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.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

I've been reading the posts and it appears that my Kubota dealer makes better deals than most. I've checked Carver and others and none have matched the deal from my local on a B7500. Tractor, detachable loader, without HST... $11,000. I'm pick'n mine up today )

 

[GlueGuy]

<font color=blue>Tractor, detachable loader, without HST... $11,000</font color=blue>

That sounds like an excellent deal! With the possible exception of the PC, I think the B7500 is a seriously under-rated tractor. I love mine, I'm sure you'll love it too./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

The GlueGuy

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Thanks GlueGuy. I had a B7100HST with loader for about 3 years and it never let me down. Wish I hadn't sold it, but at the time it seemed the thing to do. I recently bought a used Ford 1715 and just can't seem to make myself happy with it so I'm going back to the Kubota. I really miss the FEL, which on several occasions came in real handy when I buried the 7100 up to the frame. Never once needed someone to pull me out. I really think I'll be happy again when I pick up the 7500.

FarmerBob

 

[FarmerBob]

BTW GlueGuy... I'm still trying to decide which tires to put on the 7500. I've got Ag tires on the 1715 and they tear up my 5-acre yard pretty badly. I'm thinking turf, but wonder if the industrial tires would be better for the other things I do with my tractor, i.e., grading, spraying, kennel maintenance, etc. Got any advice???

Thanks...

 

[GlueGuy]

FarmerBob,

Without seeing the conditions it would be a tough call. If you do a search for "ag elimination rule" or portions of that, you will find an excellent discussion of that particular topic.

Some can't deal with anything "less" than ag tires. Some can't deal with anything "more" than turf tires. Your mileage may vary. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif Myself, the R4's are plenty aggressive. They will tear up almost anything I drive on around our place, so I can't imagine how bad it would be with ag's.


The GlueGuy

 

[GlueGuy]

FarmerBob,

Since you're new on the forum, I hunted the tire discussion down for you. Here 'tis:Ag Elimination Rule

Look through that for some discussion of the tire topic (and a lot of other stuff/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif. BTW-Put a little information in your profile so that we know where you are, and what you're dealing with!/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Oh, and welcome to the TBN world too! /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

The GlueGuy

 

[FarmerBob]

Thanks for the help GlueGuy. I didn't receive your post until this morning (Monday) and I picked up my new Kubota on Friday. I was all set to get the B7500, but after spending a couple of more hours at the dealer I opted for the L2600 with FEL. It cost me about $2500 more, but I just couldn't make myself go down in horsepower. I traded a Ford 1715 (27hp) and matched the hp with the L2600. I almost broke down and paid $800 more to get the L3000, but the ratings are pretty much the same as the L2600 except for hp and a 2-stage clutch. I put about an hour on my new orange toy this weekend and I think I'm going to be happy with my decision. I also opted for the turf tires since my 10 acres is pretty much level and all bermuda grass.

I'll update my profile as soon as I figure out just how to do it. I live in central Arkansas and am in the banking business. I also raise Llewellin Setter bird dogs and do as much bird hunting as my time will allow. My website is http://www.southerntracekennel.com if you want to see some fine dogs ;o)

Thanks again for your help.

FarmerBob