BX or GR2110 for mowing + snow ?

[Ord]

Thanks everyone for all the recommendations.

We went to Green Valley Kubota today to get the prices. We are thinking that we'll go with the BX1860. We want to get the loader and 54" mower, but we're still not sure what to do for snow. The salesman at the dealer suggested that since our driveway is pretty short we could use the loader for clearing it.

He had also mentioned that often in the spring there is a discount on mowers, so I am thinking of putting less down payment on the tractor now and keeping the cash to buy a mower whenever they have an offer.

 

[bp fick]

I think, given that your drive is short, you made a pretty wise choice. Don't forget, back blades are very, very affordable. Coupled with your FEL, you should be fine. Enjoy. You won't regret it.

 

[harpoonalt]

A loader is fine for big snows and moving banks. A back blade is cheap and will do most snows easier because of the angle feature. If you're driveway isn't huge, it may be all you ever need. I did 3 driveways and a half mile road with mine and it was fine up to about 10 inches of snow. The biggest problem is that the banks get too high to throw the snow over. In your driveway you can use your loader to pile them up which means you don't have to plow way back in the beginning of the season to make room. I don't plow more than 2 feet past the driveway edges and use the loader if I need more room. It's a little tractor but is capable of doing some big jobs. We've had some big storms,but I've never "needed" a bigger tractor. Might have been quicker, but the BX will do more than you might expect for the size. It'll be a pleasant suprise to buy something that does better than you expect!

 

[bx24d]

You made a great choice. Backblade the snow (with an ABS plastic pipe on the cutting edge) and use the loader for drifts, etc. You'll find yourself getting excited when snow's forecasted. Come Summer, your dilemma will to to mow with the FEL on or off. Get the stand from BXpanded and you'll have a real efficient setup. We want pics of your rig and the first snow job.

 

[gyro433]

Ord, good choice.

Luc at Green Valley gave me the same advice for buying implement later on. I bought my snowblower in the fall when Kubota had their sale and I saved 500 $ off the regular price.

I had the weight ballast box included in the price (I think it's around 200$) when I bought the tractor. You will find that it is a must when you are using the FEL, otherwise the rear wheels will spin when the loader is full, your other option would be to load the tires.

I had a traction bar added also in the deal.

One thing I did not think back then was a rear working light. If you are clearing snow at night you really need it (most of us do it after coming back from work in the evening). I probably would have been able to include it in the price (around 70 $). I ended up buying it this fall anyway.

Gyro

 

[radioman]

get a new deck with 60" included in deal. you won't regret it. most BX'ers WILL NOT give up thier 60" decks. There were a few reports on this TBN where some had 48 and 54 and want to go up to 60 but had hard time finding used.

 

[Ord]

get a new deck with 60" included in deal. you won't regret it. most BX'ers WILL NOT give up thier 60" decks. There were a few reports on this TBN where some had 48 and 54 and want to go up to 60 but had hard time finding used.

I thought the 1860 could only take 48" or 54" ?

 

[dodge man]

The BX is a good choice. I also looked a GR's and X series Deeres and decided on the BX. I have 600 feet of drive that is paved and use the FEL and a rear blade. The rear blade is much better, just angle the blade, drive up and down and shove the snow off the edge. We don't get alot of snow here though. The FEL doesn't work that great in my opinion, it just fills up with snow to quickly and doesn't really shove it off to the side that great. What the FEL does do well is get up against my garages and other places well. I just point the cutting edge of the bucket down and back drag the snow away from the buildings and then shove it off to the side. One thing in your favor is that your driveway isn't that long so just about anything will work better than a snow shovel. It just doesn't seem the cost of a blower would be worth it.

 

[DGS]

Thanks everyone for all the recommendations.

We went to Green Valley Kubota today to get the prices. We are thinking that we'll go with the BX1860. We want to get the loader and 54" mower, but we're still not sure what to do for snow. The salesman at the dealer suggested that since our driveway is pretty short we could use the loader for clearing it.

He had also mentioned that often in the spring there is a discount on mowers, so I am thinking of putting less down payment on the tractor now and keeping the cash to buy a mower whenever they have an offer.

Get the 54" mower that comes with the machine now otherwise you won't get it on the financing deal as I understand it to be
That mower is a couple of grand and would be a big suprise come spring when it will be needed
That BX1860 will handle the 48",54" or 60" mowers ,your choice but measure where you will be cutting. I went with the 54" because of my tree spacing on my property
Good luck shopping!
DGS

 

[Ord]

I ordered a BX1860 today, with loader and 54" mower. It should be delivered later this week. I can't wait!

Thanks everyone for pointing me in the right direction. I'm confident that it's the right machine for us.