BX1800

Anonymous Poster · Jun 11, 2002

Seriously looking at a BX1800 after owning (happily) a JD 445 for six years. Looking for the diesel and 4wd upgrades as the bigger part of my rationale. I cut a little over 4 acres and I don't need a loader. I would probably buy a 60" MMM and front hyd blade for snow and a box blade or rear grader blade for moving dirt around. I will eventually buy a PTO sprayer as well.

Would I be any better off with the BX2200 for the extra $$$ since the lighter weight of the 1800 will make it easier on my lawn? Does the MMM have a mulching option?

Repeat: No loader in my future, cutting about 4 1/2 flat acres with the 60" MMM.

Any BX1800 owners opinions would be very much appreciated in addition to other comparative advice. Thanks in advance.

Craig

rdricks · Jun 11, 2002

I can't answer all of your questions, but I'll give you my input. I was looking at the BX1800 also. Ended up with the BX2200 because it was only $300 more. Was it necessary? Probably not, but I'll never know for sure. For mainly mowing the BX1800 should do just fine.

There is a mulching option for the MMM. I have the mulching kit installed on my mower. It is around $200 and consists of some steel shielding to improve airflow and block the exit. I installed it myself - about 1 1/2 hour (unexperienced time) and around 15 holes to drill. That Kubota steel on the mowers is tough to drill through! I am very pleased with the mulching kit - haven't felt the need to purchase additional mulching blades though. The standard blades are working just fine.

Will_C · Jun 11, 2002

You may want to reconsider a FEL after getting the price on a front blade. When I bought my tractor , I was quoted $1750 for the front blade as opposed to $2400 for the FEL.

NY_Yankees_Fan · Jun 11, 2002

Instead of using a front blade for snow, you may want to consider a 3 pt snow blower. I picked up a new Pronovost Puma 54 inch unit for a $1000.00, just another option to think about.

I would go for the BX2200 for the few extra $$, just for the peace of mind and the future resale value. If you by a FEL you will find a 1000 uses for it.

Have fun.

Tom

GFB · Jun 11, 2002

I have had a BX1800 for about a year with FEL and rear blade. Have yet to find anything reasonable that I could not do that another 4 HP would have done. Limitation is definitely traction. I have filled the rear tires (turf) for added traction and stability. If you don't get a loader you probably won't miss it, but.....anyone who has ever had one won't ever have a tractor without one. I love my bota.

Gerry

oombala · Jun 12, 2002

how tall on average is your grass, when youve cut it using the mulching kit? does it slice and dice the clippings or leave a wet glob of grass on top? i have a bx2200 enroute this week...

12ashman · Jun 12, 2002

I have a BX 1800 with a fel, 5' landscape rake and a 54" MMM and am absolutely satified with the smaller BX. In my case there was a $1400.00 difference in cost between the BX's.
The BXs biggest limitation is its weight and traction; it will spin all four wheels when put to task.

gobbler · Jun 12, 2002

I've got the BX1800 w/ the 54" MMM. Woods GTO40 tiller and Woods rear blade. No problems or limitations encountered. Right now, there is a factory rebate on the BX1800, but not the BX2200. The difference in price for my configuration was about $1400.

Just to give you a comparison, the BX1800 w/ 54" MMM was priced at $7950 after the rebate. I could have exchanged the 54" MMM w/ the 60" for additional $100 but for my needs the 54" MMM was a better fit.

Jim

MrP · Jun 12, 2002

Craig,

No FEL??? Do you have any need for a 3PH? If not, consider a ZTR mower with a pull behind boom sprayer.

If you are going to get the tractor, I would spend the extra $300 and get the BX2200. Then again, I have learned my lesson with buying tractors without FELs. I'll never buy another tractor without a FEL. It's just too darn useful. I gar-ron-tee you will find 1000+1 uses for the FEL once you have one.

Anonymous Poster · Jun 12, 2002

I definately want a 3PH PTO sprayer and the ability to use a box blade. I have a Befco brodcaster and a Vassar landscape rake I use with my 445 that I will be able to use with the BXxx00. It seems like the BX is set up more for the loader and I have become pretty fond of my front blade with hydraulics. By the time I outfit the BX with a hydraulic front blade, the loader is almost as cost effective.

