Which one? GR2120 or BX1870

70cst · Oct 29, 2015

Hi Folks ...

I am about to purchase one or the other. We only have 1 acre but 1/2 is wooded. I do have trees to mow around and I have enough slope in the yard that my JD 345 has real issues going up the slope. It likes to make divots

Thus AWD or 4WD. I can get the BX1870 (new) 54" Deck and bagger for $10500. The GR2120 would be $10,000. I would appreciate your opinions as to which way you would go. Thanks

davesl708 · Oct 29, 2015

I can only say I love my BX. It has done far more work than just mowing the grass. You will have several options for attachments for other projects.

70cst · Oct 29, 2015

davesl708 said:
I can only say I love my BX. It has done far more work than just mowing the grass. You will have several options for attachments for other projects.

Daves1708 - Thanks

davesl708 · Oct 29, 2015

I have not owned either the GR or the BX1870. The BX's have a great track record for dependability and functionality.
Mine machine is the BX2200. Great machine for mowing, moving snow, roto-tilling, moving wood/brush and clearing brush/small trees.
It has been trouble free. The main reason.
I also have a great dealer near by.

jlawso21 · Oct 29, 2015

Pick your poison, the GR will be a better choice for mowing while the BX is more of a tractor and will do a greater variety of jobs better over the long haul. The biggest risk with the BX is tearing up your lawn; but if it is flat and allows you to make gentle turns maybe that won't be an issue.

There are also some threads you should search on GR reliability to satisfy yourself. They may be older models

itsjustme · Oct 29, 2015

I went through the same dilemma about 7 years ago.

I went to the Kubota store with the intention of buying a GR2110 and they had a leftover BX1850 slightly more expensive than the GR

The dealer let me demo a GR2110 for a week, took the GR back and brought the BX to try on my lawn. I done a LOT of research and after using both models, .. the next trip to the dealer I left the BX at home.

Even after buying It.. I second guessed myself - " Did I really need a SCUT for 2 acres? " As it turned out I made a great choice

My yard has steep parts with a ditch line to mow. The GR was absolutely more nimble and faster to mow with, also has a nice cut.

The BX is more nimble than you would think. Its heavy enough that I only need to use 4x4 in a few areas. The cut is the same as the GR.

I have had no regrets getting the BX, its been one of the most dependable lawn "tools" that I have/had owned.

I have a Kubota bagger, Handy Hitch, sprayer and scraper blade for it.

See if your dealer will let you bring them for a test drive on your property.

70cst · Oct 29, 2015

Thanks all - greatly appreciate your replies --- I am leaning towards the BX

70cst · Oct 29, 2015

itsjustme said:
I went through the same dilemma about 7 years ago.

I went to the Kubota store with the intention of buying a GR2110 and they had a leftover BX1850 slightly more expensive than the GR

The dealer let me demo a GR2110 for a week, took the GR back and brought the BX to try on my lawn. I done a LOT of research and after using both models, .. the next trip to the dealer I left the BX at home.

Even after buying It.. I second guessed myself - " Did I really need a SCUT for 2 acres? " As it turned out I made a great choice

My yard has steep parts with a ditch line to mow. The GR was absolutely more nimble and faster to mow with, also has a nice cut.

The BX is more nimble than you would think. Its heavy enough that I only need to use 4x4 in a few areas. The cut is the same as the GR.

I have had no regrets getting the BX, its been one of the most dependable lawn "tools" that I have/had owned.

I have a Kubota bagger, Handy Hitch, sprayer and scraper blade for it.

See if your dealer will let you bring them for a test drive on your property.

Thanks for your follow up

zoltanthegypsy · Oct 29, 2015

I don't have much to add except to generally agree with the above.

I currently own a BX24 and a GR2120. Love them both. My JD425 would generate some serious "pucker-factor" on my mostly hill lawn. Especially when it was damp. Found myself hoping that it would stop its backward/sideways/spinning slide before it hit the bushes.

The GR handles the hills as if they weren't there. Doesn't mess up the lawn. The BX does a great job at other stuff - lots of other stuff. I would not want it on my lawn though. The extra weight, and turning on the slope in 4WD (which would be necessary) would really rip things up. That's a '24. I can't speak to the '1870.

BTW, the GR's 54-inch deck does a nice job as-is, but the mulch kit sucks. Seriously sucks.

Z.

