The Right Tractor

[Anonymous Poster]

Hello All,
First I wanted to say a big Thanks to all the regular posters that provide so much useful information. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

I’m new to the tractor thing. We have 5 acres and are getting ready to build on it. Mostly flat, no rock, fair amount of trees (Thorny Locust and Osage Orange) and a creek in the back. I really like the BX2200. I’m planning on filling in a few low spots, mowing and keeping a ¼ to ½ acre vegetable garden.

Now the question; what do you wise ones recommend for my application. I don’t have an unlimited budget since we are saving for a house down payment, but I want to make sure to get the right amount of tractor for the job. What would you consider to be the most useful attachments?

My local dealer quoted me $12200 for a BX2200, 60” mow, and front loader. Seems fair to me.

Thanks

 

[Darren]

I'm sure others will have some good recommendations. I just want to comment on the trees. I wish I had some locusts growing on the place. Locust fence posts will last up to forty years. Osage orange is another special wood that way. If you manage the locust for a crop, you'll have enough posts for your own use plus some to sell for as long as you own the property.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Welcome to TBN. This site is AWESOME for info on everything tractorwise.
The price seems good for what you stated. Seems that you might fight the dealer down a little more, but its still not bad.
Implements?? Definitely the fel. Get a tooth bar for the fel(about $300 but well worth it). If you are doing any digging it will really be a benefit. Beyond that its your choice depending on your situation. If your basic interest is in getting rid of your wheelbarrow and snow shovel the fel may suffice. A box blade/ rear blade/ landscape rake are good if you plan on fixing a lawn, maintaining a gravel road, etc.
There are a lot of attachments out there that will make your life easier. Just define what you need to do and pick accordingly.
good luck,
DaveL

 

[Casimir]

Welcome to TBN! Since you mentioned "Thorny Locust and Osage Orange," you might want to consider using Slime in the tires, so you won't be plagued with flat tires. Another option, though more expensive, would be to fill the tires with foam. The turf or bar turf tires on the BX may be more susceptible to thorns than Industrial or Ag tires on the larger tractors, but those thorns are tough -- they get through all kinds of rubber.

I don't know about you, but I hate to have to repair flats, and even the smaller tires on the BX are awfully heavy to take off and haul into a shop for repairs. IMHO /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

 

[Casimir]

Not to mention the fact that Murphy guarantees that the tire will go flat while you are at the farthest possible location from a Jack, tire tools, etc., and the tires are too expensive to ruin them driving back to the shop/garage for a change. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Good ideas. The thorns on the Locust are 1-3" long and tuff as nails. I intend to cut the trees back and the canopy up high to avoid injuries. I wouldn't want to scratch the paint on the BX. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif I've read quite a bit about the two tire choices for the BX. Which will sustain more thorn damage? Is the traction really that much better with the bar?

Oh, I was gonna ask; has anyone made a homemade canopy for the BX? It doesn't seem like it would be too hard. A little foam, fiberglass and paint. Maybe even wood. It might work until I can afford better.

I'm thinking a box blade might be my first attachment. Good for the gravel drive (300' loop) and I'll need the weight in the rear for the loader to be safe. I'm such a rookie I've never used a loader. I feel like a kid in a toy shop. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[Bird]

If you're going to have a vegetable garden of the size you mentioned, a tiller will be your most expensive (and one of the most used) implements.

As for canopies, I really liked my Wells Ag Company canopy on my B2710, but it cost $295 when I bought the tractor. Before that I had a B7100 and my brother simply welded up a frame with 1" square tubing, and we stretched canvas over it with grommets around the edge and the canvas was held onto the frame with bungee cords. Not the prettiest thing in the world, but it sure did provide shade from the hot sun.

 

[chrisjbell]

<font color="blue"> Another option, though more expensive, would be to fill the tires with foam. </font>

This is a good suggestion. I have struggled with repairing flats for long enough that I'll definately fill my next set of tires with foam. By the time I figured out that I should have done it, they were worn enough that I didn't reckon it was worth it. But if you have thorny stuff the foam is a Good Thing.

 

[Casimir]

I don't have a BX, but I looked at them long and hard when I was shopping. I'm sure you will find a lot of information on the bar and turf tires for the BX if you do a search. I'm a little surprised the BX owners haven't jumped in. From what I have read, the bar tires do improve the traction a lot for loader work, without a significant difference in how they treat your lawn. The turfs may actually have a little thicker rubber for the thorns to penetrate, but ??????

Filling your tires, especially the rears, will help a lot for FEL work. My turf tires are filled, and I do a lot of loader work without any additional weight on the rear. If I had to deal with thorns, I would seriously consider foam for both the front and rear tires. I may anyway, if/when I upgrade. I hate changing flats, particularly heavy tractor tires /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

Good luck with your choice.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Does anyone know how much it will cost to have the tires filled on a BX2200? It certainly sounds like the way to go.

I just got off the phone with my Kubota dealer and he has a used (5 hrs) BX2200 for 11,500 including tax. Can anyone think of a good reason to buy new instead of this unit? He said he sold this unit last fall and the guy traded it in for a different tractor.