Am I crazy?

[MadMax31]

Ive been looking to replace my 24hp B7610 with either an L2501 or a B2650 Cab.

The only thing I need a rear PTO for is mowing. Finish and Rotary. Possibly a snowblower.

I built a halfway decent cab as we get a lot of wind up on the hill. So a new machine would have aftermarket support for a cab if I didn't go OEM.

In farting around the internet, I stumbled across a Messicks video about the new 2017 Kubota tractors, If I saw the tag correctly it would appear the new BX 80 series will have an OEM cab option. If I went for a BX, I could afford a Backhoe. Which would certainly aid in my never ending quest to plant windbreak trees.

Am I crazy for considering a BX over my B? I only wanted the L to get me out of th golden rod when Im bush hogging a few acres a few times a year. Its main function is Mow and Snow removal. After pulling my MMM several times I became disenchanted with it. Im only 35 but 22 years of ice hockey as a goalie has destroyed both hips, and 13 years as an HVAC Tech/Installer caused 2 herniated discs. Drive over decks or 3pt mowers with my quick hitch are favored.

 

[bearskinner]

You would be amazed what you can do with a little BX. I use the heck out of my backhoe, and have planted dozens of trees and put many posts, poles and beams in the ground with the mini hoe. It will take a little longer, but there's a reason they sell so many of them...... they just flat work

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

I've had Bearskinner and his BX dig quite a few different jobs for me, You can get close to a building, it's very nimble, and it's incredibly strong for a little BH.

I wouldn't want to dig the panama canal with it, but for little jobs it rocks!

 

[MikeyA]

I recently upgraded from a 1998 B2400 to a B2650 ROPS for a number of reasons, but one was better ride quality for my back. I had even put a suspension seat on my B2400, but the combination of taller tires (turf) and the factory suspension seat was a big gain for me. The BX is a very capable tractor, but the smaller diameter tire will cost you in ride quality. The B2650 is only two more horsepower, but is way more tractor than my 2400 was.

 

[NoJacketRequired]

MadMax - I can't comment on your dilemma, other than to say that you should let me know when you're ready to get rid of your B7610 as I may want to step up in horsepower from my 7510. Love these little tractors!

 

[MadMax31]

Really, thats my dilemma. Id rather have the B2650 cab, stout loader and 3pt, heat and AC. But online pricing is around 28,500 with no mower or blower. I saw that video and it said OEM cab option for the BX. Like a schmuck, I built a brand new garage and stuck 7' doors in it. Id bet a cab BX would fit.

Ive planted 10 Norways while paying a friend $50/hr for his B2920 to dig out the holes. If I had my own, I could plant way more and more frequently.

My B7610 gets bucked around a little bit bush hogging. My land is a little tough and Im only pulling a 4' now. The thought with the L2501 is larger tires = smoother ride. Taller machine gets me out of the golden rod. But I dont bush hog all that much or often.

I will wait for more info on the BX 80 series, but the intergrated joystick, possible cab option and affordable backhoe are very hard to ignore.

Merry Christmas everyone!

 

[skeets]

Max I feel your pain,, but DO NOT LET ANYONE TELL YOU THE BX IS A LAWNMOWER,, That littl bytch will do things that will amaze you, I know mine does it all the time,,, yes its not as big as the B, but all the running grar is the same stout and solid! They can get into tight places turn in smaller spaces move as much snow as the B. Ok I ll give you the FEL and BH are a bit smaller. However trust me they are digging machines!!! Just look around your construction sites and most of them are what "BX"s . The BX will do the work just takes a little longer,, and remember its not a 988 so it wont work like one,, And if they have an OEM cab, BADA BING BADA BANG done deal, if i was getting a new one thats the one i would be signing for,, this is just MHO

 

[Dieselbob]

Just to add to the BX lovefest, I moved in the neighborhood of 600 tons of fill dirt this fall with my 2230, one bucket load at a time.

 

[CountryBumkin]

I saw that video and it said OEM cab option for the BX. Like a schmuck, I built a brand new garage and stuck 7' doors in it. Id bet a cab BX would fit.

I would bet against that.
Just don't head into the garage, your first time, at full speed.

 

[skeets]

Max do you have the link to that video of the BX OEM cab?

 

[MadMax31]

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Ln3rJb2W88g

Right around 1:00 mark

Ive never knocked the BX, or a similar sized machine. Just with 16 acres and no trees, I always figured bigger would have been better.

 

[skeets]

16 acres huh you might want to go a tad larger like maybe an "L" series

 

[CaveCreekRay]

I only have access to about half my 4.7 acres and my L-3800 gets a workout. If you are really going to be doing loads of work over an area bigger than 5-7 acres total, I would definitely err on the side of large.

Unless you are doing close quarter work like I was in my back yard demo, size is really irrelevant -except for the cost! For me the footprint and power of the 3800 worked well but I have always wished the FEL had 500lbs more lifting capacity.

I hired in a guy to do the heavy lifting and while that probably would have paid for a bigger tractor, I don't have to feed and store one from now on. The 3800 will work well for me from here on out.

Get a good one while you can still find one. They are out there.

 

[MadMax31]

16 acres, but I mow ~3 and bush hog another 1-2. The rest I leave wild.

Last night we had 33mph winds and that just cements my want for a cab.

I dont want to drop $29,000 on a B2650 to leave it parked outside of my garage. Building another structure costs money I wont have, and raise my already awful taxes. I can go smaller than my B, but yes, Id rather a standard L...

Ill wait a few months and see what the 80 series offers, I could get an L2501 and slap a Curtis Cab on it, but that wouldn't fit in my 7' door either....

 

[ipz2222]

I've owned 2 bx's. The +'s are many, the -'s few. Ground clearance is minimal, about 6 inches, the lifting capacity is just a little short of what you would expect and the new rops is TALL.

 

[skeets]

Got ya max,, I do 5 arces with my BX and some of it is a tad on the hilly side,, not worries,, but if your going to get into the woods with a lot of sticks and stuff you might want to think about a skid plate to cover the hydro fan

 

[mpham]

My B2650 factory cab on turf tires needs 7ft.2"inches to get in the garage. Lucky for me I have a 7'6"door.

 

[Torrin]

I am taking delivery of a B2650HSDC (cab), and the literature says that the ROPS height is 7' 4" and the factory Cab height is (according to sales brocure) is 7' 1/2"

 

[MadMax31]

Ive already talked myself out of a BH. After I plant ~30 trees, it's usefulness would be gone. Ill just rent a mini Ex twice.

Ive been contacting the Salesguys I was bugging back in July. One Dealer is carrying Yanmar. YT235C factory cab is $28,000. Just a touch bigger than Kubotas B2650 and same price, but 9 more ponies. I dont know anything about the machine, but Yanmar makes solid engines...

I may just look to used market for a Tier 3 Grand L....

 

[mpham]

I am taking delivery of a B2650HSDC (cab), and the literature says that the ROPS height is 7' 4" and the factory Cab height is (according to sales brocure) is 7' 1/2"

The cab measures 7'1" but the rear lights and antenna stick up higher. I had the dealer flip the lights and brackets over before it got delivered. But i found my door was 7'6" anyway.