Getting ready to buy....

murphdasurf · Jan 11, 2004

I would first like to say this is my first post and that this site and these forums are the absolute best. I especially like the fact that everyone has experience when they offer suggestions. In any event I live in RI and have found a dealer in Franklin, CT who took about an hour of time on the phone to ask what my intentions were with the tractor and explained in detail the pros and cons of each model.

He will have the new models by the end of January at which time I will make a trip and check them out. I have narrowed it down to either a BX23 or 2910. The price on the BX23 he quoted was about 15500 including delivery and up to a day of instruction at my home. I really did not get into pricing on the 2910 but does anyone know what that might be with FEL and backhoe attachment? I am considering the 2910 because of the fact that it can handle a larger post hole attachment.

Any comments or feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Junkman · Jan 11, 2004

Depending on the total number of post holes you intend to dig over the lifetime of the machines ownership, will determine if the extra cost is worth the difference in convenience. Knowing where you live, a post hole digger might not be able to dig holes unless it were mounted on a skidder with a lot of down pressure. The only thing smaller than the rocks in your yard are the elephants in the Roger Williams Zoo....

GregJ · Jan 11, 2004

Murph,
That is a pretty big step from a BX23 to a B2910. I started looking at the BX22 and ended up with B7500 w/ fel & Bh. I have really enjoyed my unit. I would highly recommend you analyze what you are going to be doing and look at each of the units in between (B7510,B2410,B2710,B7800...Have I left any out?). Look closely at the specs and you will see there is a significant difference between these models. For example, the B7500 has 50% more lift and capacity than the BX22 on it's FEL, BH and 3pt. The B7800/2910 has roughly 30% more than the B7500. I really enjoyed the time I spent shopping. It sounds like you have found a good dealer that is willing to take the time to help you with your decision. Have fun.

Greg

murphdasurf · Jan 11, 2004

One of the interesting things that the dealer pointed out was the way the frame is designed and the addition of the backhoe. Perhaps you can help me here. From what I recall he said that the BX22/23 frame is better designed/equipped to handle the BH attachment. Now he did mention the models between but said that to get the equivalent design and strength a couple of model jumps would be required to achieve the same, how do I say, equivalent. I did mention the 7800 and he did not recommend it for the work I would be doing. He did not try to talk me into buying it, he felt the BX23 would be perfect for what I needed. Are you a 2910 owner? I just don't want to invest in this and find it can't do what I need. The FEL and BH will probaly be given equal time and the most I will be lifting is around 400 lbs.

murphdasurf · Jan 11, 2004

You hit the nail smack dab in the middle. We got plenty of Irish potatoes here. I can say that seeing as I'm Irish. I have 2.25 acres that I plan on really making look well landscaped. I will be putting in drainage, concrete walkways, moving 3/4 crushed stone, spreading mulch, and all those other great things that I really don't have time to do but want to get done. I am also sick of the walk behind snow blower thing and can's wait to use the FEL. I am not sure if I can or will invest in a snowblower attachment. Any comments on that?

ronjhall · Jan 11, 2004

murphdasurf

402 FEL is $3400.
BL 4690 Backhoe is $6000 plus.
I use my B2910 for the same projects as you have listed. You will be able to all of those projects with a BX23 but each will require more time.

GregJ · Jan 11, 2004

Murph,
I have a B7500 with a Kubota 4672BH and LA302FEL. There has been a lot of discussion regarding the difference between a 3pt. and a subframe BH. There is no doubt that a subframe is a more solid connection, but at the same time I don't feel that the 3pt. is as bad as some make them out to be. As far as installation, they just take a little practice. The first time I did it, it took me over an hour to get it back on. Yesterday I dropped it in 5 minutes and put it back on in 5 minutes. I take mine off and on all the time.

The Kubota BH for the B series is a 3pt. mount. When I was shopping and evaluating between the BX22 and the B7500, these are the specs that I looked at:

FEL Lift Capacity: BX22 = 460lbs. B7500 = 660lbs.
BH Digging Force: BX22 = 1936lbs. B7500 = 2950lbs.
3pt. Lift Capacity: BX22 = 680lbs. B7500 = 1058lbs.

In this comparison, I realized that I could increase my capacity by approximately 50% and it would cost around $2,000 more. That seemed like a pretty good bargain to me. I also needed the extra ground clearance, so this suddenly became a "no-brainer" for me as to which tractor was best for me. The B7800 was not offered at that time. If I were buying today, I would probably be looking closely at the B7800 for value. Everybody has different needs and it just comes down to trying to match the features and capacities with your uses. I would also build in a little "wiggle room" in your anticipated capacity needs. We always find ways to use our tractors for more than we ever dreamt of. Hope this helps.

Greg

ronjhall · Jan 11, 2004

Might as well add the B 2910 to the comparison list.

<font color="blue"> FEL Lift Capacity: BX22 = 460lbs. B7500 = 660lbs. </font>
B 2910 = 882lbs.

<font color="blue"> 3pt. Lift Capacity: BX22 = 680lbs. B7500 = 1058lbs. </font>
B 2910 = 1300 lbs.

One of the items that I look at is the height that the FEL can lift.
BX22= 70.1", B 7500 = 69.7", B 2910 = 82.3"

Rick Jay · Jan 11, 2004

murphdasurf,

Welcome to TBN! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

I bought my B2910 three and a half years ago. I have about 2/3 of an acre. I do not use the B2910 for mowing the lawn. I bought it solely to move things out of my way! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

I originally bought it with a loader, Woods 7500 backhoe and Woods 1160 post hole digger.

At the time, the BX23 (and similar sub-compact TLB's) were not available. If I were to purchase today, I would most likely still go with the B2910. As others have said, I think it's the most "bang for the buck". If money were really tight, I could easily "get by" with a BX22/23.

If I was going to use a mid-mount mower on my tractor, I would have opted for the Kubota hoe instead. The Woods backhoe sub-frame mount requires that a small bracket remain on the tractor and this interferes with a MMM mount. (I don't know if that's still true 3 1/2 years later.)

I really like the reach of the 7 1/2 foot hoe and often wish for more reach. I guess I could make do with a shorter, it would still be much better than the shovel.

I have hard pan clay soil with lots of "potato" size rocks. I've been very impressed with the digging capabilities of this machine. I have dubbed it "The Equalizer". /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Oh...and snow removal is now FUN!!! Whether I use the loader, the back blade or the rear 3 pt. mount snowblower. Anything is better than the shovel.

Good Luck in your decision.

~Rick

aloha · Jan 11, 2004

If you are thinking about spending what a B2910 costs, you should think about the L3130. It's a lot more tractor for not much more money. If you want the capabilities of the B2910 at less cost, check out the B7800.

Current best price in Oregon/Washington for a B7800 with LA402 FEL, and Woods 7500 BH with subframe mount is about $5000 more than what you were quoted for the BX23.