Using a BX as a mower/tractor

[handirifle]

I have 3 acres and currently have an MF1010(16hp) tractor, with FEL and rotating Gannon, for my tractor needs. I have 2 used riding mowers that I am constantly working on to keep the lower field mowed. The lower half gets a bit soft after rains, and I am unable to use the tractor with a finish mower, since I have R1 tires on it and they would sink in. The riders do just fine on this soft soil.

Today, was a good example of my needs. The grass/weeds were about 12" high, thick and about 50% of them damp. Pretty heavy load for the riders in that respect, which is why I wonder about the BX in the first place.

I am considering replacing the tractor, and the larger of my riders with a used BX with a belly mower.

What I am wondering, is how maneuverable are the BX's compared to a riding mower? Would that be overworking one, I only mow about 10 times a year, and only have one small hill.

My other option is a new, stronger riding mower, like the Husqvarna GTH24V52LS, with it's 24HP Kawi engine, and manufactured deck (welded not stamped) heavy duty spindles and a few other goodies. That mower will set me back about $3200 plus tax, so a little over $3400 total.

I figure I can get between 3 and 4K for the MF1010. If I got a decent deal on a BX I figure around 8K or so. A lot depends on how well the BX would do as a mower. I figure it will tractor as well as my MF without any problems.

Having a diesel would be nice for the extra torque and long engine life too.

 

[George the Beagle]

My BX 1860 is very maneuverable, at least compared to the older machines I've owned. However, it's no zero-turn, which I considered but rejected because they're dedicated to mowing only.

12" of heavy wet grass would be a challenge for any mower, BX or otherwise. You may be getting into rotary cutter territory here, which the BX could do.

 

[dodge man]

A Bx sounds like the perfect machine for you. I was tearing up a cheap box store mower on my ground, which is a little rough and a lot of hills. I ended up buying a better riding mower, maybe a $4000 mower, and it held up better but still struggled with the hills. I then bought a Bx and its the perfect machine. You can mow with the deck all the way up, and I 've used mine like a brush hog at times mowing grass 3 feet tall. To be honest, its not designed for that, but grass a foot tall won't be a problem.

It doesn't turn as tight as most riding mowers, but with power steering and the HST, you won't notice the difference. I would also bet it will cut down on you mowing time.

 

[sea2summit]

Have never driven a riding lawn mower but my 1860 turns probably ~20% tighter than my 450 4-wheeler if that's any help.
As for the grass that sounds a little much for a MMM, you could do a little brush hog and knock it down just fine though. Price would be similar.

 

[TripleR]

We are on our second BX a 2200 and now 2660 and while I have mowed 12" grass with both, it is more than I would want to do often so we got a 4' rotary cutter for the tall stuff.

Maneuverability is pretty good, but not as good as our JD 425 though a much better overall mower.

 

[dodge man]

Yeah, if you mow the tall stuff on a regular basis, a brush hog would work better. You can buy a brush mower as cheap as the mid mount mower. If it were me, I'd use the mid mount mower and just mow a little more often.

 

[radioman]

same here - I had cheap riders and it was a pain to take care of. I spent more on gas then I did with BX for diesel. I average maybe 5 gallons a month, sometimes more when I get a busy month mowing, tilling, or clearing snow 12 months of year. Before I got the BX, I only used it spring, summer, fall and used 10 gallons a month or more and still couldnt do as much my BX did. Plus parts for cheap rider every year. NEVER again.

The only thing is that, I have a wet spot in spring, sometimes fall of lawn that my BX with turfs sometimes makes ruts in 4 wheel drive - but so does my cheap rider - so its a wash.

FYI- I think the BX's is much more manuervable then cheap riders due to HST pedal and power steering. I can change direction on fly then cheap riders as most of them use lever to shift from forward to reverse or speed change. HST is all done via pedal.

 

[timswi]

+1 on everything radioman said...Once you have a BX, you'll never look at a mass produced garden tractor again....I've cut 12" grass in the spring with mine..No problem, grass comes out like a firehose...Sometimes you have to slow down a bit in the thick stuff, but no big deal...I wouldn't make a habit of that though, I would guess doing that all the time isn't good for the innards of the MMM.

