considering BX25D vs B2601 w/BH or...

russellm · May 5, 2015

hi All,

getting within a few months of making my tractor purchase.

I am struggling a bit with my decision and here is why:

1. I have hilly property and I want to be able to use the tractor on hilly part someday.
I know the BX25D has a lower center of gravity and with spacers can make it even better

2. I want to hook up a wood chipper and very much prefer getting one that is run by the tractors PTO.
The B2601 has ~2HP more on the PTO over the BX25D
The tractor is 4.4" higher off the ground, 4.5" wider, and 45 pounds heavier (according to specs). Wheelbase is slightly longer too
When "building" the B2601 on Kubota's website, the wheel spacers get grayed out as an option when selecting the BH.
It may be possible to purchase some that work, I have not really looked into it.

Some things that are important but not higher priority then the above:
1. Features and lifting capacity. I understand most of the benefits of the B2601 over the BX25D in lift, position control, etc..
2. Price - while saving several thousand by going with the BX25D would be great, I want to ultimately be happy with the choice I make so its not a top priority

Should I -
1. Just go with the BX25D and resign myself to using a smaller chipper (maybe limit it to 2" branches) or knowing the larger chipper just wont function as well with the smaller PTO horse power. I have lots and lots of trees that have been felled and lots and lots of 2-4" branches that I would ultimately like to turn into chips.
2. Go with the B2601 and resign myself to never put it on the hill. I also understand the amount of work I can do on the hilly part with the BX25D will have limitations
3. consider another tractor that has a better center of gravity? Based on all my readings on this forum it appears the math on anything bigger than a BX25D (I.E. ground clearance, tire width, wheelbase, weight) does not make any of them less tippy

In case it matters, I am dealing with 4 acres of wooded property, 2 Acres roughly flat, 1 Acre on a slop, and the last Acre very steep and only accessible by foot

Best Regards
Russell

millsan1 · May 5, 2015

I had the same choice to make and have similar property, except it is all slope.

I went with the BX and am very happy. I am pretty sure it is part mountain goat.

I put broteck 3" spacers on and they made a world of difference.

JOHNTHOMAS · May 6, 2015

I've had two BX25s and a BX2620, B7800, B3200, B2320. The BX25 is also scary on hills with the BH on. The B will do a lot more lifting/digging/pulling. The only one I ever turned over was my BX25 which has me a bit more careful than I was before.
The new BX25D1 has a factory defect problem. It doesn't stop when the pedal is let off, it keeps rolling which is a major problem for those of us use to the HST tractor stopping without having to mash the brake pedal. Will never buy another one unless the problem is fixed. Bold statement for me to make.
I had a L3240HST and got rid of it pretty quick because of sitting so high off the ground on hill sides, to scary for me.
Bottom line is you have to be careful with any of them and always go up and down and not across. If you can't do that then you may not need a tractor. Removing the BH on all of them is an option and should be done when not using and in a hilly area. The BH can be swung around to the uphill side and extended to give some stability.
The Bs have 3 speeds and BX two. Bs a bit heavier. BX has the easily damaged fan and some have even damaged them with the extra protection plates. BX turns in a bit smaller space. Woods work needs bigger, heavier and stronger tractor.
Try them both before making a decision.

russellm · May 6, 2015

thanks.

Yes, I have read enough threads now to know I need to go up and down the hill and not sideways...

Is it just the BX25D-1 that does not stop when foot removed from pedal or does the BX25D (without the -1) also exhibit this behavior?

millsan1 · May 6, 2015

My BX25D stops pretty quickly when I take my foot off the pedal. If I lift my foot quickly, it feels like the brakes are applied.

