I think for what you have planned, the BX will serve you well. I recently ended up with a JD2210 and absolutely love it. I looked hard at the BX and in the end I went with the dealer I felt more comfortable with. Don't discount any of the competition, they are all good tractors. I think the dealer is probably more important here.
Looking to get a sub-compact tractor - BX2230?
- Thread starter Bob_M
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JDFANATIC
Veteran Member
Whatever tractor you settle on, I recommend you get the widest deck you can use. At least one that hangs out past the wheel width several inches. This is for two reasons: one, it makes edging easier, and two, it moves the ROPS out further from your landscaping.
Happy hunting!
Happy hunting!
coveredbridge
Gold Member
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( CoveredBridge,
You mentioned that you store you BX1500 in a storage barn. What type of barn is it? I have been reluctant to put mine in a 10x12 wooden building due to the weight of the BX, and to construction of the barn. It has 1/2" plywood floor over 2x4 floor joists. )</font>
Jim,
My Storage Barn is 12' x 16' Hi-Wall. The floor is 3/4" PT plywood over 2" x 4" PT joists 16" OC. The foundation is 5 - 4" x 4" PT skids laid lengthwise on a 2RC compacted gravel base. All the framing is 16" OC, with a double top plate. The sidewalls are 5/8" premium T-111 siding and the roof is 1/2" plywood w/25-yr shingles. It has 5' double doors with aluminum piano hinges. It was delivered on a rollback truck by "Rustic Barns". Cost in 2001 was $2,135 delivered, plus the cost of the gravel and my time and equipment to prepare the base. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
I don't have a spec for how much weight the floor would carry. There's probably engineer-type guys here who can offer an opinion on that. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif But, I've been told that these barns can be used for garages, though I don't think I would roll a car ( or my JD 820 ) over the floor of my barn. However, I have no reservations about the bx 1500, even with the loader and box blade attached, which, with the loaded rear tires is approaching 2000 lbs. (and pretty much fills up the barn, at least lengthwise). /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif
This is not a Home Depot barn, though (no offense intended) and I definitely would think twice about parking a 2000 lb machine in a barn that was less sturdily constructed (24" OC joists, OSB flooring, etc.).
There was a thread a while ago about "where do you store your tractor". Maybe you can get some more ideas about what others are doing as far as storage barns from there. I may check it out again myself. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
You mentioned that you store you BX1500 in a storage barn. What type of barn is it? I have been reluctant to put mine in a 10x12 wooden building due to the weight of the BX, and to construction of the barn. It has 1/2" plywood floor over 2x4 floor joists. )</font>
Jim,
My Storage Barn is 12' x 16' Hi-Wall. The floor is 3/4" PT plywood over 2" x 4" PT joists 16" OC. The foundation is 5 - 4" x 4" PT skids laid lengthwise on a 2RC compacted gravel base. All the framing is 16" OC, with a double top plate. The sidewalls are 5/8" premium T-111 siding and the roof is 1/2" plywood w/25-yr shingles. It has 5' double doors with aluminum piano hinges. It was delivered on a rollback truck by "Rustic Barns". Cost in 2001 was $2,135 delivered, plus the cost of the gravel and my time and equipment to prepare the base. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
I don't have a spec for how much weight the floor would carry. There's probably engineer-type guys here who can offer an opinion on that. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif But, I've been told that these barns can be used for garages, though I don't think I would roll a car ( or my JD 820 ) over the floor of my barn. However, I have no reservations about the bx 1500, even with the loader and box blade attached, which, with the loaded rear tires is approaching 2000 lbs. (and pretty much fills up the barn, at least lengthwise). /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif
This is not a Home Depot barn, though (no offense intended) and I definitely would think twice about parking a 2000 lb machine in a barn that was less sturdily constructed (24" OC joists, OSB flooring, etc.).
There was a thread a while ago about "where do you store your tractor". Maybe you can get some more ideas about what others are doing as far as storage barns from there. I may check it out again myself. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Partsman2
Silver Member
- Joined
- Feb 1, 2005
- Messages
- 184
- Location
- South-Central Ohio
- Tractor
- 2003 John Deere 4710 - 2004 Kubota BX2230 - 2006 Kubota RTV-900
My wife needed a new tractor last year for mowing with. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif We looked at some of the yard tractor brands and decided they weren't heavy enough. We were upgrading from a 17 HP Simpicity. We basically looked at JD and Kubota. On the JD side we demoed a 585X with the gas engine. This had power but was still to much along the yard tractor line for me. So it was between the JD 2210 or the BX2230.
