SubCUT or CUT

[coasterez]

Well it looks like if any of us were buying you a tractor we'd get the CUT. Too bad we aren't! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Regarding the rear ballast, also consider getting loaded rear tires. With this setup, more often than not you won't need a ballast, which makes for a more manueverable tractor. Of course, you can't remove the weight when you want to like you can with ballast weights. But, I like the added stability of loaded tires. Though they can be hard on your lawn.

Also, I'd be wary of turf tires if your ground is wet or slippery, especially in the woods on low green vegetation. The traction difference is markedly improved as you go from turf, to R4, to R1. Again, you have to weigh traction against lawn damage here.

Decisions! Decisions!

 

[proudestmonkey]

I have 5 acres, 2/3 lawn, 1/3 woods. I am in the process of cleaning out a bunch of trails through my woods. I clear them out by hand (using chain saw and very large pruners, then I pull stumps with my SubCUT (BX2230).

Its good enough for me. However, if I were in your shoes, I might have opted for something bigger. I bought the SubCUT because it was cheaper, and I can use it to also mow my 3 acres of lawn. I have the R4 tires and find that it tears up the lawn only when it the lawn/ground are wet or the soil is particularly soft (around the pond). Otherwise, its okay.

One reason I think I might have regretted a CUT is the opposite of ground clearance: low center of gravity. Sometimes I miss my little John Deere riding mower because it was closer to the ground. My BX2230 feels "tipsy" in comparison, which makes sense given its larger size. My point is that, with the hills I have, I think a CUT would have felt (been) that much less maneuverable on the hills. Same thing applies to the woods. My trails are (intentionally) not all straight. I wanted some curves to them for added interest, less incline, and to avoid having to take down nicer older bigger trees. I'd have less opportunity to do that with a larger tractor.

Size of tractor is not just about price and performance, its about balance.

 

[IslandTractor]

I'll chime in and agree with those who are advocating the CUT. If you are waffling I think you should get the CUT.

The BX24 is a great machine but ya gotta be comfortable with its size and ground clearance limitations. I looked carefully at the BX23 before deciding to go bigger in size. Horsepower is not the issue, in fact I have a less powerful engine in my CK20 TLB. A BX could out mow me on lawns but I think the CK20 would win just about every other point of comparison. Check out my photo of work last weekend clearing brush piles with a grapple on the CK20. Price is about the same as the BX24 with both configured as TLB. A B7510 TLB which is a bit more expensive would also "win" most comparisons to the BX (and is lighter so a better mower than the CK20 but not as powerful a FEL).

Again, if you are waffling it is probably better to go one step higher in frame size but don't be seduced by the horsepower junkies. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif