BX 15 is it enough

[redharley]

Looking at the bx 15 for mowing lawn, snow plowing about 800 feet of level driveway,and brush cutting no larger than 1" thick around woods [underbrush],and once and a while some higher grass field about 1' to 2' high 5 acres.The main use would be lawn and snow removal in central Pa. Thanks for any info

 

[coveredbridge]

Greetings, redharley, and welcome to TBN! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

I assume you are referring to the BX1500.

I think the BX1500 would be fine for mowing your lawn, and would probably handle the snow plowing duties ok. However, I wouldn't recommend it for the brushcutting and field mowing.

The low clearance makes the BX series less than ideal for working in the woods and 5 acres of 1 to 2 ft grass is really going to push the limits of its capabilties, IMHO.

 

[redharley]

Thanks for the input,the brush cutting would mainly be to keep the mutiflower rose in check,the feild mowing is not a big deal,just wandering if anyone is using a bush hog and their input.any problems pushing 10 '' of snow?

 

[cart99]

Based on your description, IMO you should be looking at the next size up B-series Kubotas. My neighbors and I all have 10 acre homes similar to what you have, and we all have B or L-series tractors except for one guy who has a BX size NH. He really wishes he had bought a larger tractor.

 

[Botabill]

I have 30 acres and cut weeds up to 3 plus feet tall with my BX 1800 and 54 inch MMM as I am reclaiming some rough pasture for lawn. Probably not the best for the MMM but I have no trouble doing it and ground clearance hasn't been an issue. I don't mow the whole 30 acres only about two plus acres as well as nature paths throughout. I was thinking about getting a larger tractor because I needed (wanted) to get a backhoe but decided against it as I love the little BX and besides it fits neatly in my garage. Instead I went crazy and bought a KX 41-3V excavator. Now I have Krusty (the BX) and Kreepy (the KX) cozied up together in my garage. You might want a bigger tractor but mine is perfect for me. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[midlf]

I have a BX2230. I use it mainly for mowing (MMM) and brush hogging with a BEFCO 48" rotary cutter. It works very well and is well matched to loads. I felt the BX frame size was right for my needs with the B series being a bit too large for mostly mowing. I did not consider any of the smaller BX units as I am a fan of HP. I figured for the price differences there was no need to go short and regret it later. I also have a FEL and box blade. Works good with those implements also. I do push the limits of the brush hog hard and have had no problems with the tractor powering it but I am approaching the limit. I don't think I would be able to say the same if I had the 1500.

 

[Dman]

I just purchased a BX1500 about 2 weeks ago. I got it with the loader, 54" mower deck, mulch kit, box blade, and a tooth bar. So far I've mowed the lawn twice and taken it up to my in laws 15 acres at the country and cut out dirt from some high spots and put it in the low spots to get every thing a little more level (not on the entire 15 acres, just two spots probably 200' X 200'.

For my uses power is not an issue. For just mowing the yard and doing dirt work the little 15hp diesel has plenty of power. I have some spots on my 1/2 acre lot that are about 20 degrees - steep enough that I haven't felt comfortable mowing them sideways. So, I mow them up and down and the 1500 climbs up and down like a mountain goat in low range. As someone else on this forum has said, high range is pretty much useless unless you are going to take off down the road or across the field. But low range is quick enough for just about anything. While using the box blade and FEL at the country the tractor will spin all four tires in low range before it runs out of power (I have the turf tires).

I haven't and don't plan to bushhog with mine but I'm sure with a properly sized bushhog (42" maybe 48" max?) I would think it would do fine. I too would worry a little about ground clearance. Doing dirt work it hasn't been an issue, but running through a grown up field is another story. Also, even though I think the 1500 would have plenty of power for bushhogging, with a 42" bushhog I would think you would be looking at a pretty hefty investment of time cutting 5 acres. But on the other side that means more tractor time! Just my opinions so far of my new toy.

