Buying Advice Advice sought on new BX1500

Anonymous Poster · May 30, 2003

I am new to this board and tractor ownership altogether. I currently have a very small piece of property that I mow with a manual reel-mower (it's a great device, really!). I have always wanted a good garden tractor, but have never had the use for one (or the money). I am now moving to a new home with just under 1 acre of yard to mow, and have the resources to get a good tractor (Kubota financing does not hurt). I want one that will last a long time, and be very useful (flexible). I looked at the Deere's and found the pricing for their good garden tractors to put me near the BX-territory, so here I am.

I am now looking at the BX1500. I am thinking the BX1500 would be fine, and considerably more tractor than I would need for my uses. I am definitely ordering the FEL, as the possible uses become more apparent all the time. My main areas of work would be mowing the yard, snow removal (150 ft. driveway), and typical landscaping chores (hauling topsoil, mulch). I have a quote of $10,280 (w/o tax) for a BX1500 with the FEL and the dealer seems to be good. I have a couple of questions for the wise & worldly Kubota tractor folks:

1) 48" or 54" mower? Does the BX1500 engine do OK with the bigger deck? Is there any advantage to the 54”, aside from having a bigger deck? Keep in mind I am just cutting a lawn here, nothing too intensive.

2) Is the mulching kit worthwhile? I would probably not pick up the grass most of the time. Has anyone used those "Gator" blades with any luck? Do they require a mulching kit?

3) Should I pay for the upgrade to the four-position hydraulic valve or whatever that thing is with my initial purchase in case I add a blade or snowblower later? Is this sound reasoning?

4) Should I get the Kubota ballast box for the rear? Is it easy to attach and remove?

5) Hooks on the FEL look useful, any helpful suggestions on that? I am hoping my dealer will help me out there.

6) What other single-implement would be most useful around the home? I was thinking maybe a rear blade for snow removal, but was curious where a box blade might come in handy. If I get a rear blade, will that be sufficient for ballast?

7) The dealer suggested bar tires on the rear and turf tires on the front for a good combination of traction and turf protection. Any opinions on that?

8) Can you get a reasonably priced snow blade for the BX1500 that has hydraulic angling? It looked on the Kubota website like that was not an option (only manual angling).

I know everyone always says “Buy the biggest tractor you can afford.” But I have looked at the BX1800s and they just seem like too much tractor for my property. Truth be known, I could get by with a Craftsman lawn tractor for mowing, but I want a heavy-duty machine with a real FEL, and the BX1500 seems to fit the bill.

Thanks for any and all input!

Anonymous Poster · May 30, 2003

( 1) 48" or 54" mower? Does the BX1500 engine do OK with the bigger deck? Is there any advantage to the 54”, aside from having a bigger deck? Keep in mind I am just cutting a lawn here, nothing too intensive.)

54" will give you more versatility. Because it sticks out from the side of the tractor more you can actually trim closer with it.

( 2) Is the mulching kit worthwhile? )

My dealer said no, but that was for New England. If you mow frequently and always dry then maybe yes.

( 3) Should I pay for the upgrade to the four-position hydraulic valve or whatever that thing is with my initial purchase in case I add a blade or snowblower later? Is this sound reasoning?)

Yes! It's about $80 now or $500 later!

( 4) Should I get the Kubota ballast box for the rear? Is it easy to attach and remove? )

It's an option, but you definately need some type of rear balast. Filled tires is probably not the way to go for you if you will use it for mowing a lot.

( I was thinking maybe a rear blade for snow removal, but was curious where a box blade might come in handy. If I get a rear blade, will that be sufficient for ballast?)

Rear blades work good for snow. Box blades are better for gravel and ground leveling operations.

( 8) Can you get a reasonably priced snow blade for the BX1500 that has hydraulic angling? )

You can, but I don't think it's very cheap. Better to add a few hundred dollars and get a blower in my humble opinion.

( I know everyone always says “Buy the biggest tractor you can afford.” But I have looked at the BX1800s and they just seem like too much tractor for my property. Truth be known, I could get by with a Craftsman lawn tractor for mowing, but I want a heavy-duty machine with a real FEL, and the BX1500 seems to fit the bill. )

You should buy what you are comfortable with. It sounds like the BX1500 will do everything you want to me.

Good luck!

Inspector507 · May 30, 2003

The BX1500 sounds like it will fit you just fine. They are great looking and working machines. I see you're in Ohio too. Where?

