Buying Advice Please advise, what to buy?

[number two]

How about trading for a BX with a less expensive rear blower,with or without the FEL.Plow with the Jeep as usual.When the banks get too high,plow the snow into the middle,then blow it away with a quick trip up and back with the blower.Might not even need the cab for occasional blower use.Or get the FEL to move the banks back and keep on plowing with the Jeep.Of course get the MMM.Just some more thoughts-Good Luck!

 

[MW66]

That's a tough decision and I'm in the same boat as you. New house with a 180' driveway right in the smack of snowbelt, USA (Buffalo, NY). I visited the dealer today and he's a knowledgeable farm type guy. He recommended the B3200 for me with a rear mount blower so I would still have the FEL for balance and to scrape ice and move tall drifts if needed. I will have about 3 acres to mow and he suggested the 60" MMM. He felt it's much easier to mow with the MMM and that the 72"MMM might scalp unless your dead flat. I'm not looking forward to looking backwards when I snowblow, but it does make sense and it's about $2,000 cheaper. I would love to have a cab and front mounted blower, but in all honesty, I can't justify paying another 6k for the cab and another 2k for the front mount blower. Plus, I have woods and I think an open station would be a little more handy going through the woods. Anyhow, this is where I'm heading at this point. B3200, 64" rear blower, FEL, 60"MMM, 58" rear tine tiller.

 

[ModMech]

Boy that IS a tough one.

Removing an OEM FEL and re-installing is quick and almost painless so I wouldn't worry about that.

How about a used grader? Decent used smaller models can be had for less than a new CUT/SCUT LoL

Here are my thoughts, please remember what was paid for them.....

Keep the jeep w/plow, use it to clear the snow. You already have it and it works well, plus it is FAST. You can clear the drive quickly, under 30 minutes I would guess.

Buy a good USED tractor with a FEL to MOVE the snow as needed. This way you can move the snow exactly where you want to and WHEN, as in on the weekend or after work if you are expecting more. Get something with HST, a gear tractor for loader work can be a chore. I would also suggest Ag tires that are filled and if a smaller SCUT/CUT maybe a ballast box as well - both for traction and stability when using the FEL. This option is about $5k, total.

 

[keyman1808]

I had my BX24 for nearly 2 years before taking off my loader. After the first removal and reinstall I couldn't believe how easy it is. I installed my blower that I bought off CL without any instalation instructions (well a pic of the quick hitch from BP helped) in les than an hour. But that was installing the hydraulic lines onto the cylinder as this unit was never used or set up. Now 10 minutes to remove the blowe ran dquick hitch and about 5 minutes to reinstall the loader. Best advice if you get a BX is got to BXpanded.com and get a dolly for the loader. Makes installing and removing real easy. I made my own but wont try that again. To many on an off to get it right.

 

[gdh]

Thank you everybody. You have given me much to digest. I spent the day on bxpanded.com, you tube, and other sites sorting all of this out. While on these websites I realized I really could do a lot more with a SCUT than I first realized. Make mulch from branches, lawn sprayer, etc. Since I already have a great mower (Kubota ZTR), I am leaning towards a BX 2660 without a belly mower. For now just get an FEL. High on the wishlist would be a front mount snow blower, plow, and a cab.
1) Are there any know idiosyncrasies, or bad traits of the BX 2660. eg does this one have a sudden stop transmission like the models ending in 50?
2) Hypothetically speaking if I went with the below options, CORRECT me if I am wrong but with the Quick Hitch I could easily switch from the blower to the blade.
3) Would I be asking too much of this machine to get me through 3-4 foot drifts?

Base MSRP including selected tires $11,736.00
Mid PTO Kit $605.00
Front Blade $1,392.00
Snowblower $1,859.00
Chute Rotator $368.00
Chute Deflector $497.00
Quick Hitch $586.00

Thanks guys.
gdh

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Thank you everybody. You have given me much to digest. I spent the day on bxpanded.com, you tube, and other sites sorting all of this out. While on these websites I realized I really could do a lot more with a SCUT than I first realized. Make mulch from branches, lawn sprayer, etc. Since I already have a great mower (Kubota ZTR), I am leaning towards a BX 2660 without a belly mower. For now just get an FEL. High on the wishlist would be a front mount snow blower, plow, and a cab.
1) Are there any know idiosyncrasies, or bad traits of the BX 2660. eg does this one have a sudden stop transmission like the models ending in 50?
2) Hypothetically speaking if I went with the below options, CORRECT me if I am wrong but with the Quick Hitch I could easily switch from the blower to the blade.
3) Would I be asking too much of this machine to get me through 3-4 foot drifts?

