I live in hilly and rocky New Hampshire. I have a part grass/landscaped (2 acres) and part wooded lot. In the summer we have someone cut and collect the grass (unreliable). In the fall we use a backpack blower to gather LOTS of leaves which we then must tarp and truck off which we would prefer to compost in a remote section of our lot. In the winter we have about 5,000 square feet of driveway that I use a 300 pound walk behind snowblower to remove LOTS of snow. I also use a FEL to move that snow back. I would estimate the the bulk of our tractor time is split between mowing and snow removal.
Currently I run a Yanmar 186D 4x4 tractor loader backhoe which is a similar set up to the BX22 but the 186D tractor is a compact tractor more like a Kubota B7400 than a sub-compact BX. I have become attached to the usefullness of the backhoe for plucking rocks, transplanting sapling, and do woods work. The loader helps us move material, and aids in the snow removal, etc. The Yanmar is excellent but in order to run a belly mower and grass catcher I would have to remove the loader/backhoe subframe which would hinder its usability to me. The backhoe and loader are quick-detach like the BX, its just that the subframe they use is not and it isn't compatible with the mower deck. Up to now I have done all of the tractor work as the Yanmar is not wife-friendly (at least not my wife!). My wife cannot help with the snow removal in the winter, moving material, and neither of us can mow the lawn.
We are revisiting our options. One is to add a lawn tractor to the mix to supplement the exisiting tractor. The second option is to completely replace the current tractor and get a new one that does everything. There are space and cost issues to both.
The Yanmar lives in its own garage. To get a lawn tractor for grass and snow work would require a whole different tractor that is narrow to slip in between the cars in the garage. It can be done but only with one tractor we have found. The pricetag of that tractor is substantial but it would allow us to get all of our jobs done when coupled with the loader/backhoe functions of the Yanmar. I would prefer to have one machine that does everything and one that my wife would feel comfortable with as well. I believe the BX is more wife-friendly so that adds to my interest. Aside from the BX22 having a bit less strength on the loader and hoe than my Yanmar I was concerned about the low axle to ground clearances when playing in the woods. I am also concerned about the storage space with all of the attachments which I understand is my problem to figure out. The ideal tractor would have a automatic tranny, power steering, loader, backhoe, narrow belly mower, grass collection, and front snow blower. It would need to be very manuaverable and compact. That sounds like a BX22.
Any thoughts and input would be appreciated.
Currently I run a Yanmar 186D 4x4 tractor loader backhoe which is a similar set up to the BX22 but the 186D tractor is a compact tractor more like a Kubota B7400 than a sub-compact BX. I have become attached to the usefullness of the backhoe for plucking rocks, transplanting sapling, and do woods work. The loader helps us move material, and aids in the snow removal, etc. The Yanmar is excellent but in order to run a belly mower and grass catcher I would have to remove the loader/backhoe subframe which would hinder its usability to me. The backhoe and loader are quick-detach like the BX, its just that the subframe they use is not and it isn't compatible with the mower deck. Up to now I have done all of the tractor work as the Yanmar is not wife-friendly (at least not my wife!). My wife cannot help with the snow removal in the winter, moving material, and neither of us can mow the lawn.
We are revisiting our options. One is to add a lawn tractor to the mix to supplement the exisiting tractor. The second option is to completely replace the current tractor and get a new one that does everything. There are space and cost issues to both.
The Yanmar lives in its own garage. To get a lawn tractor for grass and snow work would require a whole different tractor that is narrow to slip in between the cars in the garage. It can be done but only with one tractor we have found. The pricetag of that tractor is substantial but it would allow us to get all of our jobs done when coupled with the loader/backhoe functions of the Yanmar. I would prefer to have one machine that does everything and one that my wife would feel comfortable with as well. I believe the BX is more wife-friendly so that adds to my interest. Aside from the BX22 having a bit less strength on the loader and hoe than my Yanmar I was concerned about the low axle to ground clearances when playing in the woods. I am also concerned about the storage space with all of the attachments which I understand is my problem to figure out. The ideal tractor would have a automatic tranny, power steering, loader, backhoe, narrow belly mower, grass collection, and front snow blower. It would need to be very manuaverable and compact. That sounds like a BX22.
Any thoughts and input would be appreciated.