628pm · May 6, 2015

I have a b2620 with backhoe that I am trading for a bx2670-1. Sold property I used the backhoe on. If I had it to do again I would of found a used backhoe, did the work I needed then sold it. Will be using the bx for more lawn work and around the property. I was lucky my neighbor had a regular backhoe that we used when needed to do "heavy backhoe" work. Yes you can use the small backhoe to do jobs, but in my experience they are very limited if you are wanting to remove stumps or other large projects. I know some people will say they work great for what they need, I have no doubt they were satisfied, but in my usage I could of used a larger backhoe to do my work.

russellm · May 6, 2015

Thanks Millsan

628pm - yes, I will be needing to remove trees/stumps (will restrict this to the flat portion of the land) so power of the backhow is certainly a consideration

LarJea · May 6, 2015

I had to make the same decision between the BX25D and the B2601 and I didn't know what I was going to buy until I got there. I looked at the BX25D first then asked if they had the new B2601, they said two are on the way but they had a B2301 in, so I compared the two and couldn't see a whole lot of difference in size. Since I don't need a backhoe just yet, (I have a 12 ton excavator) I went with the B2601 (which came in while I was doing the paperwork) and will buy a backhoe for it later when I get my road building done and sell the excavator. I also live on heavily wooded 10 acres, with about 8 acres of it on a hillside and the rest on a slope, but I am sure the B2601 will work out, just got to be careful. I originally carved out a lot of my property with an old Case 580B backhoe, so I should be ok with the B2601. I have already mowed the roads I have built on the hill but went ahead and ordered 2 1/2 inch rear spacers from Motorsport Tech to make life easier. I had the back tires filled with vegetable oil and am now making my own rear ballast for when I use the loader!!!

russellm · May 6, 2015

Thanks LarJea... Yes, I was following your thread.

If you dont mind, send me a PM (or reply to the thread) and let me know what config you went with, where you ended up buying it (looks like you are in WA), and what you ended up paying.

LarJea · May 6, 2015

I bought the B2601 at Jennings equipment in Puyallup, also bought a RTV 900 from them back in 2008, great family owned place. I got the loader w/54 inch bucket, 54 inch mower and Landpride 42 inch forks, also tires filled, going to pickup the thee point fork setup later (for moving/storing firewood) and buy the backhoe attachment later on. I didn't haggle over prices. Paid $14,995 for tractor. $3500. for QA Kubota front loader with 54 inch QA bucket. Rear tire ballast oil was $200. 54 inch mower ($2200.) and pallet forks ($820.) were discounted $750. So with taxes and everything, it came to $22,821.27 Forgot to mention, I went with the 60 month no interest loan. which requires you to buy insurance. I bought the Kubota insurance, I'm guessing cost around $1700. If you are ever in the area and want to test drive mine, I live 9 miles or so past Carbonado, PM me.

russellm · May 6, 2015

thanks LarJea for all the data.

JOHNTHOMAS · May 6, 2015

I suspect all of the BX25Ds do the coast on when foot pedal released. Just try it before buying. I've bought several Kubota HSTs (16) and never had one do this run on before like this BX25D I currently own. I bought one gear drive B2320 and it kept going when foot pedal released but it was supposed to until the clutch was pushed and then the brake pedal pushed. Hated it as a gear drive but whould have loved it as HST if it stopped when pedal released like all HSTs I've owned except my current BX25D which keeps rolling. Had dealer adjust to max and it still does it. .

art · May 6, 2015

Price difference is nearly the price of the chipper! So it takes a little longer with the BX, what are you going to do next week! Save your money and enjoy the tractor time. My only word of caution is to watch for sticks in the woods that might harm the fan. It takes a near perfect shot to get to it but it has happened.

chucky79 · May 6, 2015

JOHNTHOMAS said:
I suspect all of the BX25Ds do the coast on when foot pedal released. Just try it before buying. I've bought several Kubota HSTs (16) and never had one do this run on before like this BX25D I currently own. I bought one gear drive B2320 and it kept going when foot pedal released but it was supposed to until the clutch was pushed and then the brake pedal pushed. Hated it as a gear drive but whould have loved it as HST if it stopped when pedal released like all HSTs I've owned except my current BX25D which keeps rolling. Had dealer adjust to max and it still does it. .

Odd that your having that problem and no other tractor in the series does it. they are all the same driveline aren't they? Any chance your tractor has a problem? I went today and talked numbers at my dealer for the bx2370 trade in towards a bx25 or a b2301 with BH. they still steering me towards the bx25 for same reason many ofyou mention (hillside mowing). I just don't like the pain of the price. there is a 1000 off a second implement going on right now though I learned. Was quoted new bx25d with 60" MMM for 18900. Probably little better at Barlow but haven't wasted their time checking price yet because im not ready to pull the trigger.

dealer also suggested adding a loader to my 2370 for now and using for a while until I needed the hoe as the loader would hold value and make my tractor an easier sell private party in a few years once I wanted to buy. Said I could probably easily get 10% man than he could give me. I hated to throw 3000 at a loader now when I know I want the backhoe eventually too.

Let me know what you think about your tractor when you buy if you get the B series. dealer had two b2301's in the crate just not together yet. told me to swing by in a week to compare if I want.

JOHNTHOMAS · May 7, 2015

chucky79 said:
Odd that your having that problem and no other tractor in the series does it. they are all the same driveline aren't they? Any chance your tractor has a problem? .

The BXxx50 series of past days had the abrupt stop in reverse and Kubota fixed it in the next BXxx60 series but dealers could never fix it. I had a 50 series and then a 60 series.
Several BX25D owners have admitted that their BX25D also doesn't stop when the pedal is released. The BX25 is a factory TLB and is designed that way to have the FEL and BH where the other tractors in the series are designed to Add the FEL and BH later (usually at the dealership). Difference in the drive train? I don't know. There apparently is a difference if your 70 series BX stops when you release the pedal because many, if not all BX25Ds don't. To me from experience, yes, mine has a problem and after a visit to the dealer and some adjustments it still does it but with slight improvement but it's still wrong again from my experience with 16 Kubota HSTs.

russellm · May 7, 2015

thanks everyone for your inputs

chucky79 · May 8, 2015

JOHNTHOMAS said:
The BXxx50 series of past days had the abrupt stop in reverse and Kubota fixed it in the next BXxx60 series but dealers could never fix it. I had a 50 series and then a 60 series.
Several BX25D owners have admitted that their BX25D also doesn't stop when the pedal is released. The BX25 is a factory TLB and is designed that way to have the FEL and BH where the other tractors in the series are designed to Add the FEL and BH later (usually at the dealership). Difference in the drive train? I don't know. There apparently is a difference if your 70 series BX stops when you release the pedal because many, if not all BX25Ds don't. To me from experience, yes, mine has a problem and after a visit to the dealer and some adjustments it still does it but with slight improvement but it's still wrong again from my experience with 16 Kubota HSTs.

I agree that sounds like a problem and it would bother me too. Mowed with my 2370 this evening and tested this multiple times thinking about the thread and the stop is fairly quick as soon as the pedal goes back to center (not sure if there is a spring the pulls it center or what, haven't checked). What I mean earlier is its odd that the 23's have no issue but its the same motor, rear, drivetrain etc as the bx25 as my research shows. the TLB just has the strengthened subframe and other stuff needed for the backhoe. when, and if, I get to trade I will prob pass if it does what youre describing. I probably haven't used my brake while using the tractor more than 2 or 3 times. letting off the hydro pedal has always been enough. my brake only gets uses when im locking it in parking brake mode. if anything come of it or you find a solution please let us know.

millsan1 · May 8, 2015

I can't speak to any bx except mine, but mine comes to a very quick halt when I let off the pedal. Fully loaded or not. In low, it is like slamming on the brakes

dragoneggs · May 8, 2015

I haven't had the pleasure of putting a chipper on the back of my BX25D but the little beast has power and the lower CG might be your salvation. I am on a big slope and appreciate the BX vs. something bigger. I use by BH a bunch but I also like my back blade and rake as they lower the CG appreciably. I didn't catch how big a property you are dealing with so I cannot comment on needing a couple extra hp but I haven't needed it on my 1.5 acres.

russellm · May 8, 2015

dragoneggs,

we communicated a bit ~a month ago, and am well aware of the many successful things you have done with the tractor

I am building a place in gig harbor. The size of the property is at the end of my original post (4 Acres - 2 acres flat, 1 acre slope, 1 acre very steep)

I know you have the spacers on your tractor and the tooth bar among other things.

One option I have been thinking about it just buying an independently powered chipper. Something like this:
Rapid-Feed Wood Chipper: Pro 16.5 HP Briggs (Self Feeding) | DR Power Equipment

With the money I save by going with the BX25D, I could purchase the chipper

Still thinking.. have another 1-2 months to decide

Regards
Russell