We ended up with the BX2230 for several reasons. First is that it has wide stance and is closer to the ground. This gives it a lower center of gravity and makes it very stable on slopes. We have 2 pretty decent slopes (pond dam and hillside) and the BX2230 handles them like a dream. We mow about 4 acres each week so we went with the 60" MMM and it does a nice job. I didn't get a fel or any front hydraulic connections because I have a bigger tractor that has all that and we really just wanted something to mow with. It does have the 3ph but I have never used it yet.
I do agree with the others that you should try them all. What works for one person doesn't necesarily work for the next. They are all good quality machines as long as you stay with the major players.
Happy shopping! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
We ended up with the BX2230 for several reasons. First is that it has wide stance and is closer to the ground. This gives it a lower center of gravity and makes it very stable on slopes. We have 2 pretty decent slopes (pond dam and hillside) and the BX2230 handles them like a dream. We mow about 4 acres each week so we went with the 60" MMM and it does a nice job. I didn't get a fel or any front hydraulic connections because I have a bigger tractor that has all that and we really just wanted something to mow with. It does have the 3ph but I have never used it yet.
I do agree with the others that you should try them all. What works for one person doesn't necesarily work for the next. They are all good quality machines as long as you stay with the major players.
Happy shopping! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Okay, so maybe I should think a little smaller. What am I giving up with the BX1830 or BX1500 compared to the BX2230 other than HP? And the obvious question...What is the cost of a BX1830 or BX1500 vs a BX2230? If the savings is significant, maybe I can reduce the opposition?!?
Only reason for looking bigger (22 HP) is the hills when I am mowing or moving stuff with the loader. For example, my current S2348 tractor (23HP) can not make it up the hill if I have a full load in my pulll cart (mostly a traction issue, the wheels spin). I figure with the Kubota, I will have more tractor weight and 4WD, so the hill issue will not matter, even with a load in the FEL. I can give up on the BH since I would only have limited use for it and then it would sit.
As always...Thanks for the input!
Only reason for looking bigger (22 HP) is the hills when I am mowing or moving stuff with the loader. For example, my current S2348 tractor (23HP) can not make it up the hill if I have a full load in my pulll cart (mostly a traction issue, the wheels spin). I figure with the Kubota, I will have more tractor weight and 4WD, so the hill issue will not matter, even with a load in the FEL. I can give up on the BH since I would only have limited use for it and then it would sit.
As always...Thanks for the input!
coveredbridge
Gold Member
</font><font color="blueclass=small">( Okay, so maybe I should think a little smaller. What am I giving up with the BX1830 or BX1500 compared to the BX2230 other than HP? And the obvious question...What is the cost of a BX1830 or BX1500 vs a BX2230? If the savings is significant, maybe I can reduce the opposition?!?
Only reason for looking bigger (22 HP) is the hills when I am mowing or moving stuff with the loader. For example, my current S2348 tractor (23HP) can not make it up the hill if I have a full load in my pulll cart (mostly a traction issue, the wheels spin). I figure with the Kubota, I will have more tractor weight and 4WD, so the hill issue will not matter, even with a load in the FEL. I can give up on the BH since I would only have limited use for it and then it would sit.
As always...Thanks for the input! )</font>
The general consensus around here seems to be that if you're considering the bx1830, you might as well move up to the bx2230. However, I chose the bx1500 mainly because of storage issues (about 15" less in length and accepts 48" mower.
If I could have gotten the bx1830 or bx2230 with the 48" mower, I probably would have done so, though I don't feel like I'm really "giving up" much with the bx1500. I've used the FEL to move some gravel and a pile of wood chips, I've done a little grading with the box blade, and I have about 8 hours on the 48"mmm, and I've been very impressed with the performance overall. About the only other feature I can think of that isn't available on the bx1500 is the cruise control. I will say that after about an hour of mowing my right foot does get a little tired; it would be nice to set it and cruise. I also believe the bx2230 and maybe the bx1830 have a "better" seat (higher back), but I don't see any problem with the seat on the bx1500. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
One thing I have noticed when mowing some of the rougher parts of my yard is the stiff ride - lots of bouncing on bumpy terrain. Generally, I've been mowing at full pedal in low range, but I sometimes have to back off that to keep from bouncing out of the seat! Maybe the loaded rear tires and bar treads have something to do with that, but I also wonder if the longer wheelbase and larger tires on the bx1830/2230 would provide a smoother ride. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
As far as a BH, it appears that you wouldn't necessarily have to give that up with the bx1500, as this thread proves:
bx1500 and BH 6000
As far as hills, I would agree that the 4wd should address that issue, at least for the most part, though I haven't really tested my bx1500 under load on any kind of steep slope. I have noticed when mowing uphill, however, there is a pretty fair dropoff in forward speed, but I haven't been running at 100% throttle, in accordance with the break-in procedures. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
As for cost, I'm guessing a similarly equipped bx2230 is going to cost around $2,000 to $3,000 more than the bx1500. I think it's fair to say that's significant, but the bx2230 would have more capability for the added cost (bigger cutting width, higher FEL capacity, more HP, etc.).