Anonymous Poster · May 30, 2003

I am in Dover, which is right off of I-77, about 30 minutes south of Canton.

r0GuE · May 31, 2003

( 1) 48" or 54" mower? Does the BX1500 engine do OK with the bigger deck? Is there any advantage to the 54”, aside from having a bigger deck? Keep in mind I am just cutting a lawn here, nothing too intensive. )
54" will have thicker steel. Go 54" you won't be sorry. The HP will not be a problem, with my BX2200 I run a 60" and never need full throttle anyway.
(
2) Is the mulching kit worthwhile? )
No - Do not get the mulching kit, all I have heard is no on this from those who bought or considered them
(
3) Should I pay for the upgrade to the four-position hydraulic valve or whatever that thing is with my initial purchase in case I add a blade or snow blower later? Is this sound reasoning?)
Yeah, if you will add one of those devices, it is best to get it now.(

4) Should I get the Kubota ballast box for the rear? Is it easy to attach and remove? )
You will need some weight on the back for the FEL.. 200lbs min. The blade won't be enough
(
5) Hooks on the FEL look useful, any helpful suggestions on that? I am hoping my dealer will help me out there.)
Yeah, I wish I had gotten hooks.
(
6) What other single-implement would be most useful around the home? I was thinking maybe a rear blade for snow removal, but was curious where a box blade might come in handy. If I get a rear blade, will that be sufficient for ballast?
)
I would love a tiller, but I think I am getting the bagger for leaf removal. It is PTO driven and I will get WAY more use from it than I would a tiller.(

7) The dealer suggested bar tires on the rear and turf tires on the front for a good combination of traction and turf protection. Any opinions on that?)
I would get all turfs mounted and for $300 I suggest the ags separate for plowing snow in the winter. The Ags are ok for mowing but for the cost of a spare set, I like the turfs. I just bought a set of turfs and put them on this year. It is much nicer for mowing with them. The Ags generally rip up the grass at the rear tire anyway so the dealers advice is bad in my opinion. If you spin a turf, it will rip up the grass too.(

8) Can you get a reasonably priced snow blade for the BX1500 that has hydraulic angling? It looked on the Kubota website like that was not an option (only manual angling).
)
I suggest trying to get by with the FEL and rear blade. However, if the $$ is not too bad, get the 4 way valve so you have the options n the future.

(
I know everyone always says “Buy the biggest tractor you can afford.” But I have looked at the BX1800s and they just seem like too much tractor for my property. Truth be known, I could get by with a Craftsman lawn tractor for mowing, but I want a heavy-duty machine with a real FEL, and the BX1500 seems to fit the bill.

Thanks for any and all input!
)
I agree that the 1500 is a good fit for you, but to get an extra cylinder and improved smoothness, I'd give some SERIOUS thought to upping to an 1800. This is your chance. It will cost MUCH more to do it on a trade some day.
I have 3/4 acre and a 2200. I also mow another 1/2 acre, and I have a very long road to plow out. The point is that the size of the parcel is not all that important. But the uses for the eq are. If the 1500 was also a 3 cylinders and didn't need all that engine weighting, I'd say go for it. The HP difference is not that much. But for the extra cylinder, I think the 1800 is well worth it.

frank_f15 · May 31, 2003

i would tell u to butythe BIGGEST machine that u can use
 NOT THE BIGGEST MACHINE U CAN AFFORD 2 totally different things! from what you say the tractor u are considering is more than enough , not sure how much snow u are talking about

r0GuE · May 31, 2003

I agree that you don't want to buy more machine than you can use,... but I don't think upping to an 1800 is overkill. Perhaps not absolutly necessary, but that is debateable.
I would never say to get a B or an L just because you have the dough. But really, going from a 2 cyl to a 3 is going to offer some real long term benifits, not only in power but in other mechanical utility aspects. Have you seen the huge slug of weight they put on the 2 cyl to keep it from shakeing itself to death? This is something that displeased me. I did like the 1500, but everything is lightened up a bit. The 1800 is the same as the 2200 but with a smaller displacement engine. The 1500 is NOT the same. it is lighter weight construction all around. Still a nice unit, don't get me qwrong. But worth contemplating none the less.

Anonymous Poster · May 31, 2003

And...just to put things into perspective...

There is one member here who has a B2910 on 3/4 acre and loves it. I don't think he mows with it though...come to think of it, that might be 2/3 acre.

So a bx1800 would probably work fine for you if you wanted to go for it.

You will love whatever you end up with! Have fun deciding!

Rick Jay · Jun 1, 2003

( There is one member here who has a B2910 on 3/4 acre and loves it. I don't think he mows with it though...come to think of it, that might be 2/3 acre. )

Yep....that would be me. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif 2/3 of an acre. I'm thrilled with its performance in digging this rock laden clay soil we have.

If I didn't want a backhoe...a BX2200 would have been great for my uses. When I bought mine (3 years ago) the BX22 wasn't out yet, and I talked myself right through the B series to the B2910.

Funny...I really don't see it as too much tractor. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

~Rick

smartguyz · Jun 2, 2003

Regarding the tires -

I have a JD318 (it's lighter than the BX1500 - about 835 lbs, so not an entirely fair comparison) with turf on the front and bars on the back. It seems to do quite well on the lawn. I note that if things are a bit soft (after a lot of rain), you may leave some tracks. If it is dry you'll have no problems. The bars really help doing up slopes or when you need extra traction. It has bailed me out many times.

I really am looking at either a BX1500 or a BX2200. If you end up with the BX1500, I'd love to hear about your impressions. Like others, I am concerned about it's 2 cylinder engine. With so little power at the PTO, I wonder how well it would do with things like a post hole digger, or if it would run the bagger without issues.

-Rob /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif