BX 1500 or GR 2100??? That is the question...

dan1220 · Jul 25, 2005

First off, let me thank everyone here for a great website. There is lots of great information here!!

We own a rural property in Maine w/ about 3.5 mowable acres-- some of it is pretty nasty- off camber and rough. The rest is like a minefield of plants to mow around.

The primary use will be to mow and snowblow in the winter.

The possibility of a FEL or tiller is intriguing in the future, however it is not on the map for the near future.

It seems that the 21HP diesel in the smaller tractor along with the glide steer option would make a great mowing and blowing machine for around $7K.

On the other hand, the heavier construction and rear PTO of the BX is attractive, however being a bigger machine w/ less power may not blow and mow as well.

The best price quote we have seen on the BX is $8150 w/ 48"mmm.

Anyone have any thoughts here? I know it seems that it boils down to the rear PTO, however I also wonder about resale value.

Would the GR be that much better mowing?

jimy22 · Jul 25, 2005

Have you priced the snowblower for the GR? I was quoted $7300 for the GR2100 and $2100 for the snowblower. I'm sure better prices are to be had, but you are still pushing $10k with taxes.

ByronBob · Jul 26, 2005

Well for your questions I have some of my own to begin with. Is your primary need mowing the lawn? If so then the G series mowers are the thing to get. But the wild card here is snow removal and the land mines around the property.

How long is your driveway? I don't know how much snow portland gets because your close to the ocean. More rain maybe in the winter.

The BX series I feel allow you more flexibility to do things around your property and mowing the grass is just 1 of them. The G series is a mower and blowing is kind of a secondary thing.

A rear mount snowblower on the 1500 is around $1300. So your going to come in at about 10,000 when your done. But don't sell the 1500 short on power because it can handle quite a bit.

I do my 650 foot driveway with a FEL. Granted it takes me 3 hours to do it but I can really widen the driveway with it to compensate for wind ect.... If a FEL is wanted in the future and you want to move snow in the winter you could get the FEL and get a blower later. Price isn't really much more than a blower and the FEL would get used more than you can imagine including moving snow.

I hope these comments help somehow in whatever you decide.

LBrown59 · Jul 26, 2005

For within $1000 of the same money I'll take the bx 1500 .
It is more flexible and will do more than the lawn and garden tractor can.

You bring up an interesting question concerning resale value.
Which one holds the best resale value is it the garden tractor or is it the Sub Cut?
An interesting question I've never ponder before.
Does anyone have the answer???

The local dealer here had been promoting the BX 1500 with a 48'' MMM for $7750.oo

LBrown59 · Jul 27, 2005

The BX series I feel allow you more flexibility to do things around your property and mowing the grass is just 1 of them.
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Speaking of: flexibility

Had a little thunder storm night before last.
Blew a little 4'' tree limb off a gum tree.
Thought I'd hook a chain on it and drag it up the hill to the burn pile with my 66 Bolens Garden tractor with chains on it.
Got about 25 feet with it before both back wheels started spinning. Got another 15 feet with the chains pealing of the first inch of topsoil and grass before it would go no further.
gave it up for the time being.
Tried the BOLENS because I didn't think I needed the BX23 for what I thought was an easy small job.
Drug that tree limb up the hill today with the BX Sub Cut.
The Kubota didn't even know the limb was there.

Just goes to show you - never send a boy to do a mans work.
lol

LBrown59 · Jul 27, 2005

(

1*It seems that the 21HP diesel in the smaller tractor along with the glide steer option would make a great mowing and blowing machine for around $7K.

On the other hand, the heavier construction and rear PTO of the BX is attractive, however being a bigger machine w/ less power may not blow and mow as well. )
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1*Ever considered it may be to much power for it's size.

Let me give you something to ponder about horse power.
While it may have the HP to to handle the task does it have the beef to handle the horse power?

I have 2 Bolens Garden Tractors.
They only have 8.25 HP
They will out pull and work circles around My 18.25 HP MTD.

eaf · Jul 27, 2005

dan1220,
I’m new here too! As the others have said I think you would be satisfied with the BX overall you are planning to do more than mow and blow snow. Look at the robust design and you are not limited to a couple of light duty implements as with the GR2100. The BX can grow with your future needs whatever they may be. I just purchased a GR2100 it’s a great mower, super features along with a proven diesel engine. It replaced my 99 JD Sabre 2048 that had seen better days. There is a big advantage with the GR’s maneuverability, circling the trees without tearing the turf up, causing erosion problems when the clouds open up in northern al. Life is great when I’m mowing my hilly treed front yard with it. I also have a L3130 4x4 GST FEL with a few other attachments for the heavier work around the property. One thing I can say about the L3130 is when it is in 4x4 and I make sharp turns it tears the turf up a little after a rain. I’m not sure if the BX’s differentials allow any slippage when turning sharp. Maybe LBrown59 or one of the other BX owners could fill you in on how his BX turns when locked in the 4x4 mode.

LBrown59 · Jul 27, 2005

I mow my 2.33 acres with my BX23 in 4 wheel drive with Ag tires and don't see a problem with turf damage even on a slightly wet or soft lawn.
I have never had the FEL or BH off the tractor.
From my experience the BX23 set up this way works fine for mowing, but then that shouldn't surprise me as That is what it was designed to do.

I can see where there might be such a problem with your L3130 4x4 GST FEL however the BX 23 is considerably smaller and lighter that the b and L series tractors.

As far as maneuverability I find the BX23 quicker and easier to maneuver than my Hydra Shift Wards PowerCraft Lawn tractor.
I attribute this to the BX23s smoother quicker shifting between forward and reverse than the MTDs.
The BX power steering also adds a big plus to maneuverability over the MTDs manual steering.

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Finderne · Jul 29, 2005

The 54" mower deck on the bx1500 would be a better choice than a 48" IMO. It gives you a tighter radius for mowing around those plants, and better reach under bushes etc.

The front-mount blower is a big sticker shock for either tractor. (The bx can handle a cheaper rear-mount blower btw). I'd compare this to other options, like standalone blowers, or getting a plowblade if you have a suitable truck, or paying someone to plow.

If there's a decent chance that you'll need to sell the tractor withing a few years, then resale value would be a point in favor of the BX1500. You're comparing one of the most inexpensive subcompact tractors to one of the most unique and expensive garden tractors. The gr2100 is great for a niche market, but I'd dread trying to sell one in the classifieds alongside much cheaper GTs.

I'd recommend getting a bx1500 if the dealer will let you demo it on your property before taking payment. If you're not happy with the mowing, then you can get a gr2100 and know that you needed it for what it does best.