BX1500 or BX2230

[SCB]

<font color="red"> The B7510 weighs 33 more pounds more than the bx2230 and about 200 pounds less than the BX23.
Why pay more money for a tractor with less power and no weight advantage?
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WOW! I'm a BX23 owner and even I can come up with reasons for a 7510. I think we may hear a word or two from the owners of the 7510. Every tractor has it's niche in the market for good reason.

 

[jpr62902]

To say the 7510 has less power would be at least partially inaccurate. Hp ratings aren't the end all comparison. The 7510 has a larger engine than the BX2230\23 with more torque and stronger hydraulics -- I would say that the 7510 is more powerful. In theory, these types of HP comparisons would indicate that a Sears 24 HP lawn tractor has more power than the 7510 (or a CK20, or TC18, or JD 4110). That's hardly the case. You need to compare more than just HP.

 

[BANDAMAN]

I looked at and tested both out extensively and ended up with the 2230. I too, looked long term, I'm only 31, so I figure if I can get 30 years out of this one, I'll be able to buy a brand new one to play with in my retirement /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Maybe then I would have enough time to use a backhoe. Sure it would be nice to have the hoe on the BX23 up front, but I could not justify it. I can rent a Backhoe, or pay someone many times for the $4000 extra. I know I could find many uses for it, but not enough. If I had to run some drain tile or trench in some cable I would go for it. I am happy that Woods came out with one, so at least there is an option if I want one in 5 or 10 years. And yes you can use the midmount mower with the Woods backhoe. It looks like a very nice unit.

By the way, I only have 1.2 acres, and the BX2230 is perfect! Takes about 35-40 minutes to mow with the 60" mower and it does a great job. It is also incredible for moving snow with just the loader and a backblade. A nice feature since it seems to snow everyday lately here in MI.

The 1500 is a very nice tractor, but I am very glad I bought the 2230. At 0% interest I have no regrets.

 

[Scrounger]

Have you notices the increased turing radius of the 2230? Everyone point that out to me. I have about an acrce and a third and I wouold love to be done in 45 minutes mowing. I planned on a 54" deck. I just think the BX23 is too much. I was set on the BX15 then thought of upping to the BX2230. I think that might be the best think to do.

 

[BANDAMAN]

Well, I used to have a JD LT155 lawn tractor that had a 14" turning radiius, so it was a little bit of an adjustment. The power steering is so nice, I don't even pay attention to what the turning radius is, just make big loops with one finger on the wheel. I actually like to make long straight lines when I mow so I usually make a 3-point turn on each end, pretty much the same I did with the little JD. It is so fast and effortless, I never really thought about wanting it to turn sharper.

Unless you can't fit it in certain spaces, i would lean towards the 60"MMM. I also thought I would get the 54", but am glad I got the 60". It is a heavier guage, and has a better suspension pivot system that the 54" doesn't. Also cuts the mowing time.

On a personal note, no matter what anybody tells me, I do not like the way a 2-cylinder diesel runs or sounds. there is nothing wrong with it at all, I just like the purr of the 3-cylinder better, I like the way it starts and idles better. Of course the Bx1500 just a little bit above idle smooths out probably better than the 2230, but I simply prefer the 3 cylinder in everyway.

I liked the smaller tires and lower stance of the 1500, but after all the snow we have gotten, I am glad for the little extra clearance of the 2230.

The first time you take a full bite of heavy wet sand or clay and can't lift the bucket, you will be glad you at least had the extra power over the 1500.

By the way, I got an extra set of Bar tires loaded for $265. I prefer them over the turfs all year except in the wet spring. If I was only going to have one set of tires it would be the bars. I have both sets of rears loaded with rim guard for ballast. rears loaded plus me (250 lbs) plus rear blade (175 lbs) equals no problems with the loader.

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[Scrounger]

You got the bar tires with rims for $265 or just the rubber? I'm concerned about ripping the lawn up with the bar tires. That was my concern with gong with bar tires. I think the turf will do well in the snow with the weight too.

What is the rim guard that you mentioned. Are they just wheel weights?

 

[surfran]

The going price for an extra set of wheels including the rims is ~$300 as long as the dealer orders as whole goods order.

The Rim Guard product is beet juice used for filling the tires. It is one of several options such as Calcium Chloride, Windshield Washer fluid and for those lucky enough not to be in the freezing climates, water.

The Rim Guard is more environmentally friendly as well as friendlier to your rims probably. It may be more difficult to get, but several on here use it and have more info than me. I use old steel wheel weights and a rear weight box.

 

[BANDAMAN]

I felt the same way about the tires, but he Bars don't rip up my yard at all, I used them from summer thru fall mowing. I didn't try them in the spring, but common sense keeps me off the yard if possible when it is too wet. The BX has enough power to spin the turfs, which will rip the grass right out, but the bars won't spin like that on accident. They are a flotation tire so the weight is dispersed very well. The $265 was for tires mounted on wheels and the rears filled. And the typical going rate for a set of tires and wheels is around $300 plus around $150-$175 for the rim guard.

If you use water, it will freeze, and will probably rust the wheels. If you use windshield washer fluid, and it leaks, it will kill the grass. Same with Calcium Cloride, it will kill the grass, and it can cause the wheels to rust inside. The rim guard is made from Beet Juice and won't harm the grass, won't freeze, and it is heavier than most liquids, giving you more ballast. (Probably around 100 lbs each side)

As far as snow, I beat if I stayed on the asphalt, The turfs would work pretty good, but I do plow to my Propane tank, and have to go through the yard when clearing the sidewalk. I have been using the rear blade and have had to go through piles of snow 2 feet deep or so, I don't think the turfs would be good for that, I would just have to change the way I do it.

I think it is worth it to have both sets of tires if you can negotiate a good deal at purchase. If you want them later, Have your dealer order them with a tractor he is ordering, otherwise they are about $600 a set.

 

[LBrown59]

I mow most of my yard with my BX 23 with the FEL and BH attached.
It has AG tires on it.
It's rained all but a couple of days here this month and got above 50 degrees for almost a week so the ground is pretty soft. Went out and dug out tree stumps but the tractor with the ag tires didn't tear up the ground.

A spinning Turf or industrial tire will tear up more than an Ag tire that don't spin.

 

[Scrounger]

I would think the ag tires would make a mess of the yard but it seems that the turf tires might not be the route to go. I might just have to order them with the tractor over the turf tires. I just dont want to make a mess of the yard when moving.