BX2370 loader -vs- something larger

[Michael Aos]

	BX2370	B2320	BX2680	B2601	B2650
Loader	LA243A	LA304	LA344	LA434	LA534A
500mm max height	518	545		659	827
pivot pin, max height	745	772		948	1146

I bought the BX2370 predominantly to build / rebuild a bunch of privacy fence. Thinking post-hole digger and a powered wheelbarrow. Also wanted to address several landscaping / deferred maintenance issues.

It's been great in that regard. Discovered a bunch of uses for it that I'd hadn't anticipated. Also realized some things are a lot heavier than I would have guessed. Weight matters.

Wishing it could lift more, I'd been glancing at specs and comparing the 518lb (500mm, max height) on the BX2370 -vs- 948lb (pivot pin, max height) on the B2601.

Got me thinking I could get nearly twice the lifting ability for not a lot more money. I finally wrote some numbers down so I could see things side-by-side.

Not as much difference as I thought.
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[Zick]

Yeah looking at the specs sheet, at 500mm it only lifts 659lb.

http://www.kubota.com/assets/product/comps/B01/B01_Comps_Implements.pdf

If you want to get a little more oomph out of your loader, you should check the hydraulic pressure and bump it up if you can. Kubota is known for setting these on the low side. I raised mine up a few hundred psi and it made a fairly good difference in loader performance.

 

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

At it again? Lol

Just get a 160hp Kubota with a FEL and be done with it.

 

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

If I were you I would pick the tractor you think you need and get the next size up. That way you can grow into the tractor.

Also are you gonna sell your BX and buy another? Or are you just gonna buy another tractor?

 

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

Yeah looking at the specs sheet, at 500mm it only lifts 659lb.

http://www.kubota.com/assets/product/comps/B01/B01_Comps_Implements.pdf

If you want to get a little more oomph out of your loader, you should check the hydraulic pressure and bump it up if you can. Kubota is known for setting these on the low side. I raised mine up a few hundred psi and it made a fairly good difference in loader performance.

There's a reason they lowered the pressure, the little Kubota's got a bad name for blowing hydraulic hoses.

Something to do carefully

 

[Michael Aos]

:thumbsup:

Actually, I think now that I have some numbers in front of me, I feel a little better about my original decision.

I went in wanting SMALL, so I never even considered the larger models. Had started 2nd guessing myself when it could barely lift an unattached stump off the ground.

I should break it down to $$/lb of loader lift. I suspect I'd see the BX2370 is the best bang for the buck.
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At it again? Lol

Just get a 160hp Kubota with a FEL and be done with it.

 

[Michael Aos]

My ORIGINAL thought was to purchase the BX2370 for the fencing and landscaping projects (about an acre total). Spend a year or two them, and sell it when I'm done.

Now that I've had it a while, I'm finding it's awfully handy -- and not sure the projects will ever really be done. Thinking maybe I should keep a tractor around for a while.

So if I'm going to keep a tractor around for a while -- is there a better choice than the BX2370 for my small space?

I had thought the B's were only physically slightly larger and roughly TWICE the capacity.

Now that I see the numbers side-by-side, it doesn't look like that much of a gain compared to the expense of switching now.


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If I were you I would pick the tractor you think you need and get the next size up. That way you can grow into the tractor.

Also are you gonna sell your BX and buy another? Or are you just gonna buy another tractor?

 

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

My ORIGINAL thought was to purchase the BX2370 for the fencing and landscaping projects (about an acre total). Spend a year or two them, and sell it when I'm done.

Now that I've had it a while, I'm finding it's awfully handy -- and not sure the projects will ever really be done. Thinking maybe I should keep a tractor around for a while.

So if I'm going to keep a tractor around for a while -- is there a better choice than the BX2370 for my small space?

I had thought the B's were only physically slightly larger and roughly TWICE the capacity.

Now that I see the numbers side-by-side, it doesn't look like that much of a gain compared to the expense of switching now.
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I'm sorry, Kubotas biggest tractor is the M7 a 130hp tractor and not sure if they offer it with a FEL or not.

I wouldn't mind owning a BX myself, I would have all kinds of things for it to do, I would fit it with a little disk or tiller and fix some areas inside my stall area that I can't possibly hope to fit in with my JD.

I would mow with it and do all kinds of stuff, maybe after I pay off my 4320 I will look into a smaller sub compact but honestly a large garden tractor would be capable of the same for what I need.

If you were closer I would invite you and your BX over for a little work in the pasture lol.

 

[AHNC]

With my two BX's I am always playing the, Hmmm, a "B" would be nice and I am sure I am right, but I can get a lot done with the BX's. I can drag what I can't lift and probably do it more safely. I don't have a big place and the BX can get into places nothing else can. In your case, I think you are kinda screwed anyway, because you are going to want a backhoe soon so...BX25D:thumbsup:

 

[bcp]

Get whatever you need to lift the rare very heavy items from the rear of the tractor.

