BX2350 Questions

[Tom_H]

Originally Posted by Ken_O

A Toothbar looks interesting. Any recommendations on brand/stype? Is this something the dealer should install? What are your most important ugrade/add-ons to the FEL? By the way, what is a "Thumb"? Seems like a lot of people have them. Can it attach to a FEL?

Ken....

A lot of people have a Markham toothbar. Price is good and they are great people to deal with. You can put it on yourself; you just need a big enough drill and a metal boring bit. A few people want more teeth on the bar than Markham puts on, and there are other manufacturers.

In addition to a toothbar, chain hooks and slip hooks can be added to this size FEL easily. They can be welded, but for this small sized FEL, there are also ways to bolt on. An American Solutions grapple is another great addition to this sized FEL. They run $1249 plus shipping.

A thumb goes on the backhoe. Bro-tek is the most popular for a BX. It is a bolt on. Wallenstein, after going through 4 upgrades, finally seems to have one that works acceptably, though there have been problems with it snapping and also hitting and breaking the hydraulic joints. It also is bolt on. Gearmore has a weld on for this size backhoe.

If you read all the way through this following thread, you'll find most of what you've asked about:

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/k...bolt-edge.html

This thread has info on several toothbar manufacturers:

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/k...ht=BX+toothbar

[Ken_O]

Tom, thanks for the info on FEL Add-Ons. The Markham and EZ Landscape Toothbars look interesting. What are the advantages/disadvanges of more/less teeth? The Markham has larger/fewer teeth and the Landscape has smaller/more teeth. Looks like you can order additional teeth from Markham. Is that a good idea? I am guessing it depends on the application, larger/fewer teeth are better for some uses and smaller/more are better for others.

Ken....

[Tom_H]

I've never used the EZ. It's name implies that it is more for landscaping, and sort of like a rock rake-will pick through rocks and roots and separate them from softer soil. The larger and fewer teeth on Markham and similar will rip through harder soil, breaking it up so it can be scooped into the bucket. A flat FEL bucket edge with no teeth can have a difficult time digging into hard packed dry clay, particularly on a SCUT which doesn't have the tractive power of a bigger tractor. You might want to send a PM to Scrounger (Matt) and ask him some questions re. his EZ landscape toothbar. Find one of his posts in that toothbar thread, click on his name in the margin, and select "Send a Private Message".

[slewisma]

One thing to consider before going for the 0% 42 month financing. There is a finance charge and you are required to have insurance on the tractor. I did the math and, since I had the money available, decided to pay cash for my BX24 as it worked out better than the financing deal. My use is light enough that full insurance didn't make sense other than for the finance requirement.

[BotaBigot]

Originally Posted by Ken_O

...I am a little nervous about the bagger though, sounds like it has some issues...

I'm not sure it has any more issues than other attachments. I think it's mostly a matter of practice and refining the on-off routine into something that works for you. I've "mastered" my FEL and BH, but not the MMM quite yet. And I'm almost there with the bagger...all except that blasted u-joint...

[ByronBob]

An average price is about 10-15% below list price.

You got 20+ years on a lawn mower. You may want to consider another one for the lawn chores. I love the Kubota line of course, however you only have a small yard to mow. The BX is almost overkill.

You can save yourself 5k easily looking at lawn mowers well equipped.

Happy shopping.

[KeithInSpace]

Originally Posted by ByronBob

You got 20+ years on a lawn mower. You may want to consider another one for the lawn chores. I love the Kubota line of course, however you only have a small yard to mow. The BX is almost overkill.

You can save yourself 5k easily looking at lawn mowers well equipped.

Huh?

If you're getting the tractor anyway, why not add a deck and, if necessary, a bagger? Having already made the investment based on other needs/parameters, you can have an awesome, wicked-cool mower in the BX for ~$3,500 to $4,000. There isn't another mower out there that will touch the BX in cut quality, speed, maneuverability or bagging capacity for anywhere near that price. Plus you have another engine to maintain? And something else to store?

I can honestly say that I have no use for another lawn mower with the BX in my stable. I mow/manicure 1 acre of 2 acres total. If somebody GAVE me a ZTR, I'd be appreciative and probably give up my push mower...anyone?

[rpoage]

As of the past 30 days I have unique prospective on this. I have taken care of my neighbors properties while they have been out of town.

Neighbor #1 has 2 acres with a WHOLE LOT of plantings and about 1 to 3/4 acre in lawn. Mower is Kubota T1750/44" deck. Took me 4 hours to mow due to excess trimming. I noticed the lack of no power steering. My BX2350 w/60" trims better and cuts tighter radius. I'm not looking forward to cutting this one again. My BX would make short work of this only if the plantings had been done with mowing in mind. (note the quality of the finished mow job was surprising disappointing on the T1750 with 44" deck.) Deck would not self level enough when making tight trimming turns. My 60"mmm deck levels and deals with angled terrain much better.

Neighbor #2 has 5.5 acres with a normal number of plantings. I used my BX w 60"mmm took 4.5 hours. IMO this is more time than I'm willing to put into mowing grass. Doing this every 7 to 10 days is more seat time than I need.

My lot 2.5 acres mow time is 2.5 hours with minimum trimming.

Bottom line for me: I think at 1.5 to 5 acres of finished lawn the BX is fine and due to its addition capabilities I would not want to be without it. Below 1.5 acres one might want to look at something smaller and above 5 acres you need to think orchard/wild flowers or something to reduce the regular seat time. I know you hard core tractor guys will have issue with that but I have a business to run and house to finish building so yard work < 4 hour week works for me.

[Tom_H]

Originally Posted by BotaBigot

I've "mastered" my FEL and BH, but not the MMM quite yet.

This dolly makes a world of difference for me:

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/k...ml#post1376070


Gotta completely agree with Keith on the BX MMM instead of a second mower.

rpoage, I agree with you too, that's TOO much seat time for mowing. I wouldn't mind giving this baby a quick spin on that 5.5 acres of lawn:

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