A very capable multipurpose subcompact tractor
Model Year: 2010
I recently moved to a new home on a 2 acre lot -- a parcel which needed significant landscaping work, including building footwalls, solving drainage issues, laying mulch, and so on. Moreover, I wanted the same machine to be able to cut the grass in the summer, and come winter move snow. The Kubota BX1860 has fit into this multipurpose role perfectly. The ease at which I can attach the loader and move dirt and stone, then detach it and cut grass makes using this tractor a real pleasure. Operation has been truly economical in terms of the amount of diesel I have used. I purchased this tractor with the FEL, 54" MMM deck, and ballast box. The FEL is the best thing ever invented for a homeowner with a large lot, and especially for a person like me who is a DIY'er when it comes to landscaping with stone. At first it seems like an expensive wheelbarrow, but the amount of time and backaches saved is truly amazing. My previous lawn/garden tractors have included a Cub Cadet 149 (also hydrostatic) and the simplicity of the BX1860's shaft-driven MMM has to be appreciated in this context. Compared to the Cub's right-angle belt drive for the mower, and the attendant problems, the mid-PTO is truly a godsend. The BX1860's MMM is hung and back off in a snap, either for sharpening the blades or for FEL use in very uneven terrain. Note that the MMM can in fact be left in place when using the FEL on relatively flat ground. The 54" deck is the right size for my lot; combined with the maneuverability of this tractor it has greatly reduced the time it takes to mow the lawn. My current TPH implements consist only of a towed plug aerator, and a PTO-driven 10KW generator head. The latter attaches to the house transfer switch via a heavy duty cord, and allows us to run the well pump and other electrical items when the power is out. In the spring, I'll borrow a PTO-driven PHD and redo the failing trellis for our tiny vineyard by setting new posts and wiring them. My two nits regarding this excellent tractor are really the result of wishing it to be perfect for every possible task–not possible–life and tractor ownership are all about compromises. For instance, the FEL bucket could have a larger capacity, so when lighter bulk material is being transported it can be done in fewer trips. I moved 34 yards of mulch in one day this summer, and at just over a quarter cubic yard heaped per bucketful it does take some time. In this case I would have been better served by putting the mulch into a towed yard cart/trailer, and then taking a trailer load at a time–alas, no trailer. On the other hand, the capacity of the bucket is perfect for stone and gravel; the tractor feels very stable with a struck bucket of 3/4"-minus or a load of fieldstone, although you'll definitely need the ballast box on the TPH for these types of tasks. Second, the non-foldable ROPS does get in the way in certain areas of the yard. I have increased the mulched area under specific trees just to avoid unwanted ROPS-vs-branches encounters. In short, for a DIY homeowner who is interested in a multipurpose tractor capable of as much as your imagination, the BX1860 is a good choice. It's strong where it needs to be, agile when it has to be, and I don't think I'll ever run out of tasks for it to do nor the pleasure of running the tractor doing so. The Kubota BX1860 gets 5 stars all around from me.
Pros: Agility, turning radius, stability, ease of attaching/detaching loader, fuel consumption, operator comfort.
Cons: FEL capacity for lighter material such as mulch.
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