B2620 vs BX2370

[josolar]

For years I have had a 1991 Kubota B20TLB and a 2000 Great Dane zero turn mower. My zero turn needs an engine rebuild, so I have decided to sell both the mower and B-20 and buy a machine that can both cut and have a loader (i don't need the backhoe).

The tractor will be mainly used for weekly mowing, small pasture mowing, cleaning horse paddock, moving mulch/gravel/soil.

I like the price of the bx2370, which is about $4,500 less then the B2620. (the bx has good rebates right now). I think the bx would do a better job mowing then the b2620. thoughts? Since I'm down sizing from a B-20 I think I will need the B to even come close to compare to the loader performance of the B20.

What are people's thoughts on the mowing quality of the midmount 54 or 60inch. I plan on turf tires.

Thanks.

 

[jimmoore18]

I have a MMM on my BX1860 and it is great.

 

[kcender]

I just traded in a BX2360 on a new B2620 with FEL and 54 inch deck.The BX had a 54 inch fine cut deck with regular blades,it gave a nice cut in my opinion.I didn't find the deck on the 2620 to give as nice a cut,it didn't seem to cut the clippings up as fine.As I mentioned in another thread I fitted a set of mulching blades to the deck and now the cut is about the same as the BX,which I am happy with.Kubota doesn't offer mulching blades for the deck on the 2620.I had to get a set for the BX deck and enlarge the center holes.One thing about mowing with the 2620 is that it is heavier and will tear up the ground easier when turning.They will both tear up the ground but the 2620 will do it easier.I only mow in 2WD.Benefits of the 2620 are three speed trans and a 50% stronger loader along with a more powerful engine.I think the BX is a little better at mowing but the 2620 is quite a bit better at FEL work.In the end I prefer the 2620 for my situation as I plan to use the tractor to plow snow and I think the BX is too light for that.I should mention that I prefer moving snow with a FEL bucket over any other method,even though it is slow.With the LA364 loader I plan on using a 5 foot bucket for a B3200 which should fit on my loader.The BX doesn't allow for easily adding a wider bucket that I know of.Hope this helps with your decision.

 

[josolar]

Does it tear when in 2wd? Can you order blades from Landscaperpro or any other places besides Kubota? I will be mowing a pretty open area, but I do plan to mow to make stripes as a zero turn would. I figured making 3 pt turns with the hydro would be fine and not tear the grass.

 

[kcender]

Both tractors will tear in 2WD,the 2620 will do it easier.The sharper the turn and the faster you are going the easier the front outside tire will tear the ground.I don't know about the blades.I have never used a zero turn,but from talking to people who have,they can tear up the ground as well depending on how they are driven.I avoid using full lock on the steering when mowing even though it takes a bit longer to get the mowing done.

 

[oldballs]

Besides what kcender said.........I think the tires also make a differance. My BX2660 had turf tires (and 60 inch MMM) that were easier on the lawn, yet they worked really good in snow without chains. I went to a B2620 because I found myself needing more clearance for plowing gardens and other dirt work, but the R4 industrial tires are harder on the lawn like kcender said. And I had to get chains for snow on the B2620. As far as the FEL, the BX 2660 did all that I asked it to do which was quite a bit of moving gravel, large rocks, dirt and log moving with some pin on pallet forks. Cheers, Mike

 

[kcender]

Both my BX and 2620 have turf tires but the tread on the 2620 might be a bit more aggressive.

 

[rider0]

The BX is a better mower, the B2620 better at everything else. Pick your priorities, I guess

 

[josolar]

I've decided on the 2620. The area I mow is large and does not have many obstacles, so I'm not too worried about the larger size/weight/turf tearing. Now its time to get a fair price from the dealer. I know Kubota is currently offering $300 rebate with loader purchase and $700 rebate with cash purchase. Looks like he's around $17,700 for 2620, 60inch mmm, and turf tires. Thought on price? any other rebates out there I missed?

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Contact Barlows for price so you'll know. They have always been fair with me on trades as well as giving me rebates that no one but dealers knew about.
Why have you not considered the B2320? I've owned about all of the BX and B models and the B2320 is a fine sized and powered transition between the BXs and bigger Bs. There is probably $900 difference between B2320 and B2620. I traded a B2320 and a BX25 to my current B2620 FEL BH and I went with the B2620 because I thought I might need a bit extra HP because of the BH otherwise I'd went with a new B2320 HST, my trade in B2320 was my first and LAST geared tractor I'll ever own.

 

[fredhargis]

If I had a chance to do it over, I'd buy my B2920 from Barlows and let them deliver it. It would pay to at least talk to them...even if you have a good price you might be able to beat the sales tax, depending on where you are.

 

[josolar]

I got a quote from Barlows and another dealer in SC. Both were $800 cheaper then the dealers in New England. I think the NE reginoal has a bit high pricing, probably related to transportation fees. I ended up buying from Chappells in NH. There customer service was much better then the other dealers around and there pricing was competitive. Can't wait for it to arrive, I've been mowing on only one cylinder the last couple weeks! I'll be posting my b20 TLB for sale soon. Keep an eye out if your in the market and located in New England.

 

[robertm]

I've had a B7500 and a B7510. Both tire the snot out if my lawn, especially around turns. My current BX2660 has yet to leave a mark. The MMM does a beautiful job, and this year I swapped the blades for Meg-Mo blades and am even happier. Cuts like a golf course. I run turfs, but bought a set of R4's with rims for $300 from Kubota. I am considering a move back to a B-series due to loader capacity and financial reasons, and take advantage of the 0%. The BX is hard to beat for mowing, but with the B's having suspended decks now over the old B's, they may be close. BTW, even mowing w/ R4's has never compromised my lawn.

 

[josolar]

I ended up going with b2620 with 60inch deck for better trimming. I did not load the tires, hoping to improve the mowing quality. I order a rear weight box for use with loader. Should be here on Monday and I will post my reactions. Can't wait!
Btw- the dealer did confirm that the deck is suspended.

 

[Finnster]

Good luck with the b. Love mine but my loaded r4s are a bit rough on my grass/clay soil. Interested to see your cut with the unloaded turfs.

 

[robertm]

Had I known when I moved from my B's to the BX that the new B's would come with suspended decks, I might have gone that route. The old ground-contact style MMM the B's had left pie plates in my lawn. I still doubt the new B's will be better with tire tear up of the lawn as the front tires lean in turns, which allows the tire edges to cut circles in the lawn- especially in areas where you repeatedly make turns in the same place, like around trees. The mowing quality alone, now being suspended, will be much better. I also like the drive over installation of the B's.

 

[wmonroe]

I ended up going with b2620 with 60inch deck for better trimming. I did not load the tires, hoping to improve the mowing quality. I order a rear weight box for use with loader. Should be here on Monday and I will post my reactions. Can't wait!
Btw- the dealer did confirm that the deck is suspended.

Did your new 2620 come in, how do you like it?

 

[Gator6x4]

I traded a B2320 and a BX25 to my current B2620 FEL BH and I went with the B2620 because I thought I might need a bit extra HP because of the BH otherwise I'd went with a new B2320 HST, my trade in B2320 was my first and LAST geared tractor I'll ever own.

In 1971 I purchased a Charger 12 Wheel Horse with a hydro transmission. The first time I mowed with it I said to myself, so this is what I have been missing all these years.

I am like you. Love the hydro transmission. My left leg complains each time I drive something that requires clutching.

 

[josolar]

Did your new 2620 come in, how do you like it?

The 2620 has arrived. My lawn had not been cut for 1.5 weeks and it was wet, so there was quite a few clippings, but no clumps. The cut quality is nice, but clippings seems to be the only issue. I will have to repost my thoughts after another week or two, b/c I did cut the grass from probably 4.5inches down to 3. The engine runs smooth and has plenty of HP. I mowed the stripe style back and forth, making 3pt turns, and did not damage the grass with the tires at all.

Overall is makes mowing a breeze and has a good cut. I will probably look into the mulching blades. Anywhere to order mulching blades that dont need to be drilled out? How did you guys drill the converted bx blades?

 

[kcender]

Glad to see you are happy with the tractor.You should be able to find mulching blades but I don't know where off hand.As far as enlarging the holes the steel is quite hard and very difficult to drill with HSS drill bits.I had mine machined out.