I am looking into buying a BX1500, BX1800, or BX2200, to upgrade from a 1967 vintage Jacobson garden tractor. I would like to get some opinions on two things--- 1) How is the manuveurability of the BX tractors? It seems to me every manufacturer may be using a differenct measurement on this. 2) What is the best option for snow removal -- front blade with manual angle, front blade with hydraulic angle, rear blade, snow blower? I am also thinking of getting an FEL and was wondering about a blade that woulf replace the bucket on the FEL.
Buying a BX
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kubotasaurus
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The BX is very maneuverable, but you won't mistake it for a ZTR. If you get it with the 60" deck then it's easy to get up close to fences, the house, trees and so on. The hydrostat of course is very nice. Real easy to stop on a dime, back up and so on.
As for snow, what region do you live in and how much snow do you get? Sounds like you've had the garden tractor for a while - did you use it to remove snow and was it adequate?
Some folks just use the FEL to plow with and a rear blade to clean up (driving forward). I use a rear blade driving backward (no FEL). It's all a trade off of $$$. Front blade with hydraulic angle and lift is much nicer but also costs more.
Snowblower is what you want if you frequently get lots of snow - like in the great lakes. I don't get enough snow in my part of the country to justify that (although I was cursing the rear blade when we had 2 feet this Winter).
As for snow, what region do you live in and how much snow do you get? Sounds like you've had the garden tractor for a while - did you use it to remove snow and was it adequate?
Some folks just use the FEL to plow with and a rear blade to clean up (driving forward). I use a rear blade driving backward (no FEL). It's all a trade off of $$$. Front blade with hydraulic angle and lift is much nicer but also costs more.
Snowblower is what you want if you frequently get lots of snow - like in the great lakes. I don't get enough snow in my part of the country to justify that (although I was cursing the rear blade when we had 2 feet this Winter).
I have had my 12 hp jacobsen for 15 years, and it is barely adequate. I live on hilly terrain, and need to use chains all year around to get enough traction. That is why the 4wd BX appealed to me. Also, I can only plow snow going downhill.
I live in western PA and we get a lot of 2 - 4" snowfalls, and sometimes more. Every few years we can get a 12-15" snowfall. I don't like the idea of plowing in reverse. It typically takes me 45 minutes to clear my driveway, and doing it in reverse seems like it would be a recipe for a sore neck and back.
Does anyone know what the uncut circle on a BX tractor with a 54" mower is?
I live in western PA and we get a lot of 2 - 4" snowfalls, and sometimes more. Every few years we can get a 12-15" snowfall. I don't like the idea of plowing in reverse. It typically takes me 45 minutes to clear my driveway, and doing it in reverse seems like it would be a recipe for a sore neck and back.
Does anyone know what the uncut circle on a BX tractor with a 54" mower is?
Henro
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Dave7050,
<font color="blue"> I don't like the idea of plowing in reverse. It typically takes me 45 minutes to clear my driveway, and doing it in reverse seems like it would be a recipe for a sore neck and back.
</font>
I plow snow with a back blade on and go forward. It is not a major issue. Yes you back tires do pack the snow down a bit, but the blade scrapes most of it off anyway. I don't shoot for bare concrete or fresh dirt so it is not a problem for me. Now I have a b2910, so the ground clearance is more than a bx...with a BX you might have to use your loader first if you got a foot of snow...not sure about that.
<font color="blue"> Does anyone know what the uncut circle on a BX tractor with a 54" mower is </font>
If you can afford at least the bx1800 that is the way I would go. Personally, I think the 3 cylinders of the 18/2200 are a desirable feature. Extra power can't hurt in the long run either.
I would suggest that you consider the 60" mower if you go with the larger bx. 54 is the largest one for the bx1500.
When I bought my b2910 last year I made the mistake of buying a 60 inch RFM rather than at 72"...caused problems for me getting close to things when cutting...might have been a good mistake though...caused me to decide to trade that mower in on a bx2200 with 60" MMM which is on order right now... /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
<font color="blue"> I don't like the idea of plowing in reverse. It typically takes me 45 minutes to clear my driveway, and doing it in reverse seems like it would be a recipe for a sore neck and back.
