Comparison 4wd Kubota tractor choices ????

[AxleHub]

Greetings,
I need opinions please.
Orinally I thought I should get a GR

 

[AxleHub]

Greetings again,

Originally i thought i should get a kubota gr2120.
Why??
Need 4wd
Need a good grass cutter for 1.5 acres
Want a 48 inch mower deck (manueverability)
Need front snowblower for big concrete driveway and long sidewalks.
Want easy steering (Glide Steer)
Want diesel.

Then i heard about Bx 1860 and 2360

The bx 1860 has a 48 deck. Will it also work on the 2360??

How would you compare the 2120/1860/2360 for steering, handling and comfort/manueverability.

A fel would be great, but grass cutting on steep lawns and manueverability are the biggest thing. (Lots of turns and rock gardens). Then snowblowing is next. Then things like a fel or other accessories.

Could a BX1860 or 2360 be as good (or better a choice) as a gr2120 for my needs?

Ps thanks in advance - I've already read many great threads.

Axle-and-Hub

 

[bp fick]

Apples and oranges, in my view.

The BX is a stout, strong, amazingly fuel efficient, well-behaved beast.
Since you have snow work to do, a front blower or front blade would serve you well. I was very, very fond of the BX1860 I had. It pushed snow like nobody's business. You'd be very, very pleased.

The BX2360 gets you the option of a 60" deck, which may or may not be of any advantage.

 

[Grandad4]

Hi, AxleHub. I might be wrong, but I believe the GR models are 2wd only. They are very nice garden tractors, but you'd either need to go into the BX models or something like the F series mowers to get 4wd.

Don't know if a 48" deck from the 1860 would go on a 2360 but wonder why you would want to do that. While a 48" might get through a slightly narrower path than a wider deck, the wider decks actually let you mow around objects easier because they mow a smaller circle as the tractor turns around an object, if that makes any sense, so you do less backing up to mow up close with the wider deck. An 1860 with a 54" or a 2360/2660 with a 54" or 60" would be my choices for predominantly mowing use. I have an older 2230 with the 54", which has been flawless for more than 6 years.

The BX models are certainly larger and heavier than the GR. I had a John Deere lawn tractor before getting my BX and the Kubota looked and felt like twice as much machine when it arrived. Worked like 4 times as much machine, I might add. The BX would be in a whole other league regarding snow removal and other work.

 

[PHILIP8N]

All GR's are 4WD. Look at the GR as a garden tractor, the BX as a more stout and better built mini-sub-compact. Go to the Kubota lawn and garden forum here for more answers on the GR. I really like the GR for my needs, like you are looking at, but I heard some reliability concerns that needs to be looked at with more detail. I need a 48" deck too due to gate issues around the house. My current ride is a JD LX188 with 48" deck and 38" snowblower, that I would like to replace with the proper Kubota. Philip.

 

[AxleHub]

Interesting opinions keep them coming.

The kubota gr2120 is a 21 horse 3 cylinder diesel 4wd with Glide Steer for tighter.

The neighbor has a Jd X728with a 60 inch deck and he wishes it was smaller too. Too hard to handle the turns, gardens, and changes in flat to incline.

I notice a bx1860 can use a rck 54 23x mower (54 inch for a 2360) so i thought maybe, just maybe a bx2360 could use a rck48 18x mower (48 incher).

Right now i cut everything with a Honda 13 hp 2 cylinder water cooled rider. Problem is its only a 38 inch deck - wonderful engine - but its not a kubota : -)

My snowblower is a 33 inch 12.5 hp walk behind. ;-)

the gr2120 is a 21 hp 3. Would an 1860 be too small? Would a 2360 have any sizing, maneuvering, shortcomings to an 1860 because its the bigger model. Apparently only 70 lbs heavier?

 

[AxleHub]

All GR's are 4WD. Look at the GR as a garden tractor, the BX as a more stout and better built mini-sub-compact. Go to the Kubota lawn and garden forum here for more answers on the GR. I really like the GR for my needs, like you are looking at, but I heard some reliability concerns that needs to be looked at with more detail. I need a 48" deck too due to gate issues around the house. My current ride is a JD LX188 with 48" deck and 38" snowblower, that I would like to replace with the proper Kubota. Philip.

