BX Owners, opinions please.

[Zoomie]

I looked at the BX2230 tractor today (also looked at the B7510), and it seems so low to the groud, especially at the front axle.

Have any of you, who own the BX series, ever found the slight ground clearance to be a problem?
One other thing: Tires. Anyone have traction concerns with the turf vs bar tires?

I'm not a farmer, and only have about 5.5 acres, which is fairly smooth, to maintain, so I'm thinking the (low slung) BX will suit me fine.

I asked the dealer if he gets many people who've bought the BX, come back wishing they'd bought a B series, he grined and said: "Nope".

He seems to think I'd be happier with the BX, since I'd likely do more mowing than other "chores".


Thanks in advance for your opinions.

 

[EricBX2200]

We have uneven terrain and some railroad ties lining the driveway and have yet to have a problem, even once. I have 4 acres, mostly grass, until a recent home addition. The turf tires have suited all chores with the following implements,

Front end loader, Mid-mower, rear brush mover, rototiller, box scaper, rear rake, and posthole digger.
We considered bigger tractors but are extremely happy with the BX2200 as it manuevers around all the trees better.

I can't say enough about our BX2200.

Good luck!

 

[Will_C]

It sounds like the BX is a great fit for you. The clearance is not an issue as long as you are on level ground, as it seems you are. I put 90% of the hours on mine mowing, and the BX does a great job mowing. I have the turf tires, and simply run chains in the winter and spring for a bit more (probably not needed) traction. The rest of the year, the turfs are gentle on the lawn.
Will

 

[Zoomie]

Thanks folks,

No doubt the height of my "little" Ford (I live in farm country where most tractors have cabs and folding implements) is having an influence on my perceptions.

I really liked the size, HST and options offered in the BX series. Unless Massey has something to wow me, that's probably the direction I'll go.

 

[Jim_Becker]

i've never has a ground clearance issue with either my BX22 or the BX2200 I owned before it. But I don't operate in the woods, either.

As to tires, I ran the turfs on the BX2200 and they worked fine, although the slipped a lot on some FEL work. I switched to the bar-turfs when I bought the BX22 and they are incredible. No marking when mowing and a ton more traction when digging and plowing. I'd recommend the bar-turfs any day for anyone who is not using their BX strictly for mowing.

 

[BRIGUY]

Ground clearance hasn't been an issue at all but I never see real rough conditions either.
If you are going to be mowing and using the FEL on grass that you don't want torn up get the turf tires and maybe a set of chains for when the going gets tough.
I have the bar tires and my land is mostly sandy/loamy stuff. the Bar tires are very!!!!!! agressive. I don't mow with mine and I'm being very careful, still I am tearing things up quite a bit. After I finish by big dirt projects. I'm going to have to buy a set of turf tires.

 

[r0GuE]

I think you'd be happy with the BX given that your main task is mowing. If you've got some rough terrain, it might not be a mistake to go larger though. If you do go BX, remember that you can get BOTH the turfs and the ags for only an extra $300. That is mounted on an extra set of wheels and all. This is a nice perk to the BX. Spare wheels are cheap! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[rosey]

I have over 80 hrs on my BX2200 and have used it to mow, move dirt, landscape, plow snow, etc., etc. This is one great machine!! I bought it with turf tires then bought a set of Bar Tires and rims later on to switch over to for snow or when I'm doing serious digging for better traction....not that expensive ...about 300+ bucks. You won't be dissapointed with the BX.

 

[NY_Yankees_Fan]

If mowing will be 80-90% of your work, the BX will be fine. BUT if you plan on doing projects that involve a lot of digging, leveling, and work in the woods, go for the B7510. I have both turf and bar tires. Picked up the bar ties for $275 late winter, will use them next winter for snow. Anything other then mowing will just take a little longer with the BX.

 

[Jim_Becker]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( If you are going to be mowing and using the FEL on grass that you don't want torn up get the turf tires and maybe a set of chains for when the going gets tough.
I have the bar tires and my land is mostly sandy/loamy stuff. the Bar tires are very!!!!!! agressive. I don't mow with mine and I'm being very careful, still I am tearing things up quite a bit. )</font>

My experience has been just the opposite with the bar-turfs. Almost no tearing unless I take a tight turn with 4wd engaged. But I'm also carful about how I drive and how fast I'm going when making turns. Even in wet areas, I only get the same "marking" that I got with the turfs on my previous machine. I would not go back to the turfs unless my machine was dedicated to mowing...which it never will be.

