to have a box blade but I am getting by with a simple blade.

The BX will likely become your best friend! If you have any sloping land, be careful... stay low and slow. They can tip easily. There is a lot of info here on TBN about modding your BX, skid plates, wheel spacers, hooks, lights... have fun.