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

[bird dogger]

Yawl making me want one...

A tractor without a backhoe is like a hug without a squeeze!!!

 

[trikepilot]

L’s don’t have a mid pto though right? Or no? I’d prefer to not tow a mower…

Choose wisely on the MM vs FM. I have the B2620 for 56ac in SW Va. I coulda gone bigger but the B does 96% of everything I ask for. I mow maybe a couple of acres (2hrs seat time each mow) with a FM which does a great job and is infinitely easier to put on/off. I guess it depends on how often you mow versus doing "tractor stuff."

Unless you get a screaming deal on implements at purchase, just be patient and troll CL and FBMP and you'll soon have all the implements you need. My buddy just got a L2501 and it is a nice machine but I dont feel its performance envelope exceeds my B2620 by any meaningful metric. Also be willing to consider used machines. There are lots of low-hour Kubotas out there to be had for the savvy buyer.

There is some seriously good experience to be tapped here at OTT. Dive on in!

 

[jimh406]

My buddy just got a L2501 and it is a nice machine but I dont feel its performance envelope exceeds my B2620 by any meaningful metric.

I can see that no capability you need is exceeded by the L2501, but those two are quite a lot different in capability unless you need a mid-mount-pto.

 

[Huckster79]

I have joined the Brother and Sisterhood of the Orange Tractor...

We made the move, its beutiful, living in town my whole life I wept as a grown man when we moved in, space, peace, beauty...My kids, wife and I went sledding on our hill the night we moved it, it's perfect. But I'm lucky I have a good friend nearby with a big ol 75hp Kubota as I'm defenseless against the winter at the moment and its been bearing down... But no longer...

My B2601 should arrive next week! It comes with a FEL, MMM and a B2789 Snowblower on Turf Tires. The entire package I arrived at as what I "need"... She's not off the showroom new, but appears very well cared for, she's at 740hrs I believe. I had the dealer do the 800hr inspection in the negotiation, once that is finalized it will be headed my way. I can't wait.

It was quite the journey and I appreciate "all yawls" input... It helped a lot. I came close to going "off brand", I was temped by the TYM until I got on one and the step and fender flexed under my massive 170lb frame... I like the LS rather well, much better fit and finish than the TYM, but for a new one in my area it was only couple grand less than Kubota... So I ultimately decided that solid used was the way to go and get the brand who's Facebook page isn't filled with "may axle fell off, they say it should be here in just 11 months"...

I decided on the B2601 as my primary target, with the right b7800, b2920, b2650 or lx2610 buy pop up grab it. I decided on the the 2601 for several reason. I can mow with it for now while I decide if I want a ZT or what if I found one with a MMM. I want a tractor that can do real work with and yet be my "yard buddy" too in terms of often with me on yard chores and tasks, and though I was open to all those one step ups from this one they are still smaller than the "competitions" step up. Those all take a beefy step up in terms of weight and such compared to our orange ones. I think I started down the " it's only a little bigger but WAY more capable road" a step or two too far. The ones I listed above would be still perfectly reasonable. The TYM had those beat by several hundred pounds of weight if not a bit more. Well when my friend came and plowed me out his big tractor was a real bear to maneuver around my house area... Him and I were chatting and he said, "Hey if you are't in a hurry a little tractor will do all a big one will, it just takes longer" and I realized then at this property I do not want to be oversized and the B2601 fits all my basic need and then some. Especially after watching GP Outdoors when he had his, he worked it far harder than I will need to. I realized its 3.5 acres, it is not a farm... Some folks on some forums say all these 25hp tractors are a joke and you can't do anything without more... I think that's just a stretch, I don't recall most folks with more than a couple acres even needing more than a briggs and Stratton Rider 35 years ago... So I decided the b2601 it was unless I ran into a good buy on one of the others. After settling in on that, I found this one it it was set up to what my exact "gotta have day 1" list was, down to the tires so I pulled the trigger. I haven't sold my plane yet, so I did finance it, but figured I'll just pay it off when the airplane sells and at that time get her, her 3rd function and grapple, rototiller, forks and box blade...

