New Kubota BX2200 Owner in Iowa!

   / New Kubota BX2200 Owner in Iowa! #1  

webhund

New member
Joined
May 19, 2002
Messages
20
Location
Central Iowa
Tractor
Kubota BX2200
Hello and what a great site this is! I'm a newbie to this site and also to my new BX2200! I've been test driving and talking tractors for a long time, but I finally got a chance to see a BX2200 up close at a local outdoor products show this weekend. I've got a 5 acre alfalfa patch that is going to be converted back to prairie and wildflowers and I can tell from all the other posts on this site that the BX2200 is going to handle that just fine. I'm sure everyone else has been there, but my first test drive of the BX2200 was simply amazing. Acccording to the dealer, the BX2200 is on its second full season of availability here and I cannot understand why, in the home state of John Deere, other tractor manufacturers have not reacted more aggressively to the BX2200 feature/value/performance. Part of the reason, I suspect at least here in Iowa, is that you just don't see too many of these machines around (most everything is pretty "green"); but having had the opportunity at the garden/farm show to test drive several manufacturers' machines one after another, the Kubota really stands out.

As I mentioned, I've got 5 acres of alfalfa that is going to be converted back to prairie, so I'll be expanding my research now to finding the right implement to handle that task this summer and fall. I probably will have quite a bit of time to think about it while I'm enjoying that nice 60" MMM (I did get the FEL, too). And, wow, the power steering is simply unbelievable.

I was considering a 1 year old used Simplicity Legacy 25HP that I could have purchased for about $6,500, but by the time I added on a 3 point (Cat. 0, too) and PTO to handle a tiller, another $1,000 would have been spent on a machine that still had less versatility than the BX2200 straight off the truck. This isn't a dig at Simplicity (they're great and well built), but still no FEL and the Category 0 attachments are priced considerably higher with considerably less availability around here.

So, I'll be enjoying putting my new BX to use on the prairie here in central Iowa, as well as snow removal and building landscaping berms near the house as well. Thanks to everyone for letting me read your great, informative posts! This site has been and will be very helpful to newbies like me.

If anyone has tips or suggestions for the "breaking in" period on a new BX, I'd love to hear them.
 
   / New Kubota BX2200 Owner in Iowa! #2  
Congratulations! I agree, it's amazing that JD or NH hasn't gotten in the game at that size machine. It fills a niche that you would think the other colors would want to compete in. JD is a little closer with the new small 4x10 series, but they still miss the mark quite a bit. Don't forget ot keep us involved in your projects and don't forget the pictures!!! /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Be glad you didn't go for the Simplicity if you wanted to attach 3 pt equipment, as the rear PTO turns at a higher speed than most equipment can handle...something like 2200 RPM if I remember right. The 3 pt on the BX is much more usable, but remember that it is a short Cat1, so if you are going to be using post hole diggers or brush hogs, make sure you try the implement before you buy it.

As far as break-in, just don't run at full out for a long period of time, vary the RPM every now and then, and you should be ok. Be sure to complete ALL the steps in the manual at 50 hours, including the strainer cleaning.

Some other safety tips: Don't let anyone near when you are mowing, I've had stuff slung as far away as 50 feet by the mower. Don't let any kids around when you are using the tractor, especially when they are behind you..it's easy to get so involved with the FEL that you don't swing around to look every time you back up. Its so easy and fast to change directions on the BX that people around you don't realize how quickly you can do this. I almost hit my 15 year old daughter that was coming out to talk to me...she should know better, and it spooked both of us. I was using the FEL to pick up some concrete chunks and avoiding hitting a nearby fence than I was doing a lot of maneuvering. She apparently came up behind me, I hit reverse, and she was right there. She jumped, lost her shoe but got out of my way. She yelled at the same time, but by the time i got off the HST, her shoe was under the rear tire. Needless to say, another family talk was had....and now I'm thinking about adding a backup beeper, even though i hate em...

Something you may want to do: Add work lights.

In any case, have fun. You'll be amazed at how much work you can get done with it...
 
   / New Kubota BX2200 Owner in Iowa! #3  
Congrats on the new tool. I have about 20 hrs on mine so far... No regrets so far. I have ordered a tooth bar from the dealer to help me scoop up rocks and also brush.. That should add more usefulness to the FEL.....

Mower book says run full throttle.. I don't... Tractor book says don't do so during break in. Besides, I don't think the MMM needs full power. Works fine at about 3/4 with no bog down........

Have fun, be safe, be proud.... You will be the envy of the neighborhood....... "Hey, that Dude's got a Bota".....
 
   / New Kubota BX2200 Owner in Iowa! #4  
Actually JD has a new line of tractors out called their "X" series. The X475 & X485 are 2wd with optional AWS, the X495 is not available with AWS. The X575 X585 and X595 are 4wd. Engine choices are both gas and diesel and range from 23 to 25 HP. It does have a limited CAT-I hitch rather than the old CAT-0. The tractor looks pretty impressive but I don't think it is as nice as the BX and is faily pricey. You can check them out via:

http://customer.deere.com/golfandturfprofessionals/images/xseries/Xseries_specs.pdf
 
   / New Kubota BX2200 Owner in Iowa! #5  
Congrats Webhund! I have 7 hrs on my 2200 now (all mowing so far). Plan to do more once I can get a few attachments. I'm up in MN now but I am from Iowa. Oskaloosa. Where in Iowa are you.- Guy
 

Tractor & Equipment Auctions

2000 Thomas Built Saf-T-Liner MVP-ER Transit Passenger Bus (A51692)
2000 Thomas Built...
2022 McConnel TRAXX RC28 Remote Controlled Slope Mower (A51691)
2022 McConnel...
2015 Ford F-550 4x4 Knapheide Service Truck (A51692)
2015 Ford F-550...
2013 Ford E-350 Enclosed Service Van (A50323)
2013 Ford E-350...
2013 Ford Explorer SUV (A50324)
2013 Ford Explorer...
2021 ALLMAND BROS, INC. NIGHT LITE LIGHT TOWER (A52472)
2021 ALLMAND BROS...
 
Top