Thanks for the advice. The dealer I am talking to gave me a first round price of $10,000 for the 1800 w/ 60" MMM and $10,500 for the 2200 with the same deck. The Loader is $2,350. I'm pretty sure he'll deal a little bit. he didn't even mention the rebate on the 1800, which is listed as $300 at Kubota.com

Craig

MrP · Jun 12, 2002

Craig,

My dealer quoted me $12,500 for a BX2200 with FEL and 60" MMM. I understand that Steve Carver's shop is about $400 less. You may want to check them out (at least as a negotiating position). The Hydrolic front blade would be a nice addition to a BX. Make sure you get the 4 pos. hydrolics. I believe that has been addressed in another thread.

Best of luck to you.

How about registering so we can learn a bit more about ya. Where are you located? How much land do you have? etc.

drcollie · Jun 12, 2002

Rather than a blade for the front (requires a 4-way valve) and one for the rear, reconsider the FEL. You can do everything you can with the other two attachments plus MOVE snow (rather than pushing it). A box blade on the back is like a FEL on the front.

60" Mower deck will bang around a bit more than the 54". The 60" deck has 'self-leveling' springs on the rear but the deck can still get going side to side moreso than the lighter and smaller 54" unit. The tendency is to scalp the yard if that happens on uneven terrain.

Dooze · Jun 13, 2002

I have a BX1800 with a 54" deck, 40" KK Rotary Kutter and a front mount snowblower. I used a 60" deck at first but due to spacing of trees around the yard, I opted for the 54". The 1800 performs way beyond my expectations. I mow 3 1/2 acres every week and abou 2 acres of very rough and sometimes wet terrain about every three to four weeks. I looked at the 2200 but decided to put the extra money into attachments and have been very pleased with my decision.

rdricks · Jun 13, 2002

I typically mow about once a week - grass length varies, but typically it is around 4". The rule of thumb with the mulching kit is to never cut more that 1/3 of the length of grass. I have not had any trouble with the mulching kit leaving clumps of grass behind as long as I follow this rule - you can't see the clippings on the ground when you are done.

"how tall on average is your grass, when youve cut it using the mulching kit? does it slice and dice the clippings or leave a wet glob of grass on top? i have a bx2200 enroute this week... "

rmcess · Jun 19, 2002

Craigmeiser,
The only Question of yours I have not seen answered is the weight difference between the 1800 and 2200.
By the shop manual the BX2200 is 1301 lbs. and BX1800 is 1257 lbs.I don't think that is an issue. The BX is however a lot heavier than the JD 445 you have now that weighs in about 815 lbs, all weights without deck.
I went from a JD 425 to the BX2200 and am extremly happy with my decision. I was tearing up more turf by spinning than by weight, I love the 4WD.
For your use as you describe I am confident the 1800 would be OK but if there is not much price difference in your case you might give thought to resale. There is a reason the 1800 has a rebate and the 2200 does not. (not as much demand)
Good luck, If you have it narrowed down to a BXxx00 you cant go wrong.

TresCrows · Jun 19, 2002

Go ahead and order the 2200 with FEL. The boxblade you want will be much more useful with the FEL -- the two are used together, a box without an FEL would be much less useful and vice versa. Don't bother with a front blade. Get a rear blade for the BX. The weight difference is not very much but the 2200 has a larger displacement engine by approx 10 cubic inches, that is a big difference in power/torque. The BX loaded with the FEL and boxblade will have plenty of traction to utilize all 22 horsepower. J

Hoosier_Daddy · Jun 19, 2002

I have a friend that bought the BX1800 and then traded this spring for the BX 2200. He mows up a pretty good grade to the pond. He said he can't believe the difference it made for him. And, was mad at himself because he lost some money on the trade.

I bought the BX 2200 with FEL and a Box blade.. I Have no complaints. The FEL has been the frosting on the cake at my home. Wife loves it. We have done a lot with it in the past 2 months. 5 minutes to mount and 5 minutes to un-mount.

I have one complaint though that isn't really a complaint: I showed the wife how to hook up to and unhook the loader. That may have been a mistake......

But, for the 300. dif, go with the 2200.. You won't be sorry.

Tom

Hootie · Jun 20, 2002

I am delighted with my 2200! I have a FEL, 60" MMM and Woods BB. For the extra $300, my money would be with the 2200. You do not ever see anyone in here saying they wish they had a little less horsepower!! The point on the rebate is correct, the 2200 is much more in demand. You should be able to get the 2200, equiped like mine for around $12,300 or less.

Hoosier_Daddy · Jun 20, 2002

I have a feeling that because most people are buying the 2200 and they are offering a rebate on the 1800 that Bota just may drop the 1800. My dealer didn't order any 1800's this year. He has been selling the 2200's like crazy. He told me that his biggest sellers this year have been the 2200's and 3710's......