 

[kubby]

I have a BX1500 with 280 hrs on it, with 54" MMM, FEL, box scraper, post hole auger, and 42" rototiller. In the 2 1/2 years I've owned it, I have moved lots of dirt, scraped up and loaded 10 yds of horse manure into my truck twice a year, loaded the same manure into a spreader and towed it around the orchard, rototilled 2 acres of hillside orchard several times a year, mowed 2 acres of thick clover several times a year, and lots more. Oh, and I use a Bear Cat PTO driven chipper to chip up all prunings from 200 fruit trees and lots of oaks.

I am constantly amazed at what this little guy will do, and have ample power for most all jobs. From your description, it sounds like the only time you'd have trouble might be mowing real tall weeds. I do a lot of that, but in wet conditions the MMM doesn't exhaust the cuttings well unless you are going very slow. That can bog the engine down, but it's not so much a power issue as clogging of the mower. Of course you need to have the deck as high as possible and then go again at a lower height.

In general, the tractor runs out of traction before it runs out of power. My suggestion though would be to think ahead about what additional work you might need it for in the future. I have found mine to be so darned handy that I now use it for way more jobs than I first imagined. It does them all without complaint, but I kind of worry that maybe if I had gotten the 2300 it would do all this work at lower throttle settings with less strain on the engine and drive train and therefore last longer. Time will tell. In the meantime I try to be really good about frequent maintenance. I now depend on my BX so much I can't imagine not having it!
-Bill

 

[ericbx1500]

I have to dito dman and kubby. My bx1500 still amazes me every time I'm on the seat. Any job I throw at it handles it with ease. I love it and it was the perfect choice for my duties /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[redharley]

Thanks for the input,you guys sound you do what I want a tractor for.sound's like the BX 1500 could be for me.any input from the snow plowing crowd out there.

 

[valleydweller1]

Harley, join the Yahoo Group "KubotaBXSeries", there are quite a few snowblower users there. It seems that they mostly have thier BX's set up with a snowblower on the front for most of the snow and a rear blade for the finish work. They have also invested in cabs to keep warm. They will be able to help you out too.

 

[zumrutter]

Red harley,
I live in Minnesota. I bought a bx1800 two yrs ago. I use this thing ALL the time and love it! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif I was looking at the larger series, (2910-3010) but am glad i stuck with the bx. I use the loader all the time, i feel it does about 70% of what a skid loader would do. I can mow anything i need ( i live on 5ac. with 3 mowed grass) I have cut deep grass around 1' deep with no problem with a MMM. I have a 60" BB that keeps my 500' driveway looking good. I also have a 50" rear snowblower. Last winter, i had no problems throwing the snow where i needed to. i was concerned at first that the turf tires wouldn't give enough traction but with the loader on all winter, there was no problem. I was also concerned that the pto wouldn' have enough grunt to throw the snow. Once again, with the hst, you just have to move a little slower to keep the r's up. I throw snow easily 50 to 75 ' away. All around, this is one tank of a tractor. Starts everytime, easy maintainance. Buy now, don't look back, and you won't regret it. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[JimMorrissey]

Red,

I had a BX2200 and I can tell you that 800' of drive in 10" with a BB is a no-go. You'll be there all day. I'd get a rear blower for it....no question. BB is great for clean up, but not for primary removal unless you stay with each big storm and keep after it all night /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif -Start looking for a set of chains for the rear. Turfs are OK. You will enjoy.

 

[TrailHermit]

Red Harley -
I have a bx2230 and use a 60" BB for snow. I think the big question is whether or not you're going to get the FEL. If you have the loader on you can raise it a few inches to help push the bulk of the snow and use the BB to scrape whats left. If you're not planning on getting a loader then I would definitely put the money towards the blower. With the FEL and BB it will still be more work than using the blower but its worth trying it for a winter to see.

