best 4 ft wide Kubota

lostsixshovels · Oct 8, 2005

Ok I read posts and reviews till my head spins. Here is the basic info: we are on five ac. with hill, not much mowing (i use sheep) no woods to speak of mainly moving dirt, ditches, tilling. I need to be less then 4 ft. wide to get in gates, between grapes, in stalls, digging a wine cellar, and may hire out for some weekend work etc.
I looked at the bx series but think it is to small/fragile for me. I like big strong things like diesel trucks. It seems the b2410 might work for me but I am swimming in spec sheets and can't form a good view of the options. added to this is the wish to buy a used machine and I'm swampped.
Price is not too much of an issue I figure 10 grand or so (tractor and fel), but I want one good tractor I don't change much so i will spend up front. I like the idea of hsd, borrowed a 16 hp Ikea for a month and killed my palm shifting.
So here are the questions: 1. What Kubotas new and recent are less then four feet wide (model #s). 2. Which one are preferred and WHY (I'm an engineer).

One more note, there is a possable plan to move to Idaho in a year or two so versatility would be nice.

Thanks

Egon · Oct 8, 2005

( plan to move to Idaho in a year or two so versatility would be nice.
)

This statement seems to un define all your original definements. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Egon /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

tracdoc · Oct 8, 2005

Not to throw a monkey wrench into your deliberations, but you may want to take a peek at the Power Trac tractors (just a peek, mind you...that won't hurt anything /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif) {HERE} . The PT 422 and PT 425 will both fit your access requirements, and both and have an array of implements that I imagine you could find quite useful. They are made in the USA and they are built like TANKS---absolutely no sheet metal; all plate steel. Could fit your price point, too.

Hop on the PT forum here on TBN and you can get more info and hopefully get questions answered. Good luck...

lostsixshovels · Oct 8, 2005

Meaning I may end up pushing snow, or with woods. the main point is what is the best under 4 ft wide Kubota, the website makes it hard to conpare current models let alone discontinued ones.

BillG_in_TX · Oct 8, 2005

... moving dirt, ditches ... digging a wine cellar, and may hire out for some weekend work ... 

I think I would check with rental yards for a used B21 for sale.

ronjhall · Oct 9, 2005

1. What Kubota's new and recent are less then four feet wide (model #s). 
B2410, B2400 and most of the B7*** models with HST will fit your 4' width requirement. Going back further in age the B7100HST and B7200HST will also fit. These models do not have quick removable FELs.
 2. Which one are preferred and WHY (I'm an engineer). /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif
My preference is for the B2410 because of it's position control 3PH. I'm not going go any further about WHY since you mention that Engineer word. Last weekends thread about trailer hitches, has shied me away from answering. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

flusher · Oct 10, 2005

Check out the Kubota dealer in Redding.

I bought my B7510HST/LA302 FEL there last May for $12,600 delivered. It's a nice 21 HP, 4-ft wide tractor for my 10-acre spread that contains what's left of an almond orchard. If you're not in a big hurry, I'll do most everything needed around a place like mine.

He may have a few pre-owned Botas in the 20HP range that are priced in your comfort zone.

Don't forget to have chain hooks welded to the FEL bucket. You'll need those for sure.

You can get about the same price on a comparable Mahindra tractor at Dave's Tractors in Red Bluff. Dave usually has trade-ins for sale in your price range.

Dave also handles grey market tractors (Yanmar, Iseki, etc). If you don't mind buying a 20+ year old tractor with 500-1500 hours on it, you can get a nice 4-ft wide, ~20HP rice rocket with FEL in the $7-8K range.

Lane Tractors in Los Molinos also handles Yanmar and Iseki tractors. His Yanmar prices are very competitive. I recently bought a pre-owned Yanmar RS1200 rototiller from Lane for $300. It's 48" wide.

v8dave · Oct 10, 2005

I have a narrow passway to negotiate with my tractor. Here is a thread I put up about my experience Why I got a B7610 and not a B7800.

Finderne · Oct 13, 2005

If mowing is not needed from the unit, then I also recommend the Power Trac line. Depending how tricky your excavation sites are, the articulated design can be a huge benefit.

DanR67 · Oct 14, 2005

( 1. What Kubota's new and recent are less then four feet wide (model #s). 
B2410, B2400 and most of the B7*** models with HST will fit your 4' width requirement. Going back further in age the B7100HST and B7200HST will also fit.

These models do not have quick removable FELs.
)

Just for clarity - and while I'm not familar with the B7100 / B7200 - the B2410 and current B7X10's most certainly DO have a quick removable FEL.

I chose the B7610 specifically because it offered the larger LA352 FEL - because I knew I'd be "relocating" some larger rocks that we have here in New England.

To help you decide (rather than asking other's "what model is best") - make a list of:
1) What you NEED the tractor to do
2) What you MAY (eventually) like the tractor to do

Unfortunately there is sometimes a gap between NEEDS and WANTS /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif. The trick is to find the "best fit" - but also realizing that it may NOT do 100% of everything you are thinking of. You may want to check out my "B7610 pics" link in my signature - *seeing* a tractor performing different tasks may get you thinking in different ways about your needs.

***************

One last point - you mentioned that your current property has a "hill" - what kind of slope are we talking about? While I have no experience with them - the PowerTrac's mentioned above are reportedly very stable on slopes....I have experienced the famed "pucker factor" on *relatively* gentle slopes when moving an especially large / heavy load with my B7610.

Hope that helps,

Dan