Trading a G2160 for BX1860

[savaytse66]

Hello everyone. I'm a first-time poster and have just begun to scan the forum off and on over the past week. I am a Kubota G2160 owner since 2001, and have been pretty happy with it. I use it primarily as a mower, but I often have a cart attached to the back during the summer for various tasks. I also picked up a snow blade a few years ago and it always worked okay in my gravely driveway with a few inches of snow, as long as the chains on the rear tires were nice and snug.

But after getting hammered with snow here in PA over the last two weeks, I've quickly discovered that the tractor and blade simply are not adequate to handle snow of any significance, especially in a gravel driveway. I've literally been spinning my wheels trying to figure out what do do with all of this snow. After seeing my neighbor picking up all of his snow and dumping it out of the way with seemingly no effort (and after he actually dug me out while I was shoveling out my little 2160), I decided it might be worth an upgrade.

So I'm looking at a BX1860. I was already quoted a price over the phone of $13,200 for the 1860, 54" mower deck, and front loader bucket (does this seem about right?) But before I decide whether to pursue it, I'm looking for a little insight. The only way I could possibly afford this machine would be to trade-in my 2160. So regarding that, a few questions:

1. Can I expect to get a pretty good resale value on my G2160? It has only 116 hours since 2001, and it's generally in good shape. It has a few scratches from general use, but it's otherwise great. Any idea what I might get for it?
2. I have a 54" mower deck and a snow blade. It is worth trading these in with the tractor, or can I get better return from selling privately through Craigslist or a local paper?

Assuming I can afford the bill (the 42 month 0% financing will help in this regard), am I getting too much tractor for my needs? This recent snow storm (almost 48" right now) is a rare event, although it's not unusual to get 6 and 8" storms over a typical winter. And I would use the front-loader for mulch, dirt, logs, and the like during the summer, but with slightly less than an acre of lawn, I'm a little nervous to buy such a big machine just as a reaction to some snow. On the other hand, if I bought it tomorrow, I'd get at least two solid days' use out of it right away just moving all the snow in my driveway. And who knows what kind of snow is on the way.

I'm not looking for anyone to talk me into our out of the purchase, I just want to make sure I'm not making a "panic" decision. If there's anyone out there who upgraded in a similar fashion, I'd love to hear your experiences and your opinion of the bigger machine compared to the garden tractor.

Thanks!

 

[bp fick]

First, welcome to the forum. Yup. Been where you are, indeed.

The BX1860 is one tough bugger!!! There really isn't anything QUITE like it. Everyone else markets either bigger tractors (for more money) or lesser machines that are really more luxury riding mowers. To me, the 1860 represent the starter level, real tractor and it lives up to its rep.

Your price quote seems too close to list, imho, so you might want to shop some more and get some competitive bids. I think there is another $400-$500 you can easily work off.

As for selling your machine, you certainly can!!! I am a huge believer in taking the time, and sometimes it takes a month or two, to sell one's old equipment. Take GREAT staged photos. Shiny clean!! Present it in the best lighting with the best background, like you were making the brochure for Kubota. Some guys take such garbage photos for Craigs, it's no wonder they generate no interest.

The combination of blade and mower you now have will be very attractive, but I believe, and this is a guess, you'll hit a better market in spring, once the grass is growing. Right now, you'd be marketing it to a snow minded person and that's not the right market, this time of year. Winter is winding down, believe it or not.

I wouldn't "give it away" but I would list it with a reasonable price, realizing that if you make $400-$900 more than the dealer will give you on trade, it's money in your pocket. Don't price it so high that you discourage inquiries. You want folks emailing and calling. That new BX will be there, don't rush and don't worry. Sell your present equipment first. That zero interest deal isn't going away very soon, trust me.

 

[TripleR]

Back in 2003, I upgraded from a John Deere 425 to a BX2200. The JD was a great mower, but I wanted more capability. I already had bigger tractors with FELs, but got one for my BX anyway and loved it. I do have quite a bit more property than you, so I recently upgraded again, but a BX1860 is a great mower for any size lot and you will find plenty of things to do with a FEL besides pushing snow.

