4100 manual Vs GT 455 Vs BX2200

Anonymous Poster · Nov 9, 2001

Hello I have the option between buying a 4100 manual shift or or a BX2200 or a GT 455 . My tasks are as follows:

Grass Mowing 1/4 acre, slight hills, few turns - I want to mow it fast
Snow Plowing/removal - 120 foot driveway, RI area
20 yards of Mulch to move and distribute.
boulder movement - up to 500 or so pounds

I hear there are concerns about using the loader and the mower deck with the manual tranny on the 4100. Are there any concerns I should have about either unit in doing the work that I am looking at?

I got similar pricing on all three - believe it or not the 4100 manual tranny is currently the cheapest in price

Thanks

Nuru

upgw · Nov 9, 2001

Don't underestimate the utility of a hydrostatic transmission. I mow a lot with mine, partly rough, I can zip over the smooth and slow down instantly for the rough part. Also, you can creep with a loader or post hole digger (position is very important). I looked at the JD 455, but the loader is a bit anemic. The BX2200 I bought was only $1000 more, has a real 3PT CAT-1 hitch, and is 4WD. Kubota reliability is second to none (from what I'm hearing). I'd rule out the 4100 because of the transmission, unless you are doing long straight runs and mowing over even ground. Just my $.02, others here have a lot more experience than myself.

- Patrick W.

Charliebrn · Nov 9, 2001

If you want to use the loader any amount whatsoever, the 455 is out in my opinion. I played with one quite a bit before I bought the BX, and it is nowhere near the capacity or specs. Another thing to cosider is the 4WD on the BX, the power steering, and the overall construction. The BX's 3pt Cat1 is much better than the OPTIONAL Cat0 on the JD. Take a good look, you'll agree. The better comparison in green is the 4100 HST, not the 455, which is just a GT.

If you're going to be using a loader, seriously consider an HST, it makes all the difference in the world. Kubota's HST is arguably the best HST on the market, even a lot of green folks will admit that. The 4100 HST does have the BX beat in some specs, I believe that the loader can handle more, as well as the 3 pt, so that is something to consider, though I wasn't comfortable on it. I didn't like the way the deck was laid out, with that hump in the middle. I also didn't like the price.

Westbilly · Nov 9, 2001

If you are going to keep it for any length of time, and NOT fond of Knee Replacement Therapy, I'd go for the HST. It might, and I say might, be weaker than a gear, but I can do it all almost twice as fast. I too was hesitant about the extra money for an HST, but in just one dirt pile and .7 hours, it was already worth the extra money.

2410 FEL LA352

Russ · Nov 9, 2001

I looked at the 455 and went with the BX200. The BX seemed like a lot more machine for just about the same money. I'm very happy with my BX2200. Have you driven all these machines. I think you will see why most eveyone recommends a HST machine over a manual shift.

Russ

Anonymous Poster · Nov 10, 2001

Yes I did drive all of them and I did like the 4100 the best. Is the manual on the the 4100 that bad. I did drive it but without an implement on it, but the pricing was inline with the other two units. 4WD is importatant and I do believe the 455 is over priced.

Anonymous Poster · Nov 10, 2001

Thanks for the responses, everyone. I am wondering about the real difficulties with manual on chores like mowing grass, I do have straight runs, but I do have some curves around trees and mulch beds. It is down to the BX2200 and the 4100 manual. I am considering the HST, but the pricing delta between the HST and the manual is a little steep for me at this time. but I may reconsider depending on how much it costs in financing. The BX is definitely hot though and I am still very seriously looking at it.

Anonymous Poster · Nov 10, 2001

Westbilly, this is the most compelling point for getting an HST, "Knees", and also resale. I guess I better bargain better or put a little more down to get it. Oh well more thinking to do.

Nuru

Russ · Nov 10, 2001

You will see the biggest difference between and manual shift and and HST when using the FEL. Drive into the pile and back out no clutching or shifting. Also when mowing you can vary your ground speed simply by how far you drpress the HST pedal. No clutching, shifting or moving the throttle.

Russ

TresCrows · Nov 10, 2001

Nuru, as BX high priest and chief argument producer I have a question--why not consider a Kubota B7500 as a compromise? Anyway, I would forget the gear drive and go hydro and if you have to "settle" for a little BX consider this--it is about 5X the tractor that a JD455 (no formula--just my gut feeling) and their new 4Wd 500 series looks like a real looser to me also--especially for the money! You will find despite the naysayers biased opinions, that the BX can do the things you need it to do including digging and excavating. Hey, check out the new BX22TLB, backhoe equipped brother of the BX2200/1800. Again despite the opinions that a tractor "that small" would be useless with a backhoe, Kubota apparently disagrees. I trust they know more about tractor design/capability than anyone here on this board. J

Anonymous Poster · Nov 10, 2001

Russ, I am thinking more and more about this, the key right now is trying to get the cost down, so I am going into my negotiations with dealer on this, maybe I can come out with a HST for less than $1700 the dealer wants. I also am thinking about resale too. Manual probably will be a lower resale value too.

Nuru

Anonymous Poster · Nov 10, 2001

I looked at the 7500, and I can get the 4100 HST for $12500 from my dealer, and the nearest Kubota Dealer is talking $13500. So, the 7500 is on the expesnive side right now. I am still considering the BX2200, and Yes have seen and heard the news about the X595. I actually have a picture of it with a loader but I cannot figure how to get it into this site. It does not look impressive and it apparently is going to be quite costly. Bottom line it is down to the BX2200 or the 4100 HST. 4100 being approximately $1000 more in price right now.

Anonymous Poster · Nov 10, 2001

JD4100 Buyers Checklist
JD4100 Advantages over Garden Tractors
Kubota BX2200 Features
JD4100 vs Kubota BX2200 Competitive Comparision

MossRoad · Nov 10, 2001

12,500 is the book price for a 4100 hst. Best price I got quotes for was 11,300 in northern Indiana. Am now looking at a Power-Trac pt425. Same or better specs than the 4100 for 3300 less. Way too many differences for comparing apples to apples though. I also didn't fit on the 4100 very well. My knees hit the steering wheel and it felt uncomfortably high and narrow. I have hilly property and need something low and wide. Good luck.

<font color=green> MossRoad </font color=green>

MossRoad · Nov 10, 2001

Nice post John.

<font color=green> MossRoad </font color=green>

Wheeldog · Nov 10, 2001

I think TresCrows was right about suggesting the Kubota B7500 as a possibility. Have you gotten quotes from other Kubota dealers? You are not getting fair Kubota quotes IMHO - the 4100 gear should not be cheaper than a BX2200 HST or a B7500 HST, based on the list prices of the tractor and assuming comparable discounts. I would check elsewhere for Kubota pricing.

Rob

cowboydoc · Nov 11, 2001

Nuru is from my area and that what I have been telling you guys is that Kubota is just as or more expensive in this area than what you guys talk about. There is one kubota dealer in this area now. Two others have now gone out of business. The most recent one just last week.

Nuru email me again and I will give you some dealers that will give you quite a bit off of list.

Anonymous Poster · Nov 11, 2001

Wheeldog, The 4100 Gear is listed in this area as $9999 without Mower Deck - bare tractor. We are heading into snow, so all I need is a blade right now ($11500 with turf tire option), I will get the mower deck in the spring. Yes, I have even, quotes from Carver ended up being higher than locally acquiring a 4100 gear with hydro blade.
Thanks

Nuru

Anonymous Poster · Nov 11, 2001

John, thanks, I actually saw tis and forgot abou this information. By the way, what do you think about the manual VS HST questions. HST that much easier? (mowing, loader pickup?) HST much better resale?

Thanks

nuru

Anonymous Poster · Nov 11, 2001

Richard is right. I have priced the BX all the way to NH, and the best pricing including Carver, is the dealer in NH for the BX, but I have to go get it too ($11800 w/60in blade/54 deck). The dealers that remain in our area (local dealers) are trying to sell the BX2200 for 13500 plus tax (w/60in blade/54 deck), and that is far too expensive, and they are telling me that parts like the 60 in hydro blade are back ordered - weeks to delivery.
Dealers in MASS for JD are very competitive, I am working on trading my GT225 in on either the 4100 or the Kubota, both appear to be willing to give me quite a bit for my unit as part of the down payment.

Richard, I sent you an email already and await your response.

Nuru