Is a BX tractor right for me?
- Thread starter JDKu
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Doug in NNY
Bronze Member
The short answer to the question that titles this thread is, Yes.
I bought a BX2350 June 2008. The sometimes harsh stop coming out of reverse (only when in high range) was muted somewhat when my dealer replaced the exterior linkage with that used on the 60-series. Not every BX2350 had this problem to the same degree. There are quite a few threads on TBN that have addressed this subject.
Me, I'm fine with what I have and how it functions. The BX replaced an old 20hp Simplicity Sunstar for mowing. I shaved an hour off the mowing I do, using half the fuel.
Having a loader, I haven't used a wheel barrow since June 2008.
Because of obstacles here and there around the lawn, I went with a 54" mower. I am more than satisfied with this unit and the service from our local Kubota dealer. I should have done this years ago.
You want one of these. Yes, you do. And TBN is an excellent place for peer support.
Doug
BX2350, FEL w/Markham tooth bar (you want one of these, too), 54" mmm, Curtis cab, rear hyd., Kodiak 5' rake, Loftness 3ph 48" snow thrower.
I bought a BX2350 June 2008. The sometimes harsh stop coming out of reverse (only when in high range) was muted somewhat when my dealer replaced the exterior linkage with that used on the 60-series. Not every BX2350 had this problem to the same degree. There are quite a few threads on TBN that have addressed this subject.
Me, I'm fine with what I have and how it functions. The BX replaced an old 20hp Simplicity Sunstar for mowing. I shaved an hour off the mowing I do, using half the fuel.
Having a loader, I haven't used a wheel barrow since June 2008.
Because of obstacles here and there around the lawn, I went with a 54" mower. I am more than satisfied with this unit and the service from our local Kubota dealer. I should have done this years ago.
You want one of these. Yes, you do. And TBN is an excellent place for peer support.
Doug
BX2350, FEL w/Markham tooth bar (you want one of these, too), 54" mmm, Curtis cab, rear hyd., Kodiak 5' rake, Loftness 3ph 48" snow thrower.
ampsucker
Platinum Member
i have the bx24 and mow about 4 acres. i also have a JD/scotts 17.542 which is basically the JD 120. it's a 17.5 horse kohler engine w/ 42" deck.
couple of points:
1. power steering is awesome. you'll love it.
2. any muddy spots? 4x4 is awesome although where the smaller mower tends to "float" on the large rear tires, you'll make deep ruts with the much heavier bx.
3. mowing time is basically cut in half due to wider deck, more power.
4. clearance under low tree limbs can be an issue due to ROPS.
5. strength of construction is much better on bx. very difficult to break or bend the deck, whereas i have had to weld up the deck on the JD.
6. plan to rig up a bungee to hold up the plastic mower deck chute. it really helps distribute windrow material and keep the finished lawn looking good. if you don't, the bx will leave deep windrows when you cut deep grass and the grass under the windrows will turn brown and rot.
7. plan to store diesel, not gas. not a big deal, but it needs a different additive and you'll need to keep it a bit warmer if it gets very cold where you are. i find it to be more efficient and can mow 4 acres on a little more than a 1/4 tank of the bx's 6 gallon or so capacity.
8. if you need to trailer your machine for service or whatever, you'll need something a little stouter than what the little mower takes. think dual axles if you have to go any distance.
overall, very pleased with the bx i have. it's really nice to have the hydraulics, PTO and FEL and BH.
amp
couple of points:
1. power steering is awesome. you'll love it.
2. any muddy spots? 4x4 is awesome although where the smaller mower tends to "float" on the large rear tires, you'll make deep ruts with the much heavier bx.
3. mowing time is basically cut in half due to wider deck, more power.
4. clearance under low tree limbs can be an issue due to ROPS.
5. strength of construction is much better on bx. very difficult to break or bend the deck, whereas i have had to weld up the deck on the JD.
6. plan to rig up a bungee to hold up the plastic mower deck chute. it really helps distribute windrow material and keep the finished lawn looking good. if you don't, the bx will leave deep windrows when you cut deep grass and the grass under the windrows will turn brown and rot.
7. plan to store diesel, not gas. not a big deal, but it needs a different additive and you'll need to keep it a bit warmer if it gets very cold where you are. i find it to be more efficient and can mow 4 acres on a little more than a 1/4 tank of the bx's 6 gallon or so capacity.