 

[TresCrows]

"leveling, and work in the woods, go for the B7510. "

Just one thing that may not be so obvious. It is assumed and accepted that the 7500 now 7510 and 2410 and so on small tractors have more ground clearence than the BX and yes, they do have a bit more. The thing is that none of these tractors are equipped with skid plates, they are not ATVs or Jeeps. There is alot of important stuff hanging all about underneath any of these units and it is all easily damaged. The idea that getting a couple of more inches of clearence with a 7500 is going to allow you to go banging through the woods with immunity is INCORRECT. Just wanted you to know that. The big difference between the BX subcompacts and the smallest compacts like the 7500 is the 3-point. The compacts have more lift capability both in weight and height which is useful in some cases. As a multipurpose machine that is used principly for mowing relatively smooth ground the BX is hard to beat. Another thing, the BX MMM nor the MMM on the 7500 is intended for brush clearing or rough field use. Both will be quickly damaged. Both the MMM on the BX and 7500 are intended for lawns. For rougher ground I would suggest the 7500/7510.2410/7610 with a 3-point type 60 inch deck and use the MMM for the lawn only. Also the larger tractor is more easily adapted to a small brush cutter though the BX can handle one as well within certain limitations--every thing has limits. J

 

[Egon]

Looking at the undersides of a B7500 One will see two hydro filters and a fuel filter just waiting for an errant tree or heavy brush.

In the situations my poor little B7100 has been used these filters would have been damaged more than once.

Egon

 

[Kelvin]

I've looked closely at the BX 2200 that a friend of mine bought.

In my opinion the lower height offers advantages when it comes to storage and stability (less likely to turn over than the B series).

However, problems may arise when you try to purchase USED 3-point equipment. Since you say your primary task will be mowing, then 3-point equipment may not be an issue. New 3-point equipment designed for the BX should be readily available. I tried to mount my older model Kubota tiller onto my friends BX2200 (a tiller that I had previously used on my older B7100, which is a small tractor also; probably about the size of the B7500 but I can't say for sure). With the lower 3-point lift arms connected the drive shaft would barely fit (fully compressed to its shortest length) with the tiller on the ground, which means that the drive shaft length would not allow tiller to be lifted. That is the problem that I anticipated. The BX problem that I did not anticipate is that I could not get the BX2200s top link to connect because it was too long. So, in order to make my tiller work on the BX2200 I'd need to cut the drive shaft and purchase a new top link for the BX. In the end, I just used my tractor with my tiller to till up his garden.

Kelvin

 

[NY_Yankees_Fan]

Just about any 3pt PTO driven equipment will need to have the PTO shaft cut to fit a BX. I have a snowblower, tiller and a Herd Seeder, ALL needed the PTO shaft cut.

One thing you DO NOT want to do it leave the top link on your BX if you are not using it. The hook that holds the top link up when not used is not well designed and permits the top link to fall. I backed up with the top link in the down position and hit something. Bent the top link. No problem, just get a new one. Kubota gets $110 for a top link on a BX!!! and you can not just replace one side of the link, you have to buy a entire new unit. Because of the small size of the top link, I could not find an after market replacement. I ended up going to a machine shop who used a press to straight the top link out. Now if I am not using the top link, I take it off.

 

[UncleAl]

I haven't had any clearance problems as I haven't gone into the woods yet, but I have an opinion about tires. I'm one of those guys who couldn't decide between Bar and Turf, so I spent the extra $300 and got both. I switch to the turfs at the beginning of mowing season, they're a little easier on the yard. The Bars give better traction, as you'd expect. (I got stuck for the first time the other day on the turfs, doing some loader work, they quickly filled up with mud and became slicks.) I'm glad I got both, but if I had to choose only one, I'd go with the Bars. By the way, I changed out two wheel bolts on each rear hub for studs and lug nuts. Only about $7 total for the hardware, and it makes it much easier to switch tires, especially filled ones.

 

[drcollie]

I have a BX22 with 200 hours on it and 5 acres of residential property, three of which are wooded.

Ground Clearance: yes, it CAN be a problem in virgin woods, You're not going to be rolling over many downed trees (even small ones) with it. However, on any tractor you have to take off the mid-mount mower to really go in the woods.

Mowing: The BX22 is such a fine mower (Once you get the deck aligned the 10 different ways it has to be aligned) that if it's 80% of the work you do, that's the series to stay with.

Bar vs. Turf: I spec'd my tractor with turfs, but DO get stuck in the area where I have a creek bed and it's muddy. Bought a set of extra Bar wheels and tires and have never swapped back to the turf set - even for mowing. Get the Bar tires, and call me if you need a set of used Turf wheels and tires <g>

BX22: GREAT TRACTOR! If it has one shortcoming the bigger ones don't have (much bigger ones) is the backhoe is not powerful enough to dig out stumps easily. Would I trade it for something larger? Nope.

-Duane