Well, I finally made up my mind and made a deal today. On Saturday I will take delivery of my new BX2230 with Loaded (rear) turf tires, FEL, 60" MMM and a 60" Kodiak rear blade. After months of looking, test driving, lurking on TBN, and asking questions here, I am very happy with my decision and can't possibly wait until Saturday for some seat time.
With only 1.2 acres, the BX1500 would have been plenty of tractor for me, but my long term thinking won out. I plan to add a post hole digger and a bush hog, and felt the extra PTO hp would be neccesary. At my dealer, the BX2230 was only $1700 more. I also liked the cruise, the nicer seat, the wider mowing swath, and definitely the idling smoothness of the 3 cylinder. Don't get me wrong, I think the BX1500 is a fine machine, and after driving one, I almost bought it. I plan on having this thing for about 25 years, so I decided to have the extra HP around.
After much thought and anguish, I decided to go with the Turf Tires. I was leaning towards the Bars, because I ran them on my lawn tractor, but every dealer promised me I wouldn't be happy. I think that is due to the horrible clay we have here. If it is at all damp, the bars would leave marks, and then the clay dries like adobe brick and the yard is really rough. Anyway, my dealer will get me a full set of bars mounted on wheels for $245 if I decide I want them later. I think I might like them for our Michigan winters.
I will most definitely be posting pics soon, and I am positive I will be asking questions as I get to know my new toy, er tool /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif Hopefully as an owner, I will be able to offer some advice to another newbie soon.
Thanks for all the help in making a very important decision!
With only 1.2 acres, the BX1500 would have been plenty of tractor for me, but my long term thinking won out. I plan to add a post hole digger and a bush hog, and felt the extra PTO hp would be neccesary. At my dealer, the BX2230 was only $1700 more. I also liked the cruise, the nicer seat, the wider mowing swath, and definitely the idling smoothness of the 3 cylinder. Don't get me wrong, I think the BX1500 is a fine machine, and after driving one, I almost bought it. I plan on having this thing for about 25 years, so I decided to have the extra HP around.
After much thought and anguish, I decided to go with the Turf Tires. I was leaning towards the Bars, because I ran them on my lawn tractor, but every dealer promised me I wouldn't be happy. I think that is due to the horrible clay we have here. If it is at all damp, the bars would leave marks, and then the clay dries like adobe brick and the yard is really rough. Anyway, my dealer will get me a full set of bars mounted on wheels for $245 if I decide I want them later. I think I might like them for our Michigan winters.
I will most definitely be posting pics soon, and I am positive I will be asking questions as I get to know my new toy, er tool /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif Hopefully as an owner, I will be able to offer some advice to another newbie soon.
Thanks for all the help in making a very important decision!
