I know another post asking for everyone's opinion. Ive research and researched and I'm truly torn between the bx and b. Background, property is 8 acres. Flat but bumpy old farmland which hasnt been cared for in 2-3 years. County drain runs through one side of property but I won't touch that. One large tree right in the middle. We will be building on the property and it is attached to a 17 acre pond. Mostly will use to move dirt and mow. Ill be putting in a garden (maybe raised beds as soil is hard clay), adding fruit trees, and trying to reforestation on about 2 aces. Eventually maybe a dock on the pond. Plan to mow 2 acres mostly near the house. As a first time owner was originally leaning towards the bx2680 (more like a mower) but I think maybe a b2601 would be better after talking to the dealer.. kubota is only option as all other dealers are 45 minues rides minimum. Now the downside, dealer only has a 2301. I want to use a tiller on the back and a brush. Everything I've read says 5pto and the 2301 isn't there at around 17 on the rear. Dealer says it won't make a difference and if I truly need to extra HP get the bx. So what's everyone think? I'm a complete newbie when it comes to this and honestly it's a little intimidating trying to figure it all out. Thanks!
Bx or B
- Thread starter Redtnsv
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Citydude
Elite Member
Get the B model. 45 minutes to get a tractor to fit your needs is worth it. My dealer is 3 hours away.
SDT
Veteran Member
Be advised that the BX series does not have position control.
That is a show stopper for me.
SDT
That is a show stopper for me.
SDT
sea2summit
Elite Member
8 rough acres puts out a BX unless you have someone get in there and grade it, no way.
A B for primarily moving dirt and mowing? Dirt moving is going to be slow, is it a project you could just rent another piece of equipment for or an ongoing project? A cubic yard of dirt is ~2,200 lbs...dry. Put another way that's five full buckets for the BX and probably two and a half for the B. I wouldn't drive very far with a max load in a bucket, so half that and you're making 10 trips with the BX or five with the B times ~1.5 MPH even going 100 yards your talking less than 13 round trips per hour just in travel not counting digging or piling dirt.
Have you considered the small L's or LX's? I think the cost increase would be marginal, especially if you're financing. You'll be safer moving loads with increased width and stance over rough terrain. In addition to larger lift capacities you get larger tires which will allow easier navigation in rough terrain and less wear and tear on the operator and equipment, possibly increased speed of travel.
A B for primarily moving dirt and mowing? Dirt moving is going to be slow, is it a project you could just rent another piece of equipment for or an ongoing project? A cubic yard of dirt is ~2,200 lbs...dry. Put another way that's five full buckets for the BX and probably two and a half for the B. I wouldn't drive very far with a max load in a bucket, so half that and you're making 10 trips with the BX or five with the B times ~1.5 MPH even going 100 yards your talking less than 13 round trips per hour just in travel not counting digging or piling dirt.
Have you considered the small L's or LX's? I think the cost increase would be marginal, especially if you're financing. You'll be safer moving loads with increased width and stance over rough terrain. In addition to larger lift capacities you get larger tires which will allow easier navigation in rough terrain and less wear and tear on the operator and equipment, possibly increased speed of travel.
I hadn't considered the L or LX as I was trying to stay on the smaller side until I get comfortable on one and prefer a MMM. The dealer really said the B series what he'd recommend being my first tractor and acreage. I should've prefaced, the other dealers I considered local about 45 minutes are a Massey and Deere. I didn't care for the seat on the Massey and the local Deere dealer said he's not going to have a 1025 or 2025 until late summer. Im sure I could go out further or across state line and find one.. i did find a b2601 in Ohio a d the dealer pitched hauling it across the line to avoid sales tax.. Sure but the the tax responsibilty shifts to me an it would be my luck uncle Sam would come calling.
sea2summit
Elite Member
FWIW I despised the MMM when I had it. I’ve got a huge finish mower now, if I would have been smart I would have just gotten a zero turn. Brush hog is the tractor area, finish mowing they are just so slow by comparison.
Deere Dude
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More than likely you will get nailed a Use Tax even if the dealer doesn't make you pay at the time of sale. Once you try avoiding the Sales Tax and a few months have past and you decide to finally pay up, you will get a stiff penalty. Maybe he will give you a better price than the local dealership even adding your home states sale tax.
Get the bigger tractor.
jeff9366
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BX series tractor are best regarded as wonderful lawn mowers with the ability to do light landscaping tasks. Kubota sells bazillions of BX tractors yearly and many owners are completely happy with them on one or two acres.
Minimal 9" ground clearance can make working in woodland difficult. If one wheel drops into a 4-1/2" burrow or rut and a second wheel goes up on a 4-1/2" mound or tree limb you may be stranded. Because of low ground clearance, HST cooling fan under the tractor is vulnerable to ground damage. Those who take BX tractors into woodlands often armor underneath. Several venders sell armor kits.
Subcompacts have two-range (2) HST transmissions. In HIGH range your max ground speed over uneven ground will be around six mph. You may find traversing eight acres with 400 pound to 500 pound bucket loads tedious at six mph.
Slightly larger 'Compact tractors' of 1,600 - 1,800 pounds bare tractor weight have larger wheels and tires. Larger wheels yield greater ground clearance, usually at least 12", and a much smoother ride over rough ground. With 12" ground clearance you can tractor cultivate a garden until crop reaches 12" to 14" height. Compact tractors have greater FEL lift capacity than Subcompacts. Subcompacts generally draw 48" wide implements. Compact tractors generally draw 54" or 60" implements. Allowing for a 5" overlap in use, a considerable improvement over 48" implements.
Five reasons owner/operators trade up from a BX:
More tractor weight.
More FEL lift capacity.
Greater ground clearance
Three-range (3) HST rather than two-range (2) HST on BX. (Lower LOW, Higher, HIGH)
More tractor engine horsepower to operate PTO powered implements.
For eight bumpy acres consider a Kubota LX2610.
Last edited:
newbury
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Bumpy ground demands B.
Mowing 2 acres? Look into less mowing or a ZTR.
Hard clay & tiller needs more HP.
Look into a L2501, seems like just a few $$ more, but VERY popular due to emission evading.
Milo
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18 years ago I was in the same quandary BX or B? I decided on the small B7500 mostly to get the extra ground clearance and larger diameter tires. This tractor had 21hp (maybe 16.5 - 17 at the PTO) with a 54" mower deck, which was a mistake I should have gone with a 60" deck, but it made a great mower. I moved all kinds of stuff just using the loader and bucket clearing land. I would be happy with a B2301 (or B2601) for the use you describe with a 60" deck. There is only 2hp difference at the PTO between the 2601 and 2301 and no difference in lift capacity. Two improvements the B01's have over what I had are 3 range transmission and position control, plus I would get SSQA and a set of light weight pallet forks to go with the bucket.