Buying Advice BX1860 or BX2360

[vrmnthntr]

I have been reading reviews and posts on this site for about a year. I have learned a lot from reading posts. I recently decided to look into a sub compact tractor. I already own a Kubota L3540 and RTV 900 so naturally I would look toward a Kubota scut. The dealer is also excellent and has a great reputation.

I am looking to replace my zero turn 60 inch Toro commercial mower. I no longer cut additional yards, only mine (about an acre) and a elderly neighbor's across the rd (about 2 acres). I'm not concerned about the extra time it will take to cut the grass going from a zero turn to a mid mount mower as I am not pressured for time anymore.

With the BX70 series coming out I figured now would be a good time to look at a 60 series and get more money for my zero turn since it its spring. Not sure if I will be trading the zero turn or selling it myself.

The dealer has offered a 1860 for $10,775 for a 54 inch regular cut deck, loader valves, and turf tires. For the 2360 the selling price is $12,285 for a 60 inch deck, loader valves, and turf tires. I do not need the loader valves, however the dealer said they order all BX tractors with them.

The tractor will be used primarily for mowing and I plan on buying a small 7200 watt pto generator to run with it. Question is, how do the prices sound and would the 2360 be worth the extra money for the extra pto hp and larger deck?

Thanks for the replies.

 

[bx2670]

I went through this Dec of 2011,was in the process of signing papers and couldn't decide between a 1860 or 2360.I signed on a 2360 54 mmm, like the salesman said you can't add HP but its there if you need it needless to say after owing for a 15 months I upgraded to a 2670 when I saw the new seat and dash and 60 mmm but the 2360 done everything I asked of it.:welcome:

 

[94BULLITT]

The 2360 has more PTO power, larger tires, beefier front axle, and a stronger loader if you add one. You can also get R4's on a 2360. I doubt you will regret the extra power of the 2360, that is mainly why I went for it. Both are nice tractors.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

You have a tractor for tractor work. Your hunting for a mower. Time isn't a problem so 54" vs 60" isn't important. Smaller is more manuverable and you'll never wear out either one of them. If your a regretter after you buy type person then get the more expensive one, more HP one and the extra money means nothing to you.
I had a BX1500 MMM for 3 years while I had a B7800 FEL RFM for the same 3 years till I paid them off. The only better mower than the BX1500 is my current F3080s and the previous F2680e which Barlows may still have.
Don't know about price but a contact with Barlows will let you know how your dealer is treating you. Barlows also gives good trade in prices, I know.

 

[TripleR]

Well I can only speak for myself, but I found I can do so well trimming with the 60" MMM vs the 54" MMM, I no longer own a push mower. Power won't be an issue, as either will do. When I retired I didn't think time would be an issue either, but I was wrong.:laughing:

 

[bp fick]

You have a tractor for tractor work. Your hunting for a mower. Time isn't a problem so 54" vs 60" isn't important. Smaller is more manuverable and you'll never wear out either one of them. If your a regretter after you buy type person then get the more expensive one, more HP one and the extra money means nothing to you.
I had a BX1500 MMM for 3 years while I had a B7800 FEL RFM for the same 3 years till I paid them off. The only better mower than the BX1500 is my current F3080s and the previous F2680e which Barlows may still have.
Don't know about price but a contact with Barlows will let you know how your dealer is treating you. Barlows also gives good trade in prices, I know.

John gave some good advice.
Since you already have larger tractors to handle your tougher chores, I seriously doubt you need to spend the extra cash. You've probably a list of things that you want and could spend that $2500 to procure. Who doesn't?

To a guy who's one and only tractor is a BX, the differences between the 18 and the 23 are worth noting and may very well influence his decision. In your case, I seriously doubt it.

 

[radioman]

You cant get rid of the loader valves. Its standard on the BX's. Its a accessory for plow, FEL, rotary broom, etc. I'd get the 60 inch deck, no matter which BX you get. The left side of mower of 60" makes a difference on the tire path and cutting around the beds/borders and around turns.
As for prices, Its close to par to prices around here. To me the extra HP and deck width is worth every penny. You will need the extra HP since there are hp losses when using PTO. Don't forget that the BX is not like your L tractor where you can have engine rpms much lower to maintain pto speed and the BX will sound like its screaming but its designed to do that when running at full pto speed - hence the need for extra hp when hooking up the genny to it and its critical to maintain pto engine speeds on BX.

 

[abeal]

Was in a similar situation for our little weekend mountain farm. Have a L3200 and a Mule and just wanted something to cut grass. Went with a 1860 48" deck (has to fit between blue berry bushes) with turf tires and a loader valve. This was about 10 months ago and I think the price was right around $9400. There was a $1k cash rebate at the time. I don't regret at all getting the 1860 over the 2360 - that little bugger eats!

 

[vrmnthntr]

I talked with the dealer this morning. My wife and I will be going to there tomorrow morning to test drive both the 1860 and 2360. I drove the 1860 yesterday and it had a good turning radius for its size. Much of where i cut is open. There are a few trees here and there which makes me think I may be leaning toward the 60 inch deck because width between objects is not an issue. I never thought about the extra width for getting closer to the trees and bushes. The added pto hp for the generator will also be good. I could use the L series for the generator, but I like the size of the BX and can make my own 3 pt hitch for it as I feel the L is more cumbersome.