I cut my lawn with a lx188 several times - not bad at all but i liked my honda rider better for sound and quality of cut - but the jd handled well.

 

[bp fick]

The BX2360 comes with even more horsepower, but that isn't all that important, unless you want to or need to run PTO equipment like post hole digger or chipper. The added ponies allow for slightly better showblower power, but I doubt you'd ever feel an 18 hp BX is underpowered, at least I never did.

The BX1860 comes standard with slightly smaller diameter wheels/tires. No big deal. But here is the big deal, if your budget is tight.

The BX1860 is a $1200-$1500 less than the 2360. That difference would almost pay for your deck or your FEL, (an awesome, practical tool). That is just something to think about. Any of the BX machines are dramatically powerful and wonderful.

But.... you gotta actually go sit on them, drive them around the dealer's lot, etc. We can talk all day, but in the end, you have to touch them and put yourself into the seat of one to see what we're raving about. This chatting is nice, as is reading specs until you're bleary eyed, but nothing beats driving them.

 

[PHILIP8N]

I cut my lawn with a lx188 several times - not bad at all but i liked my honda rider better for sound and quality of cut - but the jd handled well.

I like everything about the LX188 but the hst. On my 2nd transmission, and 3rd one is not too far away. One of the reasons I would lean towards the BX vs. the GR. I would not be concerned between the 18hp vs. the 21hp. Philip.

 

[AxleHub]

But.... you gotta actually go sit on them, drive them around the dealer's lot, etc. We can talk all day, but in the end, you have to touch them and put yourself into the seat of one to see what we're raving about. This chatting is nice, as is reading specs until you're bleary eyed, but nothing beats driving them.

Greetings,
I already sat on them a year. As for driving them in the dealer lot - it only applies if i was cutting flat land with fescues and st. Augustine grasses. I have none of those things. Also show room condition is much different than opinions from 5 year users.

My natural tendency would be a bx25, but I'd probably only use a back hoe 3 or 4 times a year AND cost AND 400 more pounds mowing weight.

I've found users say things brochures and salesmen don't, too. : -)

So I've eliminated cub cadet and several others. I'm down to 3 total choices GR2120 (not a 2110), or a BX1860 or BX2360.

 

[PHILIP8N]

Greetings,
I already sat on them a year. As for driving them in the dealer lot - it only applies if i was cutting flat land with fescues and st. Augustine grasses. I have none of those things. Also show room condition is much different than opinions from 5 year users.

My natural tendency would be a bx25, but I'd probably only use a back hoe 3 or 4 times a year AND cost AND 400 more pounds mowing weight.

I've found users say things brochures and salesmen don't, too. : -)

So I've eliminated cub cadet and several others. I'm down to 3 total choices GR2120 (not a 2110), or a BX1860 or BX2360.

My choice would be the BX1860. Have you searched or asked on the lawn and garden forum about the GR2120? Should be lots of useful infor there. Let us know which way you go and how you like it. Philip.

 

[dodge man]

I was looking at GR's when I bought my BX. I have a pretty hilly yard and wanted the 4 wheel drive. The saleman said they didn't sell many GR's and let my ride around on a BX. It was the smartest thing I ever bought. I don't know what your property looks like, but don't discount a front end loader. I orginally didn't buy a FEL, but almost half of the hours on my machine is using the FEL.

I also wouldn't discount the larger decks. The size of the deck doesn't affect how the tractor turns, just what it will fit between. I wouldn't worry about the horsepower difference between 18 and 23, get the machine that fits your needs best.

To be honset, a BX is probably not quite as good a mower as a dedicated mowing machine. It's advantage is all the other stuff it does. It will be better for blowing-pushing snow. It can have a FEL. It has a 3 point hitch which allows for a lot of attachments.

Good luck in your search.

 

[AxleHub]

My choice would be the BX1860. Have you searched or asked on the lawn and garden forum about the GR2120? Should be lots of useful infor there. Let us know which way you go and how you like it. Philip.

