BX1500 or BX1850

[AceDeuce]

For the tasks you descibed save your $1000 and go for the BX1500. The "size difference" for all practical purposes is non-existant. The Kubota website indicates that the wheelbases are identical and the BX1500 weighs only 42lbs less than the 1850. My neighbor has a BX2200 (a predecessor to the 2350) and with our very similar usage the only difference I can tell is that he paid more for his than I did for mine. Chances are, you won't miss the 3 extra HP. These machines loss traction LONG before they run out of power.

 

[BXRICK]

As mentioned in previous posts, it's going to be hard for you to go wrong either way. I am going into my third summer with a BX1500, and have no regrets. My two main uses are mowing and snow clearing, with a bunch of random other things thrown in.

The big BX decision is really to BH or not to BH. By looking at the 1850 and 1500, you've already decided the BH is not a big deal, or unaffordable. I must admit, though, that after reading about the Woods BH on a 1500 (maybe a year ago on TBN), I felt even better about not having a factory BH available. I doubt I'll ever buy a BH, but I like knowing I could.

When I was looking, I was debating between the 1500 and the 1800 (the 1830 and 1850 didn't exist back then). The differences were/are a little horsepower, and a little size (both in length and ground clearance). The height could in theory matter with regard to 3PH attachments (PHDs come to mind), but it's hard to get worked up over, and if you ever run into the problem, there are several ways around it.

Basically, I chose the 1500 because the differences didn't matter to me, and it was cheaper. The option of moving up to a BH-capable machine was too much, and very hard for me to justify. I'm sure I would be just as happy now had I bought an 1800, but I'd be a little poorer. I'm not sure I'd be any happier, though.

And, if you save a little money on the 1500 over the 1850, you can buy another attachment...

 

[Charliebrn]

Lots of good info here, but one thing that hasn't been mentioned...

You said you were into gardening, and for that you probably will want a rotatiller. While a 1500 will handle a tiller fairly well in soft ground, if your ground is anything like mine...Clay...you may want to consider the extra horses of the 1850. My 2200 sure felt the struggle when it was tilling, and just for longevity purposes, I was happy I didn't step down.

On the other hand, if your ground is soft, black dirt or sandy, you might be just fine...

 

[chucko]

I also have 1 ac and I got a bx1800 because I wanted the bigger mowing Deck (60") ..

 

[esulcove]

Wow! Thanks to everyone who has responded. I really appreciate all of the good advice.

Elliott

 

[dcbx1]

My brother and I bought bx 1850's .. we love them... we both have 10 hrs on them and have reduced mowing time by 70 %... it is amazing how good the cut quality is and how much power these machines have.. we also bought them with fel and have done several projects around the yards, mulch beds, planting trees and shrubs and spreading rocks.... We both plan on using the machines in the winter for snow removal as well... the fuel consumption is awesome, I still have yet to use 5 gallons!...
Here is a good ex. of the power of machine.... on Sunday I mowed my lawn as well as my neighbors in a slight rain( it has been raining for a week) the lawns were extremely high and wet and i was able to do it in under 2 hrs including trim and cleanup.. I used to own a toro lawn tractor 15hp gas as does my neighbor, I wouldnt have even attempted to cut the lawns.. My neighbor ended up spending 6 hrs on Sunday cutting his 3/4 acre lawn while i watched the race with a cold one. yuo cant go wrong with either but for the little extra $ go with the 1850, you will make up in trade value..... good luck

 

[jeffmazz]

esulcove,

IMHO, for the $1,000 difference I would lean toward the 1500. I traded one for a BX22 a few years ago and I must say the little 1500 is a fine machine. I'm sure it will serve you well on a 1 acre lot...especially if it has alot of trees and gardens. I wonder if you might be able to get an even better deal on the 1500 by doing a little shopping. I don't know where you are shopping but you might want to try Messicks in Elizabethtown, as well as Petermans in Carlisle, and there is another dealer in or near Gettysburg. You might luck out and find one of these guy's has a surplus of 1500's that they really want to wheel and deal on.

By the way, if you want to test drive a BX22 you can drive on up to Carlisle and take mine for a cruise.

Good Luck, and Happy Hunting!

Jeff