Torn between models-G2160,GR2100,TG1860

[jlangton]

I've been looking for a riding mower/lawn tractor for a few weeks now. It all started when my Dad purchased a JD 155C for his new place,and needed somewhere to store it until he got moved in and had a place to store it. I've been push mowing my place for abour 10 years now,and even though it's just over an acre-it wasn't too bad-until I used the JD rider a couple of times.I'm down to 30-45 minutes mowing time vs almost 6 hours before with the push mower...and frankly-I'm not going back to push mowing this place anymore.
I've been looking around and I think I've narrowed it down to a few models,but I'm really torn on which one to get.
I like the diesel powered machines just for the long trouble free life,and the amazing fuel economy vs. a gas powered machine in the same class. I like the TG1860 due to the 48" mower fitting my yard better than the larger 54" and 60" mowers on the G2160 and GR2100, but I worry about an all belt driven machine-esp with the tq output of the TG's diesel.
I've found a demo locally for $4950 with 22 hours on it, and feel that this is a prettty fair price, but again....belt drive.
I've also looked at the G2160,and like the shaft driven HST, but the belt/shaft drive PTO/mower deck has me a bit concerned,and I don't know if I like the manual engagement with belt tension for a clutch. The price I was quoted locally for this one is $6950 with the 54" deck.
The GR2100-I like the seemingly better wet PTO clutch,and the AWD seems nice,but it's $7200 locally,and I have a hard time with that price-esp since it doesn't even have capability for any real implements at all.
Now,my other dilemma-I might in the future end up with a place that's almost 8 acres,and the BX series would be much more handy in that situation...thing is-that's a good 3-5 years away,and I could even outright buy a larger tractor by then since one of the above mowers would be paid for in that time frame.
Decisions,decisions....gimme a bit of input if you own one of these above units,and let me know what all you do with it.
Thanks,
JL

 

[jlangton]

I've been looking for a riding mower/lawn tractor for a few weeks now. It all started when my Dad purchased a JD 155C for his new place,and needed somewhere to store it until he got moved in and had a place to store it. I've been push mowing my place for abour 10 years now,and even though it's just over an acre-it wasn't too bad-until I used the JD rider a couple of times.I'm down to 30-45 minutes mowing time vs almost 6 hours before with the push mower...and frankly-I'm not going back to push mowing this place anymore.
I've been looking around and I think I've narrowed it down to a few models,but I'm really torn on which one to get.
I like the diesel powered machines just for the long trouble free life,and the amazing fuel economy vs. a gas powered machine in the same class. I like the TG1860 due to the 48" mower fitting my yard better than the larger 54" and 60" mowers on the G2160 and GR2100, but I worry about an all belt driven machine-esp with the tq output of the TG's diesel.
I've found a demo locally for $4950 with 22 hours on it, and feel that this is a prettty fair price, but again....belt drive.
I've also looked at the G2160,and like the shaft driven HST, but the belt/shaft drive PTO/mower deck has me a bit concerned,and I don't know if I like the manual engagement with belt tension for a clutch. The price I was quoted locally for this one is $6950 with the 54" deck.
The GR2100-I like the seemingly better wet PTO clutch,and the AWD seems nice,but it's $7200 locally,and I have a hard time with that price-esp since it doesn't even have capability for any real implements at all.
Now,my other dilemma-I might in the future end up with a place that's almost 8 acres,and the BX series would be much more handy in that situation...thing is-that's a good 3-5 years away,and I could even outright buy a larger tractor by then since one of the above mowers would be paid for in that time frame.
Decisions,decisions....gimme a bit of input if you own one of these above units,and let me know what all you do with it.
Thanks,
JL

 

[jlangton]

I've been doing alot of reading,and I'm making a trip over to the dealer tomorrow to look at the BX a bit closer before I make up my mind.
JL

 

[jlangton]

I've been doing alot of reading,and I'm making a trip over to the dealer tomorrow to look at the BX a bit closer before I make up my mind.
JL

 

[Gomez]

JL,

If you have the $$$, get the BX. (You will also get many more responses inquiring about a BX here /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif)
If/when you acquire the larger property, the BX can do a lot and carry you until you get a larger tractor (if needed /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif).

On the other hand, for mowing one acre, any of the smaller units would be fine. I just bought a T1750 (I think that's the model- 17HP gas w/48" mower) for my mother to cut her proerty (a little over an acre). It's 8 years old w/ 500 hours and runs great.

Keep shopping, you'll be owning a BX24 soon. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Good Luck!!

 

[Gomez]

JL,

If you have the $$$, get the BX. (You will also get many more responses inquiring about a BX here /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif)
If/when you acquire the larger property, the BX can do a lot and carry you until you get a larger tractor (if needed /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif).

On the other hand, for mowing one acre, any of the smaller units would be fine. I just bought a T1750 (I think that's the model- 17HP gas w/48" mower) for my mother to cut her proerty (a little over an acre). It's 8 years old w/ 500 hours and runs great.

Keep shopping, you'll be owning a BX24 soon. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Good Luck!!

 

[jlangton]

I just got back from the dealer,and I really like the BX24...that price is killing me.
I'm looking at a used BX23 and that price is alot more within reach-just have to go look at it to see if it's what I want.
JL

 

[jlangton]

I just got back from the dealer,and I really like the BX24...that price is killing me.
I'm looking at a used BX23 and that price is alot more within reach-just have to go look at it to see if it's what I want.
JL

 

[dcbx1]

I just bought the bx1850... I finish mow about 3/4 acre and it has an awesome cut,as good as my neighbors that is cut by a zero turn Toro ... I also had a similar dilema as yours and when I factored in the added advantages and features the bx has, I then went with the bx 1850... You cant go wrong with the bx.. I would give it some more thought before you buy a riding lawnmower... good luck /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[dcbx1]

I just bought the bx1850... I finish mow about 3/4 acre and it has an awesome cut,as good as my neighbors that is cut by a zero turn Toro ... I also had a similar dilema as yours and when I factored in the added advantages and features the bx has, I then went with the bx 1850... You cant go wrong with the bx.. I would give it some more thought before you buy a riding lawnmower... good luck /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[jlangton]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I just bought the bx1850... I finish mow about 3/4 acre and it has an awesome cut,as good as my neighbors that is cut by a zero turn Toro ... I also had a similar dilema as yours and when I factored in the added advantages and features the bx has, I then went with the bx 1850... You cant go wrong with the bx.. I would give it some more thought before you buy a riding lawnmower... good luck /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif )</font>
I've really been bothered by this for a few days now,and have decided that the BX is just too much machine for me right now. Lack of storage area,and the cost to get the BX24(the only way I'd buy one) is more than what I want to spend right now.
I'm thinking like this... If I get a TG or one of the G series riders,I can always pick up a BX or a B series in a few years if I end up with that 8 acre place and I wouldn't need to get the $1700 MMM with it. Two seperate machines seem to make more sense, and they'll both last longer doing the job that they're more suited for anyway.
I made a seperate post in the lawn tractor section to get input on the TG and the G before I make up my mind.
Thanks for the replies,and I'll hang around to read and learn more about these compact and sub-compact units to make future buying decisions easier.
Thanks,
JL

 

[woodchuckc]

I've had a G2160 for 3 years (this is the 4th year) and now have 470 hours on it. It has been pretty much bulletproof until this year (I've had to replace the front wheel bearings and the stop timer relay), except for the twin V-belts that drive the deck PTO. I replaced them last year at about 350 hours, and I have had to replace them again this year. One note - the set from Kubota is $ 90.00 /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif ! I took one of the old ones in to the local NAPA parts store and they were able to match them up with no trouble, and the cost was about 20.00 for the pair. They are very easy to replace, so I wouldn't consider it a big deal. The long belt on the deck that drives the blades is still in good shape even after all of these hours, but I'm sure that it will be very costly to replace when the time comes since it is a twin V-belt (a single belt with two V's).

I love the diesel engine - it takes about 1/2 gallon of fuel for me to cut my 3 acre yard, and is maintainence free except for changing oil / filter and the air filter.

They are a little pricey, but I anticipate being able to put over 3000 hours on it without having to do any more to it than what I have already.

