Tractor Sizing Confused about size!!

[Dodgeram]

Been lurking here for about 6 months. I think with all of the fantastic info I've got from the members, I've narrowed the tractor search down (I change my mind every time I visit here)
I have:
1) 5+ Acres (Minor hills)
2) 3 in finish lawn- needs to be cut spring-fall.
3) 2+ in overgrowth- probably bush hog 2 times a year.
4) Moving 20-30 small trees (3" max caliber)
5) Digging a 100' trench to run water line to garden
6) Moving 6 yards of mulch/2-3 cords of Firewood
7) Helping neighbors dig up 6' azaleas
8) Moving snow on 300' concrete drive
9) Anything else she ask me to do.
I was set on the BX23 ($14,400), 60"MMM ($2,200.00), 5' Back Blade ($375), Tooth Bar ($375) with a 48" Brush hog but reading here everyone is raving about the B3030.
The total for the BX is around $18K w/tax (not including the 4' Brush Hog).
The prices for the B3030 (Gotten from post here) TLB w/60" MMM is $25K + Tax.
In the professional opinon of the folks here, do you think the BX will work for what I've described?
I don't want to go too small.
I'm so confused!
Thanks

 

[Bob_Skurka]

Yes the BX will work, but I would prefer a slightly larger tractor. I would not go as big as the B3030, however. Have you considered the 7510 or the 7610? I think for 5+ acres, either of those would be a better match than the BX. However, none of the tasks you have outlined are that tough, so the BX could handle them.

 

[Henro]

Dodgeram,

With five acres either one would work in my opinion. The BX might be a little better as a grass cutter, the B3030 a little better at most of the other stuff if size is not an issue.

The B3030 is not so large that it can't be used for grass cutting; Actually it can do a pretty good job at that.

The BH75 will take a larger backhoe bucket (up to 24" I think) and dig a little deeper. Longer reach is also always welcome.

You don't mention severe slopes, but if you had them the BX being lower to the ground seems more stable on mine. I don't know if it is, but it sure feels like it is...

With five acres, if I had to have only one tractor, my guess is that it would probably end up being larger than the BX...I have frequently thought that a B7510 might be the optomum size...but it is really such a hard call.

Let us know what you decide! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[jpr62902]

The only true advantage of the 7510 over the BX23 is ground clearance. They both have very similar capabilities otherwise. Yes, the B series has greater hydraulic capacity (stronger FEL and BH), but you're still in the 60" MMM and 48" bush hog range. I went through this same analysis 2 years ago and went with the BX22, mainly based on price ($4,000.00 cheaper than a B7500 TLB). You can spend 25% more for greater FEL and BH capability, but you can still do the same things with the BX as compared to the B7510 (it just might take a little more time). Now the B3030, that's another story, since you're moving into 72" MMM and 60" bush hog range. But then again, It costs a great deal more. All in all, any of these units would be capable of meeting your needs.

 

[ByronBob]

Go to Kubota's web site, read, read and then go to a dealer site and see the difference.

The BX series is a lawnmower with extended capability. It lacks ground clearence. The B series is more conventional as a tractor which can mow nicely. The 2 are different in their set up.

A BX23 will be fine as long as you don't go off into the woods or terrain which is rough.

 

[frank_f15]

WELCOME TO THE FORUM /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif i think the 3030 might e a little large, someting in betwwen the BX and the 3030 should do you. as someone else mentioned, you need to go look and try them out.

 

[Henro]

<font color="blue">
The only true advantage of the 7510 over the BX23 is ground clearance. </font>

I don't want to sound like I am beating up on the BX (especially since I have one) but this is not really the case.

The BX 3PH is smaller than what is on the B series tractors. Less spread, less lift, less rear stick out. The BX is more vulnerable underneath...I.E., the exposed filters and that infamous plastic cooling fan, if nothing else.

My gut tells me that the larger diameter rear tires on the various B-series tractors may give better traction...but I have no way to determine that. I do know that weight wise my B2910 is not more than 50% heavier than my BX, but I WOULD be willing to bet the traction (forward pull) is double(or better) what my BX with bar tires can do.

All I am trying to say here is that there is a lot more difference between the BX and B series tractors than ground clearance...just trying to let the facts speak for themselves. I have one of both, and feel no need to bad mouth either one of them...

