I just got a Bx 23 and am debating if I should by a mower deck and power bagger from someone for $2200. It is like brand new. When I asked why he is selling it, he said he has only used it a few times but it is a pain to take the bagger on and off and the put the BH back on. So he is buying a ride on. So now I am unsure if I should just keep my husquavarna mower and not get the deck. Otherwise I have a buyer for the husq for $900. I need help what do you guys think? By the way I have about 1.5 acres cleared sloping grass, and about 4 acres more of woods.
Mowing Should I get a mid point mower bx23
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Volfandt
Veteran Member
What size is the MMM? MMM & power bagger for $2200 is a good deal for a slightly used 54" and a great deal for a slightly used 60"....
re the MMM. Brand new the 60" ran approx $1800.
I have a BX23 w/a 60" MMM and the cut and comfort of this machine is such that I wouldn't consider useing anything else to mow my property other than a commercial brand ZTR but it would probably get beat to death
I do use an old 66 Wheel Horse to sicklemow a long bank and around a pond but if I could find a great deal on a belt drive sicklemower to fit the BX23 I'd retire the WH! or at least only drive it when I felt nostalgic
re the bagger. I've read where the bagger can be a bear but theres several threads here where folks have come up with adaptions/procedures to make it a fairly easy changeout. It's performance has been reported as very good.
I don't mind changeing out implements, sometimes doing it several times in a day but, some folks don't like to.
Make sure the MMM spins easily by hand and that you don't hear or feel any rough spots while turning it via the drive shaft.
I don't have the bagger so I can't remark on testing it except that it should also spin easily and smoothy.
The BX23 mows best with the FEL & BH dismounted so if you don't mind R&R'ing them than go for it.
Volfandt
re the MMM. Brand new the 60" ran approx $1800.
I have a BX23 w/a 60" MMM and the cut and comfort of this machine is such that I wouldn't consider useing anything else to mow my property other than a commercial brand ZTR but it would probably get beat to death
I do use an old 66 Wheel Horse to sicklemow a long bank and around a pond but if I could find a great deal on a belt drive sicklemower to fit the BX23 I'd retire the WH! or at least only drive it when I felt nostalgic
re the bagger. I've read where the bagger can be a bear but theres several threads here where folks have come up with adaptions/procedures to make it a fairly easy changeout. It's performance has been reported as very good.
I don't mind changeing out implements, sometimes doing it several times in a day but, some folks don't like to.
Make sure the MMM spins easily by hand and that you don't hear or feel any rough spots while turning it via the drive shaft.
I don't have the bagger so I can't remark on testing it except that it should also spin easily and smoothy.
The BX23 mows best with the FEL & BH dismounted so if you don't mind R&R'ing them than go for it.
Volfandt
proudestmonkey
Platinum Member
If I were in your situation, I'd probably keep the riding mower and skip the MMM. I needed the power and traction of the Kubota to mow my property because of its large sized grassy areas and steep and rolling hills. Now that I have the Kubota w/FEL, I find I use the Kubota more for other stuff than I do for mowing, yet I forego projects involving the FEL while I have the MMM on because I don't want to bother with taking it and ballast box off every time I want to mow. I will get used to it, but having to get used it means it isn't something I feel great about doing in the mean time.
AMR
Gold Member
It is just so much fun to mow with my BX I wouldn't want to use anything else.
Regarding removal and reinstallation of the bagger I can say that all by myself it takes about 5 minutes to remove it and about 10 minutes to install it. As you can read from posts here all you need to do is connect the 3 pt arms to the pins, attach the PTO, then put a 2x4 under the stands 3 or 4 inches back and you can easily rock the bagger to get the last pin in. If you need to do this every single time you mow it would be bothersome but I do it 7 or 8 times a summer to get either the BH on/off or my spreader. Generally, whenever my bagger comes off the MMM does as well, I would guess that it is about 15 minutes for the pair to come off and about 20 or 25 for the pair to go back on, that inclues a quick cleaning and some greasing and checking fluids on the MMM.
Come the last mow I remove the MMM and bagger, the bagger goes on a single dolley with a 2x6 across it and my MMM slides under my boat trailer in the garage. The BH is on till mowing starts the next year.
I don't think that you will lose any money at $2,200 for the pair, but personally I would prefer a 60" deck.
Regarding removal and reinstallation of the bagger I can say that all by myself it takes about 5 minutes to remove it and about 10 minutes to install it. As you can read from posts here all you need to do is connect the 3 pt arms to the pins, attach the PTO, then put a 2x4 under the stands 3 or 4 inches back and you can easily rock the bagger to get the last pin in. If you need to do this every single time you mow it would be bothersome but I do it 7 or 8 times a summer to get either the BH on/off or my spreader. Generally, whenever my bagger comes off the MMM does as well, I would guess that it is about 15 minutes for the pair to come off and about 20 or 25 for the pair to go back on, that inclues a quick cleaning and some greasing and checking fluids on the MMM.
Come the last mow I remove the MMM and bagger, the bagger goes on a single dolley with a 2x6 across it and my MMM slides under my boat trailer in the garage. The BH is on till mowing starts the next year.
