BX1850 or BX2350 for slopes

[LBrown59]

I ended up seeding only about 2/3 acre of grass !

How are you mowing this two thirds of an acre now?

 

[LBrown59]

Back to the original question:

I hit a 30+ degree slope in my yard SIDEWAYS every time I mow.
1*There is one spot where it is a little uncomfortable, but it never threatens to tip. It's just at my personal limit for where I start feeling like a "rider" rather than an "operator". Of course I do mow it one certain direction so the mass of my OEM bagger fan is on the uphill side, for whatever small difference that makes.

Probably a very limited difference between the two on turning radius. I have the 60" deck and it cuts VERY well. I couldn't fathom that anyone would EVER notice any difference between the 60" cut and the 48" cut quality except on a golf green!
2*Except that I get done 25% quicker with the extra foot. If you're on the fence, I'd do the 2350 with the 60" deck.

My tires are not fluid filled, but I do have wheel weights...~80# each wheel. They work VERY well and are probably more weight than you'd add by filling the tires. Took them off for a short time and I DID NOT like the way my machine felt, especially with loader work.

3*The loader is your call. I don't have a B7500 laying around, but the loader was indispensible for me. I will say two things: A) It'd be cheaper for you to get it now than later. B) Possible resale would be MUCH better with a loader than without.

1* That's where I use my CC GT2554 with no problem.
2*The problem with a MMM is they don't mow far enough out from the side of the tractor to get close enough to ditches and banks thus leaving a lot of back wrenching weed whacking. The narrower the mower the more weed whacking
3*He already has a FEL so why would he need another one?
>>> >>> He already has the equipment covering 83% of his need so why buy a 100% machine to cover a 17% need? >>>> >>>>


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[KeithInSpace]

LBrown59. Dude. Friend. The gentleman asked asked about stability on an 18 degree slope, if filling tires helps, and if he should get a loader should he decide on a BX series tractor. You have made it extremely clear to the entire world that your Cubbie is the best thing since the microwave, so please let him take in the collective knowledge of the forum. If he wants some overlap in his machines, that's his perogitive. Personally, I think a CubCadet ZTR would be a fine way to take care of his issue for some $3,000, BUT THAT'S NOT THE QUESTION HE ASKED. I think after completing 14 out of 33 posts (42% of this particular string), you have officially made your position known.

 

[kwolfe]

AMEN BROTHER!

 

[LBrown59]

LBrown59. Dude. Friend. The gentleman asked asked about stability on an 18 degree slope, if filling tires helps, and if he should get a loader should he decide on a BX series tractor. You have made it extremely clear to the entire world that your Cubbie is the best thing since the microwave, so please let him take in the collective knowledge of the forum. If he wants some overlap in his machines, that's his perogitive. Personally, I think a CubCadet ZTR would be a fine way to take care of his issue for some $3,000, BUT THAT'S NOT THE QUESTION HE ASKED. I think after completing 14 out of 33 posts (42% of this particular string), you have officially made your position known.

But it could very well be the solution to his problem even though he never asked that question.
One of the reasons for asking a question is the benefit of generating suggestions / solutions that might not have occurred otherwise.

 

[texblonigan]

That is one heck of a slope. I think I took my 18 degree slope with my B7500 sideways a few times, but it always felt like I was pushing it because the tractor sits so high. Thanks for the input on the 2350 and deck size, along with the loader option.

 

[KeithInSpace]

That is one heck of a slope.

Allow me to clarify: I cannot take that slope sideways in any configuration other than "mow machine". Adding the FEL (adding steel up high) or even removing the MMM (removing 250# from down low) changes the COG enough that I haven't worked up the guts to engage that particular slope sideways. Of course with FEL work, you usually have a bunch more flexibility than in your mow pattern, so it hasn't been a big deal. Watched my tractor tip once already and I'm not a fan of doing it again.

 

[Musclford]

Keith,

do you have a pic of your machine with wheel weights? How much do they stick out past the wheel? I want to fluid fill my rears so my FEL work isn't so tipsey....

 

[kwolfe]

Keith,

do you have a pic of your machine with wheel weights? How much do they stick out past the wheel? I want to fluid fill my rears so my FEL work isn't so tipsey....

I use my BB as ballast (300lbs) + 2 5 gallon buckets full of rocks placed on top if need (approx extra 150+lbs or so). You couuld also build a concrete 3pt wieght out of a plastic tub for about $30. Not so pretty but very effective and easily removed if not wanted.

 

[KeithInSpace]

Attached are three pictures that show the wheel weights. They attach to all-thread studs that are jam-nutted to the rim. They do protrude a couple inches from the rim, but I honestly never know they are there...that is unless I take them off!

They sure make a big difference to the overall feeling of stability, especially when doing FEL work without a ballast like a BB hanging off the back (when I have my hitch attached, for example, when clearing the yard or doing mulch work). And I think they add more weight than filling the tires. Guess you could do both, but I didn't want to mess with fluid unless I had to. Sure it's easy, but anything 'special' will end up being a pain sooner or later.

Just saw kwolfe post...as I mentioned, I don't TRY to rely on them exclusively, but I find myself in a great many situations where my 3PH is being used for something other than holding ballast.

The tractor actually came with the weights. My dealer doesn't sell BX tractors any other way and they were baked in the price. Unfortunately, I can't tell you how much they were or who makes them. They fit the rim bead PERFECTLY, but that could be just since it's a pretty standard rim and you can get these things most anywhere.