Grading BX1500 - loader, 54" MM, 5' rear blade

[BeeEss]

Hello,

I'm new to this forum and I'm looking to purchase a (probably used) 1500/1850/2350. Right now I'm looking at a few units, including a BX1500 with loader and 54" MM. I'm OK with the lower capacity of the loader (~ 400 lb) but would appreciate any feedback on how well the 54" MM works (with less than 11 PTO hp, albeit diesel) and how feasible it would be to run a 5' rear blade (primarily for periodic grading of gravel driveway and spreading of top-dressing soil).

I'm located in southwest Ontario, Canada.

Thanks.

 

[actionaj]

A BX1500 should have no problems with a 5' blade it would be the perfect size. 4' Max on a box blade though.

 

[LBrown59]

Hello,

I'm new to this forum and I'm looking to purchase a (probably used) 1500/1850/2350. Right now I'm looking at a few units, including a BX1500 with loader and 54" MM. I'm OK with the lower capacity of the loader (~ 400 lb) but would appreciate any feedback on how well the 54" MM works (with less than 11 PTO hp, albeit diesel) and how feasible it would be to run a 5' rear blade (primarily for periodic grading of gravel driveway and spreading of top-dressing soil).

I'm located in southwest Ontario, Canada.

Thanks.

I have 2 bx1500s :
They are almost as powerful as my BX23 and perform nearly as well as MY BX23.
I was amazed considering the HP difference between the BX1500 and the BX23.
I would also be looking at the
BX1800
BX1830
Bx22 or 2200
Bx23
Bx24
BX2230
In addition to the models you listed above.

 

[LBrown59]

Hello,

how feasible would it be to run a 5' rear blade (primarily for periodic grading of gravel driveway and spreading of top-dressing soil).

I don't have a rear blade but my BX1500 handles my 5 foot front blade just fine.

I'd have to rate the BX1500 as the sweetest little tractor ever built.
There is really nothing out there comparable to them.
They are in a unique class all by themselves.

 

[KeithInSpace]

When you purchase, bear in mind that the models previous to the BX1850/2350/2660 (all the ones LBrown59 mentioned) have lower mounting points for the 3PH. I say this only so you don't buy the blade before the tractor, then find that the tractor doesn't lift the blade high enough.

This is a minor shortcoming that is amplified by the BX1500 in particular since due to the smaller wheel diameters combined with the lower 3PH mounting points. The BX1850 also has smaller wheels than the BX2350/2660, but it has higher mounts for the 3PH.

In any case, I'd get a lower-profile blade to be sure. They are readily available since sub-compact implements are quite common from many different companies.

In any case, 5' for the blade is fine. As mentioned, 4' is max for the box blade.

As far as capacity, don't be to bothered by the 400# capacity of the BX1500. It would still amaze you in what it does. FWIW, the capacity of my loader is ~500#, but I just carried 10-80# bags (800#) of softener salt for ~80' from my driveway to my rear stoop without much trouble. A rating is a rating...not what it will actually do.

 

[Barryh]

I don't have a rear blade but my BX1500 handles my 5 foot front blade just fine.

I'd have to rate the BX1500 as the sweetest little tractor ever built.
There is really nothing out there comparable to them.
They are in a unique class all by themselves.

I'll second that. One thing on my long list of mods, will be to bump up the lift using shims and slightly larger cylinders.

 

[BeeEss]

Thanks everyone for the thoughtful replies. These forums are a great resource.

 

[LBrown59]

Hello,

I'm new to this forum and I'm looking to purchase a (probably used) 1500/1850/2350. Right now I'm looking at a few units, including a BX1500 with loader and 54" MM. I'm OK with the lower capacity of the loader (~ 400 lb) but would appreciate any feedback on how well the 54" MM works (with less than 11 PTO hp, albeit diesel) and how feasible it would be to run a 5' rear blade (primarily for periodic grading of gravel driveway and spreading of top-dressing soil).

I'm located in southwest Ontario, Canada.

Thanks.

I have a BX 1500 with a 48'' mower .
My other BX1500 has a 4 foot tiller and a 5 foot front blade.
Both work great and better than i expected of them.

 

[LBrown59]

When you purchase, bear in mind that the models previous to the BX1850/2350/2660 (all the ones LBrown59 mentioned) have lower mounting points for the 3PH.
This is a minor shortcoming that is amplified by the BX1500 in particular since due to the smaller wheel diameters combined with the lower 3PH mounting points. The BX1850 also has smaller wheels than the BX2350/2660, but it has higher mounts for the 3PH.

In any case, I'd get a lower-profile blade to be sure. They are readily available since sub-compact implements are quite common from many different companies.

In any case, 5' for the blade is fine. As mentioned, 4' is max for the box blade.

All BX Models have 18'' front and 26'' rear wheels except the BX 1500 and BX 1850 which have 16'' front & 24'' rear wheels.
The BX1850 is sort of a cross breed of the former BX1500 and BX1830.

I haven't noticed any problems from the 1'' difference in ground clerence between the wheels on the BX1500 and the wheels on the the BX23.
I have a 48'' tiller on one of the BX1500s and there seems to be plenty of ground clearance when the tiller's lifted fully by the 3 point hitch.
Anybody have a rear blade on a BX1500 and know how much ground clearance you have when the blade's fully lifted?