considering BX25D vs B2601 w/BH or...

russellm · May 5, 2015

hi All,

getting within a few months of making my tractor purchase.

I am struggling a bit with my decision and here is why:

1. I have hilly property and I want to be able to use the tractor on hilly part someday.
I know the BX25D has a lower center of gravity and with spacers can make it even better

2. I want to hook up a wood chipper and very much prefer getting one that is run by the tractors PTO.
The B2601 has ~2HP more on the PTO over the BX25D
The tractor is 4.4" higher off the ground, 4.5" wider, and 45 pounds heavier (according to specs). Wheelbase is slightly longer too
When "building" the B2601 on Kubota's website, the wheel spacers get grayed out as an option when selecting the BH.
It may be possible to purchase some that work, I have not really looked into it.

Some things that are important but not higher priority then the above:
1. Features and lifting capacity. I understand most of the benefits of the B2601 over the BX25D in lift, position control, etc..
2. Price - while saving several thousand by going with the BX25D would be great, I want to ultimately be happy with the choice I make so its not a top priority

Should I -
1. Just go with the BX25D and resign myself to using a smaller chipper (maybe limit it to 2" branches) or knowing the larger chipper just wont function as well with the smaller PTO horse power. I have lots and lots of trees that have been felled and lots and lots of 2-4" branches that I would ultimately like to turn into chips.
2. Go with the B2601 and resign myself to never put it on the hill. I also understand the amount of work I can do on the hilly part with the BX25D will have limitations
3. consider another tractor that has a better center of gravity? Based on all my readings on this forum it appears the math on anything bigger than a BX25D (I.E. ground clearance, tire width, wheelbase, weight) does not make any of them less tippy

In case it matters, I am dealing with 4 acres of wooded property, 2 Acres roughly flat, 1 Acre on a slop, and the last Acre very steep and only accessible by foot

Best Regards
Russell

millsan1 · May 5, 2015

I had the same choice to make and have similar property, except it is all slope.

I went with the BX and am very happy. I am pretty sure it is part mountain goat.

I put broteck 3" spacers on and they made a world of difference.

JOHNTHOMAS · May 6, 2015

I've had two BX25s and a BX2620, B7800, B3200, B2320. The BX25 is also scary on hills with the BH on. The B will do a lot more lifting/digging/pulling. The only one I ever turned over was my BX25 which has me a bit more careful than I was before.
The new BX25D1 has a factory defect problem. It doesn't stop when the pedal is let off, it keeps rolling which is a major problem for those of us use to the HST tractor stopping without having to mash the brake pedal. Will never buy another one unless the problem is fixed. Bold statement for me to make.
I had a L3240HST and got rid of it pretty quick because of sitting so high off the ground on hill sides, to scary for me.
Bottom line is you have to be careful with any of them and always go up and down and not across. If you can't do that then you may not need a tractor. Removing the BH on all of them is an option and should be done when not using and in a hilly area. The BH can be swung around to the uphill side and extended to give some stability.
The Bs have 3 speeds and BX two. Bs a bit heavier. BX has the easily damaged fan and some have even damaged them with the extra protection plates. BX turns in a bit smaller space. Woods work needs bigger, heavier and stronger tractor.
Try them both before making a decision.

russellm · May 6, 2015

thanks.

Yes, I have read enough threads now to know I need to go up and down the hill and not sideways...

Is it just the BX25D-1 that does not stop when foot removed from pedal or does the BX25D (without the -1) also exhibit this behavior?

millsan1 · May 6, 2015

My BX25D stops pretty quickly when I take my foot off the pedal. If I lift my foot quickly, it feels like the brakes are applied.

628pm · May 6, 2015

I have a b2620 with backhoe that I am trading for a bx2670-1. Sold property I used the backhoe on. If I had it to do again I would of found a used backhoe, did the work I needed then sold it. Will be using the bx for more lawn work and around the property. I was lucky my neighbor had a regular backhoe that we used when needed to do "heavy backhoe" work. Yes you can use the small backhoe to do jobs, but in my experience they are very limited if you are wanting to remove stumps or other large projects. I know some people will say they work great for what they need, I have no doubt they were satisfied, but in my usage I could of used a larger backhoe to do my work.

russellm · May 6, 2015

Thanks Millsan

628pm - yes, I will be needing to remove trees/stumps (will restrict this to the flat portion of the land) so power of the backhow is certainly a consideration

LarJea · May 6, 2015

I had to make the same decision between the BX25D and the B2601 and I didn't know what I was going to buy until I got there. I looked at the BX25D first then asked if they had the new B2601, they said two are on the way but they had a B2301 in, so I compared the two and couldn't see a whole lot of difference in size. Since I don't need a backhoe just yet, (I have a 12 ton excavator) I went with the B2601 (which came in while I was doing the paperwork) and will buy a backhoe for it later when I get my road building done and sell the excavator. I also live on heavily wooded 10 acres, with about 8 acres of it on a hillside and the rest on a slope, but I am sure the B2601 will work out, just got to be careful. I originally carved out a lot of my property with an old Case 580B backhoe, so I should be ok with the B2601. I have already mowed the roads I have built on the hill but went ahead and ordered 2 1/2 inch rear spacers from Motorsport Tech to make life easier. I had the back tires filled with vegetable oil and am now making my own rear ballast for when I use the loader!!!

russellm · May 6, 2015

Thanks LarJea... Yes, I was following your thread.

If you dont mind, send me a PM (or reply to the thread) and let me know what config you went with, where you ended up buying it (looks like you are in WA), and what you ended up paying.

LarJea · May 6, 2015

I bought the B2601 at Jennings equipment in Puyallup, also bought a RTV 900 from them back in 2008, great family owned place. I got the loader w/54 inch bucket, 54 inch mower and Landpride 42 inch forks, also tires filled, going to pickup the thee point fork setup later (for moving/storing firewood) and buy the backhoe attachment later on. I didn't haggle over prices. Paid $14,995 for tractor. $3500. for QA Kubota front loader with 54 inch QA bucket. Rear tire ballast oil was $200. 54 inch mower ($2200.) and pallet forks ($820.) were discounted $750. So with taxes and everything, it came to $22,821.27 Forgot to mention, I went with the 60 month no interest loan. which requires you to buy insurance. I bought the Kubota insurance, I'm guessing cost around $1700. If you are ever in the area and want to test drive mine, I live 9 miles or so past Carbonado, PM me.