bx1500 questions

[surfran]

Chucko,

I cannot give specific advice on the BX1500 as I have the BX1800. But I can tell you I love my 1800. As for the Grass Catcher/Bagger, here is a link from last year that has quite a bit of information from a few of us who have them. I can say without hesitation that it performs very well, at the same time I can also say without hesitation that the attachment and removal is a pain in the U know what (censored by myself /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif ).

I suspect the 1500 is also like the 1800 in that the same lift is used for the deck and 3-point. You cannot raise lower the deck without also doing it with the 3-point unless you unhook the 3-point lift arms. You can however put the deck in a "top" position that allows you to use the 3-point without lowering the deck.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/showflat.php/Cat/0/Board/owning/Number/255265/page/0/view//sb/5/o/all/fpart/1/vc/1

Good luck on your choice,

 

[surfran]

Heck if she's on a BX you don't have to trade her in, you just have to convince her to give you a turn /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[bikingdds]

Changes in the 04 bx1500 are minor and include a new differential lock pedal, and a new hood release. If I'm on mine this weekend, I'll see if the 3 point hitch lockout knob will do what you were asking.

 

[CHLRMN]

My immediate supervisor and I purchased a BX1500 this past summer. At the time I wasn't sure how get her "approval" so I just tried "buy-in". I illustrated the features and financing plus they were available for try-out at the local stock show. That did it, when we went to get an orientation at our dealer prior to delivery she drove it first. It arrived at our place on a Friday afternoon I got to play with the loader. Saturday she climbed aboard and proceeded to mow with the finish mower the easement and some other spots around our 1.5 ac.. Since July I've only mowed once. She says it's a diversion and good therapy from the__ _ at the office. Hang in there it will happen. Good Luck!

 

[RalphVa]

My cabinet man recently traded in his 2wd JD for a BX220. He's not been able to mow because his wife does it all.

He says it's not a JD, that the JD makes everything a bit smoother. Guess you'd have to live with both to know this. I get the idea that he'd never have traded if his JD had been 4wd. He bought for the price.

Ralph

 

[bikingdds]

On a 2004 bx1500, I was able to use the 3-point hitch lowering speed knob in a lock position to stop the movement of the hitch arms. Without the weight of the uninstalled mower deck present, I could not tell whether the hitch lockup allowed the movement of the mower deck. I would guess it has nothing to do with the deck, but I may be wrong.

 

[BIGUN]

Chucko,

I own a BX1500 and like you an acre of property to mow. I am very satisfied with the BX1500 with the 48” deck. It is a very well made deck constructed of the same 10 ga. steel as the 54” deck. It does not have the pivoting wheels to roll out on, but on smooth concrete it slides out from under the tractor like it is on rails. For property your size the 48” is plenty big.

As far as the getting something bigger than you need right now, for me the BX1500 already is. All I could really justify for a yard this size, being used 99% of the time for mowing, was a big Murray or a Craftsman, but I always wanted a Kubota so I sprang for the extra $5000-$6000 and got one. With proper care this tractor could easily last the rest of my life. If your 10-year old Murray is in good shape, you will probably get 30 years out of a BX, no problem. It also has the capability of performing many more task than a Murray or Craftsman.

The 2-cylinder engine does idle very rough, which is normal, but is smooth as glass above a fast idle. I seldom idle mine all the way down, to prevent it from shaking so hard. Once you know this is normal for a 2-cylinder, it is not a problem. As far as I know it doesn’t have any extra balancing shaft or flywheel, but does have a large chunk of cast iron attached to the top of the engine to dampen the vibration. I ask here once if anyone knew exactly how this works and got no responses, so I assume no one knows.

You can lock both the mid and rear lift in the up position with lowering speed adjustment knob, but not separately. You can lock the deck up with the height adjustment knob while still operating the rear lift, but not vise versa.

The only other downside of a BX over a Murray other than initial cost is that it is a much more complex machine than your Murray and will require quite a bit more maintenance and expense to maintain it properly.

 

[chucko]

OK I guess all I need now is "buy in" from the wife

Can someone give me an idea of how much at DIY service would cost on this tractor and how may times a year (avg) you need to do them?