A bcs by any other name....

[ferrari99]

I am guessing when it comes time to buy my choice will be whether to get the 360( 750)XB 50 with the speed reduction and stronger PTO join or the 340 (853) XB 40 which I think will be lighter and somewhat more affordable. Without the travelling speed it is less appealing.

The 360, 750 and XB 50 are really specialist soilworking machines so they still have three working speeds but they are slower gears, the 340, 740 or XB 40 are really the most versatile machine.
The 340 speeds are I-1.26km/hr, II-2.92km/hr, III-4.30km/hr
The 360 speeds are I-0.98km/hr, II-2.27km/hr, III-3.34km/hr

 

[JoeyVegies]

Thanks Ferrari, as I am buying it for soil working in a compact market garden I'm not sure that higher working speeds would be an advantage, especially if the 750 (360) really is better for soil work.

 

[farmerboybill]

The difference between the 852/853 and the 948 are the third top stud for the PTO, gear reduction at the wheels, and some weights added to the transmission housing. The internal transmission components and clutch are exactly the same between the two models. The 852/853 is almost always the better choice.

I believe the same holds true between the 740/749 (replacing the 852/853) and the 750 (replaced the 948), but am not sure.

If you're looking for a walk-behind that is actually heavier duty, you may want to investigate the Grillo 131. It also has the top stud for a heavier PTO attachment, but also has a lot beefier transmission and a much heavier clutch than the 750. Joel will sell a spader on the 948 or 750, but only recommends the 131 for it. I have a friend 40 minutes north of me that has a 131 with spader and loves it. The 131 is not ideal for mowing applications.

 

[JoeyVegies]

Hi Bill,

Thanks for your thoughts. I do understand the different specs of the machines and have read the comment many places that the X40 (853) is more versatile. But if i'm not interested in mowing then i dont really understand what versatility i am being offered. Surely if the gear reduction and extra weights make the machine better for ploughing and other soil working then the X50 (948) is the better machine for the job?

I am curious what jobs I could not do with a X50 or what might i later regret about not getting a X40? I have a mower and a 4 wheel tractor with slasher so mowing is covered.

Grillo is not available in Australia.

 

[ferrari99]

I do understand the different specs of the machines and have read the comment many places that the X40 (853) is more versatile. But if i'm not interested in mowing then i dont really understand what versatility i am being offered. Surely if the gear reduction and extra weights make the machine better for ploughing and other soil working then the X50 (948) is the better machine for the job?

I am curious what jobs I could not do with a X50 or what might i later regret about not getting a X40? I have a mower and a 4 wheel tractor with slasher so mowing is covered.

Grillo is not available in Australia.

We bought our machine mainly for market garden style work and as far as I can see I gear is slow enough for hoeing and if you just want to cultivate then you can use II. How far do you have to drive it from where it would be stored to where it will be used, a slower speed could be really annoying. Grillo are available in Australia there is a dealer in Windsor, I think when you go there you are talking $$. If were you are working is already been dug before I don't really see the need for the bigger model, we have dug virgin ground with our machine no problems. Just my thoughts...

 

[JoeyVegies]

How far do you have to drive it from where it would be stored to where it will be used, a slower speed could be really annoying.

Now that, that is a point that speaks to me...

Grillo are available in Australia ...

Oh, it's weird the 2 wheelers didn't show up on my first search but now I am finding quite a few. Mostly the smaller models so far, but it looks like they can be had. Another choice in the mix! And some Valpadana's here. This was meant to get easier!

 

[ferrari99]

The Valpadana are more expensive and the only have one reverse gear. The Grillos that are here are not the same as the ones as farmerboybill was talking about. I think the the 40 would do all that you need it to. I looked at grillos and valpadanas but we decided on the ferrari because of versatility and price.

 

[JoeyVegies]

The Grillos that are here are not the same as the ones as farmerboybill was talking about.

.

I've seen a few places selling the 131 which farmerboybill recommended. Haven't priced it yet but the smaller models are selling at prices comparable to the US sites.

I'm not that worried about the reverse speeds on the Valpadana but they do look quite pricey and as they are built in Turkey and I don't have anyone to recommend them, they are not at the top of my list.

 

[ferrari99]

The grillos are according to the websites don't have all speeds both directions (not that matters with soil working ). From what I have heard the difference between the BCS/Ferrari/Pasquali and the grillo is that the BCS are a bit more user friendly and a bit dearer ($ is comparable here) than the grillo. Here is the photos of the US models and the AU models
US model
AU model

 

[garlicscott]

I've been looking quite often on fleabay.de for two wheel tractors "einachser" and have seen Fort and Grillo for sale in Germany, I have a Fort and was under the impression that this was also the same as BCS, Ferrari, Goldoni and Pasquali, as for the latter being popular in eastern europe can definately say it's not as have never seen one offered for sale but are quite common in Holland. Is Grillo also the same as BCS? but surely Agria and Holder are the most common in Germany followed by Hako.