I am looking at both. I don't do much but mow but one can never have to much power I guess. I just don't know if here is really much difference between the two of them in actual use. 3 hp. does not seem to me to be worth $800 at this point. But I have not pulled both to really know. Does anyone on her actually know if the difference is noticable or not?
Is paying $800 more for a B2601 over a B2301 worth it?
- Thread starter Buggyman
- Start date
RCW
Well-known member
Lifetime Member
Equipment
BX2360, FEL, MMM, BX2750D snowblower. 1953 Minneapolis Moline ZAU
Depends on what you want to do this the tractor.
If a lot of your planned tasks are PTO work like flail mowers, tillers, or snowblowers, then I think the $800 is well-spent.
I have an older BX2360 with mid-mount mower and snowblower. There have been many times I wished I had a BX2660 for the snowblower. They eat PTO HP.
I've shopped the B series a couple times. If I were to buy one tomorrow, it would be a B2601.
If your work is lifting, pushing, pulling without the PTO, I doubt you'd see a difference.
If a lot of your planned tasks are PTO work like flail mowers, tillers, or snowblowers, then I think the $800 is well-spent.
I have an older BX2360 with mid-mount mower and snowblower. There have been many times I wished I had a BX2660 for the snowblower. They eat PTO HP.
I've shopped the B series a couple times. If I were to buy one tomorrow, it would be a B2601.
If your work is lifting, pushing, pulling without the PTO, I doubt you'd see a difference.
Last edited:
I think resale will be better with the B2601. The big question is how important $800 is to you. Neill from Messicks has a video on these and recommends the B2601. I bought the B2601. Its great. I have been using it all week clearing snow off of my long suburban driveway and moving firewood. My first experience moving snow with a tractor. Good times!
The B2601 is a bit heavier in addition to having a bit more power but with a stated rating of 25.5 horsepower it's above the Tier 4 limit which requires a diesel particulate filter (DPF). I purchased a tractor under that line for just that reason. How much is the hassle worth to you? I go for simple.
The 2601 does not have a DPF or EGR. It'd under the 25Hp requirement to have them...
You never know what HP you might need in the future, but even in ground engagement, extra HP isn't a bad thing. I think it's worth $800.
If you don't buy the bigger one, you'll always be second guessing... I have the L2800 and have always wondered if the L3400 would have been the better way to go...
I'm fine with the L2800 but I still wonder what I missed...
I'm fine with the L2800 but I still wonder what I missed...
dirtydeed
Well-known member
Lifetime Member
Equipment
B2650 BH77, U27-4R2, BX23TLBM, box blade, rear blade, flail mower, Stump Grinder
I'd agree with the above statements. Get the 2601. No dpf on it to worry about either.
had a B2601. wonderful little tractor.
for sure would take it every time over the B23 series. that little extra power shows up BIG on PTO powered stuff!!
tilling, hogging, stump grinding.....
for sure would take it every time over the B23 series. that little extra power shows up BIG on PTO powered stuff!!
tilling, hogging, stump grinding.....
I bought the 2301 and used the extra money for a backhoe. Felt like the hoe was worth it cause the pump outputs were the same or very close in GPMs. I may go slower or have to take smaller bites of work but it's been fine so far.
I also bought the b2301 cannot imagine hp being the issue with a tractor this light with those small tires. I think you will run out of Traction long befotre you run out of power. Even with weight and chains. Ask anyone with a ford 1510 if power or traction is an issue that is a 16 hp tractor. My farmall 200 is a 21 hp tractor. it will easily out pull the the b 2601 because it weighs a ton more and has 36" wheels. Wheel size and weight = traction Hp is just not that important. imho
I wanted the 2301, but the dealer with loaders only had the 2601. Also, might have had to wait for the wheel spacers for the 2301 because it is less than 48 inches wide. The 2601 is 49.
I use a bush hog and wood chipper on PTO. Do not need more than about 19-20 engine hp for them. I ran at 450 PTO rpm on the 24.5 hp JD 2025R on these because I did not need the hp. Snowblowers and tillers probably gobble up more hp.
I use a bush hog and wood chipper on PTO. Do not need more than about 19-20 engine hp for them. I ran at 450 PTO rpm on the 24.5 hp JD 2025R on these because I did not need the hp. Snowblowers and tillers probably gobble up more hp.
All depends on how you value a little more power for your tasks. I’ve never operated the BX I had or the B I now have and wished it had less HP. I am not sure I could turn down extra at a rate of $300/HP extra.