BX Wannabe-But Isn't

[r0GuE]

BX Wannabe-But Isn\'t

My friend is looking for a new small utility tractor (Like the BX). I have the 2200 and I told him all about it. To help him make a well reasoned decision, I sent him to TBN. Low and behold when he logs on, there stands the Massey Ferguson GC2300 on the front page. Fine,.. he looks it over and we go to see one at lunch yesterday.
In a word "pathetic"
It was a total rip off of the BX in the layout and design, but lacked the quality feel and several distinctive items which make the BX feel look and feel like its larger counterparts.
No Hydro dipstick in the rear (small filler bolt cap)
No hydro dipstick on the front axle
Forgings were rough (like it was made in Russia or something)
Frame seemed lighter (I did not measure it though)
I was able to shake the ROPS and the whole tractor wiggled easily.
The worst part – The engine compartment was cluttered tight and un organized under that stupid sloping hood. Why the cram it in there is beyond me. What are they after here? MPG?? Even the tires seemed crappy.
The dealer said it is just like the BX only the MF has “more power”. I almost spewed on his floor. Please… This lightweight (seemed anyways,.. someone will probably prove me wrong with numbers at some point) couldn’t possibly be able to put another HP to the dirt over a BX.
It is probably an ok tractor, but it is priced right there with the BX (I was quoted a price that was almost dollar for dollar to a BX). This machine should be 2 or 3 grand less to justify not having a Kubota engine alone. Let alone the other shortcomings.

Wow what a flame. But that was my take. Long live Orange.

 

[NY_Yankees_Fan]

Re: BX Wannabe-But Isn\'t

Will JD have the same review?? Guess only time will tell! I think they will have a nice machine but more $$ then the BX.

Tom

 

[Gunfighter]

Re: BX Wannabe-But Isn\'t

I have the Kubota BX 2200 & MF GC 2300 literature in front of me..

BX 2200 WT. 1300 lb

MF GC 2300 WT. 1367 lb

The one feature that puts the MF GC 2300 ahead is it's slow turning large displacement engine.

Kubota BX 2200, 54.8 cu.in. 22.0 hp at 3200 RPM.

MF GC 2300, 68.5 cu.in. 22.5 hp at 2600 RPM.

If I was buying a tractor at this moment I'd go with what every
tractor had the price advantage. If the price was nearly the
same, I go with Kubota because of it's past reputation...

As for J.D.2210, I have not seen one except pictures. Just hope
it's not another plastic an pot-metal wonder like the JD 4010...

Understand that Kioti is now offering a small 20 hp HST tractor.

http://www.kiotitractor.com/products/ck20[1].html

 

[TresCrows]

Re: BX Wannabe-But Isn\'t

Not having seen the Massey, other than the photos and photos can be decieving, I liked the Masssey. It was also my observation already posted that it looked like a BX that had been rebadged because it had so many BX design features including the boomerang pedal. Now, I am happy that we are getting more choices and I hope it is a great unit--that said, the BX is built like a tank even compared to my larger 2410. Brochure weights are not a weight scale. I doubt the Massey weighs more--it looks lighter. Fit, feel and finish cannot be measured in a photo and even in real life are subjective. I also like the new 2210 JD. I hope it will be succesful, Yanamar builds a nice tractor, I definitly do not like all the plastic and especially the plastic floorboard but again as I said before, they all have to much plastic. If I was in the market for a new subcompact I would look at them all, if I already owned a Kubota BX I would still be a very HAPPY guy. The BX must surely be amazing for so many tractor companies who dismissed subcompacts to now offer one of their own. There are tractors and there are Kubotas, make mine 'bota. J

 

[B7500]

Re: BX Wannabe-But Isn\'t

Gunfighter,
Wow, that new Kioti sure looks like a nice machine. If I weren't so in love with my Kubota I'd almost say I made a mistake. As far as the MF I haven't seen one so I can't compare.
-T

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Re: BX Wannabe-But Isn\'t

Uh...Trescrows...

<font color=blue>...if I already owned a Kubota BX I would still be a very HAPPY guy. </font color=blue>

You are still a happy guy, right? Or did you sell your BX??? /w3tcompact/icons/hmm.gif

Bill in Pgh, PA

 

[r0GuE]

Re: BX Wannabe-But Isn\'t

I knew somebody would gut me rotten on the weight or thickness comment. I'm telling you, it seemed VERY much less stout. But it stands to reason, if you want to copy an innovative and capable machine, you would also want to try to market yours as better by slightly bettering the specs of your competitor. Oh,.. yours it 10 lbs,?... mine is 10lbs 2 Oz.
Oh, yours has 22HP?.. mine has 22.5!
Clearly, mine is a better choice.

Well, not this time. Brochures are dandy,.. I love em when I'm shopping. But when it’s time to look touch feel drive, the BX is not just a tad better... It's leagues ahead. The most striking thing was how poorly laid out the engine compartment was. Just crammed in and looked shotty.

I'll grant you,.. everything I'm saying is first impression... but what the heck. Since they are the same $$ pretty much, it's fair to be blunt.
The dealer also had a B7500 which is the first I've ever seen. Gee I wish I had 20 Acres... oh man do I wish I had 20 Acres. I can't even justify the BX for my little square,... But I'd love to play with that B7500!
Someday when I start my tree farm / nursery.

Anyway, the MF comments were just a public service announcement of my opinion, but for some real fun, all you BX’ers out there should go check em out. Nothing better than the feeling that you picked a winner,…. And that’s how you’ll feel when you see that sucker!.
Have fun!
Cya

 

[TresCrows]

Re: BX Wannabe-But Isn\'t

UH Bill, I was speaking in the third person.
Yeah, the weight thing--with tires and wheels or without, which tires, with mower deck or without etc. I don't put a lot of faith in brochure weights. Suffice it to say all these new subcompacts are differing interpretations of the original BX, thought they may be slightly larger or lighter or heavier or not. They may not call them subcompacts even but I think we know which tractors fit this new class of mini mites and I hope success for them all. J

 

[spb1971]

Re: BX Wannabe-But Isn\'t

Only those that are feared are ripped to that extreme. That is a compliment to the GC2300. The GC2300 is now being sold by many Massey Ferguson Dealers that aslo carry the Kubota Line. That speaks for itself.

 

[r0GuE]

Re: BX Wannabe-But Isn\'t

Ha ha ha ha ha ha aaaahhh...
Thanks for that. ...
If you think that's ripping... let alone to an extreme...
g wiz...
again for the record.. probably not a bad machine, but far under the bar that the BX set. If it were quite a bit less expensive, I'd recomend it to someone that was looking to save some $$$. After all, it probably would "do" anything that the BX will. But fit finish, dipsticks, layout aren't there. They were going for the aero look, and gave up engine compartment space in the bargain.
And why would I fear it? Heck I recomended that everyone go see it. Does that sound like I would be afraid?
Whatever...