Help Me Pick Out A Model... 3.5 acres 400' driveway

[Huckster79]

When I bought my BX25 in 2014, the included BH was the siren song. At the time Kubota was having a BOGO on FEL attachments. I knew I wanted a plow for snow, so I threw in the forks more as an afterthought than anything. Turns out the forks were the smartest move, and the BH spent more time as rear ballast than anything else. Yes, the BH has been handy, but it has limited reach and comes up short at times. In the long run it would have better to get a larger machine sans BH and just rented a mini-ex on the occasions I needed one. I moved up to a cabbed LX2620 this fall and never even considered getting a model with a BH.

Fantastic info... Thank you. I think that is where I am at on the BH... We have also reworked some of our house modifications around and are not going to be installing egress windows in the basement and are going to keep the current well so the BH projects out of the gate are cancelled. So I think I figure that I'll put that value towards a better base setup than an implement I'll rarely use. Plus it looks like if I need one for a few grand I could buy one of these Chinese jobs and sell it for half when done and still be money ahead over renting if I need it more than a day or two... But regardless I've taken BH off my list, if one came up for the right price with one, I wouldn't say no, but I'm not making it even part of my criteria list.

I am now part thinking of the B2650 or lx2620 with cab being snow blowing will be a big part of it, if I don't go with the 2601. There are couple used 2601s around here with a Curtis cab. How open will I feel in a cabbed model with the doors and back window off? As there is just a part of the year I want to not be "inside" when I'm outside... But man when the snow is blowing being enclosed and not eating snow spray would be nice...

What made you choose the LX over the B? Besides the cab, unless that was the one big reason?

 

[Huckster79]

If I may, having a B2601. I thought it was going to be the cats azz,, I was wrong. As one poster said the B2601 is a BX with a lift kit. When I bought it I was blinded by the specs yep everything I need, wrong. While it is a bigger tractor, the size does not out weight the short comings. The kitchen is a hoge poge of a lay out, and if you are of a large size, kind of crippled up with big feet it's not the way to go, you will find it very cramped. The rear end is about 6 inches to narrow ( I put 2 inch spacers on, it helped but not much). I got the R4s because thats what I have on the BX and they work great, but some joker thought putting skid steer tires on a B2601 tractor would be a good idea , it aint! If its wet I need 4wd to climb hills with wet grass, and I havent had it in the snow so I dont know what it will do. Had I been smarter I would have gone with the 50 series now the LX. It is your money spend it wisely ask your dealer to bring one out and run it around for a week end, I think the LX would suit you better than the B. Just MHO

You too have my ear. I was thinking b2601 while being open to a 2650/LX. Last couple posts have me thinking that, "Okay, maybe one more step up"... The GP outdoors YouTube shows him doing some amazing work with the 2601, so I thought it was more than adequate for what I will need. But it also doesn't look like a 2650 or LX would be significantly more investment up front. It looks like according to Paul's chart to only be 14% heavier but wider tires so I would imagine there is no more rut risk w one vs the other. But it does look like most things besides weight are about 30% greater on the 50/LX... 30% isn't a sneeze... So you are thinking now that that 30% would definetly have made a difference for you? I'm not worried about me fitting, I'm not built to be a bouncer . I'm 5'9" and now that I'm a fitness freak I'm around 165lbs... So I'd fit fine, but what about the layout difference do you think is superior on 50/lx?

I do have some hill, so you think the 50/LX increased width increase would make it more stable even with some height gain?

What are you suggesting then for tire for a 2601 or 50/LX? I was thinking I'd go for turf being I plan to mow and use around the yard a lot, and if I blow snow instead of plow it should be good enough traction and if not I could chain...

 

[Huckster79]

Okay, question for all as we discuss the b2601 vs the 50/lx:

In the used market, if I can find ones that are similar priced enough that the price point isn't the deciding factor, why would I choose the b2601 over the b2650 or lx2610? Curiosity question-not a challenge to anyone...

 

[Bearcatrp]

Your lift requirements will be the bottom line on what you need. All the other ones that come with a mower cut grass basted on the size of the mower. Getting a tractor and finding out you need more lift than the one you have kind of sucks. But, like my BX, i just break up the load so I can carry it. I did look at a B series to upgrade. Like was mentioned, just an upgraded lift capacity from the BX. I checked out a LX2620 not long ago. Thats a sweet tractor. The L series may do it for you. Attachments fit on most tractors. You can change stuff around. But the lift, your stuck with what you buy. Chose wisely.

 

[jimh406]

The factory cab is quite a bit better than the Curtis. If you want a cab, get the Kubota Cab model LX. A cab (Curtis or Kubota) does raise the center of gravity although your property seems relatively flat.

 

[dirtydeed]

Okay, question for all as we discuss the b2601 vs the 50/lx:

In the used market, if I can find ones that are similar priced enough that the price point isn't the deciding factor, why would I choose the b2601 over the b2650 or lx2610? Curiosity question-not a challenge to anyone...

choosing B2650/LX over B2601:

1) Cab option
2) better lift (weight and height)
3) more ground clearance
4) comfy
5) both of those machines (B2601, B2650 and the LX2610, 20) negate the need for DPF systems.
6) B2650/LX (all but the "SU" models) feature telescoping lower 3 point hitch limiters
7) be sure to get SSQA (on any machine with a loader)

B2650 (and LX) makes for a damn fine landscaping tractor. Just be sure to skip over any machine with the model number B3350. Hard pass on that one. A newer LX3310 would be fine.

 

[BruceMc]

What made you choose the LX over the B? Besides the cab, unless that was the one big reason?

The cab was the selling point for me. I live outside Fairbanks, AK and have spent the last 10 years moving snow with the open station BX25. While the BX has more than met my expectations, and during the warm months I much prefer an open station (especially if I'm jumping on and off the tractor a lot), a heated cab is just so, so much nicer in the winter. A couple of hours at most on the BX and it's time to thaw out fingers and toes and pull ice out of the beard. OTOH, I can spend all day comfortably in the cab and only have to get out to empty my bladder. Now I would have actually preferred an L vs the LX, but there's no factory cab with the L until you move up to the Grand L.

 

[Huckster79]

The cab was the selling point for me. I live outside Fairbanks, AK and have spent the last 10 years moving snow with the open station BX25. While the BX has more than met my expectations, and during the warm months I much prefer an open station (especially if I'm jumping on and off the tractor a lot), a heated cab is just so, so much nicer in the winter. A couple of hours at most on the BX and it's time to thaw out fingers and toes and pull ice out of the beard. OTOH, I can spend all day comfortably in the cab and only have to get out to empty my bladder. Now I would have actually preferred an L vs the LX, but there's no factory cab with the L until you move up to the Grand L.

how is the cab with the doors off and rear window out? Part of the year I’d like to be as open air as possible.

MI isn’t Alaska- but I’d still rather not eat snow spray while blowing I’m just undecided if I want a cab to deal with all the time or bundle up. I mean I am only planning on doing my driveway of 400’ so I suppose I shouldn’t have to be out there for hours anyway…So maybe I shouldn’t be a pansie- I’m not needing to do other work in it like some folks may or commercial work all day… that I guess I shouldn’t consider - that I’m not needing to be on it long hours in the winter…

I was set on the b2601 now second guessing to the 2650 or 2610…

idk so many decisions to make that I kind of have to guess at based off the input you fine folks are giving me. As I don’t think I’ll be able to talk the dealer into a multi month multi machine trial! lol….

 

[bird dogger]

how is the cab with the doors off and rear window out? Part of the year I’d like to be as open air as possible.

MI isn’t Alaska- but I’d still rather not eat snow spray while blowing I’m just undecided if I want a cab to deal with all the time or bundle up. I mean I am only planning on doing my driveway of 400’ so I suppose I shouldn’t have to be out there for hours anyway…So maybe I shouldn’t be a pansie- I’m not needing to do other work in it like some folks may or commercial work all day… that I guess I shouldn’t consider - that I’m not needing to be on it long hours in the winter…

I was set on the b2601 now second guessing to the 2650 or 2610…

idk so many decisions to make that I kind of have to guess at based off the input you fine folks are giving me. As I don’t think I’ll be able to talk the dealer into a multi month multi machine trial! lol….