I have found that even if I don't need something often, it is well worth having when I NEED it. The FEL is easily removed, unlike the older models so you won't have to worry about mowing with it on or any difficulty taking it off.

 

[shrekbelly]

what part of pennsylvania are you from? when i started looking at bx's, more than one dealer i contacted refered to the 2160 as a "dinosaur," of course, they knew the real abilities of the sub compact bx line and kubota's marketing direction.
that said, you may be directed to craigslist for your best potential return, selling 2160, deck and blade . . . hopefully, your dealer(s) can give you good numbers to start your mower at.
when i started out with a bx1850, 54 fine cut, fel, and weight box . . . i think i was at 11,500 . . . i coudn't stand the overly jerky tranny in reverse and traded up to a bx2360.
as a frequent reader of this websight, i seem to recall (bx1860,mmm, fel) in and around, $12,500.
but as a realist and honest kubota pilot, that starting off point is just that, and a number that disaappears in your rearview mirror of ownership
for example-toothbar or ratchet rake for the front end loader.
hd2763A front blade, snow-dirt blade hydraulic plus squeegee edge & skid shoes.
skid plates, bro-tek
carryall, spreader, sprayer and the beat goes on
good luck in your search- shrekbelly

 

[LBrown59]

Hello everyone. I'm a first-time poster and have just begun to scan the forum off and on over the past week. I am a Kubota G2160 owner since 2001, and have been pretty happy with it.
So I'm looking at a BX1860. I was already quoted a price over the phone of $13,200 for the 1860, 54" mower deck, and front loader bucket
I'm not looking for anyone to talk me into our out of the purchase, I just want to make sure I'm not making a "panic" decision.
1* If there's anyone out there who upgraded in a similar fashion, I'd love to hear your experiences and your opinion of the bigger machine compared to the garden tractor. ************

*************
I bought a new CC GT2554 with front blade rear tiller and mmm. back in 2006 .because I didn't want to pay the price of a Kubota BX1500 the BX1860 of its day.
Paid about 5600 for it.
Later I purchased a new Kubota BX1500 with front blade rear tiller and mmm.for $10350
There is just no comparison between it and any garden tractor. .
I consider the BX1500 well worth the difference.

 

[savaytse66]

First, welcome to the forum. Yup. Been where you are, indeed.

The BX1860 is one tough bugger!!! There really isn't anything QUITE like it. Everyone else markets either bigger tractors (for more money) or lesser machines that are really more luxury riding mowers. To me, the 1860 represent the starter level, real tractor and it lives up to its rep.

Your price quote seems too close to list, imho, so you might want to shop some more and get some competitive bids. I think there is another $400-$500 you can easily work off.

As for selling your machine, you certainly can!!! I am a huge believer in taking the time, and sometimes it takes a month or two, to sell one's old equipment. Take GREAT staged photos. Shiny clean!! Present it in the best lighting with the best background, like you were making the brochure for Kubota. Some guys take such garbage photos for Craigs, it's no wonder they generate no interest.

The combination of blade and mower you now have will be very attractive, but I believe, and this is a guess, you'll hit a better market in spring, once the grass is growing. Right now, you'd be marketing it to a snow minded person and that's not the right market, this time of year. Winter is winding down, believe it or not.

I wouldn't "give it away" but I would list it with a reasonable price, realizing that if you make $400-$900 more than the dealer will give you on trade, it's money in your pocket. Don't price it so high that you discourage inquiries. You want folks emailing and calling. That new BX will be there, don't rush and don't worry. Sell your present equipment first. That zero interest deal isn't going away very soon, trust me.

Thanks for sharing. This sounds like pretty good advice, but I think if I wait until Spring, I would probably wait to pull the trigger on the new one simply because the need for the bigger machine it more for snow than it is anything else. Although, my wife likes the idea of having a bucket and being able to ditch the cheap cart we haul behind the garden tractor. And having her on board makes things a LOT easier!