Thanks for the help getting here...

 

[PaulL]

I'm sure you'll be super happy. Remember, we require pictures as payment for all our good advice.

 

[GrumpyFarmer]

I have joined the Brother and Sisterhood of the Orange Tractor...

We made the move, its beutiful, living in town my whole life I wept as a grown man when we moved in, space, peace, beauty...My kids, wife and I went sledding on our hill the night we moved it, it's perfect. But I'm lucky I have a good friend nearby with a big ol 75hp Kubota as I'm defenseless against the winter at the moment and its been bearing down... But no longer...

My B2601 should arrive next week! It comes with a FEL, MMM and a B2789 Snowblower on Turf Tires. The entire package I arrived at as what I "need"... She's not off the showroom new, but appears very well cared for, she's at 740hrs I believe. I had the dealer do the 800hr inspection in the negotiation, once that is finalized it will be headed my way. I can't wait.

It was quite the journey and I appreciate "all yawls" input... It helped a lot. I came close to going "off brand", I was temped by the TYM until I got on one and the step and fender flexed under my massive 170lb frame... I like the LS rather well, much better fit and finish than the TYM, but for a new one in my area it was only couple grand less than Kubota... So I ultimately decided that solid used was the way to go and get the brand who's Facebook page isn't filled with "may axle fell off, they say it should be here in just 11 months"...

I decided on the B2601 as my primary target, with the right b7800, b2920, b2650 or lx2610 buy pop up grab it. I decided on the the 2601 for several reason. I can mow with it for now while I decide if I want a ZT or what if I found one with a MMM. I want a tractor that can do real work with and yet be my "yard buddy" too in terms of often with me on yard chores and tasks, and though I was open to all those one step ups from this one they are still smaller than the "competitions" step up. Those all take a beefy step up in terms of weight and such compared to our orange ones. I think I started down the " it's only a little bigger but WAY more capable road" a step or two too far. The ones I listed above would be still perfectly reasonable. The TYM had those beat by several hundred pounds of weight if not a bit more. Well when my friend came and plowed me out his big tractor was a real bear to maneuver around my house area... Him and I were chatting and he said, "Hey if you are't in a hurry a little tractor will do all a big one will, it just takes longer" and I realized then at this property I do not want to be oversized and the B2601 fits all my basic need and then some. Especially after watching GP Outdoors when he had his, he worked it far harder than I will need to. I realized its 3.5 acres, it is not a farm... Some folks on some forums say all these 25hp tractors are a joke and you can't do anything without more... I think that's just a stretch, I don't recall most folks with more than a couple acres even needing more than a briggs and Stratton Rider 35 years ago... So I decided the b2601 it was unless I ran into a good buy on one of the others. After settling in on that, I found this one it it was set up to what my exact "gotta have day 1" list was, down to the tires so I pulled the trigger. I haven't sold my plane yet, so I did finance it, but figured I'll just pay it off when the airplane sells and at that time get her, her 3rd function and grapple, rototiller, forks and box blade...

Thanks for the help getting here...

Congratulations!

share some pics when you get it!

 

[Huckster79]

I'm sure you'll be super happy. Remember, we require pictures as payment for all our good advice.

Congratulations!

share some pics when you get it!

Absolutely will do! I'm hoping sometime next week.

It is coming from a couple states away.

Transporting larger "things" is one of the few spots in life I feel is very reasonable in cost... This will be my second time doing so, both times I could not have driven and got the thing for what it cost to have show up on my door step... Gotta be comfortable doing inspection remotely but if ones good with that, the move is very reasonable. We had a 1950 dodge truck hauled from Colorado to Central Michigan for $1,000 and it's going to cost me $500 to have the Kubota brought home. It would be a 6-7 hour drive for me each way and through Chicago. So there would just be no way for me to do it myself for less...

 

[McMXi]

Absolutely will do! I'm hoping sometime next week.

It is coming from a couple states away.

Transporting larger "things" is one of the few spots in life I feel is very reasonable in cost... This will be my second time doing so, both times I could not have driven and got the thing for what it cost to have show up on my door step... Gotta be comfortable doing inspection remotely but if ones good with that, the move is very reasonable. We had a 1950 dodge truck hauled from Colorado to Central Michigan for $1,000 and it's going to cost me $500 to have the Kubota brought home. It would be a 6-7 hour drive for me each way and through Chicago. So there would just be no way for me to do it myself for less...

Congratulations on the "new" tractor.

Talking of the cost to have stuff hauled from A to B, my friend shipped me an M1078 a few years ago and all I had to do was to pay for shipping from Hawaii to Tacoma, WA. It was $3,700 if I remember correctly, which isn't terrible for a 17,000 lb truck that's 9ft tall, 8ft wide and 22ft long, particularly since it was free. I made some inquiries regarding having it hauled from Tacoma, WA to Kalispell, MT (about 600 miles) and $6,000 seemed to be a number thrown around, and that was assuming that the driver didn't have to wait around to pick it up.

Given the cost, I decided to drive my Jeep to Tacoma, stay overnight at a hotel and then drive the M1078 home with the Jeep in tow. It worked out and I made it back without much trouble other than blocked fuel filters. If doing the same today I would use my F-450 and 30ft gooseneck trailer but I didn't have them at that time.

I sold the M1078 a few months ago for $15,000 but kept quite a few parts that will be useful for other projects. The new owner came out to inspect the truck and decided that he'd rather I deliver it which I'd suggested during our initial conversations. I had already figured out that it was 406 miles round trip and decided that $500 would be fair and would more than cover my time and fuel cost, so I suppose that $1.25/mile was what I quoted. It worked out better than I could hope for with a great trip out and back, and a very happy new owner.

 

[Donystoy]

Congratulations on your purchase as well. I am sure you will be happy with your choice of the B2601. My original B7200 was only 17hp and did everything that I wanted it to do. I had a small woods backhoe on it and I dug out a basement, a 200 foot driveway 24" deep, 500 feet of trench 5 to 6 feet deep plus other jobs too many to list. Just takes longer with a smaller machine. All over 37 years of ownership and 2300 hours. Got the lx for the cab for blowing snow on my 4000 foot driveway.

 

[Huckster79]

Congratulations on your purchase as well. I am sure you will be happy with your choice of the B2601. My original B7200 was only 17hp and did everything that I wanted it to do. I had a small woods backhoe on it and I dug out a basement, a 200 foot driveway 24" deep, 500 feet of trench 5 to 6 feet deep plus other jobs too many to list. Just takes longer with a smaller machine. All over 37 years of ownership and 2300 hours. Got the lx for the cab for blowing snow on my 4000 foot driveway.

That’s a great story… thank you for sharing, that makes me all the more confident in my choice..


It makes all the sense in the world now, once I realized (not sure why it took so long-lol) that I wasn’t shopping for my commercial operation needing max efficiency for profitability. In fact one of my goals with moving here, on a river in the woods, is to literally slow down, soak it in… If it takes two days longer it was two days outside next to the river with my wife-doing what we love to do together-

 

[Huckster79]

It has arrived!!! Mower comes off tonight, but I had to take her for a spin . Man can she eat some snow! I put her into a snow plow pile left from the plow and it didn't flinch... Just flung that Shtuff 30 ft or better. I'm a happy boy...

Thanks for the help getting here

Ray

 

[Runs With Scissors]

Very nice sir!

I’m sure it will serve you well.

 

[McMXi]

It has arrived!!! Mower comes off tonight, but I had to take her for a spin . Man can she eat some snow! I put her into a snow plow pile left from the plow and it didn't flinch... Just flung that Shtuff 30 ft or better. I'm a happy boy...