Bruce

 

[Michael Aos]

I do have 4 stumps and a couple lillac bushes to remove. I want to route some downspout extensions underground and considering a French drain -- or two.

I thought hard about the BX25D, but I think I can just rent a mini-excavator for a day or two / as-needed.

I just can't foresee that I'd have an ongoing need for a backhoe.

you are going to want a backhoe soon so...BX25D:thumbsup:

 

[Michael Aos]

That's not such a bad idea. I've picked up some rope, pulley's, come-alongs, Hi-Lift jack, hydraulic jacks, shackles, chains, straps, etc.

Warn Drill Winch has been super handy.

I've had pretty good success so far, but I've also probably spent more than it would have cost to initially upgrade to the B2601, or rent heavier equipment for a couple days.

Get whatever you need to lift the rare very heavy items from the rear of the tractor.

 

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

That's not such a bad idea. I've picked up some rope, pulley's, come-alongs, Hi-Lift jack, hydraulic jacks, shackles, chains, straps, etc.

Warn Drill Winch has been super handy.

I've had pretty good success so far, but I've also probably spent more than it would have cost to initially upgrade to the B2601, or rent heavier equipment for a couple days.

Even with a bigger tractor your gonna need all that lol, you can never have enough chains and straps. The come-along comes in handy occasionally and same with block and tackles. High lift jacks are handy when working on stuff also, like bottle jacks they lift vertically and won't try to pull the tractor off jack stands like a floor jack will.

Drill winch is a new one for me, idk where that would be useful.

 

[jeff9366]

In other threads you have posted Kubota's L2501/HST was recommended to you.

L2501/HST has 1,000 pounds incremental weight that you will notice.

 

[Michael Aos]

I did start looking down that path, but I'm a far cry from the "typical" Standard L buyer.

That said, I do back up to ~17 undeveloped acres. Historically the landowner hires someone to mow and clean it up (people love to dump garbage out there) every couple of years. I've toyed with the idea of contacting / contracting with them to maintain it in their absence. Might justify something larger...
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In other threads you have posted Kubota's L2501/HST was recommended to you.

L2501/HST has 1,000 pounds incremental weight that you will notice.

 

[Michael Aos]

My point was supposed to be I can pretty much quit looking, since the gains are pretty slight as you move up through the product line.

But now you have me thinking again...

:tractor:

In other threads you have posted Kubota's L2501/HST was recommended to you.

L2501/HST has 1,000 pounds incremental weight that you will notice.

 

[jeff9366]

Tractor Wisdom on T-B-N advises that it takes a 50% increase in tractor weight before you notice an increase in tractor capability.

I have had three tractors, each heavier than the last. I have found the 50% advice to be accurate in my experience.

It takes a 100% increase in tractor weight to evince a WOW!!

I wish I had discovered T-B-N before my third tractor purchase. I believe I would have eliminated the intermediate sized tractor purchase, a Kubota B3300SU, and the time and expense involved in selling six light 48" implements for much heavier 60" to 72" implements efficient paired with 5,400 pound Tractor #3.

So many advice seekers here focused on minimum investment, rather than tractor suitability for tasks. So they buy light, sell after 400 hours, hopefully without a rollover, and then BUY ENOUGH TRACTOR with the successive purchase. (( or NOT )) ~~~ I am in the "or NOT" category.

 

[Michael Aos]

Going cheap was definitely not my intent. I was thinking physically smaller the better and never even considered weight at all.

The more I get done with the BX2370, the less ongoing need I see for something bigger. It would just be a luxury / toy. (not that I'm opposed to that) :drink:

If I had the choice between using a $15K tractor for 5yrs and selling it for $10K or a $25K tractor for 5yrs and selling it for $20K (same $5K difference), but the $25K tractor suited me better and was more enjoyable to use, I'd go that route.

So far, this whole playing in the dirt thing has been kinda fun. Except for when I can't lift stuff.
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So many advice seekers here focused on minimum investment, rather than tractor suitability for tasks.

 

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

Going cheap was definitely not my intent. I was thinking physically smaller the better and never even considered weight at all.

The more I get done with the BX2370, the less ongoing need I see for something bigger. It would just be a luxury / toy. (not that I'm opposed to that) :drink:

If I had the choice between using a $15K tractor for 5yrs and selling it for $10K or a $25K tractor for 5yrs and selling it for $20K (same $5K difference), but the $25K tractor suited me better and was more enjoyable to use, I'd go that route.

So far, this whole playing in the dirt thing has been kinda fun. Except for when I can't lift stuff.
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Just go ahead and get the M7 and be done with it lol

You can even fit it with a FEL

Kubota Tractor Corporation - M7-171

5700lbs on the FEL to full height!

TractorData.com Kubota M7.131 tractor attachments information

 

[Michael Aos]

You've kinda got me thinking about the L's again.

Coming up on 50hrs. Planning to have the tires filled and add wheel weights. Box blade (or maybe that Ratchet Rake instead).



We've been talking about a rototiller, but not quite sure it's worth buying -vs- renting.

BUY ENOUGH TRACTOR