</font>
I plow snow with a back blade on and go forward. It is not a major issue. Yes you back tires do pack the snow down a bit, but the blade scrapes most of it off anyway. I don't shoot for bare concrete or fresh dirt so it is not a problem for me. Now I have a b2910, so the ground clearance is more than a bx...with a BX you might have to use your loader first if you got a foot of snow...not sure about that.
<font color="blue"> Does anyone know what the uncut circle on a BX tractor with a 54" mower is </font>
If you can afford at least the bx1800 that is the way I would go. Personally, I think the 3 cylinders of the 18/2200 are a desirable feature. Extra power can't hurt in the long run either.
I would suggest that you consider the 60" mower if you go with the larger bx. 54 is the largest one for the bx1500.
When I bought my b2910 last year I made the mistake of buying a 60 inch RFM rather than at 72"...caused problems for me getting close to things when cutting...might have been a good mistake though...caused me to decide to trade that mower in on a bx2200 with 60" MMM which is on order right now... /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
TresCrows
Elite Member
Do not--I repeat--do not get the 54 inch deck unless you have gates or something that will keep you out. The 54 does not project beyond the rear wheels enough to trim with. The 60 inch deck is increadible and fantastic and wonderfull and all that. The uncut circle has been posted on several threads--the DIAMETER is about 60 inches, the radius is 30 inches--this is give or take. The uncut circle for the 54 inch would be quite a bit larger becasue the deck does not project into the inside of the turn as far---get the 60--get the 60--get the 60. J
MossRoad
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<font color="blue">I am looking into buying a BX1500, BX1800, or BX2200, to upgrade from a 1967 vintage Jacobson garden tractor. </font>
Congratulations! I upgraded from a late 60's Simplicity a year and a half ago. I also took a serious look at the BX series. They are great machines. If you are set on that size frame, I would suggest getting the most HP that you can afford. You won't regret it.
<font color="blue">What is the best option for snow removal </font>
A front mounted blower and a rear blade would be great. If you can't afford a blower, an FEL and rear blade are a great combination.
<font color="blue">I am also thinking of getting an FEL and was wondering about a blade that woulf replace the bucket on the FEL. </font>
A FEL is the most useful implement you can own(in my opinion). If you can afford it, get it with the initial tractor purchase. It is usually much less expensive to buy it all in one package then piece by piece later. Especially with the attractive financing available. My power angle blade on my FEL arms has all the benefits of a power angle plow plus the lift height of the FEL. You can really move and pile the snow with that.
Good luck in your search /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Congratulations! I upgraded from a late 60's Simplicity a year and a half ago. I also took a serious look at the BX series. They are great machines. If you are set on that size frame, I would suggest getting the most HP that you can afford. You won't regret it.
<font color="blue">What is the best option for snow removal </font>
A front mounted blower and a rear blade would be great. If you can't afford a blower, an FEL and rear blade are a great combination.
<font color="blue">I am also thinking of getting an FEL and was wondering about a blade that woulf replace the bucket on the FEL. </font>
A FEL is the most useful implement you can own(in my opinion). If you can afford it, get it with the initial tractor purchase. It is usually much less expensive to buy it all in one package then piece by piece later. Especially with the attractive financing available. My power angle blade on my FEL arms has all the benefits of a power angle plow plus the lift height of the FEL. You can really move and pile the snow with that.
Good luck in your search /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
rbarker
Platinum Member
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( 1) How is the manuveurability of the BX tractors? It seems to me every manufacturer may be using a differenct measurement on this. )</font>
I find my BX2200 to be more manuverable than my Wheel Horse 520H was, even though it's bigger and has a foot more mowing deck width.
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( 2) What is the best option for snow removal -- front blade with manual angle, front blade with hydraulic angle, rear blade, snow blower? I am also thinking of getting an FEL and was wondering about a blade that woulf replace the bucket on the FEL. )</font>
I haven't had my tractor for a full winter yet so my opinion may not be worth much but the dealer sold me a rear blade to go with the FEL and said that should be all I ever need. As far as the front blade vs. a front blower, the blower is only about $700 more in list price so if I was buying one I would be much more inclined for the blower.
One important thing is to tell the dealer that you want the "4 way valve" with the loader. This allows you to add the blower or the front blade later without having to upgrade the valve. The difference is about $60 (maybe $80?) now but the valve later costs around $500.
I find my BX2200 to be more manuverable than my Wheel Horse 520H was, even though it's bigger and has a foot more mowing deck width.
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( 2) What is the best option for snow removal -- front blade with manual angle, front blade with hydraulic angle, rear blade, snow blower? I am also thinking of getting an FEL and was wondering about a blade that woulf replace the bucket on the FEL. )</font>
I haven't had my tractor for a full winter yet so my opinion may not be worth much but the dealer sold me a rear blade to go with the FEL and said that should be all I ever need. As far as the front blade vs. a front blower, the blower is only about $700 more in list price so if I was buying one I would be much more inclined for the blower.
One important thing is to tell the dealer that you want the "4 way valve" with the loader. This allows you to add the blower or the front blade later without having to upgrade the valve. The difference is about $60 (maybe $80?) now but the valve later costs around $500.
MossRoad
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<font color="blue"> What kind of power angle blade do you have? </font>
My power angle blade is proprietary to the Power Trac brand. I paid $450 for it new from the factory.
<font color="blue"> Approximately how much should I expect to have pay for such a blade? </font>
I don't know. Probably considerably more. Maybe someone that is more familiar with Kubota attachments could help out here. I think they sell a front mounted plow, but that doesn't attach to the FEL arms. It mounts to the frame and is limited in lift height. If you want a plow on your FEL arms, you might have to make a custom job. You could build a frame that matches the rear of your bucket, so that you could attach it the same way the bucket attaches. Or you could do what several FEL owners did and mount the plow frame to brackets that are installed on the bucket. That way you wouldn't have to remove the bucket. You just attach the plow to the bracket with pins. Do a search here on TBN for snow plows, front mounts, etc... there was a load of discussion on it last winter.
<font color="blue"> If I get the tractor with the FEL, will I need to buy extra hydraulics for the blade? </font>
I'm pretty sure if you get an FEL it will only come with the valves to lift/lower and curl/dump(two valves on one joystick). If you want to run any additional hydraulic cylinders(power angle on a blade or brush, for instance, or jaws on a grapple bucket or 4 in one bucket) you will need to get an additional valve installed or a diverter valve to double one of the functions of your joystick.
My power angle blade is proprietary to the Power Trac brand. I paid $450 for it new from the factory.
<font color="blue"> Approximately how much should I expect to have pay for such a blade? </font>
I don't know. Probably considerably more. Maybe someone that is more familiar with Kubota attachments could help out here. I think they sell a front mounted plow, but that doesn't attach to the FEL arms. It mounts to the frame and is limited in lift height. If you want a plow on your FEL arms, you might have to make a custom job. You could build a frame that matches the rear of your bucket, so that you could attach it the same way the bucket attaches. Or you could do what several FEL owners did and mount the plow frame to brackets that are installed on the bucket. That way you wouldn't have to remove the bucket. You just attach the plow to the bracket with pins. Do a search here on TBN for snow plows, front mounts, etc... there was a load of discussion on it last winter.
<font color="blue"> If I get the tractor with the FEL, will I need to buy extra hydraulics for the blade? </font>
I'm pretty sure if you get an FEL it will only come with the valves to lift/lower and curl/dump(two valves on one joystick). If you want to run any additional hydraulic cylinders(power angle on a blade or brush, for instance, or jaws on a grapple bucket or 4 in one bucket) you will need to get an additional valve installed or a diverter valve to double one of the functions of your joystick.