Thanks for the help getting here

Ray

Cool! One upgrade you can look forward to at some point is adding rear remotes to the tractor and hydraulics on the snow blower. Rotating the chute and changing the deflector angle will be even nicer via hydraulics. Just trying to spend your money for you!

 

[hedgerow]

Ray That's a good looking set up. Enjoy the new toys.

 

[Huckster79]

I just want to thank all of you who helped me pick out the right model. The 2601 is the perfect fit for my place. I'm glad I didn't go even a step bigger, seeing the tasks ahead I'm glad she's not any smaller an has the ground clearance she does and 3 ranges. I live in Medium as all said, I can't imagine just H and L.

But just wanted to thank everyone for getting me here, the success story continues I'm really happy


So Far it came with and Ive added:

Came with:
The MMM- yes it definetly "neuters" them as a tractor, but I'm glad I have it. I plan on doing a Bee Lawn over time and shrinking my lawn area-rewilding a bunch of the property, so either it will work as I won't be mowing a lot, or if not and I shrink it enough I'll just get a basic rider or ZT at that point.

3pt. Snowblower- priceless. I love it, throws that crap a mile, I could put it in snow plow piles and barely lost an rpm... very impressive

Added:

7' back blade, it's a beast but works! Its nice that even fully angled its wider than the tractor. I'm going to do some "modifications" for the fun of it on over time, add tire brackets to turn it into a grader...

800lb Ballast Box. Its a Temu special, $140, but a box to hold concrete is a box to hold concrete, I like this as it receives more weight from the front axle, which watch the video loaded tires don't help with, but I can quickly lighten it up to turn it into an overgrown riding mower and less tire tears on the turf.

Landscape Rake. Just another cheap-ey. Most things I will buy beefy used, but needed it now, didn't want to hunt a bargain used, didn't want to pay new retail for how much I'd use it. Another $130 unit, it goes in the hitch receiver of the ballast box. I'm rather impressed with it, that after a weekend of abuse it held up fine. The nice thing is with it being a cheap unit so not all that heavy, being on the ballast box when I needed to drag brush, it could squat the tines out pretty hard and drag most anything.

Bucket Forks. Again kinda went cheap on these, but I'm not moving big pallets, I want to see what I will use them for and see if a real set of forks is worth it and if it is I'll get them, if not these seem to work decent so far.

I'm getting some pallets to mount my HF cement mixer, which is the perfect orange and then it too can kind of be an "implement" in terms of I can quickly and easily move it around the property.

Short Term Wish List:

Brush Hog- clean up some of the year of yard disposal into the woods and such

Light Bars, I have the lights just have to build the bars and wire it, need to look for input of clean switch installs from others, want a front bar, back bar and 4 other positionable round LED's so I'd like them on 4 switches. I'm thinking a marine unit would be the best prefabbed setup...

Log splitter-maybe- either get the tractor innovations remote on the back, or look at fabricating a PTO hydraulic pump unit. I will have long term need to split wood, but not uber regularly. That is why I think the reliability of my Kubota diesel would be the win as it wouldn't be a briggs and Stratton sitting unused for a year and a half at time...

Grapple- I think I'm going to delay for the money, and see if I can make it work with two sets of bucket forks and a ratchet strap or two. Not as fast, but once done I won't have a huge need, its only 3.5a... So once caught up thats a lot of expense for 3rd function and the grapple...

