Well let's see. I have an L2800 4WD, HST with TnT, and the Delta Quick hitch. I have a 60" Bush Hog finish mower that I cut about 3 acres of grass with and one 25 degree hill. The BH rear finish mower is ground contact equipment with about 600 pounds resting on four narrow tires. This causes unacceptable ruts in wet areas and rainy times which is often. My 20 year old JD 285 is about to croak a natural death and I need a grass cutter with a suspended deck and at a minimum 2WD with traction lock.
The JD has been a fine machine, but I will never have an electric clutch machine again and that is all JD offers until you get into the X700 line up and that is $10K plus and not acceptable.
So I am off looking at all wheel drive models such as the Kubota GR series.
1*About 2 years I paid $6300 for a new BX1500 bare tractor.One step further in the logic. Push really hard and
1*you could almost buy a scut, a real tractor for that kind of money. About $8700 for a BX1860. bare tractor.
You never said whether you were going to pull, push or till with your tractor. If you are going to do any of those things, go BX. Zero down, zero percent too!
2* It's a no brainer.
1*I have 2 BX1500s which are the same size as the BX1860.No 4x4 or AWD. No diff lock. Soooooooo,
1*I went with the BX1860 for a little more.
If all you are ever going to do is mow grass on a very level lawn, you will be fine. If you have need for more than one wheel driving the traction, pushing snow, doing any other kind of work, the G series isn't designed for anything more. Just sayin'
My 20 year old JD 285 is about to croak a natural death and I need a grass cutter with a suspended deck and at a minimum 2WD with traction lock.
The BX1500 BX1850 and BX1860 fills a void that no other tractor fits.daBear
Someone did an independent comparison of the top riding mowers, and Kubota GR did not get a super review. Can't remember the review, Pop Mechanics maybe.
There are some great mowers out there. If you prefer 4x4, and it sounds as if you do, the number shrinks immediately to just a few and they just are so very high priced. If your hills are as steep as you suggest, a Zero sounds like a death sentence. A 4x4 is the only safe way to go up and down.
I own a BX1860, so yes, I am sure I am prejudiced. I also own a Craftsman lawn rider, a good enough machine in its own right. But my lot is flat and lawns aren't a huge part of what's important way up north where I live. If you really need 4x4 and diesel for long life and so forth, and if you can't see the price of green, then again, take a look at the 1860. Take the 3pt hitch parts off the back if you want.It will just feel like a really big, really great GR!!! I honestly don't know another manufacturer making a 4x4 diesel for 9 grand. Zero down, Zero percent too.
Does anyone else?