I guess I could gamble and buy the new tractor now and hope that I can sell the garden tractor privately. You make a good point regarding the seasons. I couldn't in good conscience advertise it as a "snow" machine, especially since that's the reason I upgraded. And waiting would give me a good excuse to create a photo op with my relatively new DSLR. I'd be screwed if couldn't get rid of it though. I'll just wait to hear back from my local dealer and see what they throw out there for a trade-in.

I'll probably shop around a little too. I prefer to buy from the local guy since they are less than a mile from my house, but in the almost-9 years I've owned the G2160, I've never had to drive it down for service. So I guess that's not as much of a factor. But as a business owner myself, I like to support the local businesses.

I have found that even if I don't need something often, it is well worth having when I NEED it. The FEL is easily removed, unlike the older models so you won't have to worry about mowing with it on or any difficulty taking it off.

That's why I have a twice-used $500 pressure washer taking up room in my garage. But I'm with you. As soon as I need a tool I don't have, I get angry and frustrated.

So this FEL is easy to mount and dismount? This is good news. What about the mower deck? My biggest gripe about the G2160 is how difficult and time consuming it is to mount/dismount the mower deck and snow blade. It would be worth a modest upgrade just for these things to be easier.

what part of pennsylvania are you from?

About 20 miles east of Pittsburgh near Monroeville. We got hit with 36" last Friday/Saturday during the first wave of snow, and it's been piling on since.

There is just no comparison between it and any garden tractor. .
I consider the BX1500 well worth the difference.

That's what I keep hearing, which is why I'm very curious to try one out. I haven't even sat on one yet, so I really don't even know how these machines "feel" in comparison with each other. Maybe if time allows, I'll go down to my local dealer this afternoon and check one out in person.

Thanks for sharing everyone. I'll let you know when I make a decision.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

When someone mentions trading I always recommend they check with Barlows. They have satisfied customers all over, not just locally. When they give you a price, then you know what you can get it for and shop from there. Ask for trade price and straight out price. I also understand buying local but it really bites me when someone local wants to make like $80 more for a chair (it should arrive next week, the local guy had to also order it) than someone that will deliver it to my door from online or thousands/hundreds of dollars more for something more expensive knowing they buy the product at the same price. Guess the decision gets to how much in your dollars do you like one (store) over another. Reminds me of my next door neighbor that owned a furniture store. Found the same La-z-boy recliner at his store as the store 2 blocks from my house. They had 0% interest and he didn't but same price on chair. I told him the deal and told him I'd rather buy from him. He said "sorry but no concession on his part", Guess where I bought the chair.

 

[oldnslo]

So this FEL is easy to mount and dismount? This is good news. What about the mower deck? My biggest gripe about the G2160 is how difficult and time consuming it is to mount/dismount the mower deck and snow blade. It would be worth a modest upgrade just for these things to be easier.

As a new owner of the BX1850 I can tell you that removing the mower deck is very simple. Three spring loaded pins and tip a lever down. Pulling the PTO shaft off the front of the tranny was the hardest part. I have not remounted the deck but would suspect that getting the deck lined up with pins will be the hardest part.

FEL: I have removed this and remounted it BEFORE I had the instructions and it still was not very difficult. Messicks has a video posted on the procedure and I believe they may also have written instructions.

previous machine was an old JD 112. No comparison in the work they will do.

sorry no idea on pricing since I purchased mine used.

good luck on your decision.

Roy

 

[TripleR]

Actually MMM deck removal/installation is pretty easy on a hard flat surface especially with a FEL to lift your wheels out of the way and not very hard without it. Getting the MMM PTO lined up and snapped on is just like any of the other PTO stuff as sometimes it slips right on and sometimes you have to tinker with it a little.

 

[shrekbelly]

forgot to mention, that there are a couple of "REAL," BX1860 devotees on tbn.com. i'd also have you read the owned and operating side of this website.
it's all good! cha-ching, cha-ching. shrekbelly