would a bx-1500 do?

[rbarker]

I came here to look for information on my next tractor and found this thread.


I am trying to decide if a new "B" series will work for my new place or if I should look at the "L" series.

Welcome to the forum! You've come to the right place, but I suggest that you start a new thread titled something like "Upgrading to B or L series". This will get the attention of the larger tractor owners who can give you sage advice on how big you need etc. They may not be following the BX 1500 discussion since it's not applicable to them.

Happy tractoring!

 

[Carl Bill]

Thanks! I will start another thread. If anyone is interested in a slightly used BX1500, let me know....

 

[ByronBob]

For what you said you'd like. I don't see anything there the 1500 wouldn't do. Go to the dealer and test one out around his lot and feel it out. The web site gives you an idea what the BX can handle by the implements it offers.

 

[Backup]

What do you think about a new BX1500 with FEL and 54" MMM for $9900? I'm thinking the BX1850 is worth the extra $1500 or so.

 

[Tom_H]

Backup,

With the BX1500 having been discontinued, I assume this "new" BX is an "old but unused" leftover on your dealer's lot? If so, he may be willing to negotiate a lower price because this is a "clearance" item. Otherwise, yes, the BX1850 is worth the difference.

 

[RGuy]

Howard, have you been looking over my back fence?
My situation is pretty much like yours except for the pond. Bought BX1500 w/54" mower, FEL and 5' blade in March. I mow about 2 1/2 acres weekly. Moved several tons of dirt and rock. Rebuilt my raised garden bed. Moved a bunch of railroad ties. Leveled some spots in the yard. My BX1500 hasn't skipped a beat yet. Future projects are borrowing a PHD from a friend and sinking some holes for deck piers. I plan on buying a small box blade and doing some heavier landscaping and road maintenance this fall. Snow removal when winter arrives. Perfect machine for my needs. I don't need larger tractor or more HP. Good Luck on whatever you buy.
<Neal>

 

[islandman]

We purchased a BX1830 two years ago to do about the same jobs you've got in mind. It's been a great tractor and the 54 inch MMM is perfect for mowing the 3 acres of grass and maneuvering around all our trees and bushes. But sometimes I've wished that I had gone for the 2330 or whatever model it was back then that had the backhoe, but affordability was an issue like it is for all of us. But the Kubota finance package is one heck of a deal. Anyway, the 1500 will do everything you need, but like one of the earlier threads mentioned you should check out the 1850 for the larger engine and more horsepower. The PHD that we purchased with the tractor was made by Shaver and is really worth the money.

 

[KeithInSpace]

I have the 60" mower on 2 wooded acres (mowing about 1 with LOTS of driving around trees) and it takes less than an hour. Insanely efficient.

Faced with the same decision as you, I would consider adding (as Mr. Island suggests) a used 1830/2200/2230 to your possible targets. The 1500 is a great machine, but the wheels are a bit smaller (making the PTO/arms an inch lower amplifying the PHD problems), the frame a bit shorter, and the whole thing a bit lighter. You'd probably shell out another $1,000 or so to get up to a 3-cylinder model, but you get a bunch of benefits on top of the bump in HP.

I'm a pretty cost-sensitive guy, too. Faced with the same decision, I went for one of the last 2230's on my dealer's lot. If you dig, you may even find a new one somewhere, be it 1500, 1830, or 2230. Resale is so strong, it may less of a stretch than you think. In the end, whatever you get will be perfect. They are all great tractors for their intended use.

 

[BXRICK]

Keep in mind that the size of the machine frequently affects the speed with which a task can be accomplished, not whether it can be accomplished at all.
For instance, a lot of what we use FELs for can be accomplished with more sweat and a shovel. I'm guessing gardens have been successfully grown without powered rototillers.
PTO eqipment can be smaller with a smaller machine and/or travel speed has to be reduced (if applicable). Both of these things equate to more time spent. But they don't mean the job can't be done. Time may be a big factor to you, in which case more machine would be warranted.

Having only used a BX1500, it's hard to say how much, if any, happier I'd be with something bigger. In my situation, the slightly smaller size of the machine is not an advantage or disadvantage.
I looked at the BX1800 at the time of purchase, and decided I could use the slight increase in cost for something else than a slightlyu bigger tractor. No idea if that was the "right" decision.
I can't think of a time I said, "Jeez, if I'd bought the bigger machine, I could <fill in blank>". But you don't know what you don't have.

 

[Carl Bill]

My BX1500 is wonderfull! I would not be looking to move up to a bigger tractor, except that we have been approved on a deal for 47 acres! The BX1500 is a great tractor. My neighbors are all envious, jealous and would love to have it when I move.

I looked at the BX1800 for a long time before they introduced the BX1500. Then I knew that I had found the right tractor!