Riding mower vs BX

[15pbc]

I had a BX1850 with MMM and like others have stated basically no ground clearance with the mower deck on. I don’t remember how difficult it was to remove and install the mower but I do remember the drive shaft could be a challenge to connect.

I suspect BX would mow faster than your Husky and snowblower would also be better due to Diesel engine torque but if have to remove and reinstall mower deck every time you need it that will get old.

I have a BX1850 and its rare I need to remove the MMM for non-mowing work. I have a front snow blower so of course I have to remove the MMM for blowing. I always use a jack to lift up the front of the tractor for mower on or off, makes it much easier including reaching in to couple the drive shaft.

Mounting the front snow blower with its front mount adapter...now that's a pain.

 

[tacticalturnip]

Well, if you can justify it, you can't beat a dedicated mower. I've got a Deere 1025R with a 60" mid-mount mower, and while it does a pretty good job it's a PITA to remove the loader and attach the deck every time I want to mow. Now it's not a massive headache, just an inconvenience that could have been avoided had the CFO approved of two tractor households.

Seriously though, you'll never miss the Husqvarna come winter, but you'll prefer it for mowing I'm sure!

 

[tacticalturnip]

Use a mower for mowing and a tractor for tractoring.



Bruce

What happens if you combine the two?

An insurance claim.

 

[BravoXray]

Bravo X-ray, look into Clarence modification for your JD Blower. Don't buy the actual kit, buy some 4" wide belting, cut and Bolt onto your Impellers. Shoot will stay clear even on the slushy days.

I'll check that out.
Thanks.

 

[Idahomestead]

Wow thanks for all the great replies! I am still considering my options. I really want to only one machine to store and maintain but don’t want to regret the decision either.

 

[jyoutz]

Wow thanks for all the great replies! I am still considering my options. I really want to only one machine to store and maintain but don’t want to regret the decision either.

I have the full arsenal of grass and weed cutting machines: hand held echo weed wacker, wheeled weed trimmer, 21” push mower, riding mower with 42” deck, and MX6000 with 6’ rotary cutter. They all have their place in making summer chores easier on my 20 acres.

 

[2manyrocks]

Wow thanks for all the great replies! I am still considering my options. I really want to only one machine to store and maintain but don’t want to regret the decision either.

Since you already own the Husq. and like it, I'd recommend that you keep it. It's more convenient to be able to hop on a mower and cut the grass when it needs it and you have the time without having to mess around changing MMMs. Any good sized mower deck is going to have some bulk and weight to it and not so easy to move around when it's not on the mower or tractor. Not having the MMM on the BX leaves the BX free for any tractor implement changes without the extra step of dealing with the MMM.

But....if you anticipate that the Husq. is going to wear out and need replacing in the next few years, you might consider getting the MMM now if you can get it for $800 because you won't be finding a new riding mower for $800 in the future I strongly suspect.

If you get rid of the Husq. and then decide you made a mistake and want it back, it's going to cost you to replace it.

 

[dj1701]

I have a bunch of lawn to mow so I bought a BX2680 with a 60" deck just for mowing. That leaves my JD 4320 to handle all the other stuff for the most part. I think having two machines is better than a do all. They take up more room, but I find it handier. If you find out you don't like it, sell and buy the deck later.

As a side note, if you have a wife or kids, you can do two chores at once which will leave more time for other things.

Dave

 

[John Atkisson]

I have a BX with the 60" MMM, and have never taken it off. I use the FEL to remove snow when it's wet and sloppy and the blower on the JD will clog up.
I did adjust the linkage so the deck goes all the way up to the stops, and I've never had a problem with it remaining on the tractor.

I have a BX25D and use the MMM for about 3 acres of grass. I remove it for most other tractor work- not really that bad. Ground clearance is okay for most work, but I take it off otherwise. Cumbersome around trees, garden and the like, but cheaper solution than separate mower. Get bXpanded dollies for the FEL and backhoe if you have one- makes removing and installing them MUCH easier.

 

[shooterdon]

I did not read all the replies, but one acre of grass is not very much. Even a cheap rider will last 20 years cutting an acre of grass. I had a MMM on my JD and never used it. It was easier to use the 48" rider and i have two acres of grass to cut.

One acre will take you an hour or less with your rider. Putting the MMM on and off will take 20-30 minutes and become a PITA. And there is not much tractor work you can do with the MMM attached all the time.

