Buying Advice Kubota BX vs. MF2400 vs. Simplicity Legacy XL

[cpb]

I would like to get some feedback from everyone out there with experience with subcompact tractors. My "poor man" version of a JD lawn tractor (Scotts made by JD) conked out on me after the second big snowstorm of the season. After nine years of hard mowing and snow blowing, the motor finally quit, despite regular maintenance. I just worked it too hard, but it lasted longer than any of my neighbors mowers.

I had thought about upgrading to a subcompact, since my yard is so steep it puts a lot of strain on a lawn tractor. I started looking at a MF2400, with a 60" MMM and a 50" snow blower. I don't have a need for a FEL. My local dealer quoted me $17,914 (w/tax), which seemed steep.

That dealer also had a 2009 Simplicity Legacy XL 4WD with a 27 HP LC Kawasaki motor. It looks more like a garden tractor on steroids than a subcompact, but it is solidly built. I was impressed with it, but once you add the 60" MMM and a 47" snowblower, the cost w/ tax is $15,263.

That was still cheaper by about $1,500 than the JD 2305 with comparable equipment.

On a whim, I checked with the local Kubota dealer. They quoted a BX1860 with a 54" MMM and 51" snowblower for $13,750 w/tax and a BX2360 with a 60" MMM and 51" snowblower for $15,529 w/ tax.

My thought is that the BX2360 is a better choice of over all of the other choices for the money. It seems like a great deal, especially with 0% financing for 60 months!

I am wondering if I could get by with the BX1860. That would save me approximately $1,500, but I'm nervous about not having enough HP for the tractor. 18 HP seems low.

I welcome any thoughts on the Kubota pricing and the BX1860 vs. the BX2360.

Thanks...

 

[timswi]

I'd go with either of the Kubota's.

I would think that either one would work well for you. ~18HP diesel is more than it sounds. The 2360 gives you ~6 or so more HP. If you're going through 3 ft snow with the blower, I'd step up to the bigger one. The last thing you want is to be disapointed when you spend this kind of money.

Both are outstanding machines either way that you go.

 

[gc2310]

I'd suggest either the Massey or Kubota. But also make sure you compare apples to apples. I'm thinking that theres a fair difference between your models.

 

[TripleR]

I would go with the Kubota; as good as the JD, I have one, and cheaper. I have had two BXs and they are great lawn mowers and will do lots more.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Kubota, of course. I don't think I'd give any advise between the 2 Kubotas without knowing, at least, where you live snow wise. Also how much property your maintaining and if you absolutely will never do anything with it other than mow and blow snow. When I bought my first tractor I felt I was wasting money on the FEL and now after 6 years the MMM is the primary function of my tractor and the FEL is a close second. If you ever have any need for the FEL, now is the time to add it while getting the 0% financing. The BX1860 with FEL isn't or shouldn't be to far from the Price of the BX2360 without FEL. Contact Barlows concerning price because your prices look a bit high to me.

 

[LBrown59]

1*I would like to get some feedback from everyone out there with experience with subcompact tractors
I had thought about upgrading to a subcompact, since my yard is so steep it puts a lot of strain on a lawn tractor.
2*I started looking at a MF2400, with a 60" MMM and a 50" snow blower. I don't have a need for a FEL. My local dealer quoted me $17,914 (w/tax), which seemed steep.
3**That dealer also had a 2009 Simplicity Legacy XL 4WD with a 27 HP LC Kawasaki motor.
4*It looks more like a garden tractor on steroids than a subcompact, but it is solidly built. I was impressed with it, but once you add the 60" MMM and a 47" snowblower, the cost w/ tax is $15,263.
5*That was still cheaper by about $1,500 than the JD 2305 with comparable equipment.
6*On a whim, I checked with the local Kubota dealer. They quoted a BX1860 with a 54" MMM and 51" snowblower for $13,750 w/tax and a BX2360 with a 60" MMM and 51" snowblower for $15,529 w/ tax.
7*My thought is that the BX2360 is a better choice over all of the other choices for the money. It seems like a great deal, especially with 0% financing for 60 months!
8* I am wondering if I could get by with the BX1860. That would save me approximately $1,500, but I'm nervous about not having enough HP for the tractor.
9*18 HP seems low.
10* I welcome any thoughts on the Kubota pricing and the BX1860 vs. the BX2360.Thanks...

1* Here you go.
2* Sub compact.
3*Garden Tractor
4*That's because that's what it really is.
5*Sub compact
6* Sub compacts
7*That depends.
8*Again it depends on what you want a tractor to do.
9*It's way more than you think it is. It's amazing what my BX1500 with just 15 HP will do.
10*I bought a new BX23 [yesterdays version of the BX2360 with a BH on it.] in 2004.
I have done all kinds of projects with it and liked it so well that I bought 2 BX1500 [tractors yesterdays version of the BX1860].
Within two weeks of using them I realized I could have done every thing I'd done with the BX23 except for the BH work; with the BX1500 with only 15 horse power.

 

[dodge man]

Trust me, you have a need for a FEL. I said the same thing when I bought my BX, and in 3 weeks I ordered the FEL. Now that I have it, I wouldn't be without it.

Don't worry about the horsepower. Either machine will work great, you just have to decide how much money you want to spend. If you can afford it, more power is always better.

 

[bx24d]

We could go on and on for days and get further and further from helping you decide.....or....we could ask to hear what your tractor tasks are.

