Junkman,
The actual part number for the grass catcher is a GCK60-BX. The Kubota website is incorrect. I have one for my
BX1800 with the 60" deck. There part number for just the boot is 70050-04153, but there are many more parts that go with this and it all comes with the grass catcher. Another thing is that the boot assemblies are different between the 54" deck and the 60" deck. Both in mounting and the 60" has a deflector shield that is mounted inside the deck.
The noise level is not much more than just the mower itself. The hose size is 8" inside diameter. As for dumping, if your used to a bagger type unit, then I would say the dumping is very similar to others that I have used such as my fathers JD425 w/Powerflo. One thing I definately like better on the Kubota is the latch that holds the top up while you empty the bags. The bags sit on a metal frame with a slotted front bracket that sits down over tab. One caution I will say about this, is that when you empty make sure you latch the bagger top down or you may bounce a bag off while backing up and run it over /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif Yes this happened to me and I have one ripped bag and had to bend the metal frame back. Luckily I stopped before the bag got to the mower /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
I have had my unit since spring, and have had the chance to pick up leaves that I didn't get to last fall and bag the grass several times this summer, so I will give you my review of the unit based on that.
The unit is very powerful, I have bagged grass that was dewey in the morning and had now problem. I did however clog it up in the spring picking up leaves when I did not pay attention to how full the bags were, and when I tried to go to fast. This week I actually picked up several green pinecones that suprised me quite a bit so be careful what you mow. I also did bust a shear pin in the spring by cutting up a branch that I did not see. Picking up leaves worked great last Spring, and they were somewhat wet as well. I am looking forward to that for this fall with my oak trees.
I have found that the unit is very good for picking up the grass and the 3 bags make it so that you can pick up quite a bit before having to dump. The size of the bags are just about all want as max for handling.
What I don't like about the unit is mounting and dismounting it. Kubota really has missed the boat on this one in my mind. This unit is the hardes thing I have to mount or dismount including the mower. The unit mounts to the lower three point arms and the fixed braket where your top link hooks to the tractor. You have to remove the 3-point lift arms and the top link, which wouldn't be a big deal, except that getting the top of the grass catcher hooked up is a pain in the you know what!!! I have used another posters recommendation of using my floor jack to help with lifting, but you still need to pivot it into place and it is still a pain. SO THERE IS MY BEEF. Other than that, I love the unit. I especially like the legs they build in for storing the unit. They work very well.
If you have any other specific questions, feel free to ask. You can also take a look at my old posts which give some pictures.
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=owning&Number=255265&Forum=owning&Words=bx1800&Match=Entire%20Phrase&Searchpage=2&Limit=25&Old=1year&Main=255265&Search=true#Post255265
Good luck,
