My wife says I'm buying too much tractor HELP?

[rww_94]

My wife says I\'m buying too much tractor HELP?

I could use a reality check. I am currently on 2.25 acres with trees, hills, mud and a huge garden. I am considering a Kubota 7500 dt or hst. My "financial advisor" (wife) strongly feels that a bx2200 is all that we need. Could she be right? Ground clearance is a key and ability to continue to provide service when we move into our larger property. Target uses are mow, till, scape/plow and haul trees/firewood.

 

[ScottAR]

Re: My wife says I\'m buying too much tractor HELP?

How big is the larger property?
How much of the tasks are there to do?
How do you value time over money? (bigger machines take less time to do the same tasks but cost more)
I may be mistaken, but a bx is a little short in the britches to be handling trees. (no flames please)

 

[BigDave]

Re: My wife says I\'m buying too much tractor HELP?

My wife thought the same thing until we got 31" of snow. She actually admitted her err out loud once the snow was cleared. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

IMHO, the basic issue for me would be to consider which tractor offers the most value. What is the cost difference. Look how they are constructed. What is the difference in weight? Where does that difference in weight show up? Which one looks like it will last longer. For example, look at the 54" deck - on the 2200 weighs 210 lbs & on the 7500 weighs 344lbs, is the cost difference more than made up by the 50% weight increase? It is possible the more expensive tractor will be cheaper in the long run? I'm not trying to bash the 2200, since it is the first tractor we (mainly the CFO) looked at, and it just wasn't what I was looking for in a tractor.

 

[frank_f15]

Re: My wife says I\'m buying too much tractor HELP?

how much larger is the new property? but if u are that set on the 7500, u better figure out a way to convince the boss, cause u ain;t going to be happy with anything else.

 

[chim]

Re: My wife says I\'m buying too much tractor HELP?

Just about a year ago, I took delivery of my B7500HST. I looked at four brands and many sizes. Two contenders were the BX2200 and the B7500. The B7500/302FEL/R4's came to $12,800 and I bought a LP AT 2560 (60" RFM) for around $1,200 separately. I'm 54 so it's reasonable to believe this tractor can last me the rest of my life unless we get a big piece of property.

We live on 2.25 acres which is mostly grass. There's a sand volleyball court to maintain, a swale I keep cleaned out and 101 uses for the FEL. I placed a triaxle load of rocks along the creek where it had washed out, created additional parking space, loaded heavy items on (and removed them from) my truck, moved some major dirt, etc, etc.

I have also been mowing for some others nearby. With the 5' RFM, I can do my property in approx. 1.25 hours. I spend another 3.5 hours on the other people's lawns.

The B7500 is capable of a lot of work with the 302 FEL, has no problem with the 5' finish mower and is marginally adequate for the 5' rotary mower. If I had a lot of really thich brush, the tractor would be better with a smaller rotary mower. The 5-footer works fine for my application, which is whacking less than an acre of big woody-stemmed weeds a few times each Summer.

This Winter, it handled a heavy 6' rear blade with ease. I had concerns about a blade that big and the R4 tires until we had some snow to try it out.

I could get by with less tractor. I still have the Ford 1210 I bought used in the early 90's. It served me well, but wouldn't do nearly what the B7500 can......................chim

 

[Rick Jay]

Re: My wife says I\'m buying too much tractor HELP?

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Ground clearance is a key )</font>

rww_94,

The ground clearance is a major differentiating factor between the two. As good as the BX's are, they are built low to the ground, which can be a limiting factor. Therefore, B7500.

Another factor...the B7500 can take a small backhoe, should you feel the need at anytime in the future. A backhoe is not recommended on the BX2200, although the BX22 does come with one.

I started looking at the B7500 and ended up with a B2910 on 2/3 acre. Talk about sanity check! Anyway, I've NEVER been sorry that I went to the larger machine. I also figured the tractor would last the rest of my life (I was 40 at the time), so I felt the extra few $$$ were worth it, especially for the extra features (telescoping lower links & better seat).

I was a bit fortunate, my wife just rolled her eyes and said "no!" with any tractor I looked at. Therefore, since I was in the doghouse with any tractor, I might as well get the one I wanted. After she's used it a few times and seen what I've been able to do with it, she's not quite so closed minded anymore. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

With the low interest rates being offered now (I got 7.49% back in 2000 and thought THAT was good at the time. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif), it would seem to me to be easier to justify a bit more machine than you think you'll need.

Good Luck, most of us have been there.

~Rick

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Re: My wife says I\'m buying too much tractor HELP?

Hi,

My two cents:

If it is a money issue, listen carefully! She is probably right. At least if you are like me...sometimes my vision gets blurry when it is something I really want...

If it is not a money issue...after you get your tractor you will be amazed at what a tool it is, and will appreciate the extra loader capacity, etc., if you buy the 7500.

If grass cutting is a high priority, trescrows has many times pointed out that his BX is a better grass cutter than his larger tractor, a b2410. Not that the larger ones do a "bad" job, just that the smaller bx tractor seems to produce a nicer cut. If you have short weeds like we do here, tha may not matter much.

I have a B2910 on 3.7 acres and feel that is the biggest I could use here.

Whichever you buy, you will be happy with I am pretty sure.

Good luck in your decision!

 

[GregJ]

Re: My wife says I\'m buying too much tractor HELP?

I have 2.5 acres with trees, mud, lawn and hills. I looked carefully at the BX22 before buying the B7500. I am very happy with mine and glad I didn't go smaller. I have a work area where I keep my mulch piles, etc. and it has turned into a muddy mess this winter. If I had gone with the BX22 I would not have been able to get in and out. I also looked at the hydraulic capacity and implement capabilities for future. I do have a BH on mine. You will find uses you never thought of after you get a tractor, so be sure to give yourself enough room for growth in the future. Good luck with your shopping.

Greg

 

[RanchMan]

Re: My wife says I\'m buying too much tractor HELP?

Every so often someone new posts a question similar to yours - i.e. am I buying enough tractor for my purposes vs. cost.

Finances are what they are - and it seems lots of guys' wives hold the purse strings pretty tight. I can't recommend one way or the other what you should buy regarding your overall financial picture. Similarly, I don't know how much stress it would put on the relationship you have with your spouse. What I can say is that the vast majority of folks seem to initially underestimate the tractor they need to effectively accomplish the tasks they have in mind.

After they inquire here, they generally wind up buying something bigger than they were initially thinking about and to my recollection, I can't think of a single person who regretted buying bigger. Perhaps there's one or two I just can't think of right now, but if there are any I'm simply forgetting about, they are in the vast minority.

Just remember that this is a long term purchase (easily double-digit years) and so you'll have to live with your decision for a long time (unless you have in your mind you plan on "upgrading" at some point in the future.)

Good luck making your decision.

 

[tdenny]

Re: My wife says I\'m buying too much tractor HELP?

rww_94,

You mentioned the 7500dt which I think is a version of the 7500 that has a narrower footprint specifically designed for orchard/nursery/tree farm type work. I would think you'd want the wider (standard) version in either gear or hydro (more $$$) unless you have those very limited spaces. I was previously looking for a new B7500 myself - nice tractor.