Thinking of going orange...B2650?

[Fiziksgeek]

Hello everyone! First post here on this forum. I'm looking for additional information/advice/opinions on a possible upgrade. I have a 2012 Massey Ferguson GC2400 with FEL and 60" MMM. I also have a Wallenstein BXM32 chipper/shredder and a Protero PTO powered quick dump grass catcher, both of which I plan to keep.

The biggest reason for upgrading is more ground clearance...I have granite cobble curing around my driveway which I need to traverse several times, no matter what. I keep banging my mower on it, and have bent at least one of the guide wheels, and an really afraid I am going to do some real damage to the linkage one of these days. I'd also like a little more lift capacity, and a little bigger bucket, I go through ~20 yards of mulch per year, and it takes a lot of trips with my little bucket. In addition, I am thinking of adding some snow equipment and a grapple to help with firewood. I have 1.5 acres here in CT.

Anyway, on paper, I love the B2650. Seems to have all the bells and whistles I am looking for. I went to the dealer a week or so ago to check it out, and was surprised with how big it actually was. Length and width wise, the size differences aren't really that much, but the wheels are huge, and the hood comes almost to my chest (I'm 6'). It was parked next to a B2620, which seems a much more reasonable size. They did not have a B2601 in stock ...yet.

The price difference between a B2601 and a B2650 doesn't seem to be too big. For "tractor" work, I think the clear choice would be the B2650. Since I mow with my tractor though, I am worried about its size. Again, the numbers (weight, turning radius, etc)don't seem to be too different between the B01 and B50 series, but its hard to get a real feel for the differences from brochures.

Sooo...does the B2650 mow well? how gentle is the tractor on the turf? The B2650 is ~300 lbs heavier than my current machine, but has bigger tires, so PSI might be similar. Is there more scrubbing with the larger tires when making tight turns?

A B2601 seems like a compromise between what I have, and what I want...just not sure if it's enough to justify trading in my tractor for it.

All comments welcome!

 

[hodge]

Welcome to the forum!
The B2650 is a real jump in size from its predecessor, the 2320/2620/2920. I have no experience with it, but it is kind of neat that you have a size choice between the two models since dealers still have the previous models on the lots. Either one- for comparison's sake a 2620 and a 2650- should power implements about the same, but the size could make a real difference. For me, also, I'd tend to go with the 2620 to stay away from the latest and greatest in emissions management. Either one would be a real step up from your 2400.

 

[Fiziksgeek]

Thanks for the response. I feel based on the cost and specs, the B650 is a better value than the B2601. Its not much more expensive (I think), but has some nice features/capacities. But, too big can be bad also. Hopefully someone out there can tell me about their operating experience with the B2650!

 

[Bmello]

I picked up a B2650 last fall and have really been knocked out by its performance. I have about 20 acres of pretty rough land and have yet to be short of power. I specifically got this over the 2620 due the higher clearance and wheel base. I compared to a l3200 and there wasn't that much size difference. I went with the b2650 as it didn't have the DPF and price deal I walked into was way too good.

I limit my implement size to 60" and it pulls through thick brush and pulls my box blade down nearly 1/2 mile drive.

While only rated at 26hp it has the same engine as the b2920 which is rated at 29hp.

 

[Fiziksgeek]

I certainly don't have land anywhere near that big, but one of the things I like about my little Massey is that it uses a larger displacement engine, so it runs at a lower RPM. While the Kubota BX and JD100 series run up near 3000-32000rpm (for full power or 540 pto rpms), I run at 2600 rpms. Nice and quite in comparison. When my neighbor first saw me, he couldn't tell it was a diesel...! Not sure if it really impact quality/longevity of the engine, but I like running lower rpms overall.

Massey Ferguson GC2400 is 68.5cuin rated for 22.5HP@2600 rpms

Kubota B2601 has a 68.5 cuin, rated for 25.5HP@2800 rpms

Kubota B2650 has a 77cuin, rated for 26HP@2500 rpms

 

[Bmello]

For most operations around the farm I keep my rpms around 1800-1900. Rarely need to go over 2000. However 540 PTO speed is around 2500 rpm.

In waist high grass I did need to bump up to 2300 rpm on really wet sections with a 60 inch mower. It's all over in what you are trying to do.

 

[peterc38]

Either one- for comparison's sake a 2620 and a 2650- should power implements about the same, but the size could make a real difference. For me, also, I'd tend to go with the 2620 to stay away from the latest and greatest in emissions management.

I don't think emissions on a 2650 should be a concern when compared to the 2620. It is under the HP threshold for needing a DPF or similar tier 4 control device(s). If I had the money and had the choice between the two, I'd take the 2650. It's got a lot more deluxe features.

 

[Fiziksgeek]

Right, I am aware that the emissions controls are on the B3350, not the 2650.

My decision is between the B2601 and B2650. I haven't priced both of them at the local dealer, but from what I understand, the price different is ~$1500. It doesn't seem like you get some nice additional capacities and features for not a lot of extra money, I'm just afraid the B2650 will be too big for my property, specifically mowing duties.

 

[peterc38]

Right, I am aware that the emissions controls are on the B3350, not the 2650.

My decision is between the B2601 and B2650. I haven't priced both of them at the local dealer, but from what I understand, the price different is ~$1500. It doesn't seem like you get some nice additional capacities and features for not a lot of extra money, I'm just afraid the B2650 will be too big for my property, specifically mowing duties.

Tractors have a way of getting a lot smaller once you bring them home and start using them. I haven't seen a B2601 and B2650 side by side so not sure how drastic the size difference is. I am more familiar with features on the 2650'because it has been out a couple years now.

That said, I looked at the brochure online for the B2601 and it has telescoping stabilizers and position control. These are both very nice features that most of the recent preceding smaller basic "B"'s did not have and the left over $1500 might buy a nice implement.

 

[Fiziksgeek]

The B2601 is almost identical to the B2620 in size. The B2601 (and B2301) are starting to show up at dealers, but I haven't had a chance to get back out there and see one in person, but I did see a B2620. The B2650/B3350 seems quite a bit bigger, mostly due to their height and large tires.

As I mentioned, I'm 6ft tall, and the the hood of a BX comes to about my waist. The hood of the B2620 comes to about my belly button, and the hood of the B2650 comes to almost my chest.

I don't have any steep hills, so I am not really worried about stability. But I am worried about those huge rear tires scrubbing and causing turf damage around the yard. The looked to be about a 36" diameter tire on the rear. Weight wise, its only ~300lbs heavier than my current machine, which seems like it shouldn't be a problem.