I need pulling power, help please.

[CostaRica]

Hello, I have a farm in Costa Rica, and I'm planning to buy a used KUBOTA in the US. I will be mainly pulling hay and manure (about 2000 pounds, trailer included) 3 or 4 times a day, in like 200 m. trips each way, flat and up and down hills of like 25 deg. Right now I have an old B6000 4wd 12.5 hp, and I do most of the work in 4th and 5th gear with little to no problem, but its slow and tedious. Please I need advice from you experienced guys that pull stuff, is the BX23 tlb too small for this job, if so, what could be the smallest hp. for my job and 'cause I'll be 90% of the time pulling loads, should I get a geared KUBOTA or could I do with a Hydrostat??? All opinions appreciated. Thanks.

 

[KennyV]

I trust that 200 m. you are referring to 200 meters and NOT 200 miles…. You would need a very fast tractor in the case of miles. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

From what you say your use is going to be, I would think a mid sized tractor with around 30 to 50hp. Hydro, glide shift or geared. Any of these are going to lend themselves to basic farming chores. Is there some reason you want to use the smallest size tractor you can.

The BX series is very handy where small is required, Or more desirable, But for towing I’d go larger. … Your needs sound like a larger tractor is just the ticket. IMHO KennyV.

P.S. I’m new to this forum also, but I’ll extend a welcome anyway…..

 

[Egon]

Note:

The 12.5 HP is doing the job but slowly.

Just about any small tractor you look at will have over 20 HP and would work for you.

One can assume the dealer network may not be the greatest so simpicity and track record may be a factor in tractor choice. The one you mentioned should work. I'd go with a tractor with just a little more physical mass because of the heavy loads you are hauling.

Happy shopping

Egon

 

[JerryG]

One thing that you need to in keep in mind is that you don't want to get in to a dangerous situation, where the trailer is so heavy that it is controlling the tractor. You need a tractor of sufficient size and weight to control the trailer.

 

[Jimbrown]

The BX is too small the draw bar is too close to the ground and the tires are too small. I would look at or for a New holland Boomer tc 24d as better for your purpose.

 

[jim_wilson]

I have a Kubota BX23 and according to the factory manual the maximum trailer towing weight for this tractor is 1700 pounds. That is trailer with load. The weight of the tractor itself is about 2500 pounds I believe - so if you really have a 2000 pound load to tow you would not only be exceeding the recommended limit on the BX23 but also getting close to the actual weight of the tractor itself which could cause a dangerous situation where the trailer weight overcame the tractor's ability to control it. You might get away with exceeding the weight limit on flat level ground but I would not try it on any sort of slope. If towing the weight is the main thing you will be doing with the tractor you might want to look first at what model(s) have the tow rating for that load and work from there as to what tractor to get. I looked the specs posted on the Kubota site for a couple of different models very quickly and they don't seem to post the tow ratings - I am pretty sure the owners manuals for every model would have this information though - I know my BX23 manual did - so maybe people on this forum could give you some insight into what models would have an adequate tow rating.....

 

[slowrev]

How much does the B6000 weigh ? If it is doing the job ok now I would get one that weighs no less than the B6000. HP is sort of optional, you really need the weight and good brakes to handle the loads on the downhill slope, else you will be going really fast trying to stay ahead of the trailer /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif 4WD is probably a requirement for your use if you are getting a small CUT, for pulling up hills.

 

[shoppintractors]

<font color="blue"> The weight of the tractor itself is about 2500 pounds I believe </font>

Tractor only: BX23 - 1520 pounds. (From Kubota sales literature.)

Don

 

[BillG_in_TX]

CostaRica,

How about something like the L2500DT? Here's a review by one of the TBN moderators.

It should have the pulling power you need, and be fairly simple to maintain. I'm guessing you don't have a nearby Kubota dealer.

 

[Bird]

So you're currently pulling that trailer with a B6000, which means almost any of the compact tractors cna handle the job. While I think a BX could do the job, but you said the B6000 is slow and tedious. I think the BX will be also, and of course, you need to consider the ability to stop as well as power to pull. I used to have a B7100 that I think had a top speed of about 9 mph. Kubota.com shows the BX to be about 8.5, the other B series to be 8.8 to 11.9 (11.9 is what my B2710 was supposed to be). And the L2800 is 13.7 mph.

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( should I get a geared KUBOTA or could I do with a Hydrostat )</font>

Either one will do the job just fine; purely a matter of your personal preference.

 

[jim_wilson]

I should have explained better - I believe the weight of the tractor with attachments (backhoe and FEL) is about 2500 pounds. They don't detail this on the Kubota website but that is the number that is stuck in my head from the manual.

 

[CostaRica]

Hello all,
first of all, thank you for your wellcome and for taking the time to answer my post, my B6000 4wd weights a little less than the BX23, and altough it is amaizingly strong for its size, I need something heavier for safety reasons. Now, I have a Kubota dealer close to my place, but it is probaly twice as expensive as any in the US, but I want a Kubota. It probably is the best tractor around. Now, I believe they dont bring here the hydros. and thats like 90% of the tractors for sale on e-bay, so I hope that with good care, they wont have transmision problems (more with my pulling needs). So I'll try to find something between the 25-40 hp. Thank you all again!

 

[KennyV]

I did note that he was using 12.5 HP, WITH little or no problem… reminded me of when I was regularly using my MF65 /loaded tires and wheel weights, to pull a 6000 gallon water tank that I rigged up to wet the roads before graded them… That tractor did the job WITH little or no problem also. However had I a larger tractor I could have done that faster and safer with no problems.

When pulling a load, larger and heavier is the best combination.

When you want to do it faster, just add more horse power but increase the larger/ heavier.

Your point about dealer support I think is also a very important consideration, maybe the MOST important… This fellow sounds like he has been doing this in Costa Rica for a while, at least long enough to realize it is slow and tedious. …

What make tractors are your neighbors using? After all that is why in farming country you will see nothing but green or orange or red or blue or whatever tractors… check to see what the neighborhood is using… they are getting some type of support to keep working. Have fun KennyV.

 

[KennyV]

Hello your post got in before I spotted it.
You are RIGHT Kubota is the best /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif... actually what ever you end up buying will be YOUR choice for best. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I don't think you will have any problems doing what your planning with a hydro... but they tend to be a little more pricie than geared tractors, again good luck and enjoy, KennyV

 

[BillG_in_TX]

Here's a L2550, and it's nearby!
If your budget is a little bigger, he's got a L2350 with 4WD and a loader.

Either one of those would speed up your work, and they're practically next door. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif