7610 vs. 7800

jb721 · Sep 8, 2004

Am torn between a b7610 or the B7800. I have ten hilly acres that will test the mowers on the Kubota. All dealers have steered me to the 7610, but am wondering if I will regret not having the extra 6 hp of the 7800. Any thoughts out there?

Bob_Skurka · Sep 8, 2004

IF your hills really are steep and that will "test the mowers" on the Kubota, then you might seriously need to consider Steiner or Ventrac instead of a traditional tractor. I have a couple hills that, when the mower is engaged, bogged down the engine badly on a traditional tractor. Due to the steepness of the hills, I purchased a Ventrac tractor that can put full power to the mower deck while climbing a steep hill, then turn a "figure 8" on that same hill, go cross slope and do "u" turns on the hill all while running at, or near, top speed while powering the deck. Further, the tractor spins circles inside the turning radius of any traditional CUT and has cut my mowing time down by about 90 minutes each week.

IF your hills really are a test, I strongly urge you to look into a Steiner or Ventrac.

Henro · Sep 8, 2004

<font color="blue"> I have ten hilly acres that will test the mowers on the Kubota. </font>

Following up on Bob's post, take a minute to post why and how those hills will test the mowers...

By doing so you will get better advice. I can tell you that on my back hill, my B2910 does fine up and down (if it can get traction) but sideways just does not happen. I can't bear the stress...and I don't think the worst parts are over 20 degrees.

There is no doubt in my mind that my B2910 would be good for 30 degrees probably, if there were no holes to fall in or bumps on the high side. BUT I am not good for such angles...

If it is the work the mower is going to do, rather than slope angle that will test the mowers, then for ten acres I would say go with the B7800. It is not that much bigger than the B2410/7610. I love me B2910, and I only have 3.7 acres.

Tell us more details and you will get better feedback.

8561 · Sep 8, 2004

To me the real difference between the two comes down to the size of the chassis and the size of the implement it will run. A 7610 will be more manuverable, but will probably put you in a 5' mower as opposed to the liklihood you would run a 6' mower on the 7800. I am assuming you will use a rear finish mower. I don't believe you will miss the extra horsepower if you buy the appropriately sized mower for the machine. For me personally, the additional manuverability and lighter weight made the smaller chassis the obvious choice. For others, the opposite choice is appropriate. They are both great machines, as are their more deluxe counterparts, the B2410 and B2910.

Rolando · Sep 10, 2004

I was asking my dealer about the 7610 today (as a compromise between the 3130 and the BX23, as someone suggested), and he discouraged me from it, saying I would be better off with the 7800 if I wanted to go that way. His reasoning was that the 7610 would be discontinued after this year. I didn't pursue the subject with him. Any comments on why that would be a negative?

v8dave · Sep 10, 2004

I have a B7610 and am quite happy with it. I considered a 7800 and looked at the two units side by side. It looked to me like the 7800 was more top heavy than the 7610. I was concerned about operating on side hills too. Now Henro's 2910 is similar in size to the 7800 and he uses his on slopes that I haven't worked up to yet. You ought to take a look with a measuring tape and judge for youself which tractor is more top heavy.

I'd suggest the real reason to use a bigger tractor is to use bigger implements. Bigger mowers have been mentioned. I looked because the 7800 has a more capability backhoe and front loader. If those aren't of much concern to you then the 7610 is probably the right machine.

aloha · Sep 10, 2004

I have spent many hours over the past 3 weeks brush hogging my sloping 15 acres with a B7800. There have been many nervous moments, especially due to unevenness of the ground which often could not be seen before a wheel would drop suddenly.

I spent a lot of time with the rear differntial locked to make it up the steeper slopes. I really like my 7800, but there are times I wish for a heavier machine for better traction. On the other hand, while working the slopes I have thought a smaller machine would feel safer.

An upcoming project is to smooth the slopes with the box scraper to get rid of the nasty surprises that can lurk under the deep grass.

Bob_Skurka · Sep 10, 2004

<font color="red"> I spent a lot of time with the rear differntial locked to make it up the steeper slopes. I really like my 7800, but there are times I wish for a heavier machine for better traction. On the other hand, while working the slopes I have thought a smaller machine would feel safer.
</font>

Please understand that you don't necessarily want either a heavy or a light tractor on a slope. What you want is a well balanced machine with a low center of gravity. Frame size is neither an asset nor a hinderance if the machine is helper, my TC24 is about as unnerving as my B2910 and while both will climb a hill, I won't turn either one on the slope. The B2910 has cast iron attached to the frame & fluid filled rears to lower the C.O.G. and the TC24 has wheel weights. Neither is safe sideways on anything steep. Which is why, based on the original post I suggested a Steiner or Ventrac. They will easily handle slopes that pucker your rear end on a traditional tractor and can handle mower decks up to 72".