 

[AchingBack]

You indicate you are field mowing. I would not mess with a belly mower in a field. There will be a lot of maintenance on it. Go with a rotary cutter. They are cheaper to buy, and easier to take care of.

 

[handirifle]

You indicate you are field mowing. I would not mess with a belly mower in a field. There will be a lot of maintenance on it. Go with a rotary cutter. They are cheaper to buy, and easier to take care of.

Hmmm, are the Kubota MMM's not built any heavier than a riding mower? I guess I figured if it was powered by a 20+ hp diesel it would hold up better.

I really don't want a bush hog type mower, they do not give the finish cut I like. The riders have not had any problems with breakage on the mowing end, I have had other issues, like fuel pumps, belts, and one has had engine troubles that are common for older flat head twin engines.

Actually the smaller one (15hp) has been the most trouble free, but it is VERY slow in the heavy stuff, as one would expect. Interesting how the different experiences of different owners sways their opinions.

Maybe I will talk to the dealers and get their opinions on the grass issue. I told the Husqvarna dealer what I would mow it for and he says their machine is perfect for it. It comes with a 3 year warranty so if it broke......

It's hard for me to imagine the Husky being heavier duty than the BX, I'm sure it isn't, I just wonder how heavy duty the Kubota MMM is? Surely it's heavier duty than a 24hp gas mowers.

 

[OrangeRidge]

BX MMM decks are double width belts and all greaseable . I've not
seen a tougher pressed metal deck on anything.

 

[CAgnoli]

If you like the finish cut look, to save your equipment you should mow the section more often. It comes down to what the mower is designed for. 12" grass in a finish mower means more HP to run it, meaning more fuel burnt, and more heat generated, translating into bearing failures.

You should be able to find a used 48" rotary cutter for a fair price, and just hook it up to the BX when you need it, no need to remove the mmm, but the mom will add weight which won't help your soft spots.....

 

[TripleR]

Someone is being less than honest assessment of the capabilities of the Husky v Kubota. Like Orange Ridge, I have yet to see a tougher deck setup on any mower and that includes our John Deere 2305. I have mowed briars, very small tree sprouts, heavy weeds etc. with ours, but that is not what I would buy one for.

Rather than trying to turn a lawnmower into a brush cutter, I would just mow more often. Even if you do mow 12" of grass with a MMM it is still not going to turn it into a good looking yard without going extremely slow and raking the grass up or mowing twice and raking the grass up. I don't see much of a savings in time over more frequent mowing.

I am not saying a BX won't do it, I am saying I wouldn't do it with mine.

 

[bp fick]

Agree with mowing more often. The BX will give as nice a cut as the riding mower. I used a Rear Finishing Mower behind my BX. The cut was golf course quality.

Still, whether a finishing deck in mounted on the rear or Mid Mount, they aren't a bush hog for 12" grasses.

The fuel consumption on a BX is half a riding mower, and the power steering is incredible.

 

[Artisan]

RE: Handling; the turning radius is 7.5', the length of the tractor is 7.95'.
It turns on a dime IMO. I added a broadie knob, makes fast work of it...
That lil broadie knob is too fast when you want to go straight...better to just
grab the wheel but when it is time to get to the gettin' and get in and out
of places the BX w/ a broadie knob shines.

 

[PeterK]

I just purchased a 48" rotary cutter from TSC ($700 with coupon) to avoid the abuse of the BX mmm. The rotary cutter is alot less expensive than the mmm which I use on my lawn.

 

[radioman]

Hmmm, are the Kubota MMM's not built any heavier than a riding mower? I guess I figured if it was powered by a 20+ hp diesel it would hold up better.

I really don't want a bush hog type mower, they do not give the finish cut I like. The riders have not had any problems with breakage on the mowing end, I have had other issues, like fuel pumps, belts, and one has had engine troubles that are common for older flat head twin engines.