Whether or not my wife likes it will be another deciding factor on the purchase. She will use it just as much and I will. Between her and our two dogs there is no more room for me in the RTV to ride.

The dealer also said he forgot there is a additional $500 rebate for the BX. :thumbsup: There is a larger $1500 rebate for cash purchases, but I will be finanacing. I am also in the process of trying to sell my zero turn myself to have a little more down. If I don't sell the mower I feel the dealer has given me a fair offer, only because its that time of year.

Thanks for the advice as I like to hear everyones personal experiences to help me decide. I will keep you posted.

 

[kcender]

I bought a BX2360 in 2011,new from the dealer,without a loader valve.I only wanted the tractor for mowing and the valve was an extra 900 dollars.I priced a valve this spring and the price was down to about 680 dollars.

 

[GolfAddict]

I have the 54" deck and really wish I had the 60" for two main reasons. I have no idea if these would make any difference to you, but thought I'd throw them in there.

1) With the 60" deck I could add the 2" Bro-Tek rear wheel spacers to my BX. I'd really like to be able to do that to widen it's stance a bit and add stability.

2) I saw this slick DIY lawn striper that you can really easy put on the 60" deck.

I think the other reasons folks have already listed are good too, like cutting down mowing time and the deck sticking out better.

 

[vrmnthntr]

John Thomas brought up a good point. I am the type that will regret not getting the larger one over the smaller one.

I noticed that when I drove the 1860 yesterday and ran the engine at deck cutting speed, I noticed as radioman said the engine seemed like it was screaming. That doesn't bother me because I know thats its operating range. But it made me think and would like to know from others what I would expect from the BX. For example I have read the engine temperature is warmer than other tractors while mowing, no undercarraige protection from sticks, and keep the radiator screen clean. Those are just a few I can think of off the top of my head. Is there anything else I should expect from the BX and what is the reccommended rpm for grass cutting?

 

[Gander]

I just went through the same decision you did. After riding both, considering price and what you get, I went with the 2360. Just got it delivered today. The 2360 just has more power and the old adage, cry once, buy once, seemed to be a recurring thought in a purchase this big.

Best of luck in the decision.

 

[94BULLITT]

John Thomas brought up a good point. I am the type that will regret not getting the larger one over the smaller one.

I noticed that when I drove the 1860 yesterday and ran the engine at deck cutting speed, I noticed as radioman said the engine seemed like it was screaming. That doesn't bother me because I know thats its operating range. But it made me think and would like to know from others what I would expect from the BX. For example I have read the engine temperature is warmer than other tractors while mowing, no undercarraige protection from sticks, and keep the radiator screen clean. Those are just a few I can think of off the top of my head. Is there anything else I should expect from the BX and what is the reccommended rpm for grass cutting?

I have not heard about a BX running warm while mowing unless it is related to a dirty radiator screen.

Also the hydro fan does have a protector. When you are at the dealer look up underneath one and see how high the fan is. It would take a pretty good stick to get up in there and break the fan. It is possible and could accidentally happen. I think as long as you are not over logs you should be fine. I have a scrap piece of expanded metal I may add to underside of mine just in case.

The the engine needs to be at 3043 RPM for the mid PTO and 3142 RPM for the rear PTO.

 

[TripleR]

We have two BX's and have never experienced any overheating issues. The radiator location seems to keep grass and debris from clogging as badly as a machine with the intake and radiator in the front. We have a John Deere 2305 that we often have to blow off and it often overheats.

These machines do run a lot of RPM's for the proper PTO cutting speed, but that is the way they are designed and they have a really good reputation for reliability.

The newer models have better undercarriage, HST fan and oil filter protection than the older models, but if you are going to operate in the brush, I would get a plate from Bro Tek or Bxpanded.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

I am the type that will regret not getting the larger one over the smaller one.
Decision made. Get the BX2360 and DO NOT (STOP LOOKING AND LISTENING TO ANYONE) look at any bigger models. You will go crazy since there is always another one with just a few more HP.
I still have trouble running the throttle up to best operating level on my Kubotas but I do. That's the way they are made. They are not gas car engines that need to run quiet and super smooth. I do determine my RPMs by sound and how well they are cutting, digging or what ever but up nearer the tyop of RPMs instead of near the lower RPMs. If they bog down any with the job I'm doing then I do full or almost full throttle.
Never had any experience with any BXs over heating. They are almost unbreakable and I've done most things that many people on here say to never do and they kep on going.

 

[vrmnthntr]

We decided on a BX2360 today. Should take delivery sometime next week.

The deciding factors were the 60 inch deck and the extra 5 hp. My wife also felt the BX2360 was just a little bit smoother riding over the grass compared to the 1860 (and the zero turn which will beat you to death).

I appreciate all the responses. Next I have to decide on a pto generator but I have been searching this site and have found some good information as always.