BX1830 vs. 2230

TDiPatrick · Mar 28, 2005

I'm looking at two tractors - both of which are in-stock at two different dealers. The first is a new BX2230 with 60" MMM for $9950 at a dealer close to home. The second is a new BX1830 with 54" MMM for $8,985 about 70 miles from home. My dilemma is that the one acre that I mow is heavily wooded with a split rail fence. I'd rather have the 54" deck, but the nearby dealer doesn't have one in stock, and will charge me dearly to replace the 60" deck with the smaller one. The same thing goes for the dealer with the 1830 - he's basically quoting full retail for the 2230. Adding an FEL and bagger brings the 1830 to $13,200 and the 2230 to $14,900.

The tractor will mainly be used for mowing and light landscaping for now, but we're planning to move out and pick up more land in the next few years. Also, I'd like to add a Woods backhoe at a later date. Will I miss the 4 extra HP from the 2230 if I go with the 1830? My wife is putting some pressure on me to trim this purchase down some so, if there is a big advantage to the 2230 - I may postpone the FEL to a later purchase.

Thanks for your input.
Patrick

viking65 · Mar 28, 2005

$9950 seems like a pretty good price based on my shopping experiences last year. I was quoted about $1000 more for the BX2230 with 60" MMM setup. The 60" MMM will probably let you trim closer to your fence and around trees than the 54" deck. It has been said many times on this site that nobody ever complained about more horsepower...I would get the BX2230 if you can swing it.

ByronBob · Mar 28, 2005

IMO you either go with the BX1530 or the 2230. The 1830 just isn't worth the money they get for it. The 1530 will mow just fine, comes with a 54" deck and you can get a FEL with it. You don't mention why the 1530 isn't an option.

Here comes the problem. If you move and get more land then your either going to have a 1530 which is too small for your needs or the 2230 already which can handle additional chores. So I'd find a way to get the 2230 either way. That will save you from upgrading in the short term.

Your financial issues are something you need to look at. Maybe the 2230 isn't in the budget. If thats the case I'd price the 1530 and see if you can't upgrade when necessary down the road. I just don't see for a $20 difference in the payment a month where the 1830 is a good buy.

TDiPatrick · Mar 28, 2005

( $9950 seems like a pretty good price based on my shopping experiences last year. I was quoted about $1000 more for the BX2230 with 60" MMM setup.)
It's an "in-stock" unit the dealer wants to move.
( The 60" MMM will probably let you trim closer to your fence and around trees than the 54" deck.)
My concern is more being able to get between the fence and the trees /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
( It has been said many times on this site that nobody ever complained about more horsepower...I would get the BX2230 if you can swing it.)
I'm leaning that way. Actually, just looked at my notes again and the farther dealer's price on the 2230 with 54" mower was $10,185 - maybe I should ask if he would price match the other dealer...

Thanks for the input,
Patrick

TDiPatrick · Mar 28, 2005

( IMO you either go with the BX1530 or the 2230. The 1830 just isn't worth the money they get for it. The 1530 will mow just fine, comes with a 54" deck and you can get a FEL with it. You don't mention why the 1530 isn't an option.)
The availability of the backhoe rules out the 1530 - otherwise, it probably is adequate for my current needs.
( Here comes the problem. If you move and get more land then your either going to have a 1530 which is too small for your needs or the 2230 already which can handle additional chores. So I'd find a way to get the 2230 either way. That will save you from upgrading in the short term.)
Probably will just wait to get the FEL. That brings either option within the budget.

Thanks!
Patrick

ByronBob · Mar 28, 2005

The only BH available for the 2230 is an aftermarket model. If you go that way it's cheaper to go get a BX23 vs buying the add-on.

So you go get the 2230. When your ready for the FEL and BH trade in the 2230 for the BX23.

Scrounger · Mar 29, 2005

I would consider the Woods BH and FEL when the time comes. THe prices is on par with Kubota and you can get a BX2230 with FEL and BH for less than the BX23 if you shop around enough.

Tom_H · Mar 29, 2005

I personally have always felt that once I know what body size I want a tractor to be that I would go with the most hp possible. There are a number of pto driven attachments the 22 hp engine will drive that the 18 hp just can't quite do: generators, chippers, any number of things you might decide later that you'd like to have but which just can't be operated on the 18 hp engine.

Is your wooded acre lawn or something rougher? I have a BX2200 with 60" MMM for the half acre of lawn. The other 4.5 acres grows tall weeds, some in the open, and some in an area with trees. I needed something to cut the taller weeds which could manuver between the trees. The BX is 42" wide, so I bought a GearMore 42" wide heavy duty rough cutter, a.k.a. brush hog, for about $650. It will cut anything and the matching width makes manuvering between the trees pretty easy.

Don't forget that the deflector chutes add about a foot to the width of an MMM. You might want to take some measurements between trees in your woods. How many places are > 72" wide? Now, how many are somewhere between 72" and 66"? Probably not all that many. So, how many spots are there that you really will be saved by the smaller MMM? Finally, how many spaces are > 42" and how many are < 42"? Probably most of your trees are at least 42" apart from each other. For those closer than that, you can actually back the rear angular portion of the rough cutter in and cut between trees only 30" apart.

None of us can make your decision for you, just hope these thoughts and observations are helpful. Good luck with your decision.

TDiPatrick · Mar 30, 2005

( I would consider the Woods BH and FEL when the time comes. THe prices is on par with Kubota and you can get a BX2230 with FEL and BH for less than the BX23 if you shop around enough. )
I thought about that. Funny thing is - I called a local Woods dealer and he quoted the Woods loader for $500 more than the Kubota. Of course, that's just one dealer, but even he seemed a little surprised when I told about the price difference.

TDiPatrick · Mar 30, 2005

( There are a number of pto driven attachments the 22 hp engine will drive that the 18 hp just can't quite do: generators, chippers, any number of things you might decide later that you'd like to have but which just can't be operated on the 18 hp engine.)

Good point!

( Is your wooded acre lawn or something rougher?)

It's about half lawn and half what a realtor would euphemistically call "natural area" that's pretty heavily wooded. The plan is to clean up that area and plant in red fescue. That's one reason the FEL is a must have - a lot of scrub trees to push down a big rocks to move. Also planning to order a Markham toothbar the day the tractor is delivered! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Also, the long term plan is to get 5 - 10 acres once the kids are out of school(the youngest is a sophomore in high school).

( None of us can make your decision for you, just hope these thoughts and observations are helpful. Good luck with your decision. )

Agreed it's my decision to make, but all the input is helpful. This is my first "real" tractor purchase and convincing the wife(and myself too - still a bit of nagging doubt) of the need to spend 3X the cash vs. a lawn tractor from Home Depot has not been easy. The decision was prob'ly 90% there when I originally posted the question. I just made an offer to the dealer closest to me - $14K for the 2230 with 60" MMM, FEL and bagger. If they say "Yes", it's a done deal!