I have a B2650 purchased in 2017. I ordered it with turf tires as it would be my primary mowing tractor on the acreage here. But I also ordered a backhoe with it so added R4s to the package as well. Had I known how sturdy the turf tires are....I might have passed on adding the R4s to the package. The only time I put the R4s on is when I have alot of work in the woods or a bunch of backhoe work lined up.

I'm always switching between implements so I use a rear discharge finish mower behind it. The turf tires work great in mowing and leave no ruts or scrapes. My ground is pretty level where I move snow, so I've never needed chains. The turf tires have more traction in the snow than the R4s do so they're on year round.

I'm like you in that I don't mind an open station tractor in the spring, summer, fall. But especially for working in the woods....and in a few spots I need to lower the rops. I also have a half mile of ditch bank to mow so a cab wa not an option for me in the summertime.'

But winters here in North Dakota can have some brutally cold temps in the -20°F to -30°F. I made a lightweight, 3 piece removeable cab complete with heater plumbed in. It goes on/off easily and can be shirt sleeve temps inside in those brutally cold outdoor temps. It isn't a beauty, but its roomy, functional,
and has super visibility. Best of all, it was cheap to build. If you're at all handy with a few hand tools and mig welder, its an easy project. Here's that B2650 Cab build and it's still going strong today.

There's some other much fancier cab builds on this site. But mine was made to go on and off easily and only for winter snowblowing duties.

I think you'd be best served with the new LX tractor for your property. Beautiful site, by the way!!

 

[Huckster79]

I have a B2650 purchased in 2017. I ordered it with turf tires as it would be my primary mowing tractor on the acreage here. But I also ordered a backhoe with it so added R4s to the package as well. Had I known how sturdy the turf tires are....I might have passed on adding the R4s to the package. The only time I put the R4s on is when I have alot of work in the woods or a bunch of backhoe work lined up.

I'm always switching between implements so I use a rear discharge finish mower behind it. The turf tires work great in mowing and leave no ruts or scrapes. My ground is pretty level where I move snow, so I've never needed chains. The turf tires have more traction in the snow than the R4s do so they're on year round.

I'm like you in that I don't mind an open station tractor in the spring, summer, fall. But especially for working in the woods....and in a few spots I need to lower the rops. I also have a half mile of ditch bank to mow so a cab wa not an option for me in the summertime.'

But winters here in North Dakota can have some brutally cold temps in the -20°F to -30°F. I made a lightweight, 3 piece removeable cab complete with heater plumbed in. It goes on/off easily and can be shirt sleeve temps inside in those brutally cold outdoor temps. It isn't a beauty, but its roomy, functional,
and has super visibility. Best of all, it was cheap to build. If you're at all handy with a few hand tools and mig welder, its an easy project. Here's that B2650 Cab build and it's still going strong today.

There's some other much fancier cab builds on this site. But mine was made to go on and off easily and only for winter snowblowing duties.

I think you'd be best served with the new LX tractor for your property. Beautiful site, by the way!!

thanks! I may very well go b2650 as I’m very open to used. I’m leaning that way maybe, but I’m still unsure the b2601 wasn’t plenty… however I’m having a hard time finding a solid reason to not go with the 2650 instead…

I’ll have to take a look at that cab! Thank you. I am very very handy- however I haven’t welded since high school, metal has been one area I’ve not kept up and advanced my handiness in. However it doesn’t not interest me, so maybe I think about this, get an open cab and make this my next learning project. Being able to do “metal stuff” would be nice.

If nothing else, I was thinking of making a plexiglass frame with wiper that clamps on the ROPs as a bit of snow spray shield, as I’m planning on a 3pt blower.…

that’s great to know on the turf tires- those will be exactly what I’ll need.


I’m also researching out the b7800 now, I see a few nice examples of those out there on marketplace. I don’t need the latest greatest, I need capable and reliable, and I’m not opposed to finding a value, so want to explore that option - if it’s wise or not and how much of an actual discount are they and such.

This has become a black hole! lol

 

[bird dogger]

This has become a black hole! lol

Huckster79, I think everyone was in the same boat on their first purchase!! I was!! And again on my second purchase....until I studied everything on OTT and decided on the B2650.

