Which Tractor? BX1500 vs BX2230?

[stevenw]

I don't know where all that gibberish came from my last post...let's try this again...
Bandman,

Welcome 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 <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

 

[RonR]

Hi Bandaman,

I had not much luck using a PHD to try to dig a trench for some electrical lines. It was too easy for the auger to break through to the previous hole, and I still had a lot of debris to remove.

I quit that and used a homemade ripper blade (from 2 box blade rippers side by side) and ripped a trench 18" deep. It was a LOT easier.

The PHD on my BX2200 is so close to the tractor, it's hard for me to get a good perspective on straight up/down, so that didn't help. I found I needed a helper to align me to make it work at all.

Hope this helps.
Ron

 

[jpr62902]

Another important consideration is a toothbar for the FEL. These BX's are kinda light for FEL digging without one.

Regarding the blockheater, my BX doesn't have one and has started every time, albeit with a coupla ten second glow plug charges and about 15 -20 seconds of cranking the starter. Kinda hard on the battery and engine, especially in winter. Like you, I keep my tractor in an unheated, insulated garage that abuts the house.

My back yard is 300 feet long and I don't miss the cruise at all when mowing. In fact, cruise can be kind of a hazard with foot operated HST, and I know. Almost drove right thru a tree trying to hit the brake to disengage the cruise and accidentally hit the forward pedal.

 

[rbarker]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Hi Everyone,
Which tractor should I buy? I have narrowed my choices to the BX1500 or the BX2230, and have some prices on the BX2200. )</font>

From the list of stuff you describe for your new tractor it sounds like the bigger BX2230 might be a better choice. An extra 62 lbs. of loader capacity (by factory rating) will be helpful in moving loam and other landscaping products and the extra few hundred pounds of weight will help during ground engagement tasks.

As for the block heater and high capacity alternator, I say yes to both if available. I bought neither and have added the alternator already and the block heater soon.

Good luck, and I doubt you can go really far wrong with what ever you chose!

 

[BANDAMAN]

Thanks for the advice. I am really leaning towards the BX2230. I only have 1.2 acre now, but I do have plans to move back to Iowa at some point and hope to buy between 5 and 50 acres to play on. Back there, my dad has large IH's on the farm that I could borrow for any major work. I think the final decision will be made once I go spend some more time driving them around. I think I have even ruled out the BX2200 unless I can get a really good deal, not that I think it is inferior or obselete (minor changes to BX2230), but anytime there is a model change, the older model tends to lose a little value (in my opinion).
I have read some of the comments here about Kubota changing the engine, but I am not worried about either one. I know they wouldn't put an engine out that wasn't proven. Especially when I consider all those Thermoking (and other brands) reefer trailers with kubota engines powering the refridgerator with over 20,000 hrs on the clock.