Which Kubota to Enjoy?

[mkflyfish]

I started looking at Kubota Tractors today...

Here's what i need the tractor for:
horses, 12 acres, no mowing needs (unless i sell my commercial mower w/ 6'Deck), a little brush hoggging would be nice, but the main need is for something to drag a 60' round pen, and a 100x200' riding arena, and maintain pasture areas. I'd also like a fel to use when cleaning stalls. Easy for wife to operate.

Here's what different dealers have recommended, and a few of my comments:
BX2200 - seems like it may be a little small for dragging the arenas, and may be small to brush hog with

B7500 - seems perfect, but it's 2,300 more than a BX2200
B2410/2710 - ditto but more $

L3710 - are you kidding, that's too much tractor

I also drove a BX2200 with la211 fel and 60 mmm with 91hrs, i'd never operated one, so i had to figure out the controls, everything looked brand new, it didn't want to stay throtled up though: the throttle control would kinda spring back towards slow if you didn't hold it. Was i doing something wrong, or is it broken? The used bx2200 is a fair price if it's mechanically sound. Will Kubota honor the 1yr of warranty that's left?

What are your opinions on the tractor for my needs? My main concern right now is the used BX2200, I've done plenty of research on price and its about 2,500 less than a new BX2200 with same fel and mmm and seems like a good deal if it's sound and if I don't get it home and then wish I had a bigger tractor.

Also we're pretty tight on dollars, so I'd rather spend none, and keep borrowing my brothers 2n (or purchase my own old Ford), than spend $kkk and regret my purchase.

trusting your opinions,
Michael

 

[TresCrows]

The BX sounds perfect except for the brush hogging. While the BX can use a 48 inch hog that is not it's best use. I think your wife will like the BX much more than a 7500 or 2410. The BX can easily drag a harrow or a flexible chain harrow for your riding arenas. The throttle lever problem is an adjustment to friction lock. This is easily accomplished. I am not telling you to get a BX, I like them but I also like my 2410--I have both. J

 

[BillyP]

Michael,

You might want to look at the Kiotis. You could most likely get a few more HP for less money. I'm not pushing them but what I've read, they are a good sound tractor at a budget price. There's a lot of places on the net that have packaged deals. I wouldn't concider any tractor though, if they weren't close by.

I myself have a JD 4610. I needed a tractor that size, the dealer is excellent and 15 miles away.


Good luck
Billy

 

[frank_f15]

will 2nd TRESCROWS post. the bx should be fine for cleaning the stalls,and keeping your arena groomed. it might be a little light for heavy brushogging.

 

[mkflyfish]

Thanks all for the replies!

Does it change any opinions if the arena is 2 to 4 inches of sand?

Michael

 

[cchoate]

I run a 7500 and it sounds like an excellent choice for your chores because it has more hp for bushhogging than a BX. I've done lots of hard work with no trouble. One general rule of thumb I go by: pick out the tractor that's just right and get the next size larger. (I almost bought a BX)

 

[GregJ]

I also have a B7500 and one of the things that moved me from a BX22 to a B7500 was the ground clearance. I needed more than the 6.7" that the BX22 has. The B7500 has 12". I have been very happy with mine. I've had it in soft sand on our beach and needed every inch of clearance.

Greg

 

[chim]

I'm another one with a story similar to Choate and Greg. I was looking at a BX2200 last Spring, along with tractors of other colors. The BX would have done everything I needed to do, but the B7500 allows me to do just a bit more.

It has done well with a 60" RFM, a 6' rear blade and even handles a 5' rotary cutter. The rotary cutter is only used a few times per season, and I don't try to whack down trees with 3" trunks. It's mostly for woody-stemmed weeds and areas I don't want to venture into with a nice finish mower.

I do have the loader on for balance when using the rotary mower................chim

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Same here, I guess.

I started with the bx-22 but felt I needed more ground clearance...went bigger...love it.

BUT...you have to pay more. So in the end, you need to look at what you would LIKE to have, what you REALLY need, and if you can afford to move from the "need" to the "like" area /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

I /w3tcompact/icons/love.gif my B2910...OPPS...I meant wife, honest, honey! /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Bill in Pgh, PA

 

[FamilyFarm]

The 7500 is the clear winner for ground clearance. I haven't had any issues with the BX22, but I haven't used it in sand. As for other specs, there isn't much difference in the two. If I remember right, the loader capacity is heftier for the 7500. Horsepower and pto power only 1 hp more on BX - that can't make any significiant difference. The weight of the BX22 is quite a bit more than the 7500, but I think the BX2200 is about the same as the 7500. I use a 4ft hog and agree with previous comment that it's a load for the BX if you are doing any heavy cutting - you'll have to go slow. For light duty cutting, only issue is you are making a 4ft swath rather than 5' or larger.
The BX is sweet maneuvering in tight spots! I expect the 7500 is as well and probably even the 2410.
One last thought - if the used BX2200 is a bargain, you can probably get your money back in few months if you decide to move up to a larger tractor!

Best wishes, Terry

 

[TresCrows]

Does it change any opinions if the arena is 2 to 4 inches of sand?


NO!, the BX will handle the sand just fine, so will the B7500 and B2410. I suspect--based on my experience with both tractors--a BX with the fat R1 Ag style tires will perform better in soft sand than the R4 equipped B7500. Yes, I have heard that R1 tires are not good in the sand but those would be the tall stiff type, the ones on the BX are fat and soft with plenty of flotation. J

 

[kyoders]

Michael,

If the "used" BX with only 91 hours is really 2500 less than a new one, then it's either a really good deal, or something's wrong with the machine. The few used ones I've seen have been less than 1000 less than new. I think the warranty would carry forward, as long as the previous owner didn't do anything to void it. If you chose to go that route, it might be worth seeing if a Kubota dealer would "rent" you a mechanic to look the machine over. Even after paying somebody to look at it, it would still be a good deal.

Kevin