Actually the smaller one (15hp) has been the most trouble free, but it is VERY slow in the heavy stuff, as one would expect. Interesting how the different experiences of different owners sways their opinions.

Maybe I will talk to the dealers and get their opinions on the grass issue. I told the Husqvarna dealer what I would mow it for and he says their machine is perfect for it. It comes with a 3 year warranty so if it broke......

It's hard for me to imagine the Husky being heavier duty than the BX, I'm sure it isn't, I just wonder how heavy duty the Kubota MMM is? Surely it's heavier duty than a 24hp gas mowers.

Everyone here have spoken good advice here. The BX decks are heavier, have greaseable spindles and oiled gearbox. A box store mower will NOT have these features and will have a shorten life for type of mowing you want to do. The Box store engines will always grunts during this type of work you want to do, the diesel on BX, will slice it like huh - is that it?! come on, I can do more.

As for husky mower- for dealer opinion. hmmmm . DO you really want to deal with broken parts on a box store type of mower or get right kind of equipment and have it last for years?

 

[handirifle]

All very good points made here, and especially the one about mowing more. In all honesty, it isn't always 12" high, but it can get there. When I first got the place some of it was waist high. I hired a guy with a 50hp John Deere and bush hog. I didn't even have a tractor then. If I knew then......you know that story.

From the sound of it the mmm is built a lot heavier duty, than the Husky. In all fairness to the Husky dealer, these are not dime/box store Huskies either. The deck is a manufactured (welded heavy gauge steel, not stamped) with heavier duty spindles that can be greased as well. They are single belt drive, so I am sure the Kubota is much heavier built.

Keep in mind, EVERYTHING mower wise that I would ask the BX to do, I am already doing with either a 15hp or 20hp gas garden tractor, so I seriously doubt it will hinder the BX.

Thanks guys for a ton of answers, real experience means a lot more than sales men talk.

OK that settled, how well do the BX's do on real tractor work? Now keep in mind, I am using a '97 model 16hp, MF1010, with a MF FEL and Gannon rotating box. Mine is a 4x4, dual range, stick shift with R1 tires and wheels. I have done a TON of work around these 3 little acres with it. I used the box to make a creek bed, level the property, move over 12 yds or gravel, and another 10yds of fill dirt.

It has it's limits for sure but it is a real work horse. Should I assume just about any 4x4 BX will do the same? Are there certain BX model/years to avoid?

Oh one more MMM question, are they difficult to mount up? The MMM would not be a permanent fixture. I would be taking the rear box and FEL off everytime I mowed.

 

[timswi]

Keep in mind that the MMM for a BX costs as much or more than a big box tractor...Once you see one in person, you'll see why.

The FEL comes off in less than 5 minutes, and that's being slow..

There were a few models with abrupt HST stopping complaints and some with plastic that cracked which I believe Kubota somewhat warrantied.

If I were you, I'd just buy a new one and keep it for 20 years...Almost 8 years on mine and I've replaced nothing but filters and fluids..MMM belt is original and so is the battery if that's any indication of the quality.

BX's are like Swiss army knives, they'll do almost everything, just not everything perfect.

I have no regrets on my BX...I'd buy another one in a heartbeat.

 

[TripleR]

You will be amazed at how much work you can do with a BX, in spite of their small size they are in my opinion they are in every way a tractor and I don't mean garden tractor or lawn tractor.

I have moved untold dump truck loads of rock and dirt as well as pushed and pulled downed trees out of our woods. I maintained a lot of our roads with them using the box blade and FEL.

If you are going to work with the MMM removed, you will need to install under belly protection for the HST fan, these can be bought from Bro Tek or BXpanded.

The only possible drawback is the low ground clearance of about 8.7", but I doubt you have any more than that with your present machine.

The models with the abrupt direction change was the BXxx50 Series, some couldn't stand them while others didn't seem to mind, there are old threads on these.

I agree the new ones are nice, but our old 2003 BX2200 is still running strong in use by a relative. The older ones do have a harder to remove FEL than the new ones though.

The MMM is not particularly hard to do if you are in good shape which I am not any more, but my son can mount or dismount one in under five minutes.