-Chuck

 

[jlangton]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I've had a G2160 for 3 years (this is the 4th year) and now have 470 hours on it. It has been pretty much bulletproof until this year (I've had to replace the front wheel bearings and the stop timer relay), except for the twin V-belts that drive the deck PTO. I replaced them last year at about 350 hours, and I have had to replace them again this year. One note - the set from Kubota is $ 90.00 /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif ! I took one of the old ones in to the local NAPA parts store and they were able to match them up with no trouble, and the cost was about 20.00 for the pair. They are very easy to replace, so I wouldn't consider it a big deal. The long belt on the deck that drives the blades is still in good shape even after all of these hours, but I'm sure that it will be very costly to replace when the time comes since it is a twin V-belt (a single belt with two V's).

I love the diesel engine - it takes about 1/2 gallon of fuel for me to cut my 3 acre yard, and is maintainence free except for changing oil / filter and the air filter.

They are a little pricey, but I anticipate being able to put over 3000 hours on it without having to do any more to it than what I have already.

-Chuck )</font>
That's the kind of input I was looking for. There's a local place that sells any kind and length of V-Belt that you want,and if they don't have it-you're not gonna find it. I'm going to be buying one of these in the next couple of weeks,I guess my best bet is to have the dealer line them up next to each other and take them both for a test spin around the dealer's place and see which I like best.
Thanks!
JL

 

[woodchuckc]

JL,
You are welcome - I know how big a decision it is to spend that much for a lawn tractor. My brother-in-law and I live next to each other and have about 140 acres between us, so we have a bigger tractor (Kubotat L5030 with FEL) to do the "real" tractor work and I never really considered spending enough to get something like a BX. I just got tired of getting the $2000 "disposable" lawn tractors, which would work o.k. for a year or two and then I would end up spending more time fixing things that wore out on them or broke for another year before going and buying another one. I did have one of the older Cub Cadets for a few years that held up very well, but boy did that Kohler love to drink the gas - I was burning 4 - 5 gallons each time I mowed! I don't think I could afford to keep the grass cut with the price of gas now.

I think that you will be pleased with the G2160. I would consider getting a GR2100 if it came with a 60" deck - I have some hills and slopes that are a little tricky with the G2160 when the grass is wet or damp. I looked at one last year, and it appears just as well built as the G2160. If I had a nice flat yard, I would probably have a ZD-21 since it would be a faster to mow with than a tractor-style mower, but I just wouldn't feel comfortable with it on some of the slopes I cut (one drops off into a pond and the other has about a 20' drop into a creek on the edge).

-Chuck

 

[jlangton]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( JL,
You are welcome - I know how big a decision it is to spend that much for a lawn tractor. My brother-in-law and I live next to each other and have about 140 acres between us, so we have a bigger tractor (Kubotat L5030 with FEL) to do the "real" tractor work and I never really considered spending enough to get something like a BX. I just got tired of getting the $2000 "disposable" lawn tractors, which would work o.k. for a year or two and then I would end up spending more time fixing things that wore out on them or broke for another year before going and buying another one. I did have one of the older Cub Cadets for a few years that held up very well, but boy did that Kohler love to drink the gas - I was burning 4 - 5 gallons each time I mowed! I don't think I could afford to keep the grass cut with the price of gas now.

I think that you will be pleased with the G2160. I would consider getting a GR2100 if it came with a 60" deck - I have some hills and slopes that are a little tricky with the G2160 when the grass is wet or damp. I looked at one last year, and it appears just as well built as the G2160. If I had a nice flat yard, I would probably have a ZD-21 since it would be a faster to mow with than a tractor-style mower, but I just wouldn't feel comfortable with it on some of the slopes I cut (one drops off into a pond and the other has about a 20' drop into a creek on the edge).

-Chuck )</font>
The local guy here has a GR2100 in the crate,and he'll have it assembled and ready to show Thursday,so I'm heading by there to take a look at it then to compare. I'm not going after the 60" deck-a 54" is just right for me here,so I can go with either one really.
JL

 

[Charliebrn]

My dealer let me play with a GR2100 while I was deciding between it and the BX2350. Seemed to be a fine tractor. Probably would've bought it, but I had plans to build my pole barn and knew the BX with a FEL would be needed. Glad I went that way now, but the GR2100 is definately a decent choice. The diesel engine is quieter and much better on fuel, not to mention the torque factor and 4WD.

And don't forget power steering! Makes all the difference in the world when you're out there for a while. I would consider it a must-have anymore....