Base MSRP including selected tires $11,736.00
Mid PTO Kit $605.00
Front Blade $1,392.00
Snowblower $1,859.00
Chute Rotator $368.00
Chute Deflector $497.00
Quick Hitch $586.00

Thanks guys.
gdh

I had a BX2350 and traded it to the BX2660 because of the abrupt stop in reverse which the BX2660 does not have. The BX2660 also has a deluxe seat. The cut off safety switch in the seat on the BX2350 was the pits course it can be easily resolved as some are now telling how. Only problems I've had with the BX2660 is the famed one front tire losing air which can be fixed, my gas guage doesn't work which can also be fixed and the last time I used it my temp gauge malfunctioned which I'll now watch to see if it or the sendor may need to be replaced.The temp problem may have been one of those once in a lifetime things so I'll just keep an eye on it. Since you already own the ZTR I believed and still believe the BX is the machine for you. I'm not a Barlow and don't get any cash or hats by suggesting people contact Barlows to find a base price to go by so you can determine if you are getting a fair deal locally but I still think you as a new buyer should check with Barlows and I'm not sure Messicks delivers to SD but I believe Barlows do but they may not but they can tell you.
Oops! I did let my nephew (Retired Marine) mow with my BX2350 to show him what the BX Kubota would do. I also met him at his request at Barlows on my way to work and showed him the different tractors and their features and asked Steve for a hat for my commission for the sale. I actually felt like I was doing a favor for my family more than doing a favor for Barlows by encouraging him to get a Kubota. My yard is steep and some flat but his is steeper and very little flat. He had to have a 4wd with enough power to pull his fat butt and I also let him borrow my overseeder and boxblade to do his finish landscaping which his BX2360 did with no problem.

If you get a BX2660 this is what you'll see one day if you don't pick it up yourself. It's still always a bit of thrill for me to see one rolling off (on purpose) the delivery truck.

 

[KU Gator]

My one thought would be to think about a rear blade instead of a front blade as it could be used in combination with the blower or FEL. I use a rear blade in combination with the FEL and while not as good as a dedicated front blade just for snow, it offers the versatility of both on the tractor. Plus a rear blade in the size for a BX isn't going to cost too much.

As for getting the tractor initially with just the FEL, the FEL can be used as a big ole snow shovel to remove/ relocate the drifts. I have had to do that when the drifts were too high near the garage door to push them. But because it can't be angled like a blade, it isn't real efficient. So you will probably want to pretty quickly get a blade and or the blower.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Stopped by Barlows to tell them to add a hook to the top of my bucket on my BX25 and asked about the cost of a rear blade for a BX since we've had all the snow we've had this year. Steve said $275 or less. The delivery driver was there about to leave with a bunch and I asked him if he'd take one to SD. He said when the weather gets better. Supposed to deliver mine Wed but it's 2 miles to where the B3200 is and where I want the BX25 from their lot.

 

[LBrown59]

The BX1860 is just so darn lovable and affordable. It is priced below its oversized brethren in the BX pack. Yes, it has a few less ponies, although you'd likely never, ever notice working snow. Yes, it's frame is 3" shorter, but one can barely tell. And it's stock wheels and tires are slightly smaller in diameter, but again, it's not a big deal. But at 8900 bucks list (you can do slightly better) for the basic tractor, it cannot be beat by anything of which I am aware, price wise.

How would you compare it to say a jd x749.?

1*Cab? Cannot get a cabbed BX, so you are talking a cabbed B model which is going to up the ante big time.
Front blade or front blower. Needed, but here's the issue.
2*What a pain to be switching back and forth between a subframe for the blade or blower for attacking those 4 ft drifts.
.

1*There are aftermarket cabs for them.
2*Here is how i solved that issue .

3* Keep the jeep w/plow, use it to clear the snow. You already have it and it works well, plus it is FAST.
.

3*Plus it comes standard with a heated cab.

4*I realized I really could do a lot more with a SCUT than I first realized.
5*Front Blade $1,392.00
gdh

4*Many people don't realize that and make the mistake of buying a glorified lawn mower .
5*Which front blade is this and does it Have manual or power angle?

 

[gdh]

Another consideration I have not touched on yet. Maintenance. Is the BX an easy machine to maintain. Oil changes etc. What do you owners do on your own and what do you take it to the implement for?
gdh