The BX availability seems to be an issue. The BX is a lighter-duty than other compacts on the market. But the again, you don't pay for the additional power/features that you may never need. As a homeowner on about 2 acres, some of those disadvantages I see as advantages. Or, are features that I wasn't willing to pay for given my own needs.
No separate break petals. If its break turning that your looking for, given its size, radius and the PS, don't feel it needs it. Now this depends on how tight of a turn you will require.
Six-inches clearance is more than adequate for me. Since my property has been cleared and established during the years, I'm not going over rough grades nor stumps hidden in the grass. I will say this, having used only a lawn tractor prior BX purchase, the additional height makes me shaky at times as I get use to it. If I was on a higher tractor, I think I would need a sedative (this comes into play with hills).
Hydo capability. For the hours I put on it, and for my uses, it's been fine. The hydro has been strong enough to break earth with the loader, run a blade for grading, and use a middle plow. Same point on the air-filters. The machine is not being used for 40 hours a week at a construction site under dirty conditions.
Suspended deck. Actually, many turf specialist have touted suspended decks for a better finish cut (maintains a relative levelness not influenced by the little bumps and ridges which tilt the deck from ground contact). Once again, for my property and needs, I have an established lawn, not a field. If the deck really bothers you, can always opt for a rear deck.
Lift capacity. Sure is less, but it's one of those factors that we all have to decided what we need, and how much we are willing to pay for. From experience, it has lifted everything that I have required from it, including scoops full of hard compressed dirt. (Once again, the loader lift capacity is less than others, but the cubic volume is also less. So I don't think I could fill it beyond it's lift force).
Don't know if the BX is the solution for you. It doesn't fit everyone's needs (nothing worse than buying a tractor that can't do what we wanted it to). But I wouldn't dismiss it automatically on the points mentioned. We each have to ask ourselves what do we really need, what will we pay for, and are we paying for features that don't apply to us.
