BX What else???

r0GuE · May 13, 2001

I just thought I'd throw this out there... I notice that there is a constant and and overwhelming hummmm about the BX. I have read of people considering or using the BX for up to 15 acres! I have 3/4 acre and am DEFINITELY getting one. I couldn't even consider a T (too close to a craftsman) or TG (BX is SO MUCH more for the little extra $$$.)
My thought is this, Unless you are a professional farmer (and sometimes I wish I were cause I want a big yummie L , sat on one today, what fun).
Why would anyone buy anything else. I am getting a tremendous tractor with 4WD 3PH and a 60" deck that is built with thicker steel than craftsman uses for its FRAME!!!
Oh the Gleee!!! HI ED, 2 more weeks!

Rogue

albamadave · May 13, 2001

My guess is that there is no ideal machine for all applications. The BX seems to fill niche that was not adequately covered until now. The BX is useful for many more jobs around my 5 acres than the large garden tractor it replaced.

Dave

TresCrows · May 13, 2001

Rogue, your question is a good one and trust me I am not knocking JD but why in the world would anyone pay more for a JD 400 series GT much less something like a Craftsman. I live on 6 acres and all the homesites are 5 to 10 and everyone but me has either a Craftsman (3), a JD 400 or 300 (one each) somekinda funny looking ZTR and a Snapper and a Home Depot "thing". What do they all have in common--they are constantly breaking down--but not the little "bota! My neighbor got a load of dirt same day as me, they shoveled into a JD dump cart behind their 455 and it took them 2 days to move it all. I moved mine with the BX in 3 hours----more than a power wheelbarrow. Good luck with your new toy. J

Roy · May 15, 2001

I think the answer is, Kubota, very successfully, found a niche; a market hole, that other’s missed.

Craftsman (and some other high volume marketers) will always have some market: those who look at price only. Which, BTW, is OK. Some people really have no need beyond what the Craftsman will do.

Now, IMHO, what has confounded me the past year is the 400 side of the equation. Don’t know how that line survives.

Roy

gsxr1100 · May 15, 2001

Well here is one to “stir the pot” I had a JD 455 with loader and it worked just fine for my home application. I moved snow and 7-yards of loam with it. Again it worked fine. The co-worker I sold it to ($9,900 for loader, mower, and tractor) loves it and he also moved around 10 yards of loam, dug his walk-ways with it, and he moved snow. He also loves it. I see the guy everyday so I always hear about it. This is not a slam against the BX in any way, shape or form. He said the BX has so really nicer features, but for the almost $3,900 CT dollar difference he could not pass up my old used JD 455.
So whatever you buy just be happy with it and that is all that matters. JD, Kubota, New Holland, etc are all good tractor. Sometimes you get a good one and sometimes you will get a bad one. It is like the Ford diesel, Dodge diesel and now the Chevy guys. It never ends.

Thanks
Mike

r0GuE · May 15, 2001

Consider it stirred!
You are comparing used prices to new prices. AND the guy you sold your used gear from was lucky enough to get used gear from you. If he gotit from somebody else he may have rued the day he bought the tractor because it could have had serios mechanical problems. Lets just put new to new since we are talking about a "why would anyone buy anything other than a BX" post. Besides, those yellow seats are silly. Little JDs just dont look right, (big ones are OK).

Rogue

Anonymous Poster · May 16, 2001

Keep in mind too, that that wonderful L you sat on is unable to do some of the things the BX can; due to it's size. I have both and can't see how I'd get by with the loss of either.

Sometimes wives and neighbors will not understand anyone having anything bigger then a mower (I also have a JD235 and love it too!)

There are just so many things that will come up that you WILL use it for that you can't possibly imagine at this point. I find that most people that think you don't need it's capabilities haven't had a little tractor (4WD) before.

You could probably get by just fine with a JD garden tractor, but you only go around life one time eh? /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

del

TresCrows · May 16, 2001

Gosh no intention of starting an argument but please do not compare a JD GT like the 455 (new or used) which I am fairly familar with to a Kubota BX subcompact utility tractor. The BX is in a league to itself and dollar for dollar just puts the JD 400 series to shame, for most purposes there simply is no comparison. The loader for the JD is kinda silly looking and no where as heavily built as the Kubotas much less the tractor itself. They are just not the same thing, not at all. Without 4WD the BX would not be nearly so capable and the JD 2WD 455 even less so. The JD lineup includes some nice stuff, I like their 300 series. The 10 yards of loam--my BX has moved tons of hard clay, rock, gravel, top soil and tons more to go I fear. Take care. J

RPM · May 16, 2001

There's an English expression I like - "Horses for courses". Moving loam and a light amount of snow might suit a JD455 plus loader well.

For me - after having spun all 4 wheels on my BX a couple of times, I know I couldn't do without the 4wd - I'd be seriously stuck without it. I also know that I'd be seriously restricted in usage without access to all those cat 1 implements that are seriously endangering my bank balance ...

Mike (burnickas) - what were the reasons for you selling the JD455 - may be some of the same that we bought a BX? What are you looking at for your next tractor - I see a potential buy on a 4x4 Ford in your profile.