70cst · Oct 29, 2015

I might add - my yard is a woodsy yard - which means it's not a manicured city yard - nothing wrong with a manicured city yard but its a yard within a woods surrounded by trees - so it will never be a finished manicured yard - I hope this makes sense

PHILIP8N · Oct 30, 2015

I had the same issue come up about 2 years ago that you are going thru now. I had a JD LX188 that needed replacing, so it was GR2120 or BX1860. I ended up getting GR2120 with snowblower, has been a great machine, pleasure to operate. My decision may have been a little easier because I also have a L3940 with fel and front blade. Philip.

KYKub · Oct 30, 2015

Hi 70cst. It sounds like we have similar yards; mine is one acre, sloped, and several trees to mow around. I have a G1900 and recently acquired a BX1860. I haven't used a GR, but my G1900 is similar except it doesn't have 4wd. The BX does mow nicely and would be perfectly fine as a primary mower. It is heavier and a little more "tipsy," but unless you have very steep hills to mow I think it would be just fine.

If you only plan to mow and maybe move snow I would go with the GR. However, if you think you might want to do any implement work (who can't think of a list of projects for a front end loader?!) the BX will mow basically just as good while still being able to accommodate implements.

For what it's worth, I planned to sell the G1900 and use the BX but am now thinking I will keep both. I could do it all with the BX, but I really like zipping around quickly on the G1900. Still, if I had to commit to only one machine it would be the BX hands-down.

70cst · Oct 30, 2015

PHILIP8N said:
I had the same issue come up about 2 years ago that you are going thru now. I had a JD LX188 that needed replacing, so it was GR2120 or BX1860. I ended up getting GR2120 with snowblower, has been a great machine, pleasure to operate. My decision may have been a little easier because I also have a L3940 with fel and front blade. Philip.

Thanks fir your input

70cst · Oct 30, 2015

Jkmetcalf said:
Hi 70cst. It sounds like we have similar yards; mine is one acre, sloped, and several trees to mow around. I have a G1900 and recently acquired a BX1860. I haven't used a GR, but my G1900 is similar except it doesn't have 4wd. The BX does mow nicely and would be perfectly fine as a primary mower. It is heavier and a little more "tipsy," but unless you have very steep hills to mow I think it would be just fine.

If you only plan to mow and maybe move snow I would go with the GR. However, if you think you might want to do any implement work (who can't think of a list of projects for a front end loader?!) the BX will mow basically just as good while still being able to accommodate implements.

For what it's worth, I planned to sell the G1900 and use the BX but am now thinking I will keep both. I could do it all with the BX, but I really like zipping around quickly on the G1900. Still, if I had to commit to only one machine it would be the BX hands-down.

Yes it sounds as if we have similar yards -- I'm leaning towards the BX1870

aczlan · Oct 30, 2015

Go with the BX. Our BX2660 (with turfs on) won't tear things up unless you crank the wheel all the way over.
The GR series had some issues for a while with transmissions that didn't hold up.

Aaron Z

MortalWombat · Oct 30, 2015

The advantage of the BX is the 3 pt hitch, rear pto, and the ability to add a front loader if you want to later.

rjkobbeman · Oct 30, 2015

I bought a new GR2120 in early 2015. I ended up returning it because it could not go up a couple of my slopes, which I found I absurd for a 4wd.

I took it back the same day and brought home a BX. Couldn't be happier.

I read about the GR HST issues in the past, but hoped they were resolved. I was wrong. My 2wd Home Depot special HST that I was replacing would pull steeper hills than the GR. The HD would lose traction, but would never "give up" like the GR.

The BX of course is a great machine.

zoltanthegypsy · Oct 30, 2015

rj,

That really surprises me. My GR will go up any slope that won't make it fall over backward. That's one of the things that I really like about it. Very strange.

Z.

70cst · Oct 30, 2015

Well I pulled the trigger ... I purchased the BX1870. The Price difference was only $500 between a GR and a BX. I paid $10,500 for the BX1870, 54" Deck with a 3 Bag Bagger. I was hoping to buy used but after looking about a month nothing came up that peaked my interest. The GR2120 is a nice mower but long term I thought the BX better met my needs. I appreciate all your thoughts and replies. Thanks

dragoneggs · Oct 30, 2015

You are getting good advice I think based on what I am hearing from you. Since you say you are not expecting a manicured yard and if you want to play in the woods, do any other kind of landscaping, gravel, dirt, bark, the BX is the right machine. I love mine but I don't mow with it. I have a small Zero turn. Best of both worlds.