BX 18 Power

[Slab]

I have cub cadet 25 horse garden tractor GT3235 with 54 in deck and 45 in front mount blower that meets my needs well. I'm thinking about getting a BX 18 with loader,deck and rear blower. My concern is with the power of an 18 horse diesel compared to a 25 horse gas. Will it be under powered?

 

[keyman1808]

NO WAY. The BX will blow it away

 

[George the Beagle]

I agree. My 1860 does everything I ask of it with ease. You'll notice a significant difference in fuel consumption, also.

 

[94BULLITT]

My previous mowing machine was a Cub Cadet 2206, I loved it. It had a 20hp Kohler and 48" deck. At times you could here the motor slow down in tall thick grass if you went too fast but it was not under powered. I got a the BX2360 and there is no comparison. The BX never bogs in thickest grass at full speed in low range. I can go in reverse with bx places the Cub would not go forward. You may want to look a 2360. It has larger tires, a heavier duty front axle, and the main reason I went with it is the extra pto power. The 1860 is 13.7hp and the 2360 is 17.7. If you plan on running a blower I think you will like the extra pto power. Don't forget Kohler was one of the the manufactures that was sued for over rating the hp on their engines. Also I think your Cub is 23hp, on those model the 2 middle numbers designate power.

 

[RaydaKub]

It's not the horsepower, it's the torque. Remove one of the BX pistons and it might be a fair fight.

And :welcome: to TBN. You've come to the best site there is to learn how to use, maintain, and (heaven forbid) fix your tractor. The guys here are awesome.

 

[LBrown59]

I have cub cadet 25 horse garden tractor GT3235 with 54 in deck and 45 in front mount blower that meets my needs well. I'm thinking about getting a BX 18 with loader,deck and rear blower. My concern is with the power of an 18 horse diesel compared to a 25 horse gas. Will it be under powered?

The BX 18 will eat it for lunch.

 

[jesseb3@att.net]

Ditto to everything said thus far. For comparison, consider 18-wheeler tractors that have less horsepower, by far, than some passenger cars. Torque is everything.

 

[V1Rotate]

I'm amazed at the power and torque of my little BX-1500.

 

[bigpinwheel]

Does anyone try to run a brush hog with a lower hp BX? Or are they just not designed for that.

 

[dex3361]

I'm amazed at the power and torque of my little BX-1500.

Same here. I run a 54" mower and it does a great job.

 

[Mystro]

Thats about right. My BX1860 is a tank. Its so far above my 24hp Brigs twin tractor, its not even funny. Some guys get their ego wrapped up with HP numbers but when it comes to 3 cylinder diesel power, you cant compare a gas engine.

Remove one of the BX pistons and it might be a fair fight.

 

[radioman]

everyone has said it all . BX diesel will surprise you in more ways then one over the gas tractor.

 

[George the Beagle]

Does anyone try to run a brush hog with a lower hp BX? Or are they just not designed for that.

I have a 48" Land Pride cutter for my 1860 and it handles it with ease, although you must have a FEL or some other front weight.

 

[PAlittleKub]

Diesel is a whole different ballgame. I just had a new BX1860 delivered on Saturday and spent about 45 minutes on it to my total amazement! I just traded a cub cadet LTX1040 with a 19hp kohler engine. kohler was a single cylinder gas I believe and the BX is a 3 cylinder diesel which has TONS more power. YOU WILL BE AMAZED WITH THE POWER OF THE BX1860! It truly is all about the torque as was already mentioned. I drive truck and it may only have a 350hp motor, but you wouldn't try to compare that engine with say a Dodge Ram hemi with 390hp. The torque that is created from the diesel is not comparable to a gas motor. Good luck with your choice and have fun!

 

[Baby Grand]

We have a 12 hp, 2 cylinder diesel B5100 that will thrash our 21 hp Craftsman gas job in every measurable way. We call it Little Bull.
The Craftsman does a great job cutting grass, pulling a very light, tiny trailer and toting the Cyclone Rake around for bagging leaves.
The B5100 manages to power a 300 lb, 40 in Sicma tiller and pull a 6 tine, 4 foot cultivator.
It's performance is limited by its turf tires. If it had ags or chains it would pull even stronger.

Get the BX - you will be amazed what it will do.

 

[LBrown59]

I have cub cadet 25 horse garden tractor GT3235 with 54 in deck and 45 in front mount blower that meets my needs well. I'm thinking about getting a BX 18 with loader,deck and rear blower. My concern is with the power of an 18 horse diesel compared to a 25 horse gas. Will it be under powered?

I had this.

23 HP twin cyl gas hog .
Had to fill it once or twice each time i mowed with it.

Then I got this.

BX1500 2 Cyl
Diesel 15 HP
Mow the yard 3 or 4 times before i need to fill it .
A real fuel sipper.
The orange one has it all over the yellow one in every way.

 

[94BULLITT]

I had this.

23 HP twin cyl gas hog .
Had to fill it once or twice each time i mowed with it.

Then I got this.

BX1500 2 Cyl
Diesel 15 HP
Mow the yard 3 or 4 times before i need to fill it .
A real fuel sipper.
The orange one has it all over the yellow one in every way.

Don't forget the Cub only had a 2.5 gal tank and the BX is a 4.5

 

[Baby Grand]

I had this.

23 HP twin cyl gas hog .
Had to fill it once or twice each time i mowed with it.

Then I got this.

BX1500 2 Cyl
Diesel 15 HP
Mow the yard 3 or 4 times before i need to fill it .
A real fuel sipper.
The orange one has it all over the yellow one in every way.

<sound of open palm slapping forhead>
I completely forgot to mention the greatly reduced fuel consumption!

 

[RaydaKub]

Don't forget the Cub only had a 2.5 gal tank and the BX is a 4.5

Well, that's still almost 5 gal per mowing vs 1.5 gal per mowing. Just an annoyance of having to fill it more often because it was too small.