BX1800

[Anonymous Poster]

Seriously looking at a BX1800 after owning (happily) a JD 445 for six years. Looking for the diesel and 4wd upgrades as the bigger part of my rationale. I cut a little over 4 acres and I don't need a loader. I would probably buy a 60" MMM and front hyd blade for snow and a box blade or rear grader blade for moving dirt around. I will eventually buy a PTO sprayer as well.

Would I be any better off with the BX2200 for the extra $$$ since the lighter weight of the 1800 will make it easier on my lawn? Does the MMM have a mulching option?

Repeat: No loader in my future, cutting about 4 1/2 flat acres with the 60" MMM.

Any BX1800 owners opinions would be very much appreciated in addition to other comparative advice. Thanks in advance.

Craig

 

[rdricks]

I can't answer all of your questions, but I'll give you my input. I was looking at the BX1800 also. Ended up with the BX2200 because it was only $300 more. Was it necessary? Probably not, but I'll never know for sure. For mainly mowing the BX1800 should do just fine.

There is a mulching option for the MMM. I have the mulching kit installed on my mower. It is around $200 and consists of some steel shielding to improve airflow and block the exit. I installed it myself - about 1 1/2 hour (unexperienced time) and around 15 holes to drill. That Kubota steel on the mowers is tough to drill through! I am very pleased with the mulching kit - haven't felt the need to purchase additional mulching blades though. The standard blades are working just fine.

 

[Will_C]

You may want to reconsider a FEL after getting the price on a front blade. When I bought my tractor , I was quoted $1750 for the front blade as opposed to $2400 for the FEL.

 

[NY_Yankees_Fan]

Instead of using a front blade for snow, you may want to consider a 3 pt snow blower. I picked up a new Pronovost Puma 54 inch unit for a $1000.00, just another option to think about.

I would go for the BX2200 for the few extra $$, just for the peace of mind and the future resale value. If you by a FEL you will find a 1000 uses for it.

Have fun.

Tom

 

[GFB]

I have had a BX1800 for about a year with FEL and rear blade. Have yet to find anything reasonable that I could not do that another 4 HP would have done. Limitation is definitely traction. I have filled the rear tires (turf) for added traction and stability. If you don't get a loader you probably won't miss it, but.....anyone who has ever had one won't ever have a tractor without one. I love my bota.

Gerry

 

[oombala]

how tall on average is your grass, when youve cut it using the mulching kit? does it slice and dice the clippings or leave a wet glob of grass on top? i have a bx2200 enroute this week...

 

[12ashman]

I have a BX 1800 with a fel, 5' landscape rake and a 54" MMM and am absolutely satified with the smaller BX. In my case there was a $1400.00 difference in cost between the BX's.
The BXs biggest limitation is its weight and traction; it will spin all four wheels when put to task.

 

[gobbler]

I've got the BX1800 w/ the 54" MMM. Woods GTO40 tiller and Woods rear blade. No problems or limitations encountered. Right now, there is a factory rebate on the BX1800, but not the BX2200. The difference in price for my configuration was about $1400.

Just to give you a comparison, the BX1800 w/ 54" MMM was priced at $7950 after the rebate. I could have exchanged the 54" MMM w/ the 60" for additional $100 but for my needs the 54" MMM was a better fit.

Jim

 

[MrP]

Craig,

No FEL??? Do you have any need for a 3PH? If not, consider a ZTR mower with a pull behind boom sprayer.

If you are going to get the tractor, I would spend the extra $300 and get the BX2200. Then again, I have learned my lesson with buying tractors without FELs. I'll never buy another tractor without a FEL. It's just too darn useful. I gar-ron-tee you will find 1000+1 uses for the FEL once you have one.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

I definately want a 3PH PTO sprayer and the ability to use a box blade. I have a Befco brodcaster and a Vassar landscape rake I use with my 445 that I will be able to use with the BXxx00. It seems like the BX is set up more for the loader and I have become pretty fond of my front blade with hydraulics. By the time I outfit the BX with a hydraulic front blade, the loader is almost as cost effective.

Thanks for the advice. The dealer I am talking to gave me a first round price of $10,000 for the 1800 w/ 60" MMM and $10,500 for the 2200 with the same deck. The Loader is $2,350. I'm pretty sure he'll deal a little bit. he didn't even mention the rebate on the 1800, which is listed as $300 at Kubota.com

Craig