New member, B2650 questions

I'll start off with the usual question: what do you want to do with it? Size of property, type of land, type of tasks you want to undertake.

Absent that info, I'd say quick attach bucket, quick attach forks or grapple (maybe both), a mower of some sort, maybe snow clearing equipment (blades or blowers), gravel management (blade or box blade). Maybe weighted tires depending on aims, maybe not if you're mowing and sensitive to ruts.

Cab perhaps if snow or heat or bugs. But not if in narrow woods trails (although some people reckon breaking a cab is better than breaking your head).

And of course, the usual questions on whether a B is big enough, whether you really need a mid PTO or cab (the two big advantages of the B v's a small L).

And I'll add the obligatory question on whether a backhoe is right for you, or whether renting a more capable machine when you really need it is better. If it were me I'd get a backhoe in the B class (maybe not BX) if I had the money and room to store it - having it there means you'll use it where a mini-ex may take half a day to go and get and return.

Nice tractor. I bought the bx23 and now have bigger rocks to move. Maybe renting a bigger machine for that. The one implement I wished I would have got was a grapple for clearing brush. I also wish messicks rented a brush hog for the 23. I have short term need for one.

You specified a TLB - Tractor/Loader/Backhoe

Have you looked into how much work it is to take the backhoe off?

Does the backhoe mount allow for 3 point hitch use?

How much will you use the hoe? Are you willing to put up with mounting/dismounting the hoe every time you want to use an attachment?

While a mounted hoe has definite advantages when used as a backhoe my feeling is that it's a PITA the rest of the time.

I had a 3PH mounted backhoe that went on and off pretty much in the same amount of time as any other 3PH implement. Downside was it wasn't as solid as a subframe mounted hoe, but it was certainly handier than a subframe unit when changing equipment frequently...3-4 times a day for some jobs.

I kept my hoe when I sold the JD750 and replaced it with a B2650, but couldn't mount the hoe to the Kubota due to interference with the cab.

PHPaul said:

You specified a TLB - Tractor/Loader/Backhoe

Have you looked into how much work it is to take the backhoe off?

Does the backhoe mount allow for 3 point hitch use?

How much will you use the hoe? Are you willing to put up with mounting/dismounting the hoe every time you want to use an attachment?

While a mounted hoe has definite advantages when used as a backhoe my feeling is that it's a PITA the rest of the time.

I had a 3PH mounted backhoe that went on and off pretty much in the same amount of time as any other 3PH implement. Downside was it wasn't as solid as a subframe mounted hoe, but it was certainly handier than a subframe unit when changing equipment frequently...3-4 times a day for some jobs.

I kept my hoe when I sold the JD750 and replaced it with a B2650, but couldn't mount the hoe to the Kubota due to interference with the cab.

Click to expand...

A dolly and enough room to store the BH77 in the shop made it quite a bit more convenient for me. Even as easy as it is, if I had to change between the backhoe and other three point implements multiple times a day it would get old pretty quickly.

Do you have another Kubota Dealer close by that you can get another quote from? You might find a salesman that is more willing to build the tractor package that you want and not what they are trying to get rid of.

As far as the BH77, on off is pretty simple once you do it a time or two. Mine stays on and makes good ballast, unless I'm using the box blade which is infrequently.

I went with the EA box blade. Top tier stuff, should last 3 life times. Beefy.

I went with turf tires. Plenty of grip unless your in the mud. Personally, if it's muddy I just avoid tractor work because I can. The turfs do have great traction, wide enough to give a little extra stability, and tear up the lawn less than any of the others.

I got the 54" bucket, should have gotten the 60". I've not yet found a bucket load of anything that the LA534 couldn't lift so I should have gotten the bigger bucket. Live and learn.

I had searched and found folks not liking the spin around seat they use with the BH77. The 2650 comes with a 'comfort seat', but when they swap out the base for the spin around parts, I hear you loose a lot of the 'comfort' and it sits higher. I had them leave my seat as it would come if it didn't have the backhoe. It is comfy. I bought a used backhoe seat for the BH77, like what would come on standard if you get the cabbed version with the second seat outside the cab. I don't have it installed yet but that's the plan. For now I just sit on the backrest of the regular seat and it's actually pretty good ergonomics and gives a really good view of the bucket.

I have no input on tillers or mowers. I don't till and I mow with a Ferris ZT.

Good luck, I think you'll be impressed with what that 2650 can do.

I have somewhat the same dilemma on the tires as you OP. I originally wanted R1 ag tires, but have since started leaning toward R4s, largely for stability. I also like the idea that the R4 would be more puncture-resistant.

I do worry about their performance in mud though. Much of what I do with a backhoe is draining wet areas.

Had R4's on the L2501, R3's on the B2601 & now R3's on the B2650.
R4's worked good for the loader work I was doing, most missions near done. R3's suit my property better now, lots of turf, hard packed soil & driveway. R3's are great for pushing snow. The Heavy Wet Mud areas are avoided as nothing good happens out there.

I got some odd looks from my salesman when I specified R1's, but no argument.

I'm willing to listen to advice based on experience from about anyone, but when it comes right down to it, I want what I want and as long as I'm signing the check, just shut up and do it.

I've walked right out of more than one showroom because the sales staff insisted on telling me what I "wanted".

Here is a YouTube video discussing different tire option (R14) that you can get:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOXuH9YMAN8

Here is a video showing some different tires being tested:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtvBPoUbcOA&t=376s

PHPaul said:

I got some odd looks from my salesman when I specified R1's, but no argument.

I'm willing to listen to advice based on experience from about anyone, but when it comes right down to it, I want what I want and as long as I'm signing the check, just shut up and do it.

I've walked right out of more than one showroom because the sales staff insisted on telling me what I "wanted".

Click to expand...

I had a similar experience when I told them I wanted turfs. He said everybody else gets the R4s. I said "Great, I'll take those as long as everyone else is paying for it". He laughed and said "turfs it is".