Purchasing a BX1500

[RickHoward]

OK, you guys got me thinking again about the 2200. Might have to re-engage the wife. By the way, no one seems to talk about the BX1800. Just guessing, but it is probably only slightly cheaper than the 2200 so most folks step up to. Correct?

 

[RonR]

I walked right past the 1800 to the 2200. Same tractor except more HP. Very few people ever say "gee I wise this tractor didn't have as much power".........

I've used mine 25 Hrs and haven't regreted it a bit. Moved about 40 tons of dirt, leveled the back yard, tilled it 3 times. smoothed it with a harrow I built, used the loader and a chain to rip out some old sprinkler pipe, used a ripper blade to bury two electrical lines, and I'm the envy of the guys in the neighborhood!

Good luck with your decision.

Ron

 

[B7500]

Rick,
My situation was a little different. I knew exactly the machine I needed (I thought) it was the BX22. Fortunately for me my wonderful wife and my brother in law got in cahoots and surprised me with a B7500 for my birthday last year. Thank God!!
I soon found out the BX22 simply would not have worked on my 5 wooded acres as well. The ground clearance over stumps would have been the greatest issue.
Good luck with your choice.
-terry

 

[WVBill]

Rick: If your $8500 price for the BX1500 is without the FEL and you're thinking of "pushing the envelope" with the CFO - I'd recommend pushing it in the direction of adding the FEL rather than stepping up to the 2200. (if you can only do one or the other)

IMHO the FEL is absolutely the most useful implement. For me it's what turns an expensive riding mower into a "tractor".

By the way, are you "retiring" retiring or, like I did 12 years ago, "retiring" to another job. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif (One of these days I'll be able to actually retire.) /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[RickHoward]

Bill,
I will be retiring to a civlian job hopefully. Not sure my wife would let me just stay home all the time doing the landscaping and woodworking projects i enjoy so much. Crossing my fingers that her job with one of the big insurance companine will transfer to the North Florida region when the time comes. Then i can take my time and find a job i like (hopefully). Thanks again

 

[TBrown]

Rick,

I don't know what part of the country you're in now, but there's a dealer in western NY who has a BX1500 w/54" MMM listed for $8300, and a BX1500 w/48" MMM and FEL for $10,500. That two grand or so is a pretty hefty increase over what you originally intended to spend, but WVBill is right about the increased usefulness. Its like turning a butter knife into a leatherman.

BTW, your neighbors' chuckles will be little more than a feeble attempt to mask their unbridled envy ! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[fishman]

I think the new cub cadet compacts are powered by Mitsubishi diesels. One other option to look at if you really liked the old Mitsubishi.

I'd be willing to bet you could find a old Mitsubishi if you looked around. I've seen more than a few here in Texas. They would be a lot cheaper than new.

Just a thought.

 

[surfran]

Rick,

You should be able to put the 1500 on the trailer, but you will need to consider that you will not have much room for adjusting it relative to load leveling. Here is a picture of my BX1800 on my 6 1/2 x 10' trailer. I can haul it with the FEL, but it is much better without. It just fits nicely without the FEL to get good angles on the tie downs. With the FEL, I don't get very good angles on the front of the trailer (rear of tractor).

You may also find that the width is tight with the 54" deck as the chute makes the overall deck size larger. I always strap mine up so I have plenty of room to load/unload. I have the 60" deck of course with the 6 1/2' width.

Good luck, and as for the BX1800, it has done everything I want so far and I am very satisfied. I use it on (2) properties both around 3/4 acre.

When I bought in the Spring the 1500 was only $500 less for my package and the 2200 was $1000 more. Since I was already over my budget by $3,000, the wife would not let me upgrade to the 2200. But I can honestly say I am very pleased with the 1800 and it has much more power than my old Cub 1811.

Good luck in whatever direction you go.

 

[hfd376]

Rick, when I bought my BX1800 last year, I did it on the cheap. Just the tractor, 54" mower and box blade. This year I added the FEL. I have NEVER run out of power, I always run out of traction. The closest I've come to running out of power was cutting thick, wet, 5" tall grass.

The BX1500 that I had a chance to look at looked everybit as well made and thought out as the 1800 and 2200. And to tell you the truth, if the 1500 was available then, I would have bought it instead.

Doug

 

[Slamfire]

The trouble with going that far out of your budget is that you'll have to get a job that demands so much of your time, you won't get to play with your tractor. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif