I think you could get the BX23 with a mower for $15k if you buy a used one. I also suspect you could find a new BX23 without a mower for $15k in your area, as that's what they seem to go for down here. Granted, I understand the NE is more expensive than the SE.
I bought my BX23 for alot of the same reasons you seem to be looking at yours, and was perhaps in a similar situation as yourself. The machines which my decision finally came down to were the BX23 and the B7610/FEL/BH. I bought the BX because it was less expensive, and because it would fit on my trailer (I already owned the trailer), and because I could tow it with my Toyota pickup (I alredy owned the Toyota). Buying a larger machine would have meant that I was buying a new truck and trailer to move the tractor around with if I had to. I also considered the Massey GC2310, but at the time I was looking, there was a six week wait for it to come in stock, and the JD 2210 and NH TZ24, but they had no backhoe.
I bought the BX23 with relatively little actual tractor experience behind me. When I was in high school my dad had a 1920-ish Farmall model 14, which I had used quite a bit. However, there is absolutely no comparison of an 80 year old tripod style tractor to a new tractor, so I just say I had no tractor experience. When I took delivery of the BX23, I realized it was alot more capable than I had expected it to be, and so far I've been very happy with it. Possibly the only thing I would do differently is to buy a rear finish mower, or a completely different lawn tractor, rather than the mid mount mower. The mid mount mower is about the same price as the typical Home Depot Cub Cadet, and a little more than a rear finish mower. Don't get me wrong, the MMM cuts great, but I suspect it's less convenient than a three point hitch mounted mower.
When I started out looking I was looking at used machines, and finally gave up. Most of the used machines I saw were trashed machines with a new paint job, or were almost the same price as a new one, so I just bit the bullet and bought a new one.
I've been clearing my 2 acre property, and have made lots of progress. There were only a couple times I wished I had a bigger tractor, but frankly, those times required a huge tractor, not the types of tractors I was looking at to begin with.
And yes, the BH is fun. I've used mine alot, a whole lot.
I bought my BX23 for alot of the same reasons you seem to be looking at yours, and was perhaps in a similar situation as yourself. The machines which my decision finally came down to were the BX23 and the B7610/FEL/BH. I bought the BX because it was less expensive, and because it would fit on my trailer (I already owned the trailer), and because I could tow it with my Toyota pickup (I alredy owned the Toyota). Buying a larger machine would have meant that I was buying a new truck and trailer to move the tractor around with if I had to. I also considered the Massey GC2310, but at the time I was looking, there was a six week wait for it to come in stock, and the JD 2210 and NH TZ24, but they had no backhoe.
I bought the BX23 with relatively little actual tractor experience behind me. When I was in high school my dad had a 1920-ish Farmall model 14, which I had used quite a bit. However, there is absolutely no comparison of an 80 year old tripod style tractor to a new tractor, so I just say I had no tractor experience. When I took delivery of the BX23, I realized it was alot more capable than I had expected it to be, and so far I've been very happy with it. Possibly the only thing I would do differently is to buy a rear finish mower, or a completely different lawn tractor, rather than the mid mount mower. The mid mount mower is about the same price as the typical Home Depot Cub Cadet, and a little more than a rear finish mower. Don't get me wrong, the MMM cuts great, but I suspect it's less convenient than a three point hitch mounted mower.
When I started out looking I was looking at used machines, and finally gave up. Most of the used machines I saw were trashed machines with a new paint job, or were almost the same price as a new one, so I just bit the bullet and bought a new one.
I've been clearing my 2 acre property, and have made lots of progress. There were only a couple times I wished I had a bigger tractor, but frankly, those times required a huge tractor, not the types of tractors I was looking at to begin with.
And yes, the BH is fun. I've used mine alot, a whole lot.