 

[cpb]

Thanks for the feedback guys. I will use the tractor mainly for cutting 2.5 acres of grass, tilling the garden, and snowblowing.

I live in Maryland and usually the snow isn't too bad. This year, we got over 80" inches of snow. I have about 1000 feet of paved driveway to clear, so a snowblower is definitely on my list. I'm not going to use a walk behind snowblower.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Thanks for the feedback guys. I will use the tractor mainly for cutting 2.5 acres of grass, tilling the garden, and snowblowing.

I live in Maryland and usually the snow isn't too bad. This year, we got over 80" inches of snow. I have about 1000 feet of paved driveway to clear, so a snowblower is definitely on my list. I'm not going to use a walk behind snowblower.

Now that you've told your uses, the BX1860 will do all of your jobs. If you have a bit of the Tim the Toolman personality of "MORE POWER" then go for the BX2360 but you do realize there is a bigger one above that one and a bigger one above that one and on and on. The BX1860 will do all of your jobs just as well as the BX2360, but ......"more power".

 

[devildog1]

Go with the Kubota, great tractor, My BX23TLB is a can do tractor,spread an amazing amount of dirt, dig like a woodchuck and blow huge amounts of snow 40' to 50' off driveway. With the Bar tires has amazing traction.
DevilDog

 

[Tompet]

Hi,
If that is your tractor in photo...looks like ag R1 tires rather than r4's?
tp

 

[cpb]

John,

Thanks for your response. I notice you are in Somerset, KY, which is where I believe Barlows is located. What is their reputation?

I have seen several posts advising people to get a quote from them. I got them to quote me yesterday, and they came in about $1,400 less for a BX2360 with a 60" MMM and a 50" FM snowblower ($14,150). A FEL would be another $2,150, for a total of $16,300. Of course some of the difference comes from sales tax (6% where I am).

It looks like people have ordered from them from all over the US. I would be concerned about getting proper service from my local dealer if I bought from another dealer so far away.

If anyone has ever purchased from them, I'd like to hear from you.

Thanks,
Chris

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

John,

Thanks for your response. I notice you are in Somerset, KY, which is where I believe Barlows is located. What is their reputation?

I have seen several posts advising people to get a quote from them. I got them to quote me yesterday, and they came in about $1,400 less for a BX2360 with a 60" MMM and a 50" FM snowblower ($14,150). A FEL would be another $2,150, for a total of $16,300. Of course some of the difference comes from sales tax (6% where I am).

It looks like people have ordered from them from all over the US. I would be concerned about getting proper service from my local dealer if I bought from another dealer so far away.

If anyone has ever purchased from them, I'd like to hear from you.

Thanks,
Chris

I bought my first tractor from Barlows six years ago, it was a BX2200 FEL MMM. I've bought 9 more from them since then, not BX2200's but other models. My next door neighbor, Ron Phelps has bought 2 from them, another neighbor Jim has bought at least one from them. My brother in law Tim Daulton has bought one from them and my nephew Kevin Plagge has bought one from them. I know Randall in WV has bought a couple from them and LB from Ohio has bought a couple from them. Guess that answers their reputation locally and also has anyone ever purchased from them. I have also bought 2 RatchetRakes from RatchetRake and several cars from Frankie Bullock and Doug Harrison and Bobby Whittaker. I continue to buy "stuff" from people that treat me "fair" and are reputable.

 

[LBrown59]

Go with the Kubota, great tractor, My BX23TLB is a can do tractor,spread an amazing amount of dirt, dig like a woodchuck and blow huge amounts of snow 40' to 50' off driveway. With the Bar tires has amazing traction.
DevilDogView attachment 158383

Hi,
If that is your tractor in photo...looks like ag R1 tires rather than r4's?
tp

HE said they were Ags.

 

[radioman]

I was in the similar boat as you before- I got the BX mainly for it's longitivity. I got tired of having briggs and Strattons and kohler engines crapping out after so many hours of use. The kubota and MF both have great reputation for high engine hours and still running. SO whichever way you go, go diesel- it may outlast you and you will have less problems 10 years down the road.
No FEL? you might reconsider after having one. On the BX it comes off in a jiffy, and goes on in a jiffy when you need it. I have about 2 acres and find the FEL wonderful for everything I do.

 

[crk133]

i would go with the 2360 without a doubt. you can never have enough power blowing snow and if i remeber correctly isnt it bit bigger than the 1860? I have used the simplicity and I agree the simplicity is somwhere between a subcompact and a regualr riding mower.

 

[George the Beagle]

i would go with the 2360 without a doubt. you can never have enough power blowing snow and if i remeber correctly isnt it bit bigger than the 1860? I have used the simplicity and I agree the simplicity is somwhere between a subcompact and a regualr riding mower.

2360 is 3" longer and 1" higher than the 1860 according to the owner's manual.

I think either will work...just depends how much you wish to spend.

 

[cal1]

It's been along time since you first started this thread. Did you ever buy something?

If you're still on the fence (took me three years to convince myself to buy) DON'T EVEN CONSIDER BUYING without the FEL. Like anything else most folks must consider resale expecially spending this type of $. A tractor without a FEL has a much lower resale value. I prowled Craig's list for years and saw them sit with no sale and then get reposted over with a lower price over and over again. Every one of the owners I called said "well I just used it to haul stuff, etc, never really needed a FEL." And of course adding one later is a much more expensive than if you include it in you initial purchase.