Which Tractor? BX1500 vs BX2230?

[BANDAMAN]

Hi Everyone,
I have been surfing around this site for awhile now and am impressed by the expertise of the members and the great advice given out. Here I sit, about to ask the question you probably get tired of answering: Which tractor should I buy? I have narrowed my choices to the BX1500 or the BX2230, and have some prices on the BX2200. I live in in the Detroit, MI area will be using the CUT to mow 1.2 acres, clear snow from 175 ft asphalt driveway and landscape my new yard. I will definitely get the FEL and the largest MMM I can, and plan to add post hole digger (planting trees) and a backblade (snow removing, some grading). I also plan to add a high output alternator(for future lights) and get a set of Bar tires for winter and if I am doing some digging. I was leaning towards the 2230 since it has the 3 cylinder and the new upgrades (cruise, 4 way hyd valve, nicer seat) and the prices I have gotten are within $500 more of a New BX2200. I have been to 6 dealers and have gotten every opinion you could imagine. They all told me the block heater was not necessary, and that "we could put it on, but you will never use it". I have had two dealers tell me that I would never use the cruise either. A couple dealers said not to load the tires, but others reccommended it and would do it for free. All the dealers kind of steered me away from the 1500 until yesterday when one dealer told me it would be all I ever needed and that the two cylinder actually ran smoother and vibrated less, once it is above idle. I think he is right, it is plenty of tractor for my needs, but payment wise, the 2230 is only $35 more a month for 60 months. (Alot more tractor for only a few more dollars????) Here's what I have been quoted so far not including sales tax:
BX1500 54MMM FEL $10,531
BX1500 54MMM FEL $10,695
BX2200 60MMM FEL $12,150
BX2230 60MMM FEL $12,690
BX2230 60MMM FEL $12.658
BX2230 60MMM FEL $12,700
USED BX1800 54MMM 300 hrs $8000
USED BX2200 60MMM FEL 315 hrs $10,000
USED BX2200 60MMM FEL 200 hrs $10.500

As you can see, the dealers around here are pretty consistent, the dealer I liked the most is 100 miles away, but I have 3 dealers within 30 miles (one of them building a store 10 miles away. The one 100 miles away will deliver and pick up for warranty for one year, but is not convenient for parts, lubes, etc. Price is not my main concern, although very important. Everything seems to be more expensive in Michigan. Any MI readers, please feel free to recommend your favorite dealer. I am most concerned about making the right decision on which tractor and which dealer, since I plan on having this machine for 20 yrs or more.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts !!!!!! Hope I can return the favor some day.

 

[NIXON]

Bandaman , Welcome to TBN !
If you feel that it's within your budget go with the larger machine . You'll be surprised at the uses you'll find for it .
I find cruise control very useful when plowing a long stretch of drive way . As to the block heater ... It sure seems to make my tractor happier on a cold morning . The higher out put altenator is a good idea . You might want to go with Aux front and rear lights from the start . The FEL will block out your lights when it's in certain positions . And rear lights make it easy to see things when you're plowing in reverse or just hooking something up . As to dealers ... Just go with the one that you feel most confident in . Again welcome ,and enjoy shopping for your machine . John

 

[GregW]

Hello,
I have a BX 22, I use my FEL quite a bit. I really feel that if I were in your position I would go ahead a spring for the 2230, or even a 2200 if you can get a really good deal on one. I mow with my tractor some as well and I always wonder if cruise control would make the job any easier, at least in my situation I don't think it would help me (to much twisting and turning in my yard.)

The extra power the 2230 has will always come in handy. Please be advised in order to use the FEL safely you will need substantial rear weight on the 3 PH. I've used the BX 22 FEL without the backhoe on and It will scare the life out of you.
A heavy implement or a weight box is needed.

I've found that like most things in life bigger and more powerful always comes in handy.

Although there are a number of folks with the BX 1500 who swear by them.

Greg

 

[44trxfun]

There are several here with BXs, so I'll let them weigh in on which tractor might suit you better. I don't know what your "landscaping" consists of but I don't think any of those tractors has position control on the 3PH implements. Also, implements in this size class tend to be on the light side, thus floating over compacted ground / snow without additional weight.

As for the block heater, don't let your dealer talk you out of it. Sooner or later you're going to want /need it. My dealer talked me out of it (I have a MF GC2300, very similar to the BX 2200) and it's already been back for heater installation. I don't know why but reading through the archives, it seems many dealers talk their customers out of the heaters. If you live where it gets cold (COLD), I'd say go for it!

 

[ronjhall]

BANDAMAN

Welcome to TBN. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

<font color="blue"> but I have 3 dealers within 30 miles (one of them building a store 10 miles away. </font>

I live near and consider the dealer that is building a new store in Howell my dealer. He has been very good with taking care of my problems. Their parts department is small. But they always seem to have the parts that I need or get them in a short time.

<font color="blue"> The one 100 miles away will deliver and pick up for warranty for one year, </font>

If you are concerned about pickup and delivery for repairs I would check again. Unless the new store in Howell has a different policy than the old store they have always taken care of me.

<font color="blue"> I was leaning towards the 2230 since it has the 3 cylinder and the new upgrades (cruise, 4 way hyd valve, nicer seat) and the prices I have gotten are within $500 more of a New BX2200. </font>

I would get the largest of the tractor your pocket book can handle. Very few on TBN have ever regretted getting to large a tractor.

