Opinions on B7500HSD - please

[tommyz270]

I'm thinking about buying a B7500 HSD, but not sure if it really does have the power needed for a bucket, digging, etc...

Also, what about a tiller, brushhog, etc?

Can everyone who has or had one give their opinion?

I'm thinking about getting it for the house to mow with the belly mower, but to also do some digging, moving dirt, grading with the bucket, etc... general home work and a little "driveway making" on a piece of property I have.

Thoughts? Thanks everyone.

Tom

 

[easygo]

You probably want to describe what soil you have on your property and also what scale of work those projects would be. Length of driveway number of acres???

The 7500 will handle a LOT of works and will dig very well if equipped with a loader. The big question is how much/deep digging you want to do and how big of an area. The mowing would be a very easy task. It will handle a tiller up to about 4' but that also depends on the soil and if the ground was tilled before or moisture content. Could run a 4' bushog. I have a B7510 that is just about the same tractor with a few minor changes. All that said it might be a bit small for you. It all depends on the work you want to do.

 

[tommyz270]

Thanks for the input, of course more is always welcome

I used the belly mower when I test drove it and it seems to bog down when going top speed and mowing through thinner grass - maybe just need the blades sharpened?

The main use is around the house moving dirt from one place to another and the digging isn't anything major, major.

I have rented a large L39 for the weekend and did the majority of the "road" on the property and used it all weekend and didn't get the job done, but did do the majority of the work. I'd be making the road, smoothing out the ground, moving the dirt/rock around and spreading it out and with my own tractor, i could take my time and not try to force into one weekend.

Ground is rocky and clay, but can be broken up somewhat.

I'm just concerned that the power wouldn't be there when I try to grade/dig the road out. I don't want it to bog down. The L39 even bogged down sometimes, but that's because I was pushing it, obviously. I'm ok with bogging down because I'm pushing too hard, but don't want to get frustrated because it won't dig.

Want a small one for the house - small yard and dirt work, and property - road.

thanks again

 

[dodge man]

Don't get hung up on the horsepower numbers. I have a BX2350, and I have in theory 2 more horsepower than the tractor you are looking at. I'd put good money on the fact that a B7500 would out dig my BX. Its got a bigger chasis, and although I haven't looked at the numbers, I bet it has better hydraulics. It sounds like for what you want, it will do the job. The big thing is price. How is the price?

Don't worry about it bogging down a little bit when mowing. I have a 60" deck. I don't know how big a deck you are looking at, but I have found that mowing works my BX the hardest. Mine doesn't overheat, but I have noticed mowing makes the temp gauge climb the highest and uses the most fuel.

 

[wushaw]

Something to think about is what size tractor are you gonna need after you get the drive built?
I put 400hrs on a B7500 and I liked it but it was just too small for all the work I was doing with it although I want another one since it's size is good for so many applications where my L2800 is a pain to maneuver around.
The B7500 is a good tractor.

 

[tommyz270]

It's a 2001, 242 hrs, belly mower for $8,500. Bucket is an extra $3,000. I'm going to try to get them to throw the bucket into the price and get it for $8,000.

I'll also try to get them to agree that if once they put the bucket on the front and I don't like the way it works, they'll take it back within 30 days or something - who knows if they'll go for that.

 

[tommyz270]

Wushaw - thanks.

I was actually looking at a BX1800, but think that's just going to be too small, even though it would be the best size for my current yard at my house.

I'm thinking the 7500 is going to be the best all around in size and capabilities, but without actually trying the bucket, not sure it will do the digging.

The L39 I rented had a gas pedal so when you were doing hard digging, you could hit that and it would give it a little more juice.

After the road, I'm sure something will come up... things always do

 

[dodge man]

When I got my BX2350, I added the end loader a few weeks later for digging for a pool. It was for a above ground pool, but it was on a bit of a hillside. I had to dig out as much as 3 to 4 feet deep. I wasn't sure it would dig that deep, but it did the job. With a toothbar, I'm sure it would dig deeper and faster. You will be suprised how well it will dig, even in fairly hard ground, it just takes a little practice. The end loader is well worth the money.

 

[WayneB]

Tom I have a B-7500 and put about 300 hours on it doing all kinds of jobs around the place. I have a Howard rototiller that it handles nicely, a 4 foot bush hog that seems to do a nice job, there are times you have to slow down and let it work through some heavy stuff, have a five foot woods snowblower that gets a workout every winter and to date has not been a a problem.

I do not have a belly mower and don't think it would work that well for me considering the hills around here.

Like most people I would like to have something bigger, faster, heavier, but have found the 7500 to be a good tractor.

Wayne

 

[dillo99]

I love mine and it does everything I ask of it. Could I use more horsepower...maybe but I don't really notice it. I have a neighbor with a BX24 (theoretically 3 more hp). We were digging a in his yard on a project and by b7500 was definitely more powerful. The backhoe is larger and probably has more leverage. Loader seemed to be able to handle more as well. I don't think you will regret it.

 

[FarmNut]

It's a 2001, 242 hrs, belly mower for $8,500. Bucket is an extra $3,000. I'm going to try to get them to throw the bucket into the price and get it for $8,000.

I'll also try to get them to agree that if once they put the bucket on the front and I don't like the way it works, they'll take it back within 30 days or something - who knows if they'll go for that.

Good luck with that. I doubt you'll be able get the price down that much given what they are asking. If the bucket (FEL) is new, and they have to add the valve assembly, $3,000 is close to what you'd expect to have to pay. I would think somewhere a little under $10K would be a fair price for what you are looking at.

