BX24 vs B21 TLB ?

[miles2go]

In order to get a sense of whether a new BX24 would suit my purposes, I'm considering renting a B21 TLB for a day and running it through the various tasks I want a tractor to do on my property.

Are there any substantial differences that a novice like myself would notice between these two tractors, aside from vintage?

In other words, if I like or dislike the B21, am I probably going to feel the same way about the BX24? Thanks!

 

[IslandTractor]

Pretty big difference between those two machines. For starters you'd be sitting a lot higher and have more ground clearance with the B21. The FEL has a lot more capacity and the backhoe considerably more power and reach. The B21 weighs in at 3850lbs which is close to double the BX series.

BX23s can be rented for the day by some Kubota dealers. The differences there would be that the BX24 would be slightly higher as it now has better ground clearance. Not sure of the FEL/BH specs on the 24 vs 23 (they are close) but you can look them up on the kubota website.

 

[LBrown59]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Pretty big difference between those two machines. For starters you'd be sitting a lot higher and have more ground clearance with the B21. The FEL has a lot more capacity and the backhoe considerably more power and reach. The B21 weighs in at 3850lbs which is close to double the BX series.

BX23s can be rented for the day by some Kubota dealers. The differences there would be that the BX24 would be slightly higher as it now has better ground clearance. Not sure of the FEL/BH specs on the 24 vs 23 (they are close) but you can look them up on the kubota website. )</font>

Also you can't remove the FEL from a b21 tlb

 

[bandit67]

And in case you're still not completely clear regarding the differences, the BX24 is a SubCompact size (slightly bigger than a garden tractor), and the B21 is a Compact size (quite a bit larger than the Subcompact). The B21 engine is a larger displacement than the BX24 engine, and although is rated at only 21 hp compared to the BX24's 23 hp, it develops much more torque. The hydraulics on the B21 are much more powerful.

Renting the 21 hp B21 and expecting the 23 hp BX24 to be just as powerful, if not more, would be a mistake. It is in no way an apples to apples comparison.

 

[miles2go]

Thanks! guys. This is the kind of info I was after.

The B21 is still probably the closest match to the BX24 I can try out on my property, since the local Kubota dealer is not in the rental business.

 

[aesanders]

Many delears will let you try before you buy. I'd see if they will let you try out the Bx 24 on your property or find a dealer willing to do this.

 

[jim_wilson]

Renting a B21 is still going to be a useful experience - it will give you some insight into whether or not you will need a tractor that big or whether you can get away with something smaller. After you use the B21 you will have a good point of comparison if you can get to use a BX23 or BX24 for some period of time.

 

[DAP]

Ummm ... this comparison is WAY OUT THERE. The BX24 is a SCUT ... sub-compact utility tractor. The B21 is a COMMERCIAL GRADE COMPACT TLB.

An equivalent comparison would be a 12 foot canoe and a 35 foot Searay. They are both boats but that's where the comparison stops.

 

[Henro]

Apples to oranges comparison from my view point.

Attached is a photo showing a my BX2200 next to my B2910. The BX is very close in size to the BX24 and the B2910 is close in size to the B21 (same rear tires).

IF you get some experience with the B21, I would venture to guess that you will NOT be satisifed with the BX24 afterwards if you have to do much work with it.

It is just SMALLER...smaller takes longer, backhoe reach is less, digging debth is less, and so on.

Hope the picture is worth the 1,000 words it is supposed to be! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[IslandTractor]

I think Jim is correct if you have little tractor/TLB experience it might be worth testing the B21. Seeing what a TLB is capable of will be useful. However, I'd try to get the dealer to set up some way for you to perform a similar task with the BX24 on his lot once you've experienced the B21. As everyone has said, the B21 is a much more capable machine. Kinda like trying to assess if you'd be happy with a Ford Ranger pickup on the basis of test driving an F250.

 

[MarkV]

Miles2go,
Think I would go along with the others and say that even though the two have similar horsepower they are not the same class machine. It would be a good experience as you try and decide how much tractor you need to rent the B21. Have at some of those trees you want out and see how much effort it will take with the smaller TLB.

Just a couple words of caution if you rent. You have said you are new to tractors like all of us were at one time. Also it has been mentioned that your property is rather hilly. Hills and tractors require some basic cautions to avoid problems. Try to minimize the amount of side hill travel you do. Over 15 degrees on a side hill can feel pretty uncomfortable and is generally considered about the max you want to take a small tractor. Drop the low side into an unseen hole and you can find yourself in trouble. Always keep the loader bucket as close to the ground as possible so that your center of gravity remains low. Go slow!! With the B21, if you find yourself on a slope where you feel uncomfortable lower the stabilizers close to the ground until you get to a more level surface. Do not shift from one transmission range to another while on a hill. There is a lag between ranges that can make the tractor free wheel if you get caught between ranges. Wear that seat belt just in case.

Sure hope I don’t sound like I am preaching to you. It is just hard to know what you can expect from a tractor until you have a few hours under your belt and hillsides can be tricky for even experienced operators.

MarkV

 

[miles2go]

MarkV,

Thanks for those pointers. I tend to be cautious, so you are preaching to the choir -- but I never mind hearing a safety sermon.

 

[otus_branch]

The point about lowering the stabilizers is a good one. A freind of mine has an apple orchard that's basically mid-slope on a cliff. Makes for great views, but tough walking, and even tougher tractoring. He contracts out the hole-digging to a neighbor with a small TLB (not sure which brand, but it's 1-seat true TLB, and not a CUT with a BH attachment). The (brave) neighbor traverses this slope with the hoe fully on the uphill side, and the downhill-side stabilizer nearly fully lowered. I'm not sure OSHA would approve, but they're not around... /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

OSHA or no, be careful on those slopes.

-otus