Help with tractor choice

[Anonymous Poster]

Looking for a tractor for residential mowing 3 acres, brush cutting 1.9 acres with front loader capabilities. I'm very impressed with the BX2200 with the 60"MMM and loader and think it will meet all my requirements. However, the local NH dealer has a 95 Ford 1620 HST with 72" MMM that I could add a loader to for a price under the BX2200. The 1620 is a 27HP (22PTO HP) tractor that was used by a park service in Texas exclusively for mowing (3pt hitch/rear PTO has never been used - paint is still inside lifting arm rings). Question is should I go with a larger tractor even though its used with approx. 2,300 hrs which would have a bigger loader and could handle a larger brush cutter/rear attachments or should I go new with the BX2200 which I think would do what I needed and would have a warranty. Primary uses will be as follows: 90% finish mowing; 10% brush cutting and/or loader work.

 

[Golfgar4]

The question is which one are you most comfortable with? There's only a 5 hp difference between the two. Is that additional 5 hp worth not having a warranty? It sure doesn't sound like you need the extra horses. You also need to think about resale/trade-in value if and when you decide to move up or out. Did you check the maintenance records on the Ford? I work for a municipality, and can vouch for the fact that the employees have a tendency to not care how the equipment is treated because it isn't theirs. It may look alright, but it could beat to _ _ _ _ /w3tcompact/icons/sad.gif. If it were me, I think I'd go with the BX2200. IMHO /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif.

 

[RoyJackson]

Also concur with the BX2200.
I'm in about the same situation as you...3 acres, etc. Also, I liked the lower CofG of the BX2200.
However, I ended up buying a JD 670 w/ FEL and 60" finishing mower (and since the 670 had <600 hours) for a lot less money.
IF I'd the spare cash , I'd of got the BX2200.
I really think they're a nice little tractor!

 

[Anonymous Poster]

I agree that the 5hp is not that significant but I guess my holdup is the overall tractor size comparison. The 1620 could use a loader with lift capacities over 1,000 lbs and breakout forces approaching 1,800lbs. Also the 1620 would handle larger implements if the need arose. I guess the underlying question is how well does the loader on the BX work for typical applications (moving dirt, hauling firewood, etc.) and how well does the 3pt handle a 4ft box scraper or 4ft brush cutter as those would be the 2 implements I would have the most use for

 

[Charliebrn]

YOu said that 90% of your use would be finish mowing...if so, than remember that the extra weight of the ford will work against you. I really wouldn't want more weight on my lawn than the BX with turfs, as it is I try to be careful. As far ast the 4ft box blade, I have a Woods GB48, and it handles it just fine in clay as long as your not running in mud where you lose traction, and then ags might be better than my turfs. With the FEL, I handle overflowing buckets of clay, all kinds of dirt, firewood, etc, without a problem. Once i even lifted 720 lbs of cement mix up 6' high (not that I recommend it, but the BX DID do it).

Drive the Ford, too. A lot may depnd on the transmission. The BX hydro is a beautiful thing, as well as the feather-touch steering....

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Thanks for the reply - I'm really leaning toward the BX but wanted to make sure that the BX could properly handle a 4' box and that the loader was adequate for normal functions around a home. Another area of concern is the use of a brush cutter - I'd like to be able to run a 4ft brush cutter with either. I know the Ford will handle a 5fter easily and could probable handle a 6 footer with proper balancing. However, I'd be happy with a 4fter behind the BX, if it can handle that size for normal cutting with very few saplings. I'd use the MMM but am afraid the unlevel terain could damage the MMM. Anyone please offer experiences

 

[r0GuE]

The answer to this is a personal specific answer, to me, I would consider a machine with 2300 hours on it to be so used as to not merit my attention. I am buying a tool to make my life easier, the last thing I need is to worry about a big maintenance a few month after I bring it home.
Used by the Park Service, ok... used by "non-owners" and probaby low pay employees at that. (I doubt they payed much attention to taking great care of it).
There is nothing you want to do that you can't do with a brand new BX. Add the loader later (or sooner if you can).

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Got a solid quote at a South Texas dealer for a BX2200, FEL, and 60"MMM for $12,000 even. As this is the best I've got in the area so far, is this a good price or should I keep looking.

 

[TresCrows]

The FEL on the BX is very capable and will do the things you mention easily. It will also handle the Kubota 7548 4 foot boxblade nicely. I think the KK 40 inch brushcutter to be a better match than a 48 inch KK.
How do I know this--I have a Kubota 2410 and a BX2200. I have used a 48 inch brush cutter on the BX and a 4 foot box and have moved and dug mountains of dirt with the mityBX.
The other choice you mention--well---I cannot help you out--there are new car people and used car people--I like new cars so I guess that goes to my tractor purchasing as well. I like to get a new vehicle and then run it till it is no more and then go get another nice, new, reliable, clean, fresh, shiney and happy vehicle. I suspect wearing my Kubotas out will be very diffucult--but if I ever do I will go get another new one--but that is just me. Perhaps you should look at the excellent B7500 also. Since you say 90 percent mowing--the BX is by far---far and away--hands down and with no comparison----a much better lawnmower than the 7500 or 2410 could ever wish to be.
J

 

[PowerMax]

<font color=blue> ... the BX is by far---far and away--hands down and with no comparison----a much better lawnmower than the 7500 or 2410 could ever wish to be</font color=blue>

Uh, oh. Now you've gone and done it, J. I'm waiting for the backlash from the 7500/2410 owners - or maybe not. Maybe its the case of a quantifiable fact that cannot be debated. I don't know. You are, however, "in the know" - being a proud owner of both. Life is full of compromises, as it's tough to find a great TLB that will also mow your lawn like a carpet. Kubota's seems to have the line-up to 'fit the bill' pretty well, though. IMHO

PowerMax

 

[Knight9]

Ok Tres, I'll bite...

<font color=blue>the BX is by far---far and away--hands down and with no comparison----a much better lawnmower </font color=blue>....it's nice to hear you admit finally that the BX is actually a lawnmower /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif/w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

....obviously I'm kidding here, but I just had to say it! /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif/w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

I actually haven't used by 2410 to mow lawn with yet. I seeded last fall and it was still to sparse to bother before winter. With any luck I'll have an informed opinion on the mowing capability of the 2410 some time later this spring.

Kevin

 

[Moon]

TresCrows typed:
"... the BX is by far---far and away--hands down and with no comparison----a much better lawnmower than the 7500 or 2410 could ever wish to be".

I, for one, would be very interested in having you expand on that statement. Why would you say the BX superior?
Thanks,
Moon

 

[TresCrows]

Moon, I am not sure I understand your question. Why do I say the BX is superior to the 2410 as pertaining to mowing. Dude!!!!, it is very easy to say that because it is a fact. I have both a BX and a 2410 and while I have not mowed extensively with it yet I have tried out the MMM. It is a step back, a pretty big step back, in 1. ease of operation and adjustment, 2. it is more diffucult to remove and install (that is a fact--I got both and my skinny arms and poor back are an excellent diffuculty meter), 3. the BX MMM is of a superior design, is balanced and fully suspended with anti scalp rollers unlike the ground contact 2410 MMM 4. the BX 60 inch MMM has a superior finish cut that is evident when they are used side by side and in fact when I ran both tractors through an area of dried grass and stubble and broam with alfalfa, the BX cut through easily leaving a nice looking cut while the 2410 60 inch MMM clogged up leaving clumps of cuttings and when it clogged up the engine would drag a bit! 5. The BX is more manuverable, turns tighter regardless of what the brochure says, does not tear up the lawn, trims in closer and can manuver in tight places better and 6. it is more stable on slopes. 7. the BX MMM height can be controlled from the seat via a simple height control knob whereas the 2410 you have to set the height on oodles of ground dragging wheels with a wrench and the BX deck lifts up and then stows in a lock poition with the flick of the wrist whereas the 2410 one must get of, find all the pins and clips and then wrestle the heavy thing into the lock postion and then get the pins stuck in it before you drop one into the grass and loose it forever. 8. Did I mention how the heavier 2410 will tear the lawn and rut it up or how the MMM wheels drag into the ground and leave mini furrows--well I just did.
Sorry if this is upsetting news but there you have it. That is why I can easily and with no regrets say--the BX is better at mowing than the B2410, B7500 etc and since many purchasers use their small tractor for probably 90 percent mowing that leaves the BX as number 1, ONE.
J

 

[Moon]

Thanks Tres! I appriciate your answer and detailed description. Exactly what I was hoping for! Rookies like me looking to buy real soon can learn alot from comparisons like that.
Thanks Again,
Moon
ps. sorry if it was a rather dumb question.

 

[TresCrows]

No problem Moon, I just was not sure exactly what you were asking so I am glad I was able to help you. I love my new 2410, don't get me wrong, but I still love the BX also for the reasons i liked it to start with are still valid.
Hey, King Kutter is releasing it's new so called XB (BX bacvkwards) implements which include a very nice double wheel 48 inch brush cutter and some other neat stuff sized especially for the BX. For cutting a souther briar patch I would still stay with the KK 40 inch cutter but for general cutting the XB KK 48 inch rotary cutter looks like a great unit. They got'em at Atwoods, yehah!!!!!!, there is also a 3 point finish mower, a gang disc and a boxblade and yard rake and a middle buster and a 5 foot rear blade!!!!!!!
J

 

[Nuru]

Hey, I use Tres to get tips on stuff for my JD 4100 too., He really tends to provide valueable info a great deal of the time, but then there are the Deere Jokes, but then again, I do the "Bota" Joke thing on occassion.


Tres, I am still debating on whtehr I will get a 60" or 54" deck, the pricing is now a little closer at one particular dealer in the NE.