Would I be best served with a B2301, or a Bx2370?

[ShawnRhyne]

Hello all! This is my first post here, but I've been doing tons of reading over the last month or so. I'm stuck smack dab inbetween the bx2370, and the b2301.
We are closing on a new home April 19th on just under an acre and a half.
So, I already know the 2301 sounds a little crazy.
BUT the prices I've been quoted only differ by the price of the mid mount mower for the 2301. ~2600
So my land is builder cleared, but it very uneven, and aside from about 8000 sqft of sod, it is mostly dirt, and chipped up trees.
I would like to heavily garden an entire side of the yard, smooth, and fill the rest, prep an area and build a pole barn. I plan to purchase the tractor with FEL, MMM, a good tiller, and possibly a box blade.
I'm a young man, and plan to own this tractor (maybe not this property) for 20-30 years.
So. Am I crazy for wanting to spend a little extra on the 2301 and never worry if I bought a big enough machine, or is the BX more than enough? Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[redmaher]

Go big! As long as your not worried about tight spaces bigger is better.

Sent from my LG-H901 using Tapatalk

 

[85Hokie]

BX will have a lower center of gravity
BX will get in and out of tight places better

BOTH have same HP

B will be bigger, little stronger
B will have larger tires and more capacity on front


IF you are gonna go - go bigger and get the B - BX is a wonderful machine, but you will never kick yourself for having a little more machine!

 

[b12]

Not to recommend one over the other.

The BX series use to and maybe still does have a vulnerability issue of the transmission cooling fan possibly being damaged if a stick or twig from underneath the tractor flies up and breaks off the cooling fan blades.
May or may not be a concern in your situation, but you mentioned your lot had uneven ground and chipped up trees.

Hopefully someone with more knowledge than I on this subject may chime in.
Maybe in BX 70 series models this cooling fan vulnerability issue no longer applies.

 

[rkidd]

With what you are saying you want to do with the tractor and the 2301 having some more clearance and position control for the 3pt hitch, I would go with the B2301. Both are great tractors.

 

[jpf]

I have my 2301 about a year now and pleased with it.
I also was looking at the bx but the ground clearance the position control and the lift capacity and some other things I can't even remember now pushed me into the 2301, and I'm glad I went with the 2301.
for some things like maybe lawn mowing the bx might be a better choice?
but I think the 2301 just has more going for it.

 

[ShawnRhyne]

I forgot to mention that it would be my primary mowing machine too, I've got a mid 90s green 265, that I beat up pretty good at our old property. And it always seems to need more work than it's worth at this point (it's not a bush hog, but it's hogged a lot of bush in its day!)
Thank you all so much for your recommendations. I can tell I'm gonna like it here!

 

[skeets]

Shawn,, me and my little BX have done everything you want, and she is a beast for the size. NOW, yes there is a design flaw in the fan location and yes it is a beach to repair, only because you have to take half the tin off the tractor. With that being said, both run the same motor same drive same pumps. The B is a tad higher ground clearance wise and a tad heaver. I chose the BX over the B because mowing through the orchard, low branches and moving around the green houses and buildings the B is a bit high and big to move around like I need. I mow about 5 acres with the 60 inch deck no troubles so far and I do use my toys,hard, but then I take care of them. In MHO if getting under trees or close to the house and buildings is not an issue, I would go with the "B", if they are then the BX will serve you well. Either way you go you wont go wrong, just get the one YOU LIKE

 

[eddiebob]

Either one will serve your needs. When faced with a similar decision I went with the BX. Primary use is mowing and I wanted the lower center of gravity for working on and around the pond dam and areas that have a fairly steep incline.

 

[Missouribound]

Last year I was faced with the same situarion....B or BX.
I have a rough yard and my thinking was that the BX tires were not much bigger than the Cub Cadet I was already using and that larger tires would allow a smoother ride....they did as I went with a B2320. I also bought a box blade and an FEL but chose a rear pto finish mower instead of the MMM. I did that because it didn't want it in the way when negotiating rough ground, which it would be. I also wanted the rear mower for two major reasons:
I. No wind rows after mowing....(rear discharge)
2. Ease of removing....(about 3 minutes off or on)
But I have about 5 acres here in Missouri. If I had less property AND it was smooth I would have probably not purchased a mower for the B2320 but bought a stand alone mower...possibly a zero turn. Since you want a garden you could easily get a tiller or other ground engaging equipment INSTEAD of the mower.
And with just an acre to mow you won't need much. I am sure there are a lot of B and BX owners who use their tractors for everything. But when it comes to trimming and negotiating a smaller yard you can't beat a machine dedicated to mowing, especially a zero turn.
Just my opinion.

 

[ShawnRhyne]

But I have about 5 acres here in Missouri. If I had less property AND it was smooth I would have probably not purchased a mower for the B2320 but bought a stand alone mower...possibly a zero turn. Since you want a garden you could easily get a tiller or other ground engaging equipment INSTEAD of the mower.
And with just an acre to mow you won't need much. I am sure there are a lot of B and BX owners who use their tractors for everything. But when it comes to trimming and negotiating a smaller yard you can't beat a machine dedicated to mowing, especially a zero turn.
Just my opinion.

I agree, and a used zero could probably had for about the same as just the deck for the B. BUT with the wife involved in the decision, I've gotta pitch it as an all around solution in order to be able to spend the money. Lol

 

[Ramos]

The only drawback going with the B would be that it is less maneuverable. Since the property is essentially a clean slate, you can tailor your landscaping to accommodate the tractor.

 

[Missouribound]

I agree, and a used zero could probably had for about the same as just the deck for the B. BUT with the wife involved in the decision, I've gotta pitch it as an all around solution in order to be able to spend the money. Lol

If you think about tractors, the mowing is an afterthought. Moving dirt, digging and all around chores suit the tractor well. Yes, it can also pull a mower and do a fine job. But mowing isn't all you will use it for. It's another hand around the garden, the yard and the garage. And when you figure out the numbers you will have no problem keeping the wife happy. (Happy wife, happy life). If you do plan on using it to mow think about the rear PTO finish mowers.
The mid mount may be an annoyance when doing work in the garden and it gives you extra width that may get in your way.

 

[b12]

Earlier in this thread there was some mention that the BX2370 would be more maneuverable than the B2301.

Is turning radius a good determination of how maneuverable one tractor is compared to another ?

Looking at Kubota's spec sheet of the BX2370 and B2301 and comparing the turning radius of each tractor surprised me.
Turning radius (with out brake) 7.5 feet for the BX2370.
Turning radius (with brake) 6.9 feet for the B2301.

It appears the B2301 could be more maneuverable because of the smaller turning radius, if these specs are correct.

 

[thebicman]

Also if you compare the two engine specs you will see that the bx series operates at a higher rpm to achieve similar hp. This was one of the factors that made my decision to buy a b series tractor.

 

[MikeyA]

I don't think you will be disappointed with the larger B....I have a B2650 and only have 2 acres.