<font color="blue">plan to add posthole digger </font>

The BX's have some problems with getting a posthole digger to raise fully. Check the threads on TBN how owners overcame this problem.

<font color="blue"> They all told me the block heater was not necessary, and that "we could put it on, but you will never use it". </font>

Get it; you will not regret it when it’s below 20 degrees outside.

<font color="blue"> I have had two dealers tell me that I would never use the cruise either. </font>

You may never use it on 1.2 acres. I use mine for bush hogging and rototilling. But not lawn cutting.

<font color="blue"> A couple dealers said not to load the tires, but others recommended it and would do it for free. </font>

I do not have loaded tires on my B2910. I use a weight box or attachment for counter weight.

<font color="blue"> Everything seems to be more expensive in Michigan. </font>

The prices I got in Michigan were very completive with other dealers on the Internet and Ohio. Where the price made a difference was the attachments that dealer was selling. My dealer handles mostly <font color="orange"> Kubota </font> and Land Pride. These attachments are on the high end for price and quality.

If you go back to the Novi dealer ask to talk to Jim he is the owner. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[NY_Yankees_Fan]

Bandaman

</font><font color="blueclass=small">( but payment wise, the 2230 is only $35 more a month for 60 months. )</font>

Go for the BX2230 IF you can make the extra $35 a month. OR go for a shorter loan period say 36 months and save more interest and get the smaller tractor. Both machines are more then you will need for 1.2 acres and will serve you well. I have 2 acres and went with the BX2200, so go figure. You can not go wrong either way. BUT U know what they say BIGGER is ALWAYS better. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Also consider getting the BX23 front grill guard I think they look cool, hooks for the FEL, get the block heater, and a weight box if you get the FEL.

Let us know what you get and make sure you post a few pictures too. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[RalphVa]

From all the posts I've been reading here, I'd say that the BX1500 will do all you want except for the post hole digger. Some are even expressing reservations about the BX2230 in this regard.

We as Master Gardeners do not recommend post hole diggers for planting trees. For tree planting, you want a fairly shallow hole, no deeper and perhaps an inch or so less shallow than the pot dirt its in or depth of its wrapped root ball. However, it needs to be 2 to 3 times bigger. You could probably do it with a post hole digger but would need to drill probably 9 holes: 8 around a central hole to do it. A back hoe would be a better tool, or a shovel, possibly some forks on an FEL to loosen things up and then the shovel to clear it out. I personally wouldn't spend money on a tractor to plant trees unless I was doing it commercially. I've planted maybe a dozen trees on my property with a shovel and moved 3 this last spring. If its really rocky, you'll need a crowbar and hammer, too.

I read somewhere in a discussion about BX2200 vs. BX2230 that the BX2230 will not take an engine heater. You have to attach a magnetic one.

Ralph

 

[BANDAMAN]

Thanks to everyone who has replied so far; I appreciate your advice. My idea with the post hole digger was to get a short auger (so the BX would have clearance) and about an 6-8 inch auger. I figured for small trees and shrubs, about 4 holes closely spaced and then cleaned out with a shovel would do the trick. I agree, larger plantings would be more challenging, maybe making swiss cheese out of the yard to help lossen my tough clay and a little sand mix. I also heard the 2230 won't take a block heater, I haven't gotten a for sure answer from a dealer yet. The tractor will be in my attached garage (not heated, but insulated), it does get pretty cold out there. My yard is pretty flat, with a large berm all the way along one side. I plan to get truckloads of dirt and use the loader to add some "texture" to the yard (berms, mounds for planting). I don't have any trees yet, so I could place them anywhere I want so i can clear a 60" MMM.

 

[kevinj]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I also heard the 2230 won't take a block heater, I haven't gotten a for sure answer from a dealer yet )</font>

I do not know about block heaters for the bx2230 but I can buy an imersion block heater for my bx1500 right from Kubota.

 

[stevenw]

Bandman,

Welcom aboard.

I'm faced with the same questions but I believe the 2230 is more of a machine and will have better re-sale and or trade-in value than the 1500 or the 2200 because it is new and improved. The following pricing is what I received from one dealer and it seems reasonable from what I received from other area dealers. I'm also looking at the JD 2210 which is priced the same and they have 3 year 0% financing if you need to go that route. Note the JD does not have <a href="http://0-2u.com?go=<a href="http://get-certified.net?go=cruise" onmouseover="window.status = 'goto: cruise';return 1" onmouseout="window.status=''">cruise</a>" onmouseover="window.status = 'goto: <a href="http://go-acct.com?go=cruise" onmouseover="window.status = 'goto: cruise';return 1" onmouseout="window.status=''">cruise</a>';return 1" onmouseout="window.status=''"><a href="http://get-data.net?go=cruise" onmouseover="window.status = 'goto: cruise';return 1" onmouseout="window.status=''">cruise</a></a> or the high-back seat. I believe both machines can't have a Back Hoe.

Steve

BX2230 Kubota tractor $8,199.00
BX7310 HD alternator $165.00
RCK54 Mower $1350.00
RCK60 Mower $1500.00
LA211FL-1 Loader $2399.00
Full set bar turf (extra)$310.00
Wheel weights $120.00 (we don't normally load BX tires)

Total $12,263.00