8. if you need to trailer your machine for service or whatever, you'll need something a little stouter than what the little mower takes. think dual axles if you have to go any distance.
overall, very pleased with the bx i have. it's really nice to have the hydraulics, PTO and FEL and BH.
amp
Trafficman
Silver Member
Chris,
I have an '01 BX22, original owner. I went through a bunch of the "garden tractor/mowers" before I got my BX. Compared a lot, drove a lot, talked with other owners, etc. What decided it for me was the ability to have different manufacturers attachments. A lot of the other machines could either not use a particular attachment i.e. FEL or BH, or could only use an OEM. Both options left a bad feeling. I did get a great deal on mine from a local dealer, after having pestered him for months, and buying bajillions of $$ worth of parts for the "garden tractors" trying to keep them running. SWMBO was not a happy camper with my spending $9200 for a BX22 with a 54" deck FEL & BH until she got stuck in the snow. Then she realized why I got it. My street is an orphan, nobody plows it and it is a mild slope down to a dead end. Just enough of a slope that with a minimum amount of snow it is (by DC standards) impassible. I push the street out with the FEL ~3/10 mi. & 15 driveways. Takes about 6-7 hrs. SWMBO & the neighbors have gotten their heads together & after the last snow (24") aka new ice age. A snowblower is in my future (happy days!) The biggest beef I have is that OEM parts are not cheap but not $$$$, Labor is. I'm a maychanic (May work, May not) not a mechanic. Somethings I get done by the dealer, maintains the warranty, & I don't get crummy. Other things I do, (replaced the Transaxle fan, $1.98 for the part $975 for labor, think split the tractor into 2 halves).
Mine now has ~3200 hrs on it, solid as granite but is starting to need new hoses. I've put in 100-150 backyard pond with it, mowed my acre x2 mo., pushed snow, dug a septic system. Can't say enough good about it.
HTH T-Man.
I have an '01 BX22, original owner. I went through a bunch of the "garden tractor/mowers" before I got my BX. Compared a lot, drove a lot, talked with other owners, etc. What decided it for me was the ability to have different manufacturers attachments. A lot of the other machines could either not use a particular attachment i.e. FEL or BH, or could only use an OEM. Both options left a bad feeling. I did get a great deal on mine from a local dealer, after having pestered him for months, and buying bajillions of $$ worth of parts for the "garden tractors" trying to keep them running. SWMBO was not a happy camper with my spending $9200 for a BX22 with a 54" deck FEL & BH until she got stuck in the snow. Then she realized why I got it. My street is an orphan, nobody plows it and it is a mild slope down to a dead end. Just enough of a slope that with a minimum amount of snow it is (by DC standards) impassible. I push the street out with the FEL ~3/10 mi. & 15 driveways. Takes about 6-7 hrs. SWMBO & the neighbors have gotten their heads together & after the last snow (24") aka new ice age. A snowblower is in my future (happy days!) The biggest beef I have is that OEM parts are not cheap but not $$$$, Labor is. I'm a maychanic (May work, May not) not a mechanic. Somethings I get done by the dealer, maintains the warranty, & I don't get crummy. Other things I do, (replaced the Transaxle fan, $1.98 for the part $975 for labor, think split the tractor into 2 halves).
Mine now has ~3200 hrs on it, solid as granite but is starting to need new hoses. I've put in 100-150 backyard pond with it, mowed my acre x2 mo., pushed snow, dug a septic system. Can't say enough good about it.
HTH T-Man.
mike69440
Elite Member
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Just consider a small compact tractor with larger tires than the BX if you are doing more than yard work, as in the woods or field, tire size is everything. I like the small B series.
LBrown59
Super Star Member
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My 3 do that for me.
JOHNTHOMAS
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Where you been LBrown? I missed you. Been so long since hearing from you that I almost
forgot you have 3 of the same size tractors. Since it is now 2010 you need to change the one BX being new. You now have 3 old BX's. You could probably bundle all 3 of them to a trade for a new B which will do all your jobs and save you from the time you spend changing seats and the warm up time on each tractor when you switch. Since B's save time over BX's you could save hours in a day.DGS
Silver Member
Where you been LBrown? I missed you. Been so long since hearing from you that I almost
That John would be way too easy for poor ole LB
LBrown59
Super Star Member
- Joined
- Oct 27, 2004
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- 16,831
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- 2003 Kubota BX1500/2004 Kubota Bx23/2005 Kubota BX1500
Now that you ask I was in the hospital 12-7-9 through 12-11-9.
Had a small stroke.
Didn't do much damage except left part of my right hand slightly numb. I"m glad i'm left handed.
I considre my self very fortunate .
It could have been a lot worse.
I have surgery scheduled for 1-11-10 to clean out the left Karoted arety in my neck .
Thanks for asking about me .
