BX2200 Loader/4X4 question

[LarryG]

I don't understand what your problem is. I have a BX2200 with a Curtis Cab on it. I don't have any problems with using the foot pedal or any of the controls. Also, I am 6' 4" tall and after using the BX for 2 to 3 hours at a time, have no cramped or stiffness at all. If you think that you look like a monkey with a football on a BX what did it look like on the JD455?

 

[Anonymous Poster]

I'm only 5 ft 8 and I hate the pedal on the BX, it is the most unrelaxed setup I could imagine. My wife doesn't see a problem and she's got longer legs then mine.

My Christmas wish...a BX with the pedals of my JD garden tractor (and all bigger JD's. Two pedals just where a "gas"pedal would be one for forward and one right next to it for reverse.

I still feel goofy using the BX, the garden tractor I was comfortable on in 10 minutes. I think Kubota has a lot of money invested in that rocker pedal and don't want to lose "face" by going the JD route, or maybe the JD setup is patented. The JD also allows you to use the turning brakes if you're pushing a load of dirt and you want to turn tractor, which is impossible using a Kubota HST effectively. You can of course reduce your "bite" on the load so the front wheels turning ability is active but that defeats the whole purpose.

Until something better comes along I'll keep using my rocker pedal and feeling goofy.

del

 

[TresCrows]

Yes, if you look like a Monkey on a BX what did you look like on the JD mower, a Monkey with a golf ball? If you do not like the BX, do not buy one, no point in not being happy with your purchase. I found the pedal different but quickly adapted to it and now I like it. Just what you get used to I suppose. It is kinda funny, folks making fun of the BX who have heretofore been scooting about on step-over frame Murrys and even JD's. One thing about the BX, it is a very compact tractor and the reverse flow radiator and smaller wheels that allow a short wheelbase for ease of manuvering do make it appear shorter than one would expect--I like that about it when working in close quaters. One thing, might your wife have an ulterior motive in dispariging the BX such as you keep the old mower and she gets a new kitchen makeover--just joking? That little loader on the 455 is a joke. Good luck with your shopping. J

 

[gsxr1100]

I think you guys got me wrong on my last post. The BX is a nice tractor. I just stated that my old 455 would also get the job done in my personal home application. Also I just said my wife thought I like very big on the tractor. She said the tractor was smaller that my last one (455), that’s it. I am not down grading the BX at all. I just think the petal setup is a little different. The old 455 has the pedals more toward the front of the tractor so your right leg is like on a 120 degree angle while using. The BX the pedal is more toward the back of the tractor and your leg is like at a 75 degree angle. The BX is just a bit smaller frame and you sit a little lower. These are just some minor ergonomic issues that I have. I am going to think long and hard over this one. The BX and the Ford 1220 are both good tractors. They both have good and bad things. Lastly TresCrows
, yes my wifes wants a kitchen makeover and yes she will get it (like I could say no). Woman have that “special”” power if you know what I mean /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif. By the way she also took the garage for her car and kicked me out. Okay with me, because it gives me an excuse to build a larger one for me. More space = more equipment to buy!!!![wick]


Thanks
Mike
Like I told my last ex-wife, I only drive as fast as I can see...and besides, It's all in the reflexes
-Jack Burton, Big Trouble in Little China

 

[Roy]

Correct about they each have good and bad things. There is no one perfect universal design; one size fits all solution. We all have our own quirks, likes, dislikes and personal comfort conditions. One of the worse things that you can do is put the money out for something that bothers you during operation (seat, controls, etc.). The other sin is buying something that can's do the particular task that you require. Both the BX and the 455 have owners who love 'em, and owners who don't. I don't believe that either design is so clearly superior that it is going to knock the other out of the market. When I took a 4xx for a test spin, I actually liked the feel. But… it didn't have the functional capabilities I desired. So, I went with the BX. Now, I personally don't dislike the rocker pedal (except for when it sticks /w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif), it's just that I like the JD configuration a little bit more. From what I have seen posted though, as far as general ergonomics go, the NH's seem to be the innovator.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Boy a big ditto on the NH "feel". I don't know how the new models are durability wise, but my old 83 NH has been to hell and back with nary a peep. If the old thing broke in half tomorrow I wouldn't be shocked or disappointed, because it did what no tractor should have to...exist with ME.

del

 

[Roy]

Del; If your that demanding of things, it says a lot for the durability of your tractors, and it says even more about the forgiving temperament of your wife /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif.

 

[TresCrows]

Mike, please do not think I am trying to run the 455 down but I did go by the JD dealer today, sat on one and picked up the literature not to mention that my neighbor has one. Anyway, no.(1)--the BX is smaller than the 455--not so--no way! My neighbor's eyeballs are about nabel level when we are both mounted up. The 455 has a 50 inch wheelbase and the BX a 55. The BX weighs 1300 lbs dry and the 455 965 lbs with mower attached. Length of the 455 overall is 75 inches and the BX is 92.1 inches long. no.(2), the 455 has a step over design you straddle with your legs apart and way out in front "Hog Harley" style and the BX has a flat deck step through design you sit upon like a chair with feet flat to the floor like most all utility tractors. The BX has a full length welded 3/8 steel ladder frame and the 455 has a stamped steel frame. Wheel and tire size is about the same but sitting a flat floor deck atop the ladder frame sits the whole tractor up considerably higher than the lower 455 motorcyle seating position and flatter stamped frame. no. (3) the BX has a real FE loader and can pull 4 foot box blades with a working cat 1- 3 point w/540 RPM PTO and the loader with bucket weighs about 550 lbs. and is built for stout and is very powerful. The box blade I use is about 350 lbs. The mower deck weighs in at 250 lbs and has a nice cut and removes quickly and is shaft driven. no.(4), the BX has real bevel gear 4WD and moves out with authority when commanded to do so and the hydro is smooth and I like that goofy pedal--it feels natural to me compared to the motorcycle feet way out in front position of the 455. no.(5), the 455 is a large garden tractor and the BX is a small utility tractor. All in all this may be like two mice arguing which is the most mighty but Mighty Mouse was a mighty mouse and between these two mice the BX is the mightest and it is clearly larger to boot. Sorry for the long post and not trying to offend anyone, just looking at the brochures here. PS JD is scrambling to field a competitor for the runaway succes story the BX has been for Kubota and this certainly validates the subcompact utility tractor niche. Again, goodluck with whatever brand or size machine you purchase and hope it is "just right" for you. J

 

[gsxr1100]

JR You did a great dimensional analysis, but I just know what I feel like on it and how I look. Just look big and it “feels” small. I think it has to do with the weird pedal that forces the leg up to use and that the floor is different. Just ergonomics man. One tractor is not right for everyone. My father lovers his older Fat Boy and I hate the freaken thing. To slow for my blood and it gives me lower back pain. It is visa-versa for him. He hates my Suzuki GSX-R1100 with turbo because it is a death trap and you are leaning over all the time; which causes his arms to hurt /w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif. It is to each his own.

Your data is all good but again they both have good points and both have bad. Again, both tractors would do the job just fine at my house . I had the JD and it worked just fine. Would I buy another for my personal application, yup! Would I also consider buying a BX2200, yes I would. The #1 reason why I would not buy the BX2200 is because I can buy my neighbors garaged FORD 1220 4X4 in mint shape (very, very few hours) with 6’ mower, loader, 5 ft tiller for less than a new BX2200 with only mower and loader. The problem is that the Ford 1220 is WAY to freaken big for my yard. By the time you open the beer the job is done! Well, I will have to think about it for a few weeks no need to buy something that I really don’t want or I could get a better deal.
Plus, Bike Week Here I come!!!!


Thanks
Mike
Like I told my last ex-wife, I only drive as fast as I can see...and besides, It's all in the reflexes
-Jack Burton, Big Trouble in Little China

 

[TresCrows]

Mike, I do not drink beer but I do like to ride about pretending to be working sipping my coffee. I understand what you mean about that Ford being to big--those big tractor guys get done to soon and then they have to go help moma--no fun there. It does sound like a sweet deal, perhaps you can find other uses for it to justify it's larger size. Another thing, JD was taken aback by the BX and not initially realizing what a formidable machine it was or appreciating the market it serves was going to quickly throw something togther to get in and grab some sells from loyalist. When they realized how good the BX was they decided somewhere along the line that introducing an outgunned product was not a good idea and hopefully they have gone back to the drawing board and will introduce a worthy competitor this year. I was told by a Kubota man they expected it this fall as a 2002 product (?). Obviously some speculation there. I was also told Kubota expected the BX to continue as is and their knowledge of the JD competition expected the BX to continue to lead that market and stack up well against whatever JD intoduces. Strange Kubota knows more about the JDBX than JD dealers. A new competitor in a new market would be great because, as you mention, we all like different things and hopefully it will differ enough that it will provide real alternatives in feel and function and not just a green colored clone of the BX. That would be great. Maybe you should wait. Maybe even prices might drop as a result (?). JR, Suzuki SV