Kubota B7500 - Questions before purchase

[Anonymous Poster]

I am considering the purchase of a Kubota B7500 HSD with Loader & Backhoe and would really appreciate the insight and opinion from those on this message board (where I've already found a wealth of information - thanks).
The tasks I have to perform are: Digging around the perimeter of our house (5-6' depth) to waterproof basement; Digging out collapsed basement wall of another house; Laying 1000' of 4" solid/perforated drain pipe; Occasional cleaning of 750' open ditch; Landscaping tasks (grading steep banks to more gentle slope, etc.); Electric, water and gas line installation 200'; Septic system installation; Installing a decorative pond (120 sq ft); Miscellaneous things that come up on occasion.
After finishing the home projects, I'd be interested in doing occasional landscaping / backhoe work for others. I want to keep the scale down to part-time, smaller jobs and tasks (work full time as a firefighter 24 hours on / 48 hours off, retire in 7-8 years). (Have a JD318 for lawn maintenance / front dozer blade work and plan on keeping it.)
My Questions:
Is the B7500 a suitable size to perform these tasks (vs B2410 or others)?
Which Front Loader would be best LA272 or LA302 ($225 more)?
16" Hoe Bucket - good all around size (should I get a 10" bucket also ($350))?
Reversible flip pads for backhoe (rubber/steel) a good investment ($150)?
Tires - Bar Turf vs Contractor/Industrial tread?
Engine block heater (reside in Ohio) ($45) worthwhile?
What size trailer will I need (14' or 16')?
Opinions / experience others have had with various attachments: Rotary tiller (or plow / disc harrow); box scraper; post hole digger; tire chains.
I anticipate making a decision / purchase within the week. Thank you!

 

[Bird]

Oops, I just tried to answer this one on the CTB. Glad you found this forum also. Now register and join the group; very friendly and helpful bunch of folks.

Bird

 

[PaulB]

I own a B1700, last years predesessor to the 7500, so I think they are very similar tractors. My initial impression, given the experiences I have had with my tractor, is to say that no, the 7500 is not what you need. You are looking at true construction work, and I would think that AT LEAST the 2710 and preferably the B21 or even L35 would be more suitable. The 1700/7500 is a fine machine, but remember it weighs less than 1500 pounds soaking wet, and I can not imagine that such a light machine would be as stable, safe, and durable as a heavier machine, especially if you can swing the purpose-built TLB's (B21 or L35). Yes you will spend more now, but I think you will end up happier in the long run.

 

[Kelvin]

I agree with PaulB; it sounds like the B7500 is seriously undersized for the tasks you describe.

Trailer: Go for a minimum 16' dual axle trailer. Read all of the discussions in the post titled something like "trailer for B2410".

Block Heater: The block heater sounds reasonably cheap. Without the block heater you'll have a harder time starting the tractor and ideally should let the hydraulics warm up a few minutes before using the tractor (assuming you'll store the tractor in the cold and plan on using it during the winter).

Tires: For the uses you describe I'd definitely go for the R4 construction tires as the 1st choice followed by R1 Ag tires, then the bar-turf then the turf tires.

Having said all of that, I will also add that it sounds like the "heavier duty" tasks are one-time tasks and that the long-term tasks may be more in line with the B7500's capabilities (only you can make that distinction). A few options that may be more cost-effective:

(1) Buy a B7500 or other B-series (possibly without back-hoe) and rent a larger machine for the one-time duties. Again, you'll have to compare the price difference of the larger tractors with the cost of renting.

(2) Buy (or lease?) the larger tractor and trading down after the heavy duty tasks are complete may be an option also.

Hope you find the answers you are looking for.

 

[W5FL]

Look seriously at the B21. 16 foot dual axle trailer with brakes on one axle. Tiller is great. Coml type boxblade with hydraulic top and tilt link, should handle post hole digger in small (post hole) sizes. Tires will probably come R4 or R1. They are frame mounted loader and backhoe and that is only way to go. It is also not very expensive to rent if you don't have usage to justify, but a HD loader is a lot better than the lighter duty removable ones.

 

[W5FL]

p.s. We have never heard of a block heater in Texas. I still have two cords of wood from winter before last. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[truejourney]

The deeper I dig into this decision, the more I am leaning towards the 2710. It's more money but more machine also. I think the 7500 could do the job but with the 2710, I'd feel more strongly about this. Appreciate the comments so far - Thanks!

 

[Bird]

If you can stand the extra bucks, there's no doubt it's a lot more tractor and you'll like it a lot better.

Bird

 

[gerard]

Ditto what everyone else said. Thats a lot of backhoe work to do and I think once you started you would regret not having gone bigger. That also doesn't take into account the unforseen projects I'm sure you'll come up with as time goes on! As far as renting I'd rather have the equipment myself. That way I'm not pressed to get it done before the machine's due back and can kind of go about things at my leisure. That said I do want to make my farm pond larger and will need a full size backhoe to do it. Does anyone have any recent rental prices for week long rentals of backhoes?? I know the long term rental drops substantially but have not priced them yet and need to know if it would just be better to have the whole thing done as opposed to renting the equipment and doing it myself. (Actually an excavator would really be the ticket. Anyone know what they rent for??)

 

[MATTinMO]

I will beat the horse as well .....sounds like youve got some heavy work in front of you and the B7500 is a "compact"
tractor, and could you do all that with it?? probably given enough time and agrivation, I would say go for the 2710 or bigger and you will not be sorry. /w3tcompact/icons/cool.gif