BX2200- Bagger

Anonymous Poster · Aug 22, 2000

I just purchased a BX2200 with a 54" deck. I would appreciate any feedback on how the factory bagging unit performs. The property has a lot of leaves as well as pine cones and and small twigs.
Also any feedback on the Cyclone Rake would be appreciated.
Thangs in advance.

Anonymous Poster · Aug 22, 2000

I am anxiously waiting replies to your post.
I have a BX1800 with 54" deck and really considered
the factory vac (bagger) when got tractor but I was not sure if it will pick up pine cones as well as my OLD Peco.
I noted that factory units have some sort of "composite" blades (or vanes) rather than metal ones.
I will buy one once I am convinced that it will effectively handle pine cones (as well as oak leaves).

Roy · Aug 23, 2000

Jim Z and Joe CV;

I believe that you both may be blazing new territory, so I don't know if you will get the response you're seeking. I don't recollect a single BX'er passing through this forum, who mentioned they had the bagging/vac attachment.

May be worthwhile re-posting the Cyclone Rake query under Attachments. May find a user in the wider-audience category.

Good luck. If you do decide to go with either implement, let us know how they work out.

Anonymous Poster · Aug 25, 2000

Thanks Roy. I will take your advice and re-post under attachments.

wdm · Sep 28, 2000

My BX2200 has 65 Hrs. on it. I bought it with the front loader, 60" deck and grass catcher. Although I love the tractor, I have had nothing but problems with the grass catcher. I mow three acres and try to maintain a manicured lawn. The first problem was gear oil blowing out around the gear box seals (blower side). Resolved by removing the top fill plug and installing a vent fitting. Next the PTO shaft to catcher shear pin went. Dealer fix was to replace with a 1/4"-20 X 2" mild steel bolt with lock nut. Shears bolt almost every time I mow. On the 60" deck there is an additional deflector plate that gets mounted on the discharge of the deck to help direct the large quantity of grass into the blower chute. Although the dealer drilled two holes through the deck to install it, the plate was not installed. They had to order it. When they installed the plate, they drilled two new holes leaving me with two unnecessary holes through my deck (rust). The plate did not help the shearing problem with the mild steel bolts. Their current excuse is that I need to go back to the OEM shear pin instead of the bolt, which they do not have in stock. I am giving them the benefit of the doubt, but I think the design load on the pin is to much for the torque applied. They tried to put the blame on the way I mow, which I took offense to. If I have to mow every time my grass grows an inch they better recall all these catchers. My neighbor has a JD lawn tractor with a bagger and mows at the same frequency as I do and they have had no problems. The deck and catcher cost me almost as much as they paid for their whole package. I went with Kubota for the presumed quality.

I should also mention that the sping loaded dischage flap has to be lifted to fit the blower chute on. This was poorly installed and the one bungee cord on the front of the chute would not hold it up, which allowed the flap to drop and the chute to rub the ground. Their fix was to order an additional bungee and add it to the top center of the chute. It does hold it up! I asked the dealer if they had heard anything from Kubota on this problem, since I believe that it is not unique to my machine. They gave me the standard answer, no one else has this problem. So, anyone else out there having this problem? P.S. I'll keep you posted.

Blu21 · Sep 28, 2000

To wdm,read your post and had to reply. I had some problems when my tractor was first delivered,felt I wasn`t getting anywhere with my dealer,so I ended up emailing N.H. directly,got a call the next day from a rep and (to make a long story short)they got my dealers butt in gear.Don`t want to tell you what to do but I think your getting a raw deal.Just my thought.Tom

Roy · Sep 28, 2000

Wdm; I agree with Blu21. So far, my problems have been resolved. Even the unique ones, like my taillight lens screws being striped. Demand action - escalate.

wallyr · Oct 1, 2000

Jim I have a B2710 and got the 60" deck with the grass catcher. I have a lot of pines and use it to vac. up the needles and little pine cones, I also get a lot of small pine branches. I just mounted high lift blades and went over 2 acres that were brown because there are so many pine needles my lawn is now back to green. I must have dumped the bags at least 25 times so far. I checked the impeller on the blower and it looks like new and I know that more then one rock got sucked up. We only vac. up small pine cones as we harvest the larger ones a good cash crop we are getting 8 to 12 dollars per bushal for them

watersjj · Oct 1, 2000

I use a pull behind bagger made by Agri-Fab. I purchased it from Lowe's. It has a 5 hp blower and trailer for grass. I usually can mow about 1 acre before having to empty the trailer. My BX2200 has a 54" mower. I removed the discharge chute on mower and attached the bagger chute with a plate with cut out holes that fit over the original mower chute bracket. This is held in place by a long bolt slid through the eyes and pinned. I also attached a small deflector to the bottom of the discharge chute made from thin sheet metal. This system captures approx 95 % of the grass discharged. I also use it to pick up leaves ect.

Anonymous Poster · Oct 29, 2000

I have a new BX2200 with about 85 hours on it this year. No problems. I am working with the Kubota bagger now with the leaves. I have a lot of maple and pin oak. It works about as well as you could hope to work. Cleans up lawn beautifully. My only complaint is, the holding capacity was made for a city lawn. I am constantly dumping the bags. They could have made the bags a full 10" deeper for more capacity. Still wouldn't be enough. I have standard blades on my 54" deck. They don't chop up the leaves very much and thats part of the problem. I will look for a set of Gator Blades next year. They are supposed to have them by next spring. As for grass, I have found that the slightest dew on the grass will plug the discharge chute if the grass discharge is heavy. Grass must be perfectly dry with sun shinning.

I like the John Deere catcher my neighbor has. It holds 20+ bushel and rides on caster wheels. Works great for bulky leaves. He complains though, of outboard weight of blower and discharge chute on the mower.