BX1500 questions

Joeinindy · Mar 30, 2005

I'm kicking around the idea of buying a BX1500 just for mowing and light yard work. Allmost all of the dealers I talk to say it is underpowered and I should go to the BX1830. I don't need a loader because I have a L3410 for the big stuff. I have looked at ZTR's but with some of the hills and slopes it doesn't seem like a good fit , plus I feel if I ever sell it the BX will hold it's value better. So, how well does your 1500 handle cutting grass and any issues with lack of power? thanks.

kevinj · Mar 30, 2005

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Allmost all of the dealers I talk to say it is underpowered )</font>

I have had mine for 2 years and use it for the same purpose as you propose. I have never run out of power and I have the 54" deck. It can run a bit short on the snowblower if you get real heavy snow, but I just slow down a bit and it handles the snow just fine. It is also economical to operate. I would ask the dealer to bring out for a demo so you can see it operate.

ByronBob · Mar 30, 2005

Joe,

Looking at your profile am I correct in assuming your only doing 4 acres of mowing? If thats all your doing then the rear implements will never be used yet the price of a 1530 includes these. What about the need for 4wd. Is that necessary either? Why wouldn't a gas powered mower work for you.

Have you considered a regular lawn mower with say a 52" deck for half the price?

My thought is that you would never use half of the availability of the tractor just mowing the lawn which to me seems like a poor use of money. But either way the 1530 will do the task you want it to.

Robert_Parent · Mar 30, 2005

I really like my BX1500 with FEL, MMM and 3pt culivator. I bought a new house late last fall and have mostly used the FEL for landscape projects and snow removal. Hopefully the MMM will get a workout later this summer. There is plenty of power for moving dirt, rocks, cement blocks, woodworking tools, and a zillion other things. The FEL is amazing in the things you will use it for. I certainly don't use 100% of its capability either but who cares, its what I wanted. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif If you are looking for a small general purpose tractor that is fun to use the 1500 is certainly worth a good look at.

SeymourBota · Mar 30, 2005

It's curious that the dealers are recommending an 1830. Most will tell you that if you are going to get an 1830, you would be better off with a 2230 for the small increase in price!!!

Since you have a larger tractor, I would go with the 1500- I think you will have plenty of capacity and 4wd when you might need it.

rfogle · Mar 30, 2005

Your dealer is blowing smoke up your skirt. The BX1500 will do a fine job for you. I bought mine last May and still can't get over it's performance. Use the loader - no problem; use the snowblower (I live in serious snow country) no problem; use the 4' back blade on a gravel drive - no problem. There's a message here...... .

AKFord · Mar 31, 2005

I would buy a 5' rear blade instead of a 4'. The 4' blade, when angles, won't cover both wheels and that can be annoying when plowing. I am not an expert but I think it is better to have a rear blade that is wider than the width of your rear wheels. Even my 5' blade would be easier to use if it was say, 5.5'. I haven't had a problem pulling a load of wet snow built up on the rear blade with my 1500, it has plenty of power.

blackmajicwoman · Mar 31, 2005

I bought my BX1500 last July. Since then, I have moved 100 yards of fill and 200 yards of loam with the FEL. I pulled a 60" Woods landscape rake to prepare 1 acre of loam for grass seeding. I have plowed through 11 snow storms, one of which was 12" deep, wet, thick, heavy snow on my 50'x30' drive way. I have pull my 2 yard dump trailer full with 2 yards of stone with no problem (note: this WAS on a level surface, not sure I could pull it up an incline, but not bad for a 15HP). And then dumped the stone and spread it over a 20'x10' area. My latest, I had a Woods BH6000 back installed and it operates with no problem. I dug 6 dry wells and back filled them with no problem. Notice the trend. I am more than satisfied with the BX1500 performance. I feel I bought the "right" tractor to suit my needs.

Joeinindy · Apr 1, 2005

When I look at the cost of a high quality mower in gas it comes within a couple thousand of the bx and no FWD. With the hills and slopes the FWD is a good option for my use. I would prefer to go diesel for long term reliability and fuel use. I checked out the Kubota Gt and I'm not that far off the price of the BX on that either. Being that Kubota makes their own engine ect. compared to other makes which farm out some or all of the unit I feel Kubota's quality is worth the price. When I bought the L3410 I had lots of large projects going on but now it probably only gets 50 to 75 hours use a year so it might get sold down the road.

Joeinindy · Apr 1, 2005

How good is the quality of cut on the 54" deck, any problems with the weight of the machine laying down the grass to the point the deck won't pull it up for a even cut? The spec's say it has a 7' turning radius if I remember right, how tight will it turn with the 54" deck? I want to buy my last mower, and I'm trying to get the best preformance , long term durability, and value.