4100 manual Vs GT 455 Vs BX2200

   / 4100 manual Vs GT 455 Vs BX2200 #1  

Anonymous Poster

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Hello I have the option between buying a 4100 manual shift or or a BX2200 or a GT 455 . My tasks are as follows:

Grass Mowing 1/4 acre, slight hills, few turns - I want to mow it fast
Snow Plowing/removal - 120 foot driveway, RI area
20 yards of Mulch to move and distribute.
boulder movement - up to 500 or so pounds

I hear there are concerns about using the loader and the mower deck with the manual tranny on the 4100. Are there any concerns I should have about either unit in doing the work that I am looking at?

I got similar pricing on all three - believe it or not the 4100 manual tranny is currently the cheapest in price

Thanks

Nuru
 
   / 4100 manual Vs GT 455 Vs BX2200 #2  
Don't underestimate the utility of a hydrostatic transmission. I mow a lot with mine, partly rough, I can zip over the smooth and slow down instantly for the rough part. Also, you can creep with a loader or post hole digger (position is very important). I looked at the JD 455, but the loader is a bit anemic. The BX2200 I bought was only $1000 more, has a real 3PT CAT-1 hitch, and is 4WD. Kubota reliability is second to none (from what I'm hearing). I'd rule out the 4100 because of the transmission, unless you are doing long straight runs and mowing over even ground. Just my $.02, others here have a lot more experience than myself.

- Patrick W.
 
   / 4100 manual Vs GT 455 Vs BX2200 #3  
If you want to use the loader any amount whatsoever, the 455 is out in my opinion. I played with one quite a bit before I bought the BX, and it is nowhere near the capacity or specs. Another thing to cosider is the 4WD on the BX, the power steering, and the overall construction. The BX's 3pt Cat1 is much better than the OPTIONAL Cat0 on the JD. Take a good look, you'll agree. The better comparison in green is the 4100 HST, not the 455, which is just a GT.

If you're going to be using a loader, seriously consider an HST, it makes all the difference in the world. Kubota's HST is arguably the best HST on the market, even a lot of green folks will admit that. The 4100 HST does have the BX beat in some specs, I believe that the loader can handle more, as well as the 3 pt, so that is something to consider, though I wasn't comfortable on it. I didn't like the way the deck was laid out, with that hump in the middle. I also didn't like the price.
 
   / 4100 manual Vs GT 455 Vs BX2200 #4  
If you are going to keep it for any length of time, and NOT fond of Knee Replacement Therapy, I'd go for the HST. It might, and I say might, be weaker than a gear, but I can do it all almost twice as fast. I too was hesitant about the extra money for an HST, but in just one dirt pile and .7 hours, it was already worth the extra money.

2410 FEL LA352
 
   / 4100 manual Vs GT 455 Vs BX2200 #5  
I looked at the 455 and went with the BX200. The BX seemed like a lot more machine for just about the same money. I'm very happy with my BX2200. Have you driven all these machines. I think you will see why most eveyone recommends a HST machine over a manual shift.

Russ
 
   / 4100 manual Vs GT 455 Vs BX2200
  • Thread Starter
#6  
Yes I did drive all of them and I did like the 4100 the best. Is the manual on the the 4100 that bad. I did drive it but without an implement on it, but the pricing was inline with the other two units. 4WD is importatant and I do believe the 455 is over priced.
 
   / 4100 manual Vs GT 455 Vs BX2200
  • Thread Starter
#7  
Thanks for the responses, everyone. I am wondering about the real difficulties with manual on chores like mowing grass, I do have straight runs, but I do have some curves around trees and mulch beds. It is down to the BX2200 and the 4100 manual. I am considering the HST, but the pricing delta between the HST and the manual is a little steep for me at this time. but I may reconsider depending on how much it costs in financing. The BX is definitely hot though and I am still very seriously looking at it.
 
   / 4100 manual Vs GT 455 Vs BX2200
  • Thread Starter
#8  
Westbilly, this is the most compelling point for getting an HST, "Knees", and also resale. I guess I better bargain better or put a little more down to get it. Oh well more thinking to do.

Nuru
 
   / 4100 manual Vs GT 455 Vs BX2200 #9  
You will see the biggest difference between and manual shift and and HST when using the FEL. Drive into the pile and back out no clutching or shifting. Also when mowing you can vary your ground speed simply by how far you drpress the HST pedal. No clutching, shifting or moving the throttle.

Russ
 
   / 4100 manual Vs GT 455 Vs BX2200 #10  
Nuru, as BX high priest and chief argument producer I have a question--why not consider a Kubota B7500 as a compromise? Anyway, I would forget the gear drive and go hydro and if you have to "settle" for a little BX consider this--it is about 5X the tractor that a JD455 (no formula--just my gut feeling) and their new 4Wd 500 series looks like a real looser to me also--especially for the money! You will find despite the naysayers biased opinions, that the BX can do the things you need it to do including digging and excavating. Hey, check out the new BX22TLB, backhoe equipped brother of the BX2200/1800. Again despite the opinions that a tractor "that small" would be useless with a backhoe, Kubota apparently disagrees. I trust they know more about tractor design/capability than anyone here on this board. J
 

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