 

[Hughman]

Curious why you would want a MMM rather than a RFM

 

[2manyrocks]

I'll just toss this out for consideration. The MMM might be cheaper to buy as part of a package deal with the BX than to buy later and/or qualify for Kubota financing.

That being said, having the MMM around with the rider may mean that the MMM will just be something else in your way.

 

[wawajake]

I have had a bx for a dozen years now and for half of that I also had a Husq 42 " lawn tractor. ( sold it after 6 yrs) But I bought a rear finish mower and found I could do the 2 acres of lawn much quicker and more comfortable with the BX and also used less fuel than the Husq. Also very easy to unhook rear mower to put on other rear pto equip. I would suggest save the money and instead of getting front snow blower, get a rear snow blower and a rear finish mower for just a shade more money , and sell your garden tractor......but dont buy a bx without a FEL, it is by far the most useful implement.

 

[milkman636]

I’m apparently in the minority because I like using my little tractors to mow with. I mowed our 2 acre lawn with a bx2370 and 60”mmm for five years, sold it and went back to a rider with a 54” deck for a couple years, and switched back to a Deere 1023e with 60” mmm again this year. The SCUTs have a superior cut and mow noticeably faster than the riders. They also use less fuel. I’ve been able to mow in high range with both of them and it shaved about 1/3 of the mowing time off the job vs. the rider. I also tried the rear finish mower one season but didn’t care for it. If you have obstacles to mow around it’s harder to cut close and follow the contours of the edges. The rear mower doesn’t track straight behind the tractor in turns.

 

[doneill127]

I don’t have a Kubota, I have a mahindra with a 60” mmm and a FEL. Yesterday went and picked up a couple yards of mulch and decided to take the mower off and put the FEL on. After reading this post thought I’d check to see how long it took to give the OP an idea. My mower weighs over 500lbs, you drive the tractor over it to mount/dismount.
Took me 15 min after starting the tractor to drop the mower and attach the loader. Granted I have a lot of practice because I generally do this weekly during the mowing season.
Would it be more convenient to have a dedicated mower. Yes, but this works for me.

 

[SF82]

Not sure why it's even a question if you're already removing the deck from current mower. BX MMM will be alot easier to remove and will do a great job cutting. I mean it will be practically the same as your mower but more power and wider cut. Not sure where people are saying a MMM on a scut is hard to get close to anything, it's just like a regular mower. Wouldn't suggest a 3 pt finish mower unless you're cutting a field and using something else around the house

 

[2manyrocks]

Respectfully offering for consideration, if someone has their MMM mounted and then a snowstorm happens, it might not be that fun taking the MMM off in the freezing cold if there's snow to be plowed and the MMM needs to come off.

Opinions and preferences differ from person to person. It's a good thing for the OP to hear differing perspectives on the pros and cons so the OP can make the best decision for the OPs personal needs and preferences.

 

[milkman636]

Respectfully offering for consideration, if someone has their MMM mounted and then a snowstorm happens, it might not be that fun taking the MMM off in the freezing cold if there's snow to be plowed and the MMM needs to come off.

Opinions and preferences differ from person to person. It's a good thing for the OP to hear differing perspectives on the pros and cons so the OP can make the best decision for the OPs personal needs and preferences.

Taking the deck on and off the kubota is a bit of a hassle. It’s not light and mine had to be drug out and pushed back in from the side. It was not a drive over . That process was my deciding factor to sell my kubota. I hated that task. But I really didn’t enjoy the slower pace of going back to a rider either, and my rider has a 54” deck. So that’s how I ended up with the current green 1023e in my barn with auto-connect and the load-n-go system. It’s night and day easier than the Kubota was for me. And deck storage is a breeze with the stand up dollies from mudds customs. No matter which brand you go with, a drive over version of mmm deck will be your friend.

 

[Mtsoxfan]

I am actually switching from a jd riding mower to a MMM. I can't take all the bouncing anymore on the lawn mower. I have never used a MMM before, but I do know that my NH tc29d rides so much nicer over my grass.

As far as getting caught in a snowstorm and taking off MMM in freezing temps, shame on you for not being prepared...

 

[2manyrocks]

Or you take the MMM off for a forecasted snow storm that doesn't happen.