Arrrrrgh!!!! Thought I had it - now I'm not sure.

[jeffinsgf]

Arrrrrgh!!!! Thought I had it - now I\'m not sure.

My 4410 is a great machine, that I could not possibly do without. However as a yard mowing machine, it is just too big. I decided to get a garden tractor so that I could mow, and could also tow a yard trailer and or run multiple implements during a project. I like the big diesel LGT's of John Deere, but they are prohibitively expensive. So, I hit eBay looking for a late model used JD LGT. After a couple days, not only did I find pretty much what I wanted -- JD 455, 24 HP liquid cooled diesel, 60" MMM, front 4-way blade, Hydro, the works, with just 280 hours -- but also it was just 10 miles from my house.

Several other 455's have not met reserve at around 4,000, but they have all had a lot more hours. This seller has the opening bid set at 6,000. Since I wouldn't have to pay any shipping and I was able to take a look at it before bidding, I was pretty comfortable with sniping in at the last minute tomorrow afternoon with a bid close to the opening.

Until I stopped at the Kubota dealer. Something LBrown wrote in a post a few days ago on the order of "Why buy a LGT when you can buy a SCUT for the same money?" made me wonder if I shouldn't look at the Kubota BX Series. The dealer has a promotion going on the BX-1500 for $6999 with 54" MMM.

So, do I buy a little more horsepower and 6 inches more cutting width and then spend another thousand adding a 3pt and PTO on a used machine or do I buy a new machine with a warranty, 4WD and built-in PTO and 3pt?

I read the threads about some of the problems with the BX Series, and they gave me pause, but I also noticed that the thread has been going on for years, and most of the issues came up several years ago and haven't been mentioned much recently.

I would like to hear from BX1500 users, JD LGT owners, and particularly anyone with experience with both on what you feel about which way I should jump. Since the auction ends tomorrow, I kind of have to make up my mind. I am kind of leaning toward the BX. It would help if wasn't so darn ORANGE. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

 

[jeepers94]

Re: Arrrrrgh!!!! Thought I had it - now I\'m not sure.

Well,I am not a BX1500 owner,but I am a BX2230 owner and a former JD455 owner.First,the 455 has a 22 horse engine,not 24.It is a very nice machine.Mine had the 3pt and rear pto.The Bx1500 is just as nice,and 4x4.Buying new is a lot safer also.At $6000 starting bid the 455 better be at least a 2001 model,with low hours.I sold my 96 with 3pt,and a 4 way front blade for $5000.

 

[jeffinsgf]

Re: Arrrrrgh!!!! Thought I had it - now I\'m not sure.

Thanks, Jeepers. You've got it pegged. 2001 model sold new in August of 2002. 280 hours with front blade and HD 60" deck with mulching kit. Not a scratch on it anywhere.

Since you have used both frames (albeit with more power on the K), could you compare manueverability for me? Did the 455 turn tighter than the BX? How about quality of cut on the lawn? Noise and vibration comparison? Thanks.

 

[timb]

Re: Arrrrrgh!!!! Thought I had it - now I\'m not sure.

A lot probably depends on you soil types, but around here we seemed blessed (?) with ultra sensitive heavy clay soils - a little extra weight goes a long way to damaging your lawn. I can see a difference in marking between my 500 lb JD LT160 and 850lb JD 318, even with the 318's bigger turf tires. A 1200-1500lb SCUT on the same size tires (while definitly a more versital machine) would make a mess of our yards. In better drained loamy areas - maybe not even a consideration.

One thing the promoters of the small SCUTs over big LGTs fail to look at is the weight. A small SCUT is hands down a more flexible machine and probably overall a better value without argument - but if you don't need to tap into the more tractor-like aspects and what you need is a better (lighter, more manuverable) yard and lawn care machine - the nice LGTs still have their place.

 

[Soundguy]

Re: Arrrrrgh!!!! Thought I had it - now I\'m not sure.

If it were me.. I think the tractor would win hands down. There is only so much you can do with a riding lawnmower.. even if it does have a green decal on it.

I proved that to a neighbor lon years ago.. he had a 25 hp rider mower.. big expensive sucker... my yanmar 1700 (17-21 hp ) towed his rider mower all over his yard....

I know it is 1k$ more.. but I think you will be way happier with the bx1500.. and I'd like to add.. i think that is a great price too! and I'm not even an orange guy...

Soundguy

 

[coveredbridge]

Re: Arrrrrgh!!!! Thought I had it - now I\'m not sure.

I have a little over 100 hrs on my bx1500, about 60 of those hours mowing with the 48" mmm. I bought my bx in March of this year, and I have not experienced any of the problems you referred to. I also looked at the JD X series LGT's when I bought my bx, but I couldn't justify the additional cost for the extra HP and "creature comforts". I have found the bx1500 to be a very good mower, although the deck requires what seems to me, at least, to be frequent cleaning to maintain a clean cut. I have not found the bx1500 to be lacking in HP in any of the mowing, FEL or boxblade operations I have asked it to perform, and I think I have pushed it pretty hard. I have not used the rear PTO yet. I understand it is rated at 10.6 HP, which is not enough to run, for instance, a PTO driven leaf vac.

I will say that I have been very impressed with both the JD X series and the 2210's that I have seen, and if $ were not a factor, I may well have gone with the JD (I have a German built 820 from the 70's). Of course, when are $ ever NOT a factor. Overall, it seems that Kubota provides more functional value for the $, but it really comes down to the value each of us as individuals places on the different features.

Based upon what I paid for my bx1500 w/48"mmm and FEL, I would have to say that 6999 for that setup is a very good deal, if it is a good fit for your needs.

 

[BXRICK]

Re: Arrrrrgh!!!! Thought I had it - now I\'m not sure.

First off, I'm a very happy (at least with the tractor) BX1500 owner with 125 or so hours. I love the machine. I bought it 2.5 years ago (geez, I need to get more seat time...). I have never had a problem. Plow snow and mow the lawn, as well as other landscaping-type projects.

However, in your description of what you need, I think the JD would make more sense, unless the "and run other implements" is really an issue.

At first I was confused by the ".. and spend more $ on a PTO" part since it sounded like you were looking for a lawnmower and something to tow a trailer. I guess I should read more carefully.

Anyway, you don't really need a FEL on whatever you buy, so I guess it sort of comes down to how much more than a lawnmower you want.

But you already knew that....

 

[BarryinMN]

Re: Arrrrrgh!!!! Thought I had it - now I\'m not sure.

Get the best of both worlds call the 455 owner & offer $5K.

 

[jeffinsgf]

Re: Arrrrrgh!!!! Thought I had it - now I\'m not sure.

Would have done that, Barry, but it was an eBay auction. It ended around 2 o'clock today, and someone with more money than brains showed up (fairly frequent --- great when I'm selling, not so much when I'm buying). Went back to the Kubota dealer and drove the BX1500. First off, I made a mistake. Their "special" was $7999.00 w/54" mower, not $6999.00. From what I read on TBN, that's not so "special".

Without offending anyone who owns a BX, I wasn't that impressed. It was a bit more "rattly" than I expected and I was disappointed with the fit and finish. The knobs and handles are kind of flimsy. It mowed like a champ, until I hit some heavy stuff. Then it slowed down -- more than just a little. I think if I went that direction, I would want the BX2230, and then the price gets beyond where I want to go.

Off to find another low hour 455.

 

[JayC]

Re: Arrrrrgh!!!! Thought I had it - now I\'m not sure.

Have you tried looking at the Simplicity Legacy's? Maybe that would fit the bill. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif