Mowing Kubota Bagger for BX 70 Series

robertm · Oct 19, 2016

I am looking to purchase a bagger for my BX2670. I like the compact size of the factory bagger. I anticipate grass collection mostly, but want it to pick up small sticks and leaves from a few sycamore trees that are time consuming to rake. The sticks are smaller than pencils, usually.
What are you experiencing with the Kubota bagger? I really don't like the DR and the Cyclone dragging behind, not to mention storage. Is the Kubota worth it?

bellweather · Oct 19, 2016

I agree about the DR and Cyclone tow behind, both of which I considered but rejected because they are so bulky. I have a Kubota bagger on my BX22 and it works very well, but with limitations. It may not pick up all those little sticks and it doesn't make a clean sweep of pine needles, especially if your grass is on the tall side. It does a very good job on grass clippings and leaves. Just be aware that if there are lots of leaves, those bags will fill up pretty fast and you will be emptying them frequently. Another issue, at least with my bagger, is that clumps of encrusted grass stuck to the underside of the deck can get sucked in and if they are big enough you will break a shear bolt. It's a bit of a PITA to replace a shear bold because it involves removing the large metal cover from the drive-line housing. Best way to avoid the clumps breaking shear bolts issue is to avoid cutting wet grass. Those caveats aside, I think it's a good unit.

robertm · Oct 20, 2016

Thank you. I have no buildup on the deck as I mow dry. I don't have needles, but expect the sycamore pie plate-sized leaves to fill the bags. I'd like the bags, though, to allow me to dump grass clippings in the garden to choke out weeds between plants. I don't think the DR or Cyclone would really pick up twigs well, either. The new bagger for the 70-series BX is supposed to be a two-minute on/off after setup, so I may just pull the trigger in spring. I raked grass way too much this year, and I'm thinking of a Q/D hose like the Cyclone to direct connect to the blower portion to utilize the bagger as a vacuum in the flower beds in fall for leaves.

milkman · Oct 20, 2016

I have the Kubota bagger for my BX2200 and the only complaint for me is the size of the bags and the fact that it won't transfer if you get a different mower and you're limited to Kubota owners if you ever want to sell it, but sounds like that will work well for you. I used a tow behind for a couple of years and hated every minute of it. The only pro I could see to the tow behind is the capacity, the extra engine is noisy and the maneuverability sucks if you have a lot of obstacles to mow around or between. When I was looking, the only other model that I considered was the TRAC VAC Model 662, it would fit other tractors, but it has the gas engine that I didn't want to deal with. I have since bought a Zero Turn and now just mulch the leaves so don't use the bagger much.

robertm · Oct 26, 2016

Well, I received a quote for the Kubota bagger just shy of $2,300 with the boot. The Protero is $3,000. I'm not sure which makes sense. The bags are nice to place clippings in the garden, but fill quickly and require on/off the tractor. Protero... dump from the seat. Regardless, I'm not interested in dragging a Cyclone or Yard-Vac. $2300-$3000 just seems like OUCH!

Fiziksgeek · Oct 26, 2016

I really like my Protero PV18-PTO model. Its a little bigger than the traditional bag units, no worry about bags wearing out, quick dump from the seat, and ie generic, so take it from tractor to tractor is you ever change.

milkman · Oct 26, 2016

PM sent your way.

milkman · Oct 26, 2016

Here's a link to what the Kubota bagger looks like.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/87494-bagger-install.html?highlight=

Jeff H · Oct 30, 2016

I just picked up all the leaves for the first time yesterday with my GCK60-23BX bagger on my 60 series BX25. It worked great. I have owned the tractor new since 2009, but I just bought the bagger, used, earlier this year. I bagged the grass all summer and yesterday was the first leaf pickup. And of course, now I am saying, why didn't I buy this when I got the tractor, as grass cutting is the primary mission of my BX25. I like the frame mounted GCK60-23BX, it mounts tight to the back of the tractor and doesn't involve the three point lift arms.

JimBinMI · Nov 22, 2016

I use the Cyclone Rake and love it. Reduces the bulk and holds a lot. Just bought a larger Tapered Commander bag from Cyclone Rake since I had the rectangular Classic bag and it works great, hold a lot more too. My Dad originally bought this Cyclone Rake used and we shared it. I used it first on my BX1850 and now on my BX25D-1. It folds down pretty flat for storage too and hangs on the wall.