BX1800 / 2200 - towing capacity?

rdricks · Mar 22, 2002

Hello all - I'm looking for some input for a (hopefully) upcoming purchase. I am in a residential area (so the BX series is probably overkill), but the toy factor of the FEL is too great. I am looking into a subcompact because I have an auxiliary drive and large level pad that is pea gravel. I have a 3000 pound trailer that I park on the pad. I am looking for something that can push the trailer in and out of my backyard, through the gravel (around 2-4" depending on the area). Any experiences towing in these type of conditions?

I am looking at the BX1800 with FEL and MMM (probably 60"). Like I said, I do not have a lot of area, but it looks like the BX may be small enough to do the grass mowing and the landscaping still left to do, and handle the trailer.

Thanks for any input -
Ryan

MrP · Mar 22, 2002

RD,

It is my understanding that the total towing capacity of the BXs is 1,750 lbs. I doubt that it will pull your trailer.

You may need to look at stepping up to something bigger.

Take a look at the 2710 it can pull a 60" deck and won't have trouble with your trailer.

Charliebrn · Mar 22, 2002

I think you'd be just fine as long as your on fairly level ground and the tounge weight doesn't exceed the capacity of the 3 pt, even at that weight. If you do a search, I've seen an adapter for the 3pt that someone here made up that would suit you well.

Jeff396 · Mar 22, 2002

Yeah, I think level ground is the key here. I sure wouldn't want to be pulling something a lot heavier than my tractor down a grade. Might be a toss up on who was moving who at that point./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Jeff

rdricks · Mar 22, 2002

Thanks for the input. The ground is level, and the toungue weight of the trailer is around 250-300 pounds. My main problem is that with my pickup I need to "Lurch" the truck back to get the trailer moved into position. I am hoping that with a small tractor I can push it more evenly, although I am still a little concerned about the gravel. I need to push the trailer through a 10' gate, and the truck just does not allow me the control I need on the pea gravel.

I hve talked to some folks, and I am convinced that a "Lawn Tractor" will absolutely not do the job. I am hoping that if I go to a subcompact it will serve my purposes.

Ryan

Anonymous Poster · Mar 22, 2002

I use my BX to maneuver my 24ft boat around my drive and in and out of my shop. There's about a 5% slope leading leading up to the pad in front of the shop and I'm driving on packed gravel. I think the boat is around 7000 lbs, I just put the little BX in low range and it handles the task beautifully. Now I wouldn't think about using such a machine for backing this boat down a ramp for launching unless I devised some pontoons to hang on the side because I'm sure the whole works would just follow the boat and trailer right into the lake. So it all depends on how much slope you plan on driving and trailer tongue weight as to the size of trailer a machine will handle. I actually used to use a little old cub cadet garden tractor to move my boat in and out of the shop but that was pushing the limits.
Anyhow, I'm sure a BX would handle your task and then you could use it to keep that gravel smooth to boot

sss · Mar 22, 2002

I've used my BX2200 to move a 22' bay boat weighing approx 4,000 lbs boat and trailer across both a gravel drive and grass without any problems.

Also would like to move a travel trailer wieghing around 6,500lbs but haven't tried yet. I was a little sceptical but stephen m.'s post gives me a little more confidence.

MrP · Mar 22, 2002

Ok. So I should pay attention....

TresCrows · Mar 22, 2002

I have pulled a loaded trailer of approx 5,000 lbs up my gravel road or down it several times. I do not know where guys get the idea the BX cannot do this, it does it easily just like my 2410 now does, it has a 55 cubic inch diesel engine and it will easily move that trailer. I would have a weld shop build me --very easy to do-----a front hitch and I would hook on that way for better balance if I were going to be using my BX regularly for heavy towing and use a weight box on the rear for balance. The rear hitch is difficult to use for a trailer becasuse it is somewhat recessed and I would not use a drawbar hitch. I hooked up to the BX rear hitch but like I said a front hitch would be easier and from experiance I find tugging that way easier to do. I think you will be fine as long as you remain on level ground, it is the braking capacity and light weight of all these compacts and sub compacts that is the real limiting factor and that is the number provided in my manuals for the BX and the 2410. A box blade or disc requires considerably more effort than was required to move that trailer. The boxblade provides it's own braking action, a trailer does not.
If you got a typical urban quarter acre lot the BX will be way overkill but there is the fun factor and the gee--wow factor. The BX is very manuverable for it's size and has a very nice finish cut and the loader is very strong and versatile, your neighbors will find many uses for it and you will become very popular. get the BX2200 if at all possible over the 1800 but that one will do fine also, I think it is about 45 cubic inches off hand.
J

rdricks · Mar 22, 2002

I agree with it being overkill for the suburban lot. At least we have about 1/2 acre instead of the normal 1/4 acre. But the toy factor for the BX is amazing! (I picture myself tilling under the lawn so that I can keep it in a steat of "almost ready" to plant).

On that subject - how is the BX size-wise for mowing a typical lot? We don't have a lot of grass (only about 6000 sq ft), but we have a lot of garden around it. Is the BX small enough to maneuver? The primary purpose would be to move the trailer(s), but I need to be able to use it as a mower / snowblower also.

Ryan