BX22 vs. B21

Anonymous Poster · May 14, 2003

I'm thinking on getting either of these machines, equipped with the hoe. What are the differences?
Is this size machine really too small to dig a septic tank, or do light dirt work to prep for a foundation?

Your insights are appreciated!

Anonymous Poster · May 14, 2003

Also, is the BX2200 and the BX22 the same base machine?
I'm thinking that the B21 might be also, but I'm starting to get confused /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif.

Bird · May 14, 2003

I don't remember all the specs, but the B21 is a bigger machine than the BX models.

kyoders · May 14, 2003

Stokes,

I just used my BX22 to dig a hole for a plastic cistern tank. The final dimensions were 6.5' deep x 5.5' wide x 8.5' long. It took me quite a while to do, I would guess about 15 hours of machine time. But, it was my first experience with using a backhoe for anything beyond a simple trench, and at least half that time was spent moving the dirt piles out of the way. It was basically dug into the side of a hill, so I only had limited access to maneuver the machine.

To get to 6.5' deep, you would need to make sure you get that deep on everything you can reach, then move over, and repeat. Being new at this, I didn't realize that until it was too late. Fortunately, the hole was situated on a hill, so I was able to dig out the low side of the hill to effectively lower that side, then I could go deep enough on the parts I missed.

So yes, a BX22 could dig a hole for a septic tank. If you were going to do this size hole on any kind of a regular basis, I would think the B21 would be a better choice (I believe it has a 7.5' hoe). I looked closely at both machines and decided that for 95% of what I want to do, the 6' hoe was adequate. Worst case, I was going to hire out the cistern hole, but it turned out I didn't have to. This saved me about 7K on the purchase, and a couple hundred on not having to hire somebody.

Kevin

NY_Yankees_Fan · May 14, 2003

Yes BX2200 and BX22 are the same machine, upgrades in the frame, some steel added, comes with a grill guard and the ROPS does fold on the BX22.

The B21 is a much bigger tractor and I do not think the hoe comes off to easy on the B21. See them being used by the gas compnay all the time around here. I think the B21 does not have a mid mount mower as the BX does.

For heavy digging the B21 is the way to go, for the average homeowner, a hole every now and then the BX22 is the way to go. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Anonymous Poster · May 14, 2003

I was way off. I thought the B21 and the BX22 would be similar sizes, but they surely are not.
I guess I'm looking more at the B21 vs the 2910 with hoe.
Any good ideas on that?

RobertN · May 14, 2003

The B21 is a bit larger than a BX. It is built with a hard mount for the backhoe, not a 3pt mount, although the backhoe is detachable. It is more of an industrial machine, and is built like a little tank. Do they still make the B21? or, are you lookiing at a used machine?

Will_C · May 14, 2003

Stokes; If you want a serious small backhoe (TLB), the B21 is the way to go. If you desire a tractor with a backhoe that comes on and off easily, then a B series with a backhoe is the way to go (for using the 3pt hitch, mowing, etc.) Think of the B21 as a minature Case or Cat TLB.
Will

MarkV · May 14, 2003

Stokes welcome to the forum, the Bx22 and the B21 are two different tractors designed to meet two different needs in the market place. Will C summed it up pretty well when he said "Think of the B21 as a minature Case or Cat TLB." It is a bit of a tank for its size, as Robert said, and is used by utility companies and contractors around the country. As far as the backhoe removal I find mine quite easy to remove and replace. There is a trade off if you are looking for an all around machine though. The loader on the B21 is not removable and there is no mid PTO if you want a mid mount mower. You also pay a price for the extra heavy-duty construction of the frame and hydraulics. In your second post you were looking at the B21 and the B2910 and I feel that is a more accurate comparison with the 2910 having more power but not as nice of backhoe options. It all depends on how you intend to use the tractor. Give us an idea what you plan on doing with the tractor and there may be more options that will fit your needs.

By the way, my wife says that even I can't destroy the B21, if that is the kind of tractor you need. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

MarkV

Anonymous Poster · May 15, 2003

Well, I made a trip down to J&I, a sponsor of this site. I made sure that I told them I walked into their store because of their sponsorship!

Anyways, the B2910 really is more like the size of the B21. I'm thinking this is the size of the machine I want, but now I'm wondering if the HP on the B21 is going to suit me. I really was thinking that the B21 was about ideal, with all the stuff (L&B) perrformanced matched. Then, I started to look at the 2910, and it can be built to work like the B21, have 8 more HP and be about $3K less! It would be slightly longer, but the width is about the same.

My first and biggest jobs will be digging a septic, and prepping the earth for a double wide mobile home that I'm going to set up as a rental. This mobile is going to have to be 4ft in the air, so I've pretty much well decided that if I wanted to use the tractor to help lift, it ain't gonna work. But, I can do all the dirt work prepping for concrete.

If this job goes as well as planned, I'm looking at buying some acreage a few miles sout and short platting it. It's really easy land, so I think this little Kubota would do. I had originally thought of getting a Case 580 (probably the SuperK), but I know that I could probably just spend a few more hours on the Kubota for the big stuff, and then have the smaller, more useful for me machine for everything else.
After short platting, I'll probably put of prefab homes, maybe duplex or fourplex homes.
It is obvious to me that this is a 10-Year plan, and my time is currently worth less than my money (on this project). Not to mention, I just have a hard time paying someone else for something I can do, even if it means I gotta work 20hrs a day to get it all done. I just wish I could do orthodontics, but I might start studying!

So, the dealer is quoting me $26,600 for the B21. He says the B2910 with FEL and a Woods 7.5" Hoe would be about $3K less. Am I all wet?