If you do wind up with a used B2650 or a used/new LX model and decide to bone up on your metal working skills with a similar cab build...... send me a message and I'd be happy to help with pics, methods, measurements, some improvements I've thought of afterwards, etc.

Once a decision was made on how to go about it, the project was pretty simple and quick. And the heater add on was the icing on the cake! And just as easy, too.

David

 

[chim]

One way or another I'd find a way to get a cab. I never had a Curtis cab but I did have a DIY (steel and glass) cab on my L3200 and a factory cab on the L4240. When plowing or blowing snow I wouldn't be without a cab. I made the DIY cab with lift-off doors, and with a small fan it was more comfortable in hot weather than the open station. Of course with the doors removed the dust and pollen came in.

 

[Runs With Scissors]

Got the truck stuck this morning.

Generals Lee and Jackson were there for the save!!!!!!

Love having a tractor with a BH.

Then this.

Since the deck is slated for replacement this year, I decided that “hand shoveling” was unncessary.

 

[Hugo Habicht]

Love having a tractor with a BH.

Once a backhoe, always a backhoe

 

[dirtydeed]

View attachment 166837

OMG.

When I first glanced at this pic, I thought for sure that you vented the front door with the hoe since you'll be replacing the deck soon. LOL!

We look forward to you showing us something like this in the spring?

 

[Huckster79]

View attachment 166837

View attachment 166844

Yawl making me want one… guess we’ll see what I get out of the Mooney… The airplane market seems to have softened… but man those look handy and fun, and not everyone has one!

I still want one but don’t want to rule ones out that don’t have it… but we’ll see.

there’s a b7800 with one not far, but it lacks the belly blade and they don’t appear to be a dime a dozen to find for those- though it seems like a fine model.

im just worried that- tractor, now possibly with a cab, fel, bh, mmm, box blade, tiller, snow blower and dump trailer that could be ramped for the tractor if need be, is getting to be quite an impending tab!

I thought my aviation addiction was bad - this tractor thing might get worse…

then if we’re hauling goods in the dump trailer- old blue our family truck is getting tired… she probably needs major repair or a replacement…. valves or some injectors I beleive and she’s at 250k box rotted gone years back... So not sure she’s worth it to address or up to the task as is. I was hoping to sell the Mooney-get a nice little 40s era taildragger and a little tractor- but at this rate I won’t have enough left after the tractor and goodies for a kite

if ya give a mouse a cookie..

 

[jimh406]

Yawl making me want one… guess we’ll see what I get out of the Mooney…

Keep the Mooney!

 

[Huckster79]

Keep the Mooney!

Naaa, I love her, but she is an expensive mistress... She loves long haul trips and those just come few and far between for me. I miss out on a lot of screw around flying. The plane I should have kept was my 1947 Cessna 140... The fast heavy hauler is cool, but I'll log more hours if I can drop into the chili cook off fly in on the frozen lake nearby they do every year, hop around on a nice summer night with the windows open, take the boy camping on grass strips, etc...

I was really hoping to do some long trips, but they just aren't coming to be. So I'm thinking a 100hp+ old Champ or something similar would be a lot of fun. There is a Mooney I can rent if I need some speed.

 

[SDT]

choosing B2650/LX over B2601:

1) Cab option
2) better lift (weight and height)
3) more ground clearance
4) comfy
5) both of those machines (B2601, B2650 and the LX2610, 20) negate the need for DPF systems.
6) B2650/LX (all but the "SU" models) feature telescoping lower 3 point hitch limiters
7) be sure to get SSQA (on any machine with a loader)

B2650 (and LX) makes for a damn fine landscaping tractor. Just be sure to skip over any machine with the model number B3350. Hard pass on that one. A newer LX3310 would be fine.

It has taken years but the issues related to the B3350 have finally been mostly sorted out, at least for those who have had all updates performed on their engines and follow the instructions precisely.

 

[jimh406]

It has taken years but the issues related to the B3350 have finally been mostly sorted out, at least for those who have had all updates performed on their engines and follow the instructions precisely.

Sure, you can probably workaround the B3350 flaws, but to be clear, most people don't want to deal with it when there are so many other models.