BX1500 vs Cub Cadet vs Legacy XL

Onelegbigyard · Mar 10, 2005

I would appreciate any input from members on a purchase decision. For 25 years I've used Simplicity equipment beginning with a 7013 many years ago and currently an older Sunstar that's reaching the clearing at the end of the path. I'm looking at a Kubota BX1500 54" deck, 50" two stage thrower, and a tiller (when the money fairy comes back I'll get the bucket!). I'm also looking at the Cub Cadet with a 23 gas air cooled same implements and the Simplicity Legacy xl 27 air cooled gas same implements. I'm leaning toward the Kubota as the dealer is excellent for service and close by, I'm not familiar with the Cub Cadet brand and Simplicity doesn't seem very commited to our area (Southern Maine). Price isn't really and issue as they are all within $200 of each other. Does anyone have any input as to the 15hp liquid cooled diesel in the kubota vs the larger air cooled gas units, and do you really notice the 4wheel drive. I have never meet a Kubota owner that didn't love their machine and that is also swaying me in the direction. Any input is appreciated

ByronBob · Mar 10, 2005

I almost bought the 1530 but my dad talked me into buying the 2230 instead. I can't speak for the other tractors but the BX series in general is a solid machine. Diesel has more power than gas IMO. The 4wd has allowed me to do things not possible without it. I see the difference most of the time in the winter mostly when plowing.
I am biased and I'll tell you if you do decide on the 1530, it's money well spent. The deck is solid, cuts awesome, built to last.
Find a way to get the loader as part of the package. It'll cost you less in the long run that way. You can bargain more in this case. If you need to drop another attachment until later do that.

MikeB2005 · Mar 10, 2005

Hi,

I don't drive Kubota, I drive Deere, but I can provide some feedback.

First, that 15 horse diesel will pull harder than a 23 horse gas and last longer in the bargain. 27 horse gas vs. 15 horse diesel I cannot really say. Diesel just doesn't give up. On my Deere, the rated RPM is 2650, but the peak torque is at 1800 RPM. So, the torque rises to meet the load if you start to lug the machine. I don't think you'll get that with a gas engine.

You only notice 4 wheel drive when you would be stuck without it. Then you are REALLY glad you have it. Also, it is almost required when using a loader on a small machine.

Finally, 50" snowblower sounds like a lot for a 15 horse machine. I think the rule of thumb is 5 PTO HP per foot of blower. That would put you around 23-25 HP for a blower that size.

Mike

BXRICK · Mar 10, 2005

I bought a BX1500 two years ago to clear snow, cut grass, and generally mess around with. Couldn't be happier with it.
The 4WD is great, and I think necessary on such a small and lightweight machine. I'm plowing snow on a level driveway with turf tires. I'd probably add chains to the mix before thinking about bar tires.
Find a way to get the FEL.
And, seeing that you're in Maine, get some sort of a block heater. I just use a $29 magnetic heater, which works very well, but someday I'll get the freeze-plug heater just because it's more convenient, once it's installed.
I have zero experience with the other machines.

ducati996 · Mar 10, 2005

If money is not an issue get the diesel versions. And then look at the Cub 5000 series 5234D, not much of a price difference between the gas and diesel, so why not go with the diesel?
Its more machine than the Kubota, and the feedback on the 5000 has been very positive. Not much feedback on the XL
on this board and others...

Ducati

viking65 · Mar 10, 2005

I have a Cub 5234D, 3 cyl. diesel, 4wd, 60" MMM and bar tires. Purchased last fall for just under 10k. I use it to plow snow with a 6' rear blade, I also use a 5' blade to scrape up dirt and rocks. Other attachments include a 24" dirt scoop, 4' box blade, PHD and carry all. I'm 6'5", 230 and the 5234D has plenty of room and a comfortable seat.

I also checked out the Kubota BX2230, the JD 2210 and the Massey GC2300. I liked the seperate peddles for forward and reverse unlike the Kubota and the Massey which use a single treddle/rocker peddle. If I recall all the important specs for each tractor are very close. One that stuck out was PTO hp. The Cub has 20 the others have 16 to 17 hp at the PTO. I'm sure I'll be corrected if I am off on those numbers in the slightest.

The JD and Kubota were also more money. The JD $2500 more and the Kubota was $1k to $1500 more. The Massey was pretty competitive in price. All are great tractors, the Cub just fit me the best and I have a very good Cub Cadet dealer.

If you're interested I have some pics posted in the photos section with the 6' blade hooked up under "other brands" then Cub Cadet.

Have fun shopping!

67Bird · Mar 23, 2005

Hi everyone,
I've been lurking here for quite a while. I just wanted to stop by and give a little info on the Simplicity XL. I purchased this unit 4 months ago after testing the Kubota BX series and looking at the Cub. I purchased the Simplicity because of the ease of attachments installation and removal and the mowing ability. I owned a B7100 and probably would have never got rid of it if it had power steering. Though I was not really happy with the mowing ability. The Simplicity has the best mow of any tractor I've seen. I actually had the opportunity to dig ( my yard is torn up to build a garage) with both tractors and the Simplicity worked just as good as the BX. Actually a friend of mine had his B2150 there and we compared the digging ability of the two also. The B2150 is a much bigger tractor but the Simplicity could keep up with the B2150. It may take a little longer to dig the same amount... But the two are built for different tasks.

To sum it up I purchased the Simplicity XL 4x4 with the 27hp diesel and I'm quite happy. The BX is a nice tractor and if I wanted a backhoe... the 2230 would have been my choice for the money.
The Simplicity is great for the average home owner who wants to do small projects and doesn't mind spending a little more time doing them. The mowing ability and ease of loader removal is well worth giving the Simplicity a look.
I probably would have bought the BX if I would not have had the opportunity to test them side by side and if I didn't have such a good Simplicity dealer in the area. Orange and green sells quite well around here.

Tom

LBrown59 · Apr 5, 2005

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Hi everyone,
I've been lurking here for quite a while. I just wanted to stop by and give a little info on the Simplicity XL. I purchased this unit 4 months ago after testing the Kubota BX series and looking at the Cub. I purchased the Simplicity because of the ease of attachments installation and removal and the mowing ability. I owned a B7100 and probably would have never got rid of it if it had power steering. Though I was not really happy with the mowing ability. The Simplicity has the best mow of any tractor I've seen. I actually had the opportunity to dig ( my yard is torn up to build a garage) with both tractors and the Simplicity worked just as good as the BX. Actually a friend of mine had his B2150 there and we compared the digging ability of the two also. The B2150 is a much bigger tractor but the Simplicity could keep up with the B2150. It may take a little longer to dig the same amount... But the two are built for different tasks.

To sum it up I purchased the Simplicity XL 4x4 with the 27hp diesel and I'm quite happy. The BX is a nice tractor and if I wanted a backhoe... the 2230 would have been my choice for the money.
The Simplicity is great for the average home owner who wants to do small projects and doesn't mind spending a little more time doing them. The mowing ability and ease of loader removal is well worth giving the Simplicity a look.
I probably would have bought the BX if I would not have had the opportunity to test them side by side and if I didn't have such a good Simplicity dealer in the area. Orange and green sells quite well around here.

Tom )</font>

I checked out the Simplicity and went with the kubota BX323 because I couldn't see paying $6000 more for a Garden tractor than I did for a Sub Cut.