Hello all, I have a buying dilemma that I would really appreciate some feedback on. Currently have a B2100 (1,000 hours and turf tires) with an older BF300a loader. It's been a workhorse for years and very occasionally does some mowing with a 60" belly mower. Recently we bought a second property worthy of a compact tractor and so I also purchased a B2400 (700 hours and turf tires) with the intent to purchase a loader and backhoe for it. For those unfamiliar they are very similar machines and appear to share most if not all accessories. A local dealer quoted me for a Woods BH65 loader and LS84 backhoe for about $12k. If I stick to my original plan I'd have my old faithful B2100 and a new to me B2400 with a Woods setup that on paper does everything I need.
My dilemma comes in since my wonderful wife suggested maybe getting a new one would be a better choice. In that case a B2601 would likely be my best option though I'm not 100% certain.
Long story short do I put $12k into a 22 year old machine knowing that if it doesn't suit my needs in the not-so-distant future I'll be able to sell it without a huge loss or do I go with a new B2601 with the modern bells/whistles for $25-27k (I suppose I'd sell the B2100 in that case without the loader dropping the net cost to about $21-23k).
Some background either property is just about 3 acres without a crazy amount of grade (only a few areas which are dicey for any tractor). I primarily use the loader for household construction projects, driveway maintenance and snow removal. It's also my lawn cart in many situations and I jockey larger trailers around fairly regularly. I have a few 3 point accessories but none see significant use. Backhoe will just be used on household projects and intended to save me 8 hours of hand digging a few times a year when 30 mins with the machine will do (previously I had a full size backhoe and more recently I've rented a mini excavator only when I absolutely have to). Since I suspect the question will be asked (given the limited property sizes) I'm going with the B series over the BX simply because some of the activities I do need the extra lift height (B2100 barely gets over my dump trailer sides as is), ground clearance (we have woods and light water crossings at both properties) or mass (I push the machine admittedly a bit too hard with some of my grading projects). 90% of the time a BX would get the job done but I'm aiming for more capacity compared to my existing B2100 for that other 10%.
If any other information would be helpful just let me know. Thanks in advance!
My dilemma comes in since my wonderful wife suggested maybe getting a new one would be a better choice. In that case a B2601 would likely be my best option though I'm not 100% certain.
Long story short do I put $12k into a 22 year old machine knowing that if it doesn't suit my needs in the not-so-distant future I'll be able to sell it without a huge loss or do I go with a new B2601 with the modern bells/whistles for $25-27k (I suppose I'd sell the B2100 in that case without the loader dropping the net cost to about $21-23k).
Some background either property is just about 3 acres without a crazy amount of grade (only a few areas which are dicey for any tractor). I primarily use the loader for household construction projects, driveway maintenance and snow removal. It's also my lawn cart in many situations and I jockey larger trailers around fairly regularly. I have a few 3 point accessories but none see significant use. Backhoe will just be used on household projects and intended to save me 8 hours of hand digging a few times a year when 30 mins with the machine will do (previously I had a full size backhoe and more recently I've rented a mini excavator only when I absolutely have to). Since I suspect the question will be asked (given the limited property sizes) I'm going with the B series over the BX simply because some of the activities I do need the extra lift height (B2100 barely gets over my dump trailer sides as is), ground clearance (we have woods and light water crossings at both properties) or mass (I push the machine admittedly a bit too hard with some of my grading projects). 90% of the time a BX would get the job done but I'm aiming for more capacity compared to my existing B2100 for that other 10%.
If any other information would be helpful just let me know. Thanks in advance!
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