Tractor choices

kmaher · May 3, 2015

Hi long time lurker reading what I can on tractors. We have some acreage in northern Minnesota and are trying to decide on which tractor would be the best for our use. We have a large family garden, and some lawn, and lots of woods.
We need tiller for our 3/4 acre garden. I have been nursing a 1979 TB horse for the last couple of years, but it's on it's way out, when I changed the transmission oil I found some 1/4" chunks of brass and it feels like there is a dead spot when moving it.
I have been going some research and am liking the Grillo g107.
I stopped by the local BCS dealer to see what they had, found a 739 PS and a sales manager that gave me the 2014 brochure and said that would answer any of my questions. I was not impressed.
I need a soil working tractor primarily, but would like to use it to haul firewood out of the back lot, instead of skidding logs out with the 4 wheeler. I can see adding a lawnmower/brush cutter to it in the future and the snowblower attachment to get more use out of the investment.

From what I have read, the differential is a must, but are steering brakes worth it?
What about the difference between the g107 and g110? Is the g110 that much better?
Does the 739 come with steering brakes? I don't know if the transport speed would be very useful to me, I don't see the need to travel at 8mph for any distance.

Does anybody have an opinion they would care to share?

Thanks
Kyle

cmyoung2 · May 3, 2015

Steering brakes are So worth it, especially as we get older. Important enough to me that I had a brake cable loosen while tilling yesterday, stopped and fixed it before I finished the last two rows. Don't know the Grillo, but my BCS850 fits my small operation. Awesome tiller, still trying to save enough for the rotary plow. I do most of my mowing and bush hog work with it. Power barrow is still my most used implement. Made a sulky to connect and tow stuff like the log splitter, garden wagons, yard sweeper. I have a logging arch, just finished building, just not sure how well it might work going up hill, we can get steep. I do have tires foam filled, that added 25lbs each, and about 70lbs wheel weights. I also have a snowblower, nice when needed, dozer blade, does well in snow, gravel, loose dirt.
The only thing these two wheel tractors don't have is a front end loader to pick stuff up. I don't use the transport gear much, and when I do, it is at an idle. Maybe when I build a cart, but our place is fairly small.
If you don't care for your local dealer, call/visit Joel @ earthworks. Website is good, His service is great.

TimberXX · May 5, 2015

Steering brakes are the best. I would not own a machine without them. From turning a cart full of wood, to a mower across a slope, to turning a snowblower. They make everything easier.

You should choose the 107 vs 110 based on future need of attachments. Check out earthtools.

Best of luck.

joecoin · May 5, 2015

I have a 107d. Don't know anything about the BCS except you can mow in reverse with them, but you can't mow in reverse with the Grillo.

I probably wouldn't want to use one with out the steering brakes. Also, I would get the larger foam filled tires if I had to do it over.

NibbanaFarm · May 10, 2015

I have a BCS 739 with a tiller, sickle bar mower and a utility cart sulky I made for it. I also made a transport wheel and barbell type wheel weights, both of which improve it immeasurably. And some other accessories. I've owned it for about a year. I will order a bush hog and am planning on a snowblower.

First I must say: I have dealt with three different power equipment dealers in my life. The one I bought my Cub Cadet garden tractor from was just unsatisfactory. The other two, including my BCS dealer, were positively abysmal. I really can't see how these people stay in business. Anyway, I'll move on.

When I bought the tractor, I definitely wanted the steering brakes. But as I remember, it was over $800 for steering brakes and one more horsepower. Add tax and you're pushing a grand. And that seemed like a little too much. Almost a third again the price of the tractor. I can't really say that I've ever terribly missed the steering brakes. But then again, I wouldn't really know. I actually thought that the steering brakes might add a little too much complexity. And you would have to learn to use them in both directions. I guess it boils down to whether you have the greenies. I think it would be easy to mount bicycle brake levers and cables. It's all set up to accept them down on the wheels.

I don't have any use for a transport speed. As far as I've read here, they have the transport gear in them and you just have to change the gear selection plate. I won't be doing that.

The 739 is in many ways fabulous. What takes me an hour of hard labor, this thing does in 10 seconds. But there is one thing that I really, really don't like about it. And that is the brake in the clutch. When you disengage the clutch, the machine applies a brake (according to Oldmech) that stops it and the implement instantaneously. And I mean instantaneously. I guess this is supposed to be a safety feature. It's not really an issue when using an implement, but it's annoying when riding a sulky. And I'm sure this is why they don't make a Power Safe with a transport speed. It would be very dangerous. For this reason I would not buy a Power Safe model if I had to do it over. And if I ever get ambitious, I'm going to attempt to figure out how to disable this brake. Maybe Oldmech can figure out a fix for it or somebody else who's really smart.

That's my review for now. Hugely great product with one annoying design feature.

cmyoung2 · May 10, 2015

Not real sure why steering brakes were so expensive. Dual brakes from EarthTools are $179, but not sure if they fit the 739. Would not want to use my 850 without them. The added brakes are not real difficult to install, but you do have to work at it a little. Installed a single brake on my old 725, both for stopping and parking.

NibbanaFarm · May 17, 2015

Well, I'm not completely sure what the difference is. But looking at the BCS website, the only difference I see between the 739 and the next step up, the 749, is Honda 390 vs 340 engine, and steering brakes. So, it looks like, 1 hp and steering brakes is what you get for $826 more. Then add tax. That seems like a lot of money to me. Earth tools says the brakes aren't available for the 739. I looked on a bicycle website and there are brake levers and cables available for pretty darn cheap that would fit the handlebars. I just didn't pursue it because I didn't feel like I was missing all that much without the brakes. I might get some in the future.

rickyd79 · Jun 13, 2015

Yes, get the steering brakes. If you will never do ANY mowing or other front mounted implements (power barrow, chipper, etc.) then maybe you won't miss them. But I even use mine occasionally while tilling. If one is spending close to $4,000 on a walk behind tractor and 1 implement ( assuming 739 ), why not spend the extra cash and get the steering brakes? I understand if your budget won't allow it. If that is the case I would then consider Grillo g110 because for almost the same money (maybe a hundred or 2 more) you can upgrade the tractor and get steering brakes and have a machine comparable to BCS 853. Personally I run an 853. But 749 is fine as well, although I prefer transport gear and I don't like how fast the powersafe machines stop for my purposes. I do think its a good safety feature for novice users. Actually I love the park brake lever on the 749. I hope one day the 853 will have one. In my opinion its really only needed when working on slopes (the park brake lever I mean). If on flat ground I have not found a real need for park brake lever. But for now when on slopes I brake one wheel and can get by. Its just hard to grab the clutch and both brake levers at the same time!

I also don't think the only difference between 739 and 749 is the engine and steering brakes. I will have to double check the part list, but I believe the axles/hubs are heavier duty and the transmission as well.

Kmaher, I think we may have communicated already via email. If you still have questions give me a call. I am a dealer in TN. I think I had mentioned a used 853 machine to you as a possibility via email over the last few weeks...