about to pull the trigger, lots of Qs on B7610

[bsmith]

First, I currently own a bx2200. Its decent at pulling a box blade, but the loader is a bit weak and traction on turfs is marginal. Don't get me wrong it's a great machine! The dealer doesn't have a 7610 in stock, but I'm willing to buy sight unseen because I've been so impressed with the bx.

I plan on pulling a box blade, 60 inch pulverizer, getting a loader, mowing my lawn, so again I'm looking at turfs.

Now for the questions, forgive me for asking so many, but if you can answer one or two or all I'd appreciate it,thanks in advance.

Will the 7610 be more tippy than the bx with the loader low, or will the center of gravity be about the same?

Will I get better traction with the 7610? Mainly concerned with being able to drive into a pile of dirt to fill the loader rather than taking a small bite and going in again and again. I know it depends on the material, but should it be easier to fill up with the 7610?

Will I be able to pull a 60 inch two roller pulverizer or should I get a 1 roller. If I get a 1 roller, do I just go over everything twice to get the same result.

Is the mower deck on the 7610 better than the bx? How much clearance with the deck up?

If I get a backhoe later does it have to be the kubota? Is it big enough to do work with? For instance, planting trees, or possibly running water lines into a house.

The price for 7610 with folding rops, 60 mmm, 352 loader, turfs is $14,950 minus $7,250 for my bx with loader, mower with 150 hours. Fair?

One final thing, I'm also looking at a 100 hour 2 yr old deere 4015 with loader and deck for $7,200 difference no warranty. Which would you buy?

Thanks again,
Bill in Iowa

 

[Rolando]

You haven't filled out your profile, so we don't know what kind of soil, terrain, amount of land to work, etc. The traction questions is difficult to respond to without some of this information.

You might want to think about bar tires as a compromise between turfs and Ags for more traction. Depending on your soil conditions, your lawn may do fine with them, but give you more traction in the dirt.

If you're concerned about the loader capacity, you might also want to consider the B7800, which has the stronger LA 402 FEL (about 30% more lift).

I'm not an expert, so I'll leave the rest to the wiser mind among us.

 

[WayneW]

Well, I have a B7610 and test drove a Bx. I can't comment on a detailed stability comparison between the two, however I don't have any problems with mine on my hilly property in Western Mass. You didn't fill out your profile, so I have no idea where you are or what type of terrain you have on your property.

I have the Bar/Turf Tires (which are slightly smaller than the R4 or Turfs) and have plenty of traction for what I use it for. Keep in mind that I don't believe that you'll get a ton more traction with turfs and a B7610 than you do now with turfs and your BX. Remember that the 2 are about the same weight, though the bigger tires will help. You'd probably be happier with R4s on the B7610. That should help a lot. With filled tires, the tires are considerably larger than a BX, thus more filling=more weight per tire. Also a R4 tread in much more aggressive then a BX turf (or even bar tire)

You also did not say how big your box blade is. With the BX I'll assume that it's a 4ft box. Which the B7610 should pull all over the place with no prob. (Mine is a 5ft, and as long as there aren't too many rocks or roots it pull it fine)

Seems to me that there is always a trade off between traction and tearing up the lawn. From many post here, some are happy with R4s on the lawn, as long as you take corners SLOW. I, mow like a madman, and even scuff the turf a bit with the bar/turfs. But I realize that's my own fault.

THe 4015 Deere sounds like a fantastic deal. Is it 4wd? Is it a hydro? If yes to both than that'd be a good buy.

Good luck with your decision. There are many B7510/7610 users here, so I'm sure you'll get many replies.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

As for filling up the front bucket easier, that is really a matter of technique combined with some other factors. For example, if the 2 buckets are of equal size, the heavier tractor would drive into the pile farther, all else being equal. But if the larger tractor has a larger bucket then it is possible that the longer cutting edge could yield essentially the same resistance for the bigger tractor so driving into the pile will yield the same results. Now if you learn to manipulate your bucket while driving in, and if you are also manipulating your HST pedal such that you have appropriate torque to the drive wheels, then you will get better results.

As for the tire choices, Rolando makes a good point. I use R4 "industrial" tires and find they don't tear up the grass yet provide greater traction than turfs. You don't want to mow in 4wd with R4 tires because they will tear the grass when you turn, but mowing isn't usually a 4wd activity.

As for the center of gravity, I don't know for sure, but I'd wager some money that the B7610 will have a higher center of gravity. Remember when using the FEL, you want to have appropriate weight on the rear of the machine for ballast/balance. You seem concerned about your lawn so you might not want to fluid fill the tires, but please understand that many manufacturers recommend both fluid fill or wheel weights PLUS the addition of a weight box when using a FEL.

You can use an aftermarket backhoe. I have a Great Bend brand for the B2910. I'm not a big fan of back hoes, I think most are too small to do any real work. I've found that I am better off renting a bigger unit and I can rent a track hoe (mini excavator) for about $150 from noon on Saturday to 8am Monday and get a lot more work done a lot faster than a little tractor mounted hoe. Track Hoe Picture

 

[OrangeGuy]

By my calculations, you can get a new tractor (2005 model) with a new warranty for $500 more than a used (2003 model) tractor. No brainer! Buy new!

OrangeGuy

 

[WayneW]

Sorry. I just realized that you stated the Deere was $7200 difference. The first time I read it I thought it was for $7200. That being said, I agree with Orangeguy. $500 for new w/warranty is a no brainer. I'm not sure, but I beleive the 4015 is a 18hp tractor also, not a 24hp one.

 

[Bird]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Mainly concerned with being able to drive into a pile of dirt to fill the loader rather than taking a small bite and going in again and again )</font>

I agree with Bob Skurka's comments on that topic. I think a lot of people (surely it wasn't just me) try to push too hard too fast into a pile of dirt hoping for a full bucket. And if you're anything like I was when new to that kind of work, you either stall the engine or spin the wheels and dig little holes in the ground. If you ease into the pile, simultaneously slowly curling and raising the bucket, it soon becomes pretty easy to get a bucketful.

 

[Henro]

Bsmith,

<font color="blue"> minus $7,250 for my bx with loader, mower with 150 hours </font>

First off, I think you could get more than the trade in amount of $7,250 for a BX2200 with loader and MMM that only has 150 hours on it. I'd try to sell that privately if I were you.

<font color="blue"> Will the 7610 be more tippy than the bx with the loader low, or will the center of gravity be about the same? </font>

I would like to think the center of gravity on my B2910 and BX2200 are about the same, but I can tell you they certainly do not FEEL the same. The BX feels (and I believe is) more stable and safe on a side slope. I don't know if it is, but it feels like it is. I would guess you may run into a similar situation with a 7610.

<font color="blue"> If I get a backhoe later does it have to be the kubota? Is it big enough to do work with? For instance, planting trees, or possibly running water lines into a house.</font>

I think Bob Skurka is the exception rather than the rule when it comes to small backhoe owners! There is no doubt that an excavator will out perform a small backhoe. But many of us have got great service from their small backhoes. Granted my B2910 takes the slightly larger (7.5' vs 6.5') hoe, but it really can do a lot of work. My last small project was 250 feet of trench, 42" deep, for a sewer line at my home.

You centainly without question can plant trees, dig trenches for water lines and so on. It will take longer than a larger machine, but doing it is not unpleasant. If someone offered me what I paid for my backhoe, I would not sell it.

<font color="blue"> Will I get better traction with the 7610? </font>

I don't know, but I can tell you that my B2910 with R4s pulls A LOT better than my BX2200. The BX2200 has bar tires, with foam in the fronts and liquid in the rears. I would bet that the 7610 would pull/push better than the BX, but have no experience with the 7610.

Rolando's idea of possibly moving to the next step up, the B7800/B3030 is worth considering. The price difference is not too crazy, and you will get a real hard working tractor with more loader capacity and so on. But it might be a little large for finish mowing of a "fine show lawn", if that is a concern.

 

[JimMorrissey]

$7250 is definitely low for a BX with those hours. I got just under 10K for mine with 400 hours. Keep shopping.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

<font color="red">
I think Bob Skurka is the exception rather than the rule when it comes to small backhoe owners! </font>


The understatement of the year.