Thanks Philip, between the couple of different lawn and tractor forums, I continue to see many good comments on the bx products - unfortunately my original plan of a gr2110 dream machine doesn't show up well on the forums( problems with transmissions, cut quality, and front end reliability components etc.). And I have yet to hear that the GR2120 model has fixed all the problems of the prior model. Kubota is too good for this to persist - so either they fixed the 2110 problems in the new model or it is destined to be eliminated. As a result, like your opinion, I'm starting to move more to the BX bandwagon more. That said, choosing between the 2360 and the 1860 is still a significant financial decision.

I contine to appreciate reader opinions and insights.

 

[Grandad4]

All GR's are 4WD.

You know, it's getting apparent to me that I don't visit the Kubota dealer often enough to know stuff like this. You don't find it anywhere on the Kubota web site - at least where I looked. Yours truly stands humbly corrected, but the BX still gets my vote for AxleHub.

 

[aczlan]

Ask your dealer if they can do a BX demo with the same size deck to make sure that it wont be too big.
Ours had a used BX2200 on the lot that we demoed. We ended up getting a new BX2660 with a cab and front blade.

Aaron Z

 

[check]

Greetings,
I already sat on them a year. As for driving them in the dealer lot - it only applies if i was cutting flat land with fescues and st. Augustine grasses. I have none of those things. Also show room condition is much different than opinions from 5 year users.

My natural tendency would be a bx25, but I'd probably only use a back hoe 3 or 4 times a year AND cost AND 400 more pounds mowing weight.

I've found users say things brochures and salesmen don't, too. : -)

So I've eliminated cub cadet and several others. I'm down to 3 total choices GR2120 (not a 2110), or a BX1860 or BX2360.

I got the BX25 and use the BH a lot. Also, it is so easy to remove in the Fall so I can attach my (very sturdy) rear-mount blower. I plow with the ATV for the lighter stuff, since it is VERY fast, and then use the blower when it gets really deep (over 8 or 10 inches). That way I can use the FEL for piling up snow when needed, and getting into tight spots. Also, the BX25 is tough as nails and I have done a lot with the FEL. The smaller BX's just weren't sturdy enough for me.

 

[dodge man]

I got the BX25 and use the BH a lot. Also, it is so easy to remove in the Fall so I can attach my (very sturdy) rear-mount blower. I plow with the ATV for the lighter stuff, since it is VERY fast, and then use the blower when it gets really deep (over 8 or 10 inches). That way I can use the FEL for piling up snow when needed, and getting into tight spots. Also, the BX25 is tough as nails and I have done a lot with the FEL. The smaller BX's just weren't sturdy enough for me.

The smaller BX's weren't sturdy? I hate to say it, but your BX25 is the same as all the others. Its not any better built, it just has a subframe for the backhoe and the hydrualics for it.

 

[ChuckinNH]

When pressed, I've had a couple of Kubota dealers not recommend the GR series for steep, or hilly yards. Although Kubota has beefed up the transmissions in these tractors, they still have issues on hilly ground, or so I have frequently heard. The steering on the BX is very light, and nice, but the turning circle is somewhat larger than the "glidesteer" on the GR. The seating position on the GR seems very high to me, and I feel more stable on a BX. I would choose the BX hands down in this match for your hilly area. For me, the diesel isn't important at all for this class mower, and I would choose a JD, or Simplicity in the same price range over the GR. (what precentage of professional mowers use diesel? I think it is pretty low)

 

[DieselnHooters]

(what precentage of professional mowers use diesel? I think it is pretty low)

pro mowers outfits use mostly F series diesel around here in industrial parks and such, I also see some BX

 

[AxleHub]

More good opinions - thanks - especially any comments about the steering and handling withturns and hill comfort. This weekend was another adventure in rider cutting where for half the lawn I'm leaning sideways so much I can practically touch the grass ( think motocross type leaning).

Since I started this thread, i've been thing more excluvely about BX products than the GR because of fel and 3 point hitch uses. The 1860 size is a plus ( plus weight) , but the 2360 has heavier fel and 5 more horses.

1. If a bx2360 and bx25 are same size and engine except for sub frame, hydraulics for hoe, and seat, why do they have different fel but virtually identical fel specs?

2. Can a 48 inch deck for a bx1860 be used on a 2360 and a bx25 (54 inch 2360 can be used on a 1860)?

3. Anything bad about using biodiesel in the bx engines?