BX1500 vs BX1830/2230

TDiPatrick · Apr 5, 2005

Just curious if there's any differences between the little BX and it's larger siblings that aren't apparent from the spec's? The brochure spec's detail the smaller engine and fuel tank, smaller tires, lower ground clearance, smaller dimensions and slightly tighter turning radius. Are there any differences in controls? From the brochure, it appears that cruise control is not available and that the seat is smaller than on the larger BX's.

I thought we'd agreed on this, but now my wife thinks the 2230 is too much tractor for our current one acre lot. I'm thinking more toward the future - I'd like to pick up 5 - 10 acres in the next five years or so. Funny thing is, the 1500 doesn't look that much smaller from the spec's. Just wondering what else I'd be losing if I compromised with the wife and bought the BX1500?

Thanks again!
Patrick

SeymourBota · Apr 5, 2005

My lot is 1.1 acres and I have a BX2200. I also work some on my neighbors land to help out and they have 25 acres of which I help with 5. If there is any chance of more acreage, you will want the 2230.
You would likely find that the 1500 would serve your existing purpose, but you won't imagine what you will use this tractor for until you get it!!! At that point, if you realize that more power would be nice, it will be too late!!!

Av8r3400 · Apr 5, 2005

Buy as large of hp as you can afford. You'll never wish for less power, but you will wish for more. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Tom_H · Apr 5, 2005

You had a thread a week or so ago in which you asked about BX2230 vs. BX1830. I gave my opinion that once you choose a body size, go with the most hp available for that body. I almost replied to your original post to suggest that a BX1500 with 48"MMM and mulch system and no bagger would meet your current needs and save $. The mulch system is much cheaper than the bagger. It saves time in that you don't have to empty it. It saves time and money in that you don't need to fertilize (or at least not as often) because all the nutrients get recycled. The mulch system works unless you have grass that never dries out or if you allow it to grow for weeks on end before cutting it. The BX1500 PTO could probably power any little attachments you might need on your current small lot.

IF, however, you do plan to go on to larger property, I would vote for BX2230 rather than the BX1830 for all the reasons I listed on your last thread. With that size body, and your larger property, there will be all kinds of attachments you will want to use for which the 1830 just doesn't quite have the hp, and the 2230 just barely does.

So, if you stay where you are-BX1500, maybe even a good quality (Kubota) garden tractor with small FEL and Cat. 0 hitch. If you're sure you're going to move to that big property-BX2230. I don't see the BX1830 as being a good choice. If you know you're going to move, but money is an issue, you might go with BX2230 and mulch system. Getting the mulch system rather than bagger will save $1200 or more. Also, the bagger is quite hard to get on and off, unless you learn to do it PERFECTLY, and it takes up storage space when you take it off to use something else. If you really want the bagger later, you might be able to afford it more easily. I just sold my bagger used, for half price, because I love the mulcher so much. You might find one used as well. Have you looked around for a used BX2200? It's a great machine.

Good Luck.

TDiPatrick · Apr 5, 2005

( You had a thread a week or so ago in which you asked about BX2230 vs. BX1830. )
Yeh - I've been weighing all the options and I've basically come full circle back to the 2230. For the little savings, the difference between the three tractors isn't enough to justify going with either of the smaller two BX's. Thanks for the mulch kit recommendation. I'm not sure it'll work in my case - I mainly use the bagger now in the fall to handle all the oak leaves that I compost.

The plan now is to just buy the BX2230 with the 54" MMM. I'll pick up the loader and bagger later.

( Good Luck. )
Thanks!

Tom_H · Apr 5, 2005

What do you have a bagger on now? Is it something you can keep for that purpose, or do you need to sell it to: a) help pay for the BX, b) make room for the BX, c) all of the above? Where in GA are you? I've lived in several parts of the U.S. but am native Georgian: through age 11 was in Macon, middle & high school in Swainsboro, and undergraduate degree from Georgia Southern.

ByronBob · Apr 6, 2005

Go test drive the 1530 and 2230 at a dealers and then decide. Until you actually feel the difference you'll never know.

My 7.5 acres is flat so the 2230 is great. And it handles the snow here fine even if it takes a little longer. My uses as you can imagine are different than yours of course but I would think a 2230 is too big for 1 acre.

Your future plans are all well and good but is it really going to happen or are you hoping to upgrade? Life has a way of making things hard so if it's not a done deal the 1530 would be fine.

TDiPatrick · Apr 6, 2005

( What do you have a bagger on now? Is it something you can keep for that purpose, or do you need to sell it to: a) help pay for the BX, b) make room for the BX, c) all of the above?)

33" Snapper Hi-Vac. 17 years old and dying. Prob'ly will sell it, but doubt I'll get much for it...

( Where in GA are you?)

Fayette County, just south of Atlanta. I'm a transplant tho' - originally from North Carolina.

TDiPatrick · Apr 6, 2005

( Go test drive the 1530 and 2230 at a dealers and then decide. Until you actually feel the difference you'll never know.)

So far, I haven't found a local dealer with a 1500 in stock.

( My 7.5 acres is flat so the 2230 is great. And it handles the snow here fine even if it takes a little longer. My uses as you can imagine are different than yours of course but I would think a 2230 is too big for 1 acre.)

That's what I was thinking when I started this thread. Maybe I'd be better off with the "smaller" tractor" - especially if I could save some money. From looking at the spec's and talking with the salesman at Lashley, to me it appears that the two tractors are nearly the same size. The 1500 is about 3 inches shorter than the 2230, has smaller tires and is 35 lbs. lighter(I wonder how much of that 35 lbs. is the smaller tires?). That's not much smaller in my book - 70% of the horsepower pulling 97% of the weight(I know HP isn't everything with a diesel, but I don't have torque figures handy).

The quotes I have in hand, including a 54" MMM:

BX1500 $8,295
BX1830 $8,985
BX2230 $9,766

I would save almost $1,500 between the 1500 and 2230, but that's not very much over the life-span of a tractor.

I appreciate all the input, but no one has yet touched on my original question - are there any control differences between the 1830/2230 and the 1500?

Av8r3400 · Apr 6, 2005

The 2230 had cruise control, I don't think the 1500 does and the 1830/2230 has a gas gage. Thats about it. The 1830/2230 with the 3cyl motor is smoother IMHO than the 2cyl 1500. I would agree the size difference is negligible.

As far as the bagger is concerned, I can get mine off and on in 5 minutes now that I know how to do it. Check here Its not too difficult.

Like I said on another thread, go with the 2230: You'll never wish you went with less hp, but you will wish for more. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif