BX22 vs B21

[MikeInOnt]

Seems a lot of good chatter about the BX22. Just how do they compare to a B20/B21. I'm looking at a used B21 for about the same price as a new BX22 (you can see my earlier post re the B21 for details,) and am now wondering if perhaps a new BX22 would be just as rugged and durable?

Thanks in advance!

Mike with cdn $.

 

[Knight9]

Hi Mike,

I'm no expert, but I certainly believe that the B21 is a far more substantial machine than the BX22. It is wider, longer, heavier, has a larger displacement engine, lifts more etc. If you are looking for rugged, I would think the B21 is a better fit. If you are looking for a versatile machine that can mow around the yard and be a TLB, and a smaller size is advantageous....then the BX22 may be the way to go.

Just my $0.02 worth.

Kevin

 

[MarkV]

Mike,

I think Kevin summed it up pretty well the way I see it. Much will depend on what you plan to use the backhoe for and what your soil is like. The B21 was designed for commercial use and there for has quite a bit of extra beef built in. Digging depth and reach is one of the biggest factors to consider when looking at the small TLB’s. It gets very frustrating when you have to move your tractor every time you complete a few feet of trench. If you have a lot of rock or plan on removing a lot of stumps the bigger the better. Many, including myself, get their first backhoe and figure stumps will no longer be a problem, until they try to dig a few big ones up. I have rocks, maybe boulders is more accurate, that my B21 will not even wiggle. If your backhoe needs are light and you want a machine that will meet your mowing needs the BX may be the right machine. The B21 will not run a midmount mower and the loader is not removable.

I missed your previous post about the used B21. Prices vary regionally so much that it is hard to say what a fair price is. I my area, the prices they were quoting are about what I would expect to get for my 98 B21 with 750 hrs on it. Here, with 2800 hours, that would be to high. You are right when you say used ones are hard to come by. I looked for over a year and paid a premium price when I found mine.

Good luck,

MarkV

 

[Anonymous Poster]

If finish mowing is your top priority, no contest... BX22. If you are more likely to use a bush hog, no contest... B21. The BX22's back hoe is very capable but has just over half the power of the B21 to remove rocks and stumps. Also, the BX22 is able to handle steeper grades than the B21 with its lower center of gravity. I started with a used B21 to clean up a woods and underground some utiltiies. It has been able to handle everything efficiently. Last month my wife's birthday present was a BX22 for mountan/finish mowing and light clean-up. One thing nice about the B21 is the four post and metal roof ROP is very sturdy and I don't have to be as careful going under branches vs the BX22 which has the optional fiberglass roof. Either way, don't think you will be disapointed.