 

[bobnic]

Congratulations!. I was not one who weighed in on your original post, but I think you settled on the right size tractor for your needs and did a good job resisting all the "recommendations" for much bigger tractors. Turf tires were an excellent choice since you're doing lots of mowing and they are also very good in the snow. Also mmm was a good choice for maneuverability. I mow using a BX2370 with a mmm and turf tires and just take off the front bucket when mowing. Also, you wouldn't want your 800 lb ballast box on while mowing. My BX turf tires are loaded, and I feel that helps stability. I do add a 3 pt ballast box for loader work. I have a 3 point PTO snow blower for the BX which certainly blew snow well and has the advantage of keeping the loader available for snow work. I really wanted a cab and a front mount blower for comfort, which I now have with my LX4020. One mod you might consider for your blower is to extend the chute rotation rod and attach it to your ROPs so the handle is in front of the ROPS and is much easier to reach. The bucket forks will be disappointing for any heavy loads since they hold the load so far out from the loader pins. A real set of pallet forks will make a big difference particularly for a tractor with a relatively low loader lift capacity. I would suggest you consider a stand alone gas powered log splitter rather than a tractor mounted splitter and having to rig up hydraulics for it. I've had a Troybilt splitter from Lowes with a Honda engine for over 10 years that I have never had any trouble with. Just make sure you use stabilizer in the gas.

 

[Huckster79]

Congratulations!. I was not one who weighed in on your original post, but I think you settled on the right size tractor for your needs and did a good job resisting all the "recommendations" for much bigger tractors. Turf tires were an excellent choice since you're doing lots of mowing and they are also very good in the snow. Also mmm was a good choice for maneuverability. I mow using a BX2370 with a mmm and turf tires and just take off the front bucket when mowing. Also, you wouldn't want your 800 lb ballast box on while mowing. My BX turf tires are loaded, and I feel that helps stability. I do add a 3 pt ballast box for loader work. I have a 3 point PTO snow blower for the BX which certainly blew snow well and has the advantage of keeping the loader available for snow work. I really wanted a cab and a front mount blower for comfort, which I now have with my LX4020. One mod you might consider for your blower is to extend the chute rotation rod and attach it to your ROPs so the handle is in front of the ROPS and is much easier to reach. The bucket forks will be disappointing for any heavy loads since they hold the load so far out from the loader pins. A real set of pallet forks will make a big difference particularly for a tractor with a relatively low loader lift capacity. I would suggest you consider a stand alone gas powered log splitter rather than a tractor mounted splitter and having to rig up hydraulics for it. I've had a Troybilt splitter from Lowes with a Honda engine for over 10 years that I have never had any trouble with. Just make sure you use stabilizer in the gas.

Those are some good points! Yea that would be a better setup for a splitter. If I do that, actually what I would do, and I've shared this with many- if you have an engine that gets infrequent use or stored for a season, and it has a carb, go to your local airport and buy AVGas. It's 100 octane leaded. Octane is way misunderstood- doesn't burn much different at all, the carb won't be bothered by the lead, but the BIG difference is the preservative in the gasoline. The gasoline itself is top top notch fuel and the preservative has to keep it volatile for 7 years... So it just doesn't gum things up nor not start the next year. Rec gas is a big step up from E10 but Av Gas really wins for that stuff. But all you say makes sense on that...

 

[PaulL]

My pallet forks for my B2601 are dual purpose - they go on the 3pt and on the loader. A cement mixer is pretty heavy, I don't like your chances of lifting one on a pallet using bucket forks. Even if it does lift it, pretty high probability of bending the front edge of your bucket.

Have you got a carry all (what we'd in NZ call a transport tray)? That may be a better answer for lots of purposes, including moving your cement mixer.

Transport Trays | AgriQuip

Transport trays are the farmer-friendly attachment for those many jobs around the farm, for stock transport, feeding out, or any multi-purpose carrier.

www.agriquip.co.nz

 

[bobnic]

Another alternative is the 3 point pallet forks from Agrisupply:

Pallet Forks, Pallet Fork, 3 Point Pallet Forks 3 Pt Pallet

Use these pallet forks to easily move pallets and cargo. With a 2000 lb. capacity, these 3-point pallet forks are convenient and easy to use.

www.agrisupply.com

I have them for my BX2370 and they can lift a lot more than the pallet forks on the front end loader. Also they are very economical compared to a set of loader forks.