BX1850 or BX2350 for slopes

[Volfandt]

I have a very steep driveway, so I want to keep 4WD for winter snowblowing.

This rules out any lawn & garden tractor w/o 4wd........

1. For mowing small acreage (2/3 or so) on hills with trees, which is more stable, if there is a difference-- 1850 or 2350. Which if any has a tighter turning radius?

I believe they have the same same wheelbase so with the same size MMM they are probably the same as far as stablility and turning radius goes.
The difference is probably just hp and price.

The BX Scuts are some of the most stable tractors to use on slopes (w/ the FEL & BH removed if equipped). Their low center of gravity coupled with their wide wheel base make them more stable than most large lawn & garden tractors. The 4WD wil give you MUCH better brakeing and traction over a lawn & garden tractor also, especially on hills.

I would recommend asking the dealer if the rear snowblower will fit either of the BX's and if so you'll be that much more ahead of the game.

Back when I was shopp'n around the BX's were offered in pkg's, i.e. a BX2230 (now 2350) came w/a 54" MMM and FEL and priced out alot cheaper than buying a base BX then adding them. If this is still the case I'd go w/the FEL even tho you don't have much use for it other than being a counter weight. They are very handy for more than just material handling plus they'll hold their resale.
Good luck
Volfandt

 

[texblonigan]

The dealer said that my current Kubota blower (BL2660 - 60 inch) would probably work fine on the BX2350 - a little heavy, but it'll work. You answered my question about the loader -- the package is going to be cheaper in the long run and resale. When I bought my current package in 2002, I bought some pieces later (snowblower, bagger), and I know I could've done better buying them as a package. I priced out the BX2350 with loader, 54" MMM, Kubota bagger, and Meteor brand rear snowblower -- something like 16,500. The same package in the BX1850 was 15,012. Both included windshield washer fluid in the rear tires -- the dealer recommended with the loader.

 

[Double 00 Soul]

texblonigan, it's a small world. I'm also in Minnesota and considering the same two machines. I have a B3030 that is too big to use for mowing due to all the oaks & other trees on my lot. Use a Cub Cadet GT2542 for mowing right now but I'm not impressed with the traction on the slopes. Have to agree with Volfandt that with a hilly driveway, 4wd would serve you better for snow removal. I'm leaning toward the BX1850 because it's available with a smaller 48" MMM. When I do get the 1850 it will be with the front snowblower, much easier on my old neck and back. If you went with the front snowblower, you probably wouldn't have any trouble selling your rear mount blower or maybe seeing how bad the dealer wants your business by offering you a ridiculously high trade-in on it.

I couldn't find it but I remember seeing some negative comments regarding getting the rear tires filled with fluid. You may want to search some older threads on the subject. If you do get the rear tires filled, I'd get some assurances from the dealer that whomever does it is aware of our MN winter temps. so that you won't be riding on a couple of ice cubes. There's windshield washer fluid and then there's windshield washer fluid if you get my drift.

Good luck and let us know you're decision.

 

[kwolfe]

How long is the driveway your are snowblowing. I have a bx 1500 and it is a great machine. I have seen thhem in mid state PA with a loader and low hours for around $7000. I ask about the length of the drive, becasue if all you are doing is mowing 2/3 acre and snowblowing, you could consider a nice garden tractor that could take a front mounted snowblower.

If you go with another bx, I would hold off on the loader. I installed mine on my 1500 (first time ever deealing with hydraulics) and it was not very difficult at all. Simply follow the drawings. It ran me about $2500.

 

[texblonigan]

The driveway is about 300 feet, steep, and concrete. With Minnesota winters, I don't want to rely on a garden tractor with rear tire chains and differential lock. It would work, but I'm spoiled with my 4WD Kubota! Also, when I mow up and down the slopes near my shed, the 4WD is perfect - no slippage at all. I've thought about just buying a basic rider for mowing, but I would cry everytime I walked in the shed and saw the Kubota collecting dust

 

[kwolfe]

I know you haven't mentioned the BX1500, but given your needs, it might be an economical solution. I sounds like you need a good lawn mower and snow removal machine that will save your back.

I don't think that Kubota G series garden tractors have 4wd, but they are heavy (900lbs).

 

[texblonigan]

Good point -- I'd have to check on the temperature rating of the fluid.

 

[LBrown59]

How long is the driveway your are snowblowing. I have a bx 1500 and it is a great machine. I have seen thhem in mid state PA with a loader and low hours for around $7000. I ask about the length of the drive, becasue if all you are doing is mowing 2/3 acre and snowblowing, you could consider a nice garden tractor that could take a front mounted snowblower.

If you go with another bx, I would hold off on the loader. I installed mine on my 1500 (first time ever deealing with hydraulics) and it was not very difficult at all. Simply follow the drawings. It ran me about $2500.

My B7500
My loader sits in the shed all year until winter, when it serves as a counter weight for my rear snow blower.
I ended up seeding only about 2 thirds of an acre of grass
Mowing and grass catching, are my too main functions.
Texblonigan
He already has a loader and a blower so why buy another one of each?
He only needs something to mow the 2 thirds of an acre.
It don't take an expensive BX with a loader and blower to do that.
Something like my CC GT2554 with a 48 to 54 inch deck ought to handle that just fine; and for about half the price of a BX1500.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
1*If all you are doing is mowing Two-Thirds of an acre and snow blowing,
you could consider a nice garden tractor that could take a front mounted snow blower.
2*If you go with another bx, I would hold off on the loader. I installed mine on my 1500 (first time ever dealing with hydraulics) and it was not very difficult at all. Simply follow the drawings. It ran me about $2500.
=========
1*Better yet go for the nice garden tractor without any blower and use the B7500 and the snow blower he has already.
2-Why should he waist 2500 bucks on a loader when he already has one?

 

[LBrown59]

The dealer said that my current Kubota blower (BL2660 - 60 inch) would probably work fine on the BX2350 - a little heavy, but it'll work. You answered my question about the loader -- the package is going to be cheaper in the long run and resale. When I bought my current package in 2002, I bought some pieces later (snowblower, bagger), and I know I could've done better buying them as a package. I priced out the BX2350 with loader, 54" MMM, Kubota bagger, and Meteor brand rear snowblower -- something like 16,500. The same package in the BX1850 was 15,012. Both included windshield washer fluid in the rear tires -- the dealer recommended with the loader.

2* I priced out the BX2350 with loader, 54" MMM, Kubota bagger, and Meteor brand rear snowblower -- something like 16,500. The same package in the BX1850 was 15,012.
3*Both included windshield washer fluid in the rear tires -- the dealer recommended with the loader.

2*Did you get an itemized cost of the tractor & each attachment?
It's the only way you can tell if ypu're getting the best deal.
3*Filled tires turn me off for some reason.
If it was me I'd keep the B7500 and the loader and blower and by a new GT with a 48 or 54'' deck to mow the two-thirds of an acre.
3 or 4 thousand for it is a whole lot less than 15012 or 16500 for a BX.
To me it just don't make sense to spend 15 or 16 thousand dollars to mow 2 thirds of an acre when it can be done for less than a third of that amount.

 

[texblonigan]

Looking at that option as well - I'd end up buying a small garden tractor for mowing and keeping my B7500 and attachments for blowing snow and bagging leaves.