I went back and looked at your original post. With one acre, I am hard pressed to believe that the bx1500 would not meet your needs. Also based upon the pricing posted in some of the other posts, I would say the price difference between the bx1500 and bx2230 would be closer to $3,000.
Only reason for looking bigger (22 HP) is the hills when I am mowing or moving stuff with the loader. For example, my current S2348 tractor (23HP) can not make it up the hill if I have a full load in my pulll cart (mostly a traction issue, the wheels spin). I figure with the Kubota, I will have more tractor weight and 4WD, so the hill issue will not matter, even with a load in the FEL. I can give up on the BH since I would only have limited use for it and then it would sit.
As always...Thanks for the input! )</font>
The general consensus around here seems to be that if you're considering the bx1830, you might as well move up to the bx2230. However, I chose the bx1500 mainly because of storage issues (about 15" less in length and accepts 48" mower.
If I could have gotten the bx1830 or bx2230 with the 48" mower, I probably would have done so, though I don't feel like I'm really "giving up" much with the bx1500. I've used the FEL to move some gravel and a pile of wood chips, I've done a little grading with the box blade, and I have about 8 hours on the 48"mmm, and I've been very impressed with the performance overall. About the only other feature I can think of that isn't available on the bx1500 is the cruise control. I will say that after about an hour of mowing my right foot does get a little tired; it would be nice to set it and cruise. I also believe the bx2230 and maybe the bx1830 have a "better" seat (higher back), but I don't see any problem with the seat on the bx1500. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
One thing I have noticed when mowing some of the rougher parts of my yard is the stiff ride - lots of bouncing on bumpy terrain. Generally, I've been mowing at full pedal in low range, but I sometimes have to back off that to keep from bouncing out of the seat! Maybe the loaded rear tires and bar treads have something to do with that, but I also wonder if the longer wheelbase and larger tires on the bx1830/2230 would provide a smoother ride. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
As far as a BH, it appears that you wouldn't necessarily have to give that up with the bx1500, as this thread proves:
bx1500 and BH 6000
As far as hills, I would agree that the 4wd should address that issue, at least for the most part, though I haven't really tested my bx1500 under load on any kind of steep slope. I have noticed when mowing uphill, however, there is a pretty fair dropoff in forward speed, but I haven't been running at 100% throttle, in accordance with the break-in procedures. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
As for cost, I'm guessing a similarly equipped bx2230 is going to cost around $2,000 to $3,000 more than the bx1500. I think it's fair to say that's significant, but the bx2230 would have more capability for the added cost (bigger cutting width, higher FEL capacity, more HP, etc.).
I went back and looked at your original post. With one acre, I am hard pressed to believe that the bx1500 would not meet your needs. Also based upon the pricing posted in some of the other posts, I would say the price difference between the bx1500 and bx2230 would be closer to $3,000.
Henro
Elite Member
- Joined
- Jul 4, 2003
- Messages
- 4,982
- Location
- Few miles north of Pgh, PA
- Tractor
- Kubota B2910, BX2200, KX41-2V mini EX
<font color="blue"> I went back and looked at your original post. With one acre, I am hard pressed to believe that the bx1500 would not meet your needs. Also based upon the pricing posted in some of the other posts, I would say the price difference between the bx1500 and bx2230 would be closer to $3,000. </font>
When I bought my BX2200 in 2003 the price difference here in Western PA was $1,500 between the BX1500 and the BX1800, and $500 on top of that to get the BX2200, total difference small to large $2,000.
Coveredbridge is right, the BX1500 almost certainly would do what you need. It all depends on YOU. Rick_Jay has a B2910 on under one acre and has never complained about it! I doubt you will go wrong with whichever BX you decide on.
Try them for fit/feel and follow your gut feeling. I doubt you will be disappointed whatever you decide... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
When I bought my BX2200 in 2003 the price difference here in Western PA was $1,500 between the BX1500 and the BX1800, and $500 on top of that to get the BX2200, total difference small to large $2,000.
Coveredbridge is right, the BX1500 almost certainly would do what you need. It all depends on YOU. Rick_Jay has a B2910 on under one acre and has never complained about it! I doubt you will go wrong with whichever BX you decide on.
Try them for fit/feel and follow your gut feeling. I doubt you will be disappointed whatever you decide... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
I know money is a key factor, but I've never heard anyone say "Geeze, I wish this this tractor didn't have so much power." If you have extra, you can always throttle down if you don't need it all.
No matter how much you try though, full throttle is full throttle and you get no more power by yelling at the throttle...
Ron
No matter how much you try though, full throttle is full throttle and you get no more power by yelling at the throttle...
Ron
