The Only Machine That Meets My Requirements
Model Year: 2001
I have had a couple of Kubotas before this one, an older B6200 and a 2000 B2950. The older one was nice but was showing its age, and did not have a lot of power either. When I got the B2950, it was all I thought I would ever want: it was big, tough, had industrial tread tires, and every bell and whistle that came with the top-of-the-line B series machine. However, the mower left huge windrows of cut grass, and it was so big and heavy you could park a bus in the tracks it would make in the softer spots of my yard. It had to go, so I got rid of it and bought the BX2200, which my Kubota salesman had tried to convince me to buy the first time around. It wasn't as big, tough or fast as the B2950, but boy oh boy was it a way better fit for my purposes. I began to appreciate it the more I used it, from cutting my tough and rough lawn in summer, to removing the snow from all the driveways in my neighborhood in winter, to hauling wood, dirt, gravel, furniture, barrels, tires, bricks, etc. in between. I have had issues with it over the years, though. My tractor was one of the ones that had a defective power steering cylinder originally installed at the factory, and it failed pretty spectacularly. It was also costly to purchase the upgraded replacement, too, ~$250. A few of the hydraulic hoses have failed over time too, despite my seasonal replacement of the hydro fluid, but these things happen in all manner of hydraulic equipment. Thankfully, the tractor is small and things are usually very easily accessible for repair. My fuel tank has the infamous fuel gauge sender leak, and I just don't feel like taking it apart to replace it just yet: I have a Curtis steel cab kit installed, so this repair will be a monumental PITA. The biggest problem I have had with the machine was a problem that haunted me for quite some time now, but that I could never fix... It would start up and run just fine, but after only ten minutes or so, it would sputter and run, losing most of its power to the point where the tractor was struggling to pull itself along easy inclines. Finally, I was able to rectify this by totally flushing and draining the fuel tank a few times, as well as blowing compressed air through the fuel feed line. This broke up and removed whatever accumulated crud had built up in the tank that was starving my engine for fuel. What a difference this made! It isn't enough to just change both fuel filters, sometimes the lines and electric pump go bad too. Water, even a small amount, will cause the same problems; be ready to get dirty and do the above when it happens to you. Another unique thing about this machine is the hydrostatic oil filter location: right next to the mid mount PTO. Early in my ownership when I went to replace the mowing deck, I forgot to double check the mower driveshaft. The driveshaft had separated, and when I engaged the mid mount PTO, the end of the driveshaft still connected whipped around and busted off the filter, along with screwing up the threaded filter mount and housing. Luckily, the dealer was a real sport about the incident and performed a warranty repair so I could use my machine; Kubota dealers are really great support systems in their own right, and I love mine. Aside from the above, my ownership has otherwise been satisfactory. I use it for a wide variety of purposes, and although sometimes when it malfunctions I hate it, I love it much more often. Besides, since I have developed such an intimate technical wealth of knowledge of the overall machine, and I wouldn't want to begin all over again with the arrival of a new replacement. Buy one and enjoy, I am certain you will be pleased, but always remember that although it's a small machine, it's built like the big ones, so be ready to do your maintenance and repair duties as required in order to get the most out of it. This machine has no comparison with air cooled garden tractors despite their similar size, they are much heavier and stronger. The BX2200 will also require more respect be paid to its maintenance schedule, and will reward you well with excellent service when done so.
Pros: Small machine, but built like the big ones.
Cons: Small machine, but built like the big ones.
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