Major differences between BX and B series?

[HighUintas]

I waited for a BX25 on order from a local dealer, but decided against it upon test drive. I also found it to be a lawn mower first and tractor second, which worried me given my five acres is very rocky.

I opted for the B3300 for strength and the fact that I primarily want to do extensive landscaping, including rock walls. Plus, my local dealer was very highly priced on all models. By calling around, I was able to save $4002 on the B3300 with FEL and HB76 or 77 backhoe by going to a dealer 40 miles from home versus the one up-the-street.

I am told by my final dealer that a new HB77 hoe is available with better design and additional reach and weight capabilities. Anybody have details as to the comparison?

 

[TigerfaninAR]

However, if I do go with a tractor, I will certainly be mowing my yard. Are the turf or R4 tires truly needed for keeping the lawn from being torn up?

I've been reading here for more than two years debating on this very subject. Some say the 2320/2620 is fine on their yard, turfs or R4s, others say differently. I know one guys said a B2320 with turfs tore up his yard but his BX with R4s didn't. I'm sure ground conditions, operator, and how you like your yard all plays a role.

As of this moment I'd get a B2320 with turfs and plan to do so in the Spring after our house is completed. Have a B7300 now with a cutter that does fine but will have to watch the turf grass if gets too damp. I'll probably change my mind before purchase but thats my 2 cents.

 

[KU Gator]

We bought our B2920 after purchasing 12 acres of property for recreation. It is a mixture of woods, brush and fields, including a couple of acres that had not been mowed in years. We knew close to nothing other than we needed something trailerable that we could use to tame those conditions. We ended up mostly focusing on a BX24 or the B2x20 group. The BX24 included the BH for the same price that we could get a B2620. We went with the B2920 feeling we could add the BH if we wanted pretty easily, but if we found the BX to small, that would be a more costly mistake.

Some things I liked about the B have largely been covered by BP, but I like the analog tach vs the hour meter/tach combo on the BX. I like the placement of the FEL stick on the B. I also like that the HP comes from a bigger block vs more RPM. I have not seen torque curves, but I would believe that comparing the same HP machines such as BX2660 vs B2620, the B2620 would have more torque all accross the range so the engine would not bog down under the same load. I like the 3 range HST. The mid range is the most used giving good power yet reasonable ground speed. Also the B2x20 series offers the drive over MMM deck which is pretty easy to remove and re-install. The BX is a little more restricted in the size of implements that will work on it because of the height that they can be raised and ground clearance issues, but there is a good selection of implements from all the manufacturers available for them.

If we sold the other property and I was only maintaining our 3 acres where we live, would I want to trade the B for a BX? No, but that is because I like its size and that is very subjective. The BX would handle all the things I need to do on the 3 acres just fine and would be a heck of a lot better than a garden tractor or lawn tractor.

You did ask about 2 pumps. I think the B2630 & B3030 have them. They offer significantly more hydraulic power. If I was to buy again now, I would definitely look at them, but they are more $s.

As far as tracking up the yard, in the spring, after the snows melt, if I drive across the yard I will see the tracks for a few days. They always go away, but it happens. When we are getting a lot of rain, I am more careful in my turns to avoid the R4's tearing the grass. I am not sure it does any more damage though than my neighbor does with his ztr.

 

[LBrown59]

1*One reason that some guys "migrate" from a BX to a larger tractor is that for many, the BX is where they begin, it may be their starting point. What happens? They buy more land, take on more tasks, their interests grows, they gain in confidence, and so they often times, as their tasks change/grow over time, the B just makes more sense to them.
2*I have another theory too.
It involves the wife who perhaps had to be convinced of the need for a tractor but who also grows in her appreciation of what a subcut or cut can do.
.

1*Things went a little different in my case.
The BX23 was was really more tractor than i needed right from the start' and as time went on many of the task were compleated so no need to go bigger .
I did however add 2 more BXs to my fleet as a matter of convenience rather than the fact that I needed a bigger tractor.
2*Yep I've seen or heard of that happening too.

3*To get out to the main road seems slow on the BX, Painfully so when I'm in a hurry.

3*You must have a very smooth yard .
I get jarred around on my BXs in high range on my yard .

4*there have been occasions where more fel capacity would have been appreciated.

4*I've never run onto that but at the moment I could use a BH with a longer reach in order to dig up some stumps on a bank.

]
5*The defensive BX owners get offended when the elitist calls his tractor an overblown lawnmower.
6*BTW, LBrown, if someone ever wanted to drop off a free "lawnmower on steroids", a JD X700 series, watch me take it with a huge grin on my face!

5*The thing that gets to me about that is in reality the JDx700 Garden Tractor comes closer to fitting that description than the BX real tractors do.
6*Same here but free is the key word.

 

[iplumb]

Still have a Mid Mount Mower for sale off my B2920 with one hour of use. Ended up keeping the Zero turn. Located in Mid Michigan. Let me know if you are looking for one. :thumbsup:

 

[LBrown59]

Quote:
Originally Posted by MGH PA
1*Are the turf or R4 tires truly needed for keeping the lawn from being torn up?

Quote:1*I don't consider that a problem with the smaller tractors such as a BX or B series.
Originally Posted by NTrotty
2*I have always been told buy a little more tractor than you actually need, I did and am glad I did.

Quote:2*In my case the BX23 was a bit more tractor than I needed so i'd say i done all right there.
Originally Posted by TripleR
3*I never considered going from a BX to B or BX to B an upgrade or downgrade.
4*I too would jump all over a JD X700 Series mower.

Quote:3*Me either.
4*Yeah free who wouldn't ?
Originally Posted by MGH PA
5*I like the fact that the B series has a fold-able ROPS which would help with navigating around a few of the trees on my property when mowing,
6* I also don't want to be tearing the yard to pieces.
.

Quote:5*So does my BX23.
6*I still don't consider small tractors as yard damaging.
Originally Posted by HighUintas
I waited for a BX25 on order from a local dealer, but decided against it upon test drive.
7*I also found it to be a lawn mower first and tractor second.


Quote:7*Really It's a great tractor that also does a splended mowing job.
Originally Posted by TigerfaninAR
8*As of this moment I'd get a B2320 with turfs


Quote:8*My first tractor had turfs and was helpless with out chains on year round .
after a few years of putting up with that i declaired that my next tractor would have ags .
Took me 39 years to do it but my 2004 BX23 has AGS.
Originally Posted by KU Gator
9* The BX would handle all the things I need to do on the 3 acres just fine and would be a heck of a lot better than a garden tractor or lawn tractor.
9*Ya got that right.

__________________

 

[Evil the Weasel]

Exactly.

Quote:
Originally Posted by MGH PA
1*Are the turf or R4 tires truly needed for keeping the lawn from being torn up?

Quote:1*I don't consider that a problem with the smaller tractors such as a BX or B series.
Originally Posted by NTrotty
2*I have always been told buy a little more tractor than you actually need, I did and am glad I did.

Quote:2*In my case the BX23 was a bit more tractor than I needed so i'd say i done all right there.
Originally Posted by TripleR
3*I never considered going from a BX to B or BX to B an upgrade or downgrade.
4*I too would jump all over a JD X700 Series mower.

Quote:3*Me either.
4*Yeah free who wouldn't ?
Originally Posted by MGH PA
5*I like the fact that the B series has a fold-able ROPS which would help with navigating around a few of the trees on my property when mowing,
6* I also don't want to be tearing the yard to pieces.
.

Quote:5*So does my BX23.
6*I still don't consider small tractors as yard damaging.
Originally Posted by HighUintas
I waited for a BX25 on order from a local dealer, but decided against it upon test drive.
7*I also found it to be a lawn mower first and tractor second.


Quote:7*Really It's a great tractor that also does a splended mowing job.
Originally Posted by TigerfaninAR
8*As of this moment I'd get a B2320 with turfs


Quote:8*My first tractor had turfs and was helpless with out chains on year round .
after a few years of putting up with that i declaired that my next tractor would have ags .
Took me 39 years to do it but my 2004 BX23 has AGS.
Originally Posted by KU Gator
9* The BX would handle all the things I need to do on the 3 acres just fine and would be a heck of a lot better than a garden tractor or lawn tractor.
9*Ya got that right.

__________________

 

[montelatici]

I went from a B to a BX 24 and did not find the BX less capable. I subsequently bought another BX, the 1850 for mowing. The difference between a BX and a B is, in my opinion, minimal. I also have an L which is a big jump from either the B or BX.

 

[aczlan]

My FIL has a BX2660 (Turfs), a B7500 (R4s) and a L3830 (R1s). ANY of them WILL tear the grass up if you crank the wheel all of the way over. As long as it isnt soggy (ie: wet enough to have standing water), I cannot see much difference in the tracks left by the BX and the B.

Aaron Z

 

[spqr476]

I'm torn right now between the BX2360 and the B2320. My dealer had a BX2660 and a B3030? to check out, so I know size on the 2360, but the 2320 is hard to get a read on without seeing one, as the 3030? is a skosh bigger.

The problem is that BOTH the solid ROPS on the 2360 and the B series folded seem to be about the same height, and both are about 10" too high to cut under the larger trees I need to cut under and really get in around the orchard. I've only got 2 hilly acres, but there's a 40x40 garden and I'd like to put portions of the 1 acre pasture under tillage. Lots of snow to take care of, too.

With the minimal price difference, I'd hate to get the BX and then regret the lack of ground clearance and 3 point work when I'm trying to deal with tilling pasture or running a middle buster.

On the other hand, I'd hate to go too big and then not be able to mow efficiently around my trees and have issues with the higher center of gravity on my hills.

The dealer is recommending the Bx2360, and he's offered to bring one out to my place for a little test drive, so I'm going to do that. I don't believe he has a B2320 anywhere, though.

To keep from going on endlessly...does anyone regret going BX instead of B, or B instead of BX?

Any thoughts on which side is better to err on?

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

I'm torn right now between the BX2360 and the B2320. My dealer had a BX2660 and a B3030? to check out, so I know size on the 2360, but the 2320 is hard to get a read on without seeing one, as the 3030? is a skosh bigger.

The problem is that BOTH the solid ROPS on the 2360 and the B series folded seem to be about the same height, and both are about 10" too high to cut under the larger trees I need to cut under and really get in around the orchard. I've only got 2 hilly acres, but there's a 40x40 garden and I'd like to put portions of the 1 acre pasture under tillage. Lots of snow to take care of, too.

With the minimal price difference, I'd hate to get the BX and then regret the lack of ground clearance and 3 point work when I'm trying to deal with tilling pasture or running a middle buster.

On the other hand, I'd hate to go too big and then not be able to mow efficiently around my trees and have issues with the higher center of gravity on my hills.

The dealer is recommending the Bx2360, and he's offered to bring one out to my place for a little test drive, so I'm going to do that. I don't believe he has a B2320 anywhere, though.

To keep from going on endlessly...does anyone regret going BX instead of B, or B instead of BX?

Any thoughts on which side is better to err on?

I've had several BX's, couple of B's and one L. I also have hillside property. My first tractor was a BX2200 FEL MMM which I kept for one year. I also have gullies,, trees and rocks. I built my home and was doing the ongoing landscaping. The ground clearance was a problem with the BX. Traded it for a B7800 FEL and RFM( for larger area mowing) plus bought a BX1500 MMM (for hillside mowing). Kept the B7800 for 3 years till paid off and traded it to a L3240HST FEL and traded the BX1500 to a BX2350 MMM. The L was to big and sat to high for hillside property so I traded it to a B3200 FEL real quick and traded the BX2350 (abrupt stop in reverse issue) to a BX2660. Finally traded the B3200 to a F3080 and the BX2660 to the BX25.
I've worked on my property for 7 years and my needs have changed plus I have another property to maintain.
The BX will feel more stable on hillsides. Determine for sure if you really need the ground clearance, if you do for sure then the B is better but will not feel as secure as the BX on the hillside.
LOWER FEELS MORE SECURE, HIGHER FEELS MORE SCARY. I'm not saying they are more secure, I'm saying they FEEL more secure lower to the ground.
As far as pulling power a big BX will pull as well as a small B if you can get the traction.
Lots of people garden with a BX with no clearance issues.

 

[bp fick]

I had a BX and loved it. It was great in snow plowing, because I had the front, hydraulic blade. But I had to change to a B2320 because I found myself taking on market gardening in a much larger scale than I had ever anticipated when we moved onto our property 2 years ago.

The BX simply does not have the ground clearance needed for middlebusting, in my experience. YMMV. I grounded out over and over. With one set of wheels in the furrow, the ground clearance was zilch. The cultivator I use was also too much for the BX. Finally, one can only cultivate very tiny plants under the low BX ground clearance.

I find the folding ROPS helpful when mowing through and around trees. For safety, and I know it sounds weird, I keep them folded down. I do not mow on hilly ground.

Remember also a $300 rear wheel spacer kit, to widen the B, is available from Kubota. Worth it if your terrain is hilly. Frankly, the over all size of the B2320 is not extraordinarily different in feel and nimbleness from the BX. It just isn't, it is just has larger wheels/tires and more ground clearance. It is still a small tractor.

I wrote a full review here: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/.../185147-bx1860-vx-b2320-contrast-compare.html
Worth reading.

You'd love either tractor. You'll just have to decide which is best for you.

One final note. The B2320 has no little plastic transmission fan to worry about.

 

[JJZ 109]

Thanks for all of the information, guys.

