BX1850+BX24, does this make sense or am I an idiot?

montelatici · Mar 28, 2008

Ok, I have a BX24 TLB with a 60 inch MMM and used it to mow about 1 acre of lawn and 4 acres of field last year. Took the mower off in the fall and found the BX24 so much better at getting around and doing FEL and B/H work. And, taking the mower off is not easy and putting it back on is probably harder.

Decided to look around for a good lawn/garden tractor for mowing. I looked at the Kubota offerings including the ZTRs that were diesel (I want a diesel and liquid cooling) and John Deere diesels. Well, at the end of the day the least expensive option was the GR tractor at $7,400. Well, then I asked the dealer what a new BX1850 would be with a mower only (48 or 54) and he said $8,800/$8,900. For that relatively small difference I can't see myself buying a lawn tractor however nice. Does anyone disagree? What am I forgetting? Oh, he offered to buy back the 60 inch at no less than $800. But I will probably keep it.

Dyer retired · Mar 28, 2008

montelatici said:
Ok, I have a BX24 TLB with a 60 inch MMM and used it to mow about 1 acre of lawn and 4 acres of field last year. Took the mower off in the fall and found the BX24 so much better at getting around and doing FEL and B/H work. And, taking the mower off is not easy and putting it back on is probably harder.

Decided to look around for a good lawn/garden tractor for mowing. I looked at the Kubota offerings including the ZTRs that were diesel (I want a diesel and liquid cooling) and John Deere diesels. Well, at the end of the day the least expensive option was the GR tractor at $7,400. Well, then I asked the dealer what a new BX1850 would be with a mower only (48 or 54) and he said $8,800/$8,900. For that relatively small difference I can't see myself buying a lawn tractor however nice. Does anyone disagree? What am I forgetting? Oh, he offered to buy back the 60 inch at no less than $800. But I will probably keep it.

Montelatici,

I have a BX 1800 (2003) and, like you, find the unhooking and hooking up of the 54" mmm fairly painful. I have figured out some little tricks to make it easier, but it's always something.....the splines on the shaft won't line up with the PTO...mostly because I'm upside down and laying halfway across the mower deck with pieces of metal digging into my side. I admire your thinking and would have a barn full of tractors specifically suited to different tasks....if I could afford it, convince my wife (actually, she's tricky. The last time I said I needed a tractor, she said, "Why don't you go buy one?") and if I had the space to keep it under cover, I'd probably do just what you're thinking of. My truck sits outside year round while the Kubota enjoys it's own bay, so being under cover would be a must for me. I make pretty short work of mowing with my BX 1800, but don't have a great deal of lawn, so I mow the ditches in front of the house to help justify. It's great and I would think somewhat comparable to the 1850? He who dies with the most tractors....... Good luck and let us know. Dyer, retired

montelatici · Mar 28, 2008

I have room in my barn for the second tractor, so that is not the problem. My question was more whether there is something about a Kubota diesel garden tractor (with whiz bang turning capability according to the dealer, something called glide steer) that would be advantageous over a regular tractor with a mower for mowing. I know the small BX will hold its value more than a garden tractor, even if it is a Kubota.

offcamber · Mar 28, 2008

This is what I have done but backwards...I have a Scotts (John Deere) 23hp garden tractor with a 48" deck and bagger setup. I have used this for mowing about 7 years with out any problems....I needed a FEL and wanted BH so I bought the BX24. So i have one tractor for heavy work and one for mowing....I could not mow mt yard with the BX....I would have to take off the FEL and BH jus to be able to manuver it around the yard easily. Good Luck

montelatici · Mar 28, 2008

Yes, that is my thinking. It is less hassle to have two tractors.

Matt_Jr · Mar 28, 2008

When I bought my BX24 I had mostly mowing in mind with a little of the playing in the dirt and oh yeah, driveway maint. The loader and hoe come off very easy so usually I have just the mower on. I've taken the mower deck off probably 10 times in the 2 years I've owned it and just suck it up. However I can see very clearly how a 2nd tractor could be usefull. My wife could help cut the grass

David_Kb7uns · Mar 28, 2008

No your not an idiot....well if you want to call yourself one you can. started out with a rear finish mower for the L3130. Well the L3130 was too heavy so went with the BX2230 with loader and mower, added bagger later. The BX2230 with loader and roll bar gets a little cumbersome around the trees and was a pain to take the loader on and off all the time and plus sarted racking up a lot of hours mowing. Started looking for a good lawn mower at Home Depot, Lowes, and local farm supply. Guess what you get for $1800 range still is junk. So looked at the Big Orange, the GR2100 was having some problems at the time with the trans and the Glide Steer clutches but found a G2160-60 with the 60 inch deck that is the same as the BX2230 deck. So the G2160-60 came home and between the two mowing and bagging the flats and hills is quicker. With the new GR2110 out they fixed the problems but the 54 inch deck is the biggest they have. Not having the ROPS on the mower helps under the trees and is quicker. Having the BX with the bagger and 4wd is good on the hills. Whatever you decide the machines are just about bulletproof and will last along time and you will have to think out your needs.
David Kb7uns

JJPP · Mar 28, 2008

Why not a commercial zero turn? They hold their value well if maintained and would make the job much faster. Why do you think lawn services use them. (easy to sell to a lawn service if well maintained ). I understand if your not comfortable with them but with a little practice they are much more suited for mowing than a 1850. This is from an owner of a bx1850. If I could have both I would. I hate going in circles to get that last little bit of grass or having to get the trimmer out.
In the end speed and quality always wins! (more time to play on the bx24)

LBrown59 · Mar 28, 2008

montelatici said:
Yes, that is my thinking. It is less hassle to have two tractors.

Take it from a guy who has been there and is doing that.
Your plan is a great idea.

I have a BX23 with a 60 inch MMM and a new BX1500 with a 48'' MMM.
Would not trade this combo for anything.
You can't beat the convenience that the 2 tractors offer with anything else except owning 3 tractors which I just happen to have counting the used BX1500 with a front blade and a tiller on the back.

LBrown59 · Mar 29, 2008

Matt_Jr said:
When I bought my BX24 I had mostly mowing in mind with a little of the playing in the dirt and oh yeah, driveway maint. The loader and hoe come off very easy so usually I have just the mower on. I've taken the mower deck off probably 10 times in the 2 years I've owned it and just suck it up. However I can see very clearly how a 2nd tractor could be usefull. My wife could help cut the grass

Sometimes me and my wife mow together.
When we do that's a 9 foot wide swath which makes quick work out of mowing our 2.33 acres.