Blue or Orange?

jam2004 · Oct 7, 2004

After lurking around here for a while, I'm about to purchase either a BX 2230 or a TZ24 with sensatrac. The New Holland is about 13,500. The Kubota is around 13,000. Each comes with FEL, 54 inch deck and ballast box. Feedback would be greatly appreciated.

MikeFromVA · Oct 7, 2004

There are MANY posts here where people are trying to consider which tractor to buy. Look around or do a search. Both are good tractors. It comes down to which dealer you like more and your personal preference. You won't go wrong with either.

MikeFromVA · Oct 7, 2004

Also, if you fill in your profile you can get better responses. There may be issues that you haven't even though of - I was looking at the same tractors but eventually chose the JD4110.

jam2004 · Oct 7, 2004

Profile done. I've searched the forums, but not lots out there about the NH.

MikeFromVA · Oct 7, 2004

You lot size is very similar to mine - This is the thread I had when I started. You might consider stepping up from a SCUT to a CUT - I'm glad I did. I'm sure that you can find more about NH in the NH forum.

Bob_Skurka · Oct 7, 2004

There have been several discussions about the Sub-CUT tractors, but not all the discussions are titled in such a way that they are obvious from the standpoint of a newbie. First, let me say I do not own a Sub-CUT, but I have looked at them just out of curiosity. Based on my observations and based on many of the comments posted on TBN here is a brief & incomplete rundown of the 3 major players.

The BX Kubotas have the proven track record since they actually founded the class of tractor. If they have a "weak spot" it is their 3pt hitch, which is often referred to as a LIMITED Cat 1 3pt hitch. The BX Kubotas is the only "big 3 brand" that is available with a factory backhoe.

The JD 2210 is a new entry, it seems to be a well made machine, and if it has a "weak spot" it again is the LIMITED Cat 1 3pt hitch.

The other new tractor is the NH TZ series. Of the 3, this is the only one that is reported to have a full size Cat 1 3pt hitch. New Holland tractors also make CASE/FARMALL tractors, they offer a nearly identical Case version (red paint instead of blue).

All three brands have capable front end loaders, all are excellent mowers, all are probably reliable. The "limited" 3pt hitch issue is only an issue if you care to make it an issue because now there are several manufacturers that offer scaled down implements to fit the limited units. Even the limited units can use many regular implements, but lift height on some types of implements becomes a problem. If you are not sharing implements with a neighbor/relative and if you don't currently have any implements so you would be buying new implements for the machine, then the reality is the limited 3pt is not a big concern, you would simply buy the right size implements. Availability of the limited implements is often slim, but any dealer can order them for you so you can get what you need, you just might have to wait a little while to get it.

Kubota is the only Big 3 brand that offers a factory backhoe. So if you want a backhoe then that may be a deciding factor. I believe Woods and possibly Bradco(?) offer mini-backhoes for the other brands, but I've never looked into it, and I'm not sure if the manufacturers recommend using them on their tractors.

Massey Ferguson makes a very capable Sub-CUT that you might also want to consider. If there is a dealer near you take a look at their GC series tractor. It is every bit as capable as the other brands, and it, like the Kubota, is available with a factory backhoe.

Henro · Oct 7, 2004

I'm on the same page as Bob I think, but I will go a step further and say buy blue in your case. I am assuming the TZ24 is a little bigger than the BX (I don't know the specs on it though).

After typing the following I realized since I don't know the specs on the TZ24 I probably should have kept my mouth shut /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif But since I didn't, well just take what I say as a recommendation to consider something larger than a "bx size tractor, whatever the color... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Why? Simply because I doubt that I would be happy with my BX2200 on 5 to 7 acres, if the land was other than real smooth.

The BX is pretty low, and has things like a plastic cooling fan and filters under there just waiting debris to damage them. This is the case to some degree in tractors that have more ground clearance...to me ground clearance IS an issue with my BX. For others it may not be.

More importantly, the BX 3PH is a major shortcoming in my view. While you can make a simple modification to help correct it, it still is limited even if you do something to make it better.

If you are going to have one tractor, and if that tractor is going to be expected to do a lot of things in addition to mowing grass, I would myself buy something a little larger than the bx. Color is secondary to functionality in my opinion.

It would be helpful if you would tell us what you expect the tractor you buy to do for you. If you got 7 acres of grass to cut and just want a reliable tractor for the long term to do it with, well the BX might be perfect for you.

Then again, if that were the case, we just might recommend a zero turn mower... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Seriously, the 3PH on the BX is a thorn in my side, but only because I have another larger Kubota that I would like to share implements with. Mini implements are available for the BX, and I am sure if one had them and a bx, and knew no differently, that he would be pretty happy having such a set up, expecially if moving up to it from a lawn/garden tractor.

Still...for 5~7 acres I would go a little bigger than the BX...especially if the price were about the same...or if I could afford a bit more...

PineRidge · Oct 7, 2004

I think you mentioned Sensitrak. That feature is bundled along with the SuperSteer option available exclusively by New Holland. Both very nice options in my personal opinion.

I might also suggest that if you haven't already test driven a New Holland equipped with a loader and SuperSteer that you should before you make your final decision. You will get some obverse reaction with the loader if you have SS due to the pivot point actually being located behind the front axle. Some folks like myself get used to it right away and others never seem to get used to it at all. Any option that you wouldn't be happy with is a waste of money in my book.

Do your homework first and you won't be sorry later.

ByronBob · Oct 7, 2004

Once again Bob has done a fine job breaking down the situation really well. He's a good asset to the forum IMO.

I own a 2230 and it's great machine. If you do go orange you'll have a fine product. If you get a FEL make sure you get something for ballast in the rear. I picked up some heavy boulders and the ballast is critical for keeping the rear end on the ground /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif