Kubota b2650, bx2200, L3940 (gone), New Holland FWD TN85, RTV 900
I have had a bx2200, 60" mmm, and fel that has served me very well for the last 4 yrs and 360 hrs. It does a great job of nimbly mowing my 2 acres and a pretty good job of everything else. I bet I have moved at least 150 cy of dirt/sand. I use it 90% for mowing and 10% other.
It's the 10% other that has me thinking to move up to something a bit bigger. I need more height/capacity from the fel and 3 pt hitch and a little more weight for both jobs as well as a little more ground clearance. I also see the need for a backhoe in my future.
My concern is that one of the bigger machines won't be as manuverable or as good at finish mowing. I don't know if this concern is warranted as both the 2630/7800 have tighter turn radiuses according the specs. And I don't want the extra weight working against me on the yard.
Does anyone have experience w/ these machines and can compare/contrast the bx w/ the b's? Maybe I just need more tractors?
Well I have a B7800 and I love it, The 4 cylinder motor is very quiet and has great power. If you doing a lot of mowing I wouldn't go bigger that a 3030. Its the wt of the bigger tractors as well as maneuvering. Hear is the thing with the backhoe. I thought I really wanted 1 but its 8 grand more and it would be great to have but the reality is you don't use it that often. Rent one when you need 1 and then you still have your tractor to move material. If it is in your budget then by all means go for it but there are better ways to spent the money
I have a BX23 now. Before that I had a B2410 w FEL and RFM and also once owned a Massey 1233 with MMM. Have 2 acres. If I could only have one of these tractors I would pick the Massey 1st. The B2410 would be my 2nd choice. The Massey had 33 HP with 3 range HST. It cut very well and and could even handle a 5 foot brushcutter. I use the BX23 only for plowing snowand FEL duties. I do some brushcutting with it but because of its low clearance the cut is poor. I use my DRbrushmower for the field cutting now and a ZTR for the lawn.
Like timber said you may not use the backhoe as much as you think and be better off renting one when needed. With this experience, my preference would be for a ZTR and B2630 or B3030 with FEL and brushcutter. I miss position control for the the 3 pt hitch. Yes I would give up the backhoe and BX23 for the B2630 or B3030. My backhoe often takes up storage space in the barn.
kubota L 3540 hsdc,B 2320 hsdc & lots of other stuff!
Jumping up to a b series from the bx will give you more ground clearence, more lift front & rear and more pto hp. More tractor all around. You will still have a lightweight machine for mowing + way more tractor for all around, tractor stuff, that us tractor people love. I have to go now and check on my tractor .
I think I'm kind of glad I didn't get the backhoe. I'm finding the size of my tractor very convenient. I mean I could just be convincing myself too. The tooth bar an the loader does an incredible job with all the digging I have been doing. I'm sure if I had a hoe I would think of reasons to use it but so far I'm having a great time without it.
The BH on the BX24 was one of the things that prompted me to go with it... I tried the "I can just rent one and save money" route too... the reality is the convenience of having the 4 minute quick connect of a BH - it has likely already paid for itself in rentals (at $400 a pop for a weekend)
After having a BH - my wife and I are having a hard time picturing life before one... that said - I fear it's like crack... don't smoke it unless you want to be hooked on it!