 

[tommyz270]

Dillo 99 - That's good information. Actually, I'm kind of looking between the 7500 and possibly a bx24 because after the road is down, the times I'll use it may be less than what I need the 7500 for.

Do you have any more information on the difference between your 7500 and your neighbor's bx24?

Does anyone know any major differences and have any experience using both? Of course, I assume the 7500 will do more work easier, but is there really a noticable difference other than the size? Is there a major difference in weight they can carry, the way they dig and grade?

I understand the obvious - trying to get comments from people who have experienced both to get a better idea from your experience instead of a sales guy.

Thanks

 

[LBrown59]

Hard to cover it all with 1 tractor .
2 is easier
3 even easier.

 

[IKE76]

Tommy: I traded my 7500 in last summer for a 2910.The only reason I traded was for more lift capacity on the loader.I had just under 1000 hours on the 7500 and never had any problems with it.I ran a 52" woods tiller, a 60" box blade and a 72" back blade fine.As someone else said earlier, it was a fuel miser.I could mow all day with the 60" belly mower at full throttle and not use a full tank of fuel.With teeth on the bucket, I think you could dig to China.When I traded it, I got just under 10,000 for it.I think you will be happy with it.

 

[dillo99]

Dillo 99 - That's good information. Actually, I'm kind of looking between the 7500 and possibly a bx24 because after the road is down, the times I'll use it may be less than what I need the 7500 for.

Do you have any more information on the difference between your 7500 and your neighbor's bx24?

Well for me, the ground clearance was very important. I have 27 acres, all wooded, and I am out there a lot. When I purchased it I was considering a BX but the dealer talked me out of it primarily due to the ground clearance. As for Horsepower, like I said above the BX24 technically has more horsepower but that is deceiving. Some quick comparisons of power:

First number = b7500, followed by bx24 number in ( )
Engine displacement 61.1 cu in (54.8)
3ph lift - 24 inches back 1058 lbs (670lbs)
loader lift capacity - 500mm fwd 555lbs (518lbs)
Breakout force - 500mm fwd 1120lbs (992lbs)

So...straight horsepower isn't everything. A lot of factors in the design of the engine, drive train and other factors make a big difference. I also don't quite understand the variances in RPM's that are used when measuring HP. For example, the bx24 is listed by Kubota as having 23HP at 3200RPM. The B7500 is listed as having 21HP at 2600RPM. Doesn't seem like a fair comparison. Bottom line is that many manufacturers know that HP sells so they like to show higher hp numbers (in my opinion).

Anyway - the BX is a very nice machine too - don't get me wrong. You just have to decide what model best meets your needs and interests. In general, get as much power as you can afford but make sure you understand what that means and balance other factors like size, maneuverability, efficiency, etc. Personally, I have never regretted my choice but if I had a different Kubota I would probably feel the same!

Good Luck and enjoy!

 

[argeaux]

A B7500 (without HST) with 250 hours and a FEL went for $8700 at an estate auction in Arkansas a few weeks ago.

 

[jas67]

First number = b7500, followed by bx24 number in ( )
Engine displacement 61.1 cu in (54.8)

....I also don't quite understand the variances in RPM's that are used when measuring HP. For example, the bx24 is listed by Kubota as having 23HP at 3200RPM. The B7500 is listed as having 21HP at 2600RPM. Doesn't seem like a fair comparison.
Good Luck and enjoy!

The larger displacement engine in the b7500 makes more torque.
HP = torque * RPM.

You can get the same HP from a smaller engine at a higher RPM. My G1800 has D662 engine that makes 16 HP @ 3200, and is approx 662 CC. My B7100 has a D750AH engine of approx 750 CC displacement, and makes 16 HP @ 2800 RPM.

The B7500 makes 44 lb*ft of torque at its rated 2600 RPM, while the BX24 only makes 41 lb*ft at its rated 3200 RPM.

The lower RPM engine in the B7500 will less stressed than the one in the BX24, and could, theoretically last longer, although, I'm sure both are very well engineered, and will last a very long time with proper maintenance.

 

[dillo99]

Thanks Jas - good explanation.

 

[don716]

I have a B7500 and love it.It's done everything I've asked it to.Here is some pics.

 

[Steveshow]

Last week my dad bought a used 05 B7500 with factory FEL and 150 hrs for $8500 from Lanford Equip. in Austin. I runs and looks likenew. He has 4 acres of St Augaustine that he will be mowing with a 5 ft 3pt finish mower. So far he hasn't mowed with it, but seeing as the B7500 is replacing a Cub Lo Boy 154 w/ 15 hp and 5 ft mower, which replaced a Farmall Cub with 9 hp and a 4 ft belly mower, the 21 hp of the Kubota shold do well. I used the FEL to fill in a hole that we dug years ago for trash after it was burnt, before we had trash pickup. The dirt was pretty well packed, I had the 4x4 engaged and rear diff locked, but IMO it needs some front suitcase weights and rear wheel weights. It wanted to spin the wheels while tying to load the FEL. Granted, I am used to using a MF 2200 with a 5 ft FEL, double the weight and HP (Perkins 3.152). The B7500 seems like a nice, all around tractor, which is why dad went with something smaller than what I have. He has a lot of Oak trees and keeps his whole place mowed like a golf course. My 3/4 of my 4 1/2 acres is pasture with no trees that I mow with a shredder twice a year. I buy and part out old Chevy trucks and mainly bought my MF with FEL to load car parts and inop vehicles onto trailers.