B7500 Decision made

[70boss]

After a long research period, and finally unloading all of my other machines, I have decided to go with the B7500. I am leaving on vacation tomorrow, and when I get back I am going to sign the papers at the local dealer. I am glad I will be able to buy local, since he has been calling me about tractors since last May (2000). It took a while to convince him that I wasn't going to fund his retirement with my purchase and I did share with him the price range I expected. No doubt I could get a slightly lower price from Carver, but then have to deal with getting it here. In fact i didn't get a firm price from Carver, because they have a silly policy of " price confidentiality" that is really not necessary. All total the B7500, LA302 loader, and 60 mid mount mower will be around 14,600. Nearly identical to the price quoted by Tractorsmart, a site, and dealership I highly recommend checking out. now i have to figure out the tires I want, the above price includes the R4 industrial tires, or the "bar" turf tires. Anyone with a B7500, please respond with info on your tractor, your implements, and uses so far!!

Rob

 

[GlueGuy]

Rob,

I've also got the B7500, and it is a fine machine. I've had it a little over a month, and now have ~~26 hours on it.

Mine is equipped with the same FEL as yours, plus a 48" Woods box scraper (it might handle a 54", but then I might also run out of traction more often /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif), plus a Woods 40" rear mower.

So far, I've been using the FEL & Box scraper to maintain our 4300' driveway. It has made a major difference! Up until this point we've hired out the repair, etc, & did the ditch maintenance with picks, rakes, & shovels. Whew! Those two implements alone are worth their weight in gold.

When the weather dries up a bit, we'll be using the mower to do fire reduction around the homestead. This is a big step up from a hand mower! I expect the mowing to take 1 or 2 hours now instead of the whole day.

I've "looked at" a post hole digger and a 6' rear blade too. The blade appeals to me to little touch up jobs on the road. It would allow me to drag the edges toward the middle easier than the box blade. I'm not 100% convinced that this would be worth it, so I have not purchased it yet....

The PHD and blades are also Woods. I like their stuff a lot. Well-made, and bullet-proof. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Mine has the R4 tires, and that seems like a good compromise for my conditions. The R4's still manage to tear up the road when I make tight turns, so Ags would be even worse. I have run out of traction a few times, but I'm getting better at managing/judging the traction situation. I'm sure that turfs would have been a major loser (for me).

I've recently read about and looked at the Michelin M27 tires. They are a compromise between R4's and Ags. Not sure if they are available in a size to fit a B7500 though.

The GlueGuy

 

[70boss]

Thanks for the input. I will be maintaining a 750 foot gravel drive, mowing a rough 1-2 acre finished lawn, mowing about 2-3 acres brush/high grass. I am finally excited about this since I think the B7500 will be perfect. I wish it had position control, and what bugs me is that they offer a narrow B7500 WITH position control. I am going to check to see if this can be retro-fitted. I have been using a JD 2640, and a Gehl 6635 turbo skidsteer, so when I drove the 7500, I couldn't beleive how easy and user friendly it was. My wife does not want to spend the money, but once she drives it and digs her garden, I'm sure she will be all smiles. I will finish the deal when I get back from San Diego in a week, and hopefully have the tractor by the end of April.

 

[frank_f15]

BOSS: i have R4 industrial on my b2400. in most cases they are fine. u should have done the deal before u left for vaction. then u could come home to a new orange baby./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif either way u will love it. congrats on your choice. good luck!

 

[GlueGuy]

<font color=blue>they offer a narrow B7500 WITH position control.</font color=blue>

I didn't know the "N" version had position control! /w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif I have a design for retrofitting PC on mine, but it's going to be several weeks before I can build it. I guess I'm going to have to checkit out.../w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

The GlueGuy

 

[jsace]

Rob,

I just got my B7500 a week ago! What a great little tractor! I have just 5 hrs on it now. I bought it with the 302 FEL, 60" mid mount mower, Bevco 48" box blade, Bevco 52" Tiller, 60" Front Mount Snow Blower & a Curtis Cab. I had the Bar/turf tires on the rear and turf tires on the front.

Jim

 

[Opiekanopi]

Congrats! I got a 7500DT last year and love it. Mine has the R4 tires and I think they are a perfect compromise. I don't have a FEL. I mostly just use it for mowing about 5 acres. I'm getting ready to buy a plow or tiller. I'd really like that tiller but would have to grow a lot of green beans over the years to pay for it.

 

[Bird]

<font color=blue>I'd really like that tiller but would have to grow a lot of green beans over the years to pay for it.</font color=blue>

You got to have a tiller if you're going to do much gardening, and the Blue Lake green beans are the best I've ever found (taste and texture); that's the only one I'll plant anymore./w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

Bird

 

[skent]

Congrats Rob, welcome to Orange! I have a B7300 (7500's little bro) and it's done everything I've needed it to do. While it's true you don't have position control, there is a down limit you can set on your 3PH. I have the combo BAR/TURF tires. Does good by me - good traction but doesn't tear up the turf.

Consider (as a first attachment) either a scraper blade or box blade, as you will really need ballast in the back when moving stone, dirt etc. in the FEL.

Love the Hydro!!!

Steve

 

[Opiekanopi]

Hey Bird, I'll try the Blue Lake. We always grow Derby Beans and I lovem. I did end up buying a plow yesterday. I got a FarmStar 12" one bottom from TSC. I plan on hooking it up and trying it out this afternoon.