I don't think that you will lose any money at $2,200 for the pair, but personally I would prefer a 60" deck.
NY_Yankees_Fan
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Mastro,
That is a great deal go for it! If you do not like the bagger u can always sell it and be ahead of the game when you add in your old tractor. How often will you have the FEL and BH on?? If it is everyday for many projects then perhaps stay with what u have, BUT if u are like most folks that own a BX23, the FEL & BH get used less then the MMM. Also resale value will be more for a BX23 with a MMM then just the FEL&BH, NOT that u plan to sell anytine soon.
That is a great deal go for it! If you do not like the bagger u can always sell it and be ahead of the game when you add in your old tractor. How often will you have the FEL and BH on?? If it is everyday for many projects then perhaps stay with what u have, BUT if u are like most folks that own a BX23, the FEL & BH get used less then the MMM. Also resale value will be more for a BX23 with a MMM then just the FEL&BH, NOT that u plan to sell anytine soon.
LBrown59
Super Star Member
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- 2003 Kubota BX1500/2004 Kubota Bx23/2005 Kubota BX1500
1*So now I am unsure if I should just keep my husquavarna mower and not get the deck.
2*Otherwise I have a buyer for the husq for $900.
3*I have a BX23 w/a 60" MMM and the cut and comfort of this machine is such that I wouldn't consider using anything else to mow my property other than a commercial brand ZTR but it would probably get beat to death
4*The BX23 mows best with the FEL & BH dismounted so if you don't mind R&R'ing them than go for it.
5* I forego projects involving the FEL while I have the MMM on because I don't want to bother with taking it and ballast box off every time I want to mow.
6*BUT if u are like most folks that own a BX23, the FEL & BH get used less then the MMM.
----->>
......>>>
1*Here is my set up and how I do it. I mow with the BX23 60'' MMM and never have removed it or the fel or bh.
For the smaller areas I can't reach with the BX 23 I use a a new 2005 CC GT2554 garden tractor with a 54'' deck. This allows me to leave the mower fel and Bh on the BX23 and prevents me having to play musical attachments. I got tired of that after doing it for 40 years on the old Bolens tractor.
2*Keep the husquavarna ~ 900 dollars is a lot less than the $3500 i just paid for the CC.
3*I use the CC in addition to the BX23 because there are places where it will go and fit that the BX won't.
4*Works excellent leaving them on for me and saves messing around playing musical implements.
5*A BX 23 with 60'' mmm and the CC solved that issue for me.
6*With me I'd guess it's been 75 percent fel 15 percent BH and 10 Percent mowing,
----->>
......>>>
MY First Car
http://chevy.tocmp.com/chevyscrapbook/files/kamp50.jpg
Our First Car
1960 Chevy Impala Convertible, Classic Car Pictures
2*Otherwise I have a buyer for the husq for $900.
3*I have a BX23 w/a 60" MMM and the cut and comfort of this machine is such that I wouldn't consider using anything else to mow my property other than a commercial brand ZTR but it would probably get beat to death
4*The BX23 mows best with the FEL & BH dismounted so if you don't mind R&R'ing them than go for it.
5* I forego projects involving the FEL while I have the MMM on because I don't want to bother with taking it and ballast box off every time I want to mow.
6*BUT if u are like most folks that own a BX23, the FEL & BH get used less then the MMM.
----->>
......>>>
1*Here is my set up and how I do it. I mow with the BX23 60'' MMM and never have removed it or the fel or bh.
For the smaller areas I can't reach with the BX 23 I use a a new 2005 CC GT2554 garden tractor with a 54'' deck. This allows me to leave the mower fel and Bh on the BX23 and prevents me having to play musical attachments. I got tired of that after doing it for 40 years on the old Bolens tractor.
2*Keep the husquavarna ~ 900 dollars is a lot less than the $3500 i just paid for the CC.
3*I use the CC in addition to the BX23 because there are places where it will go and fit that the BX won't.
4*Works excellent leaving them on for me and saves messing around playing musical implements.
5*A BX 23 with 60'' mmm and the CC solved that issue for me.
6*With me I'd guess it's been 75 percent fel 15 percent BH and 10 Percent mowing,
----->>
......>>>
MY First Car
http://chevy.tocmp.com/chevyscrapbook/files/kamp50.jpg
Our First Car
1960 Chevy Impala Convertible, Classic Car Pictures
rbarker
Platinum Member
Mastro said:
I almost always take the loader off to mow. The tractor seems much nimbler with it off. I'm sure the turning radius is the same but it's a lot easier to manuver around objects, plus it seems to have less wear and tear on the lawn when turning.
LBrown59
Super Star Member
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- 2003 Kubota BX1500/2004 Kubota Bx23/2005 Kubota BX1500
None of this has ever been an issue for me so I just leave the BH & FEL on the Bx23.rbarker said:
What I like about having the BX23 60'' MMM & the Cub Cadet 54'' deck G/T combo is My wife an I can both mow at the same time.
Let me tell you cutting a 9 and a half foot wide swath makes short work of mowing our 2.33 acres.