 

[jrdinct]

I have a BX2200 with FEL and 60" rear blade and the combination works well for removing snow from my 150' drive. I just make passes with the blade angled and then use the FEL to pile the snow out of the way. I've also used the FEL to break up ice that's sheeted up on the asphalt. I suspect the BX1500 would work just as well as traction has always been the biggest limitation.

 

[JimMorrissey]

The bigger question is how much snow do you get. PA gets a bit more snow than VA. Using a BB and the loader would be fine in VA and maybe in PA too. Doesn't cut in it VT unless you have an entire day to burn on snow removal. Rear blower will take care of it in very little time with no huge snow banks...nice even distribution of snow.

 

[TrailHermit]

Good point Jim. I was basing the answer on Red's criteria of 10" snows. Certainly there is a big difference in handling one or a few such snows during the winter vs getting them on a frequent basis. Also, clearing a 100-200' drive is going to be different than 800'. There's no question that the rear blower will handle the job the best regardless of the amount or frequency.

It sounded to me like he was piecing together options and unless he's dealing with a blank check its a good question to ask for helping determine how he's going to equip his kubota.

For example, if his main use is for mowing and snow removal and has no real intentions of buying the FEL then I would recommend getting the rear blower. However, if he's going to be getting the FEL, then he may want to get the BB and test the combination this winter to see how well it works for him. A BB will cost a lot less than the rear blower and if it works out ok then he's saved some $$$. If its a snowy winter he can always add the blower at any time but why spend the extra 2k or so if he can get away without it. There's many things to consider. It might also be fun to go out and push the snow around a bit (I like doing it but I'm also not living in VT /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif).

I'm near the Appalachians and get more snow than most do in VA but I'm betting its still less than PA. I guess it would help to know what else he plans to use the tractor for to know what the best setup for the $$$ might be (I think there was some talk about bush hogging too).

 

[redharley]

Thanks out there for the help.You are right that I'am in the process of puting together my perfect set up.As for how much snow, we get some snow,2 to 10" sometimes 12" t0 20" with wind and some driffing.You only seem to recomend the rear blowers,why not the Front one?it would seem that you would have it covered with a front blower and a BB. Right now I have no plans for a FEL.My other concern would be a rotary cutter,for keeping brush in check around 5 acres of woods and some 4 wheeler paths,I don't want to cut the woods down.Does the BX 1500 have a enough power at the pto to handle small patches of brush?I also have 6 acres of field with 2' high grass that I keep 4 wheeler paths trimed but probably the MMM would handle that,if not the rotary cutter and last I mow about 1 1/2 acres of lawn. lawn mowing will be the main use.It sure would be nice to park the shoulder shaker of a brush cutter and I probably have a enough land to find other use's.Thanks Red harley

 

[Dooze]

I have a BX 1800 with a front mount blower and a 42" King Kutter that does all of what you have described with very little effort. My nephew recently purchased a BX 1500 with all of the bells and whistles after using my tractor and there is no real difference in what the two tractors can do. I mow some pretty rough terrain and have to cross a shallow creek to get to part of it and haven't had a problem with clearance as long as I'm careful. I have no doubt that the BX 1500 with a front mount blower will be a great combination for you.

 

[JimMorrissey]

Not sure about a BX15 and a front blower....prob would work OK. You'll have to see if it can handle it.

The main reason for the rear blower is that they're relatively inexpensive and they work. Yeah, you get snow in your face, but the cost is less than half if I remember correctly. If you've got some coin burning a hole in your pocket get the front one. It will definitely be easier on the operator.

I have a rear blower and I curse it when I'm using it (5 degrees and howling wind), however I'm smiling when the drive is perfectly clear. I'll likely get a front blade for my L39 this year for the smaller snows. Actually, that might be a good option for you....get a front blade for 80% of your snowfalls and have a rear blower for the big ones. You'll use the front blade to touch-up large and small snows. Lots of options for you.....

Definitely consider a loader. They are invaluable and I can't imagine a tractor without one.

BTW: I'd look at the 18 or greater if you can afford it.