 

[Dodgeram]

Thanks Guys.
Good Info. I got a price last month on a 7510 and a 7610, Both with FEL, 6' Blade and a 6' Woods RFM. Salesman told me to buy an extra set of blades and put them on the RFM when I cut the field. Sounded like a good idea as I will only cut it twice a year.
7510 was $16,400 and 7610 was like $17,200 w/MD Tax.
Anyone know what a BH goes for? If it's like $6,500.00 I'm getting up into the B3030 TLB Range.
I was going to look at the Kioti CK30HST, but the weight bothers me a little.
I never thought buying a tractor could be so confusing.

 

[jackl]

I recently went through a similar assessment. I have 5 acres, 1.5 in lawn, ~1 is easy mowing field that includes scotch pines and my fruit orchard and another 1 that I just mow 3-4 times a year with my Bush hog and Ford 8N. My plan was for the Kubota to handle all areas. I also have landscaping to do, a 100x50 garden and a 120 feet of driveway to plow. Then there's always dirt to be moved around. I was also interested in ground clearance so I went for the B7510 with turf tires, a 302FEL and a 60" Bush Hog finish mower. Now since I've only had it for 10 days I can't provide a lot of historical information. However, it cut my lawn nicer than my Cub Cadet that has a 42 inch MMM. It also took less than 1/2 the fuel to do it. I've stripped and moved topsoil as well. So far it is a fantastic machine (no offense to my 8N). With the chores you have in mind, I think I would add the extra HP and go with the 7610 or the 7800. They stretched my budget a bit too much with 2 kids in college! the only regret I have is that maybe I should have gone with the R4 industrial tires as the R3's load up with dirt pretty easily. Good luck!

 

[Bob_Skurka]

Unless your grass is very sparce (as in you live in an arrid area or cold area like Canada) I would NEVER consider a 6' mower deck for a B7510 and could consider it oversized for a B7610. I'm in the midwest, we have thick lush lawns, a 24hp tractor can get choked down by a 5' finish mower if the grass gets a bit long. JMHO

 

[jpr62902]

Bill,

You would know more than most about the comparisons between the BX and B series tractors and I defer to your experience. All I was saying was that you really don't gain much over the BX22\23 with a B7510, other than ground clearance and slightly better hydraulics. The original poster was talking about using a 4' bush hog and I don't think the 3ph on the BX poses a problem with that type of attachment. Unless you're using a rear blade or York rake 5' wide or more, or perhaps certain models of post hole augers, the BX 3ph doesn't really isn't a problem, and even then, there are ways around that (Pat's easy change or drilling holes in the lift arms higher up on the yokes). Let us know if you disagree.

 

[sail2xxs]

Hi Dodgeram,
I have been reading the forums for a while now, and finally may be able to contribute! I have a B7510 in MD, and use a 6' RFM for mowing 11 acres of lawn. It works great; thus far, I have not had problems with getting bogged down. In the Spring, I mow 1x/week, later summer 1x every week and a half. I'm over near Annapolis if you want to stop by to take a look at the tractor to get a better idea of things. I purchased the 7510 with LA302 FEL, toothbar, 72" RFM, filled tires and single axle trailer new from Byrd Tractor in Manassas for $14.5K (with tax) last July. I have 65ish very happy hours on the tractor. Salesman's name was Tom.

For trenching like you are mentioning, I use a "middlebuster" plow. It was $100 brand new from a dealer in Upper Marlboro. I've had extremely good luck with this set-up, mostly due to tips from the attachments forum. ;-)

I moved 18 cubic yards of mulch last Saturday with the FEL, and am convinced that having the toothbar helped quite a bit.

A few weeks ago, I picked up a 4 foot box blade after much research here on the attachments forum. The logic was to cover the tire tracks while also having enough power/traction to really tear things up and pull a full box. With I think one exception, everyone recommended the 4 foot, rather than 5 foot blade. For what I've used it for thus far (driveway levelling and making a garden patch) it's been fine.

The loader was used for the small snows we had this past winter on a 1/10 mile driveway, and a smaller 200 foot driveway, and worked great. With the tractor in 4WD, I didn't have any traction problems. I also liked the ability to stack the snow.

While I am always the first to try to figure out a way to end up with more toys, /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif I would suggest renting a backhoe from United Rentals or a similar place at $180/day (8 hrs. of engine time) for your digging. I've used United's B21TLB on many occasions. Although not as convenient as having your own, once the projects are overwith, you're left with an attachment that is rarely used. You'd be amazed at what you can get done in 8 hours with a B21TLB.

Hope this helps!

Regards,

Chris