I saw in the linked review thread about the tires tearing up the yard (or not tearing up the yard as the OP stated). I've always appreciated the traction of Ag tires when doing loading, excavating, plowing, etc. However, if I do go with a tractor, I will certainly be mowing my yard. Are the turf or R4 tires truly needed for keeping the lawn from being torn up?

Boy, you sure know how to open up the cans of worms around here. B vs. BX. R4 vs. any other tire. There are miles of threads debating both subjects.
Keep up the good work! :laughing:

 

[TripleR]

Can only agree with bp fick, I am on my second BX and it works great for us.

 

[bp fick]

Boy, you sure know how to open up the cans of worms around here. B vs. BX. R4 vs. any other tire. There are miles of threads debating both subjects.
Keep up the good work! :laughing:

I realize good nature humor and fun in your statement. However, I say, this is no "debate". The two series BX__60 or the B__20 are simply different, but not even THAT different. Arguing about the differences is silly, imho.

It merely comes down to one's chores. In the real world, there so little difference between a BX2660 and B2320 that you'd likely pay less than 15 bucks difference in your payment. So, choose freely and appropriately.

Take the wheels off both of them and set them side by side on jack stands. Not much to see. The B__20 series is NOT a huge tractor. It is marginally larger than a BX, but the height is far different. The transmission is different too; no fan and 3 speeds. Neither have position control. The B has a better dash and higher GPM pump to run things. The BX has nice features too, like more secure fenders and the power outlet. In the end, it's all about the ground clearance.

If a guy needs the ground clearance, he needs it. You simply cannot make the BX taller. Kubota makes them both for a reason. Different strokes for different folks. :laughing:

 

[spqr476]

I wrote a full review here: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/.../185147-bx1860-vx-b2320-contrast-compare.html
Worth reading.

You'd love either tractor. You'll just have to decide which is best for you.

One final note. The B2320 has no little plastic transmission fan to worry about.

That was a great write-up, and was what started pushing me towards the possibility of a B working for me.

The way I look at it, the cost is pretty close to exactly the same once I buy aftermarket skid plates for the BX to protect the HST fan.

I think I really need to arrange to test both tractors.

On the B, HST is really the only way to go, correct? I like the durability factor of a gear drive, but the HST seems to be $1K of money well spent from all accounts I've read here.

Thanks for all the advice, guys.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Absolutely sit on them before you buy.
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-owning-operating/148830-b3200-bx2660-side-side-not.html

 

[bp fick]

That was a great write-up, and was what started pushing me towards the possibility of a B working for me.

The way I look at it, the cost is pretty close to exactly the same once I buy aftermarket skid plates for the BX to protect the HST fan.

I think I really need to arrange to test both tractors.

On the B, HST is really the only way to go, correct? I like the durability factor of a gear drive, but the HST seems to be $1K of money well spent from all accounts I've read here.

Thanks for all the advice, guys.

Gear. AFAIK, It's only available on the B2320. Of all the BXs and B__20 series, it alone offers the option. I toyed with the idea of saving a grand, but thought better of it. I love my 5 speed pickup, driving down the road, but do not like to launch my boat with it and I don't enjoy backing up to any trailer to hitch up. Multiply that feeling by 10 times and I decided that gear tractor was not going to truly match up well with the chores I do. If I was operating in a wide open field, like tractoring of old? Maybe.

But realistically, we use our home owner tractors in a far different way. More like me driving my 5 speed in heavy, stop and go, city traffic. No thanks. BTW, how cheap is it to replace the clutch on a tractor because you nervously rode it all the time? Not cheap either.

 

[TripleR]

Gear. AFAIK, It's only available on the B2320. Of all the BXs and B__20 series, it alone offers the option. I toyed with the idea of saving a grand, but thought better of it. I love my 5 speed pickup, driving down the road, but do not like to launch my boat with it and I don't enjoy backing up to any trailer to hitch up. Multiply that feeling by 10 times and I decided that gear tractor was not going to truly match up well with the chores I do. If I was operating in a wide open field, like tractoring of old? Maybe.

But realistically, we use our home owner tractors in a far different way. More like me driving my 5 speed in heavy, stop and go, city traffic. No thanks. BTW, how cheap is it to replace the clutch on a tractor because you nervously rode it all the time? Not cheap either.

I drove my VW Beetle through college and loved it until I graduated and moved to Kansas City, MO. My office was downtown and so was most of my work. Running that thing in city traffic and then the crowded I-35 back home and it wasn't long before it got to be too much for me.

 

[montelatici]

I have a BX1850 a BX24 and an L3700. A B would be a good compromise but won't be as handy as a BX or as capable as an L.