Ok im about to purchase a bx1860 in a month or so and I really like everything about it but the tire sizes. I really wish is had the bigger tires on it like all the other bx models, what I don't understand is why on the 1830 it came with the 26x12x12 rears and 18x8.5x8's on the front while this new bx1860 comes with the smaller tires on it. Im really wanting to upgrade the tires. Is there anyway to find out the front, rear and final drive ratio's on both models to see if it would be possiable to change the tire sizes without any damage to the drivetrain?
bx1830 vs bx1860
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Matt_Jr
Platinum Member
What size tires are on the 1860?
TheFlatlander
Gold Member
In addition to the tire size difference, they are on different frame sizes. the wheel base is different.
The older BX1830 was on the larger platform BX frame at that time. When they "dropped" the BX1500 the BX1850 came out on the smaller BX frame size as a replacement. Effectively the BX1850/60 are the replacements for the older BX 1500. Basically they dropped the 15hp motor in favor of a 18hp motor and reduced the engine choices in the larger frame size to only the 22.5-23HP version depending on model series BX2X30/50. Now with the BX2660 there are again two engine choices in the larger series, (23 & 26HP).
Small frame has 24X12 rear and 16X7.5 front with the larger frame BX's having the larger tires mentioned in your post.
The current choices are small frame w/18hp and large frame that has the larger tires with 23 & 26 HP.
If I were interested in the old BX1830 which was the lower HP version of the older larger frame version which received the larger tires , I would look into getting the BX2350/60. It is the tractor size you are looking for and the extra power will be just an added bonus. Hope that this helps clear up the confusion.
LBrown59
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1*What's wrong with the tire size?
Why don't you like them ?
2*All the other models don't have the bigger tires .
I have 2 BX1500s with the smaller tires and they work very well on the tractors.
I would not want the larger tires like my BX23 has on them.
There you have it from somebody that has both size tractors with both size tires.
Matt_Jr
Platinum Member
The differences in the ratios of the diameters for both sets of tires is very small.
BX1830 tire diameters
18 front circumference is 56.52 inches
26 rear circumference is 81.64 inches
front to rear ratio=26/18=81.64/56.52= 1.4444
BX1860 tire diameters-16 front 24 rear
16 front circumference is 50.24 inches
24 rear circumference is 75.36 inches
front to rear ratio=24/16=75.36/50.24=1.5
1.4444/1.5=.963
ratio differance is less than 4%.
If I had a BX1860 and wanted larger tires I'd put the BX1830 tires on it and call it a day. Air pressure and tread wear often add up to more of a difference!
Just a guess but I'd bet that the ratio is supposed to be 1.5 and the manufacturer used 1.4444 ratio difference in tire size on the 1830 because 4% is an allowable difference in ratios and the larger tire size is appealing to more than just yourself
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BX1830 tire diameters
18 front circumference is 56.52 inches
26 rear circumference is 81.64 inches
front to rear ratio=26/18=81.64/56.52= 1.4444
BX1860 tire diameters-16 front 24 rear
16 front circumference is 50.24 inches
24 rear circumference is 75.36 inches
front to rear ratio=24/16=75.36/50.24=1.5
1.4444/1.5=.963
ratio differance is less than 4%.
If I had a BX1860 and wanted larger tires I'd put the BX1830 tires on it and call it a day. Air pressure and tread wear often add up to more of a difference!
Just a guess but I'd bet that the ratio is supposed to be 1.5 and the manufacturer used 1.4444 ratio difference in tire size on the 1830 because 4% is an allowable difference in ratios and the larger tire size is appealing to more than just yourself
.
KeithInSpace
Veteran Member
Rub what, would be the question.
I don't know why they would rub the fenders or any frame-related parts since the tractors are, in essence, identical except for the few inches trimmed out of the midsection. I don't think the rear fenders are smaller, but I could be wrong.
I will say that the 60" MMM deck comes very close to the back wheels on my slightly larger BX2230. It would make sense that the MMM assembly would slide further back on a BX1860, creating a conflict point at the front edge of the tire and the rear edge of the deck.
Probably worth a look before you invest.
In the normal way of things, I don't see the tire size difference making any type of impact on how you use the tractor. I can't see a situation where a guy in a BX2350 could come and knock out a task that your BX1860 couldn't "handle" because of some amazing lack of traction or the 1 inch less ground clearance. It's just one of those things.
If it bothers you that much, strongly consider the larger tractor. Unfortunately, that's what I did.
I don't know why they would rub the fenders or any frame-related parts since the tractors are, in essence, identical except for the few inches trimmed out of the midsection. I don't think the rear fenders are smaller, but I could be wrong.
I will say that the 60" MMM deck comes very close to the back wheels on my slightly larger BX2230. It would make sense that the MMM assembly would slide further back on a BX1860, creating a conflict point at the front edge of the tire and the rear edge of the deck.
Probably worth a look before you invest.
In the normal way of things, I don't see the tire size difference making any type of impact on how you use the tractor. I can't see a situation where a guy in a BX2350 could come and knock out a task that your BX1860 couldn't "handle" because of some amazing lack of traction or the 1 inch less ground clearance. It's just one of those things.
If it bothers you that much, strongly consider the larger tractor. Unfortunately, that's what I did.
As Matt Jr pointed out in his calculation, the gear ratio number differences are irrelevant and thus not posted for that reason. You can make the same argument in comparing the BX line of machines in terms of their respective work capability. If you need a BH, there is a machine for that purpose and if you want to run higher pto implements, the 2350/60 and 2660 fills that gap. Still at the end of the day ALL BX models will do similar work. If you are using your machine 6-8 hours a day, you could probably make a rational argument that the slightly higher HP models with slightly higher capacities will make greater inroads to the overall project. Most of us are not using the machines in that manner and it is not likely (though capable) that Kubota intended the BX line for that purpose. With all due respect, the differences are semantics. The 1860 fits your budget and is as fine a machine as any BX model.
LBrown59
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I dont look at it as a "huge" benefit, this is what I want to do. No disrespect but I didn't not ask your permission or opinion on it., just I asked the gear ratio's of the two, which you did not answer, and if I did it would it cause drivetrain damage, which you did not answer.
CHDinCT
Veteran Member
As a relatively new BX1850 owner (July '08), I too had some misgivings about the 24" vs 26" rear tires. Basically, I liked the looks of the BX2350 tires better. Just seemed to fit the tractor better. Ultimately, I decided it was basically a cosmetic issue and went with the BX1850. Once you get it home and aren't comparing it side by side with the bigger wheeled machines, the issue fades. My BX1850 looks fine now and I don't even think about it any more. Food for thought.
You have just spoke my mind! I feel the same way. Thanks for the reply, that makes me feel better already.
LBrown59
Super Star Member
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Excuse me for wondering why you wanted to do it.
KeithInSpace
Veteran Member
Totally agree. It is simply a matter of budget and preference, not of functional difference in 99.2% of the work you'll perform with the machine.
The ONLY reason I got the BX2230 over the BX1830 or BX1500 at the time is that my wife had set a certain price ceiling for the entire purchase (FEL, bagger, MMM, boxblade included). That ceiling was based on a new BX1500 at the time I started looking. Also at the time, the BX1850/2350 was rolling out, so the previous generation was reduced.
I figured this could be the last "mower" I buy for the next 30 years, so I maximized what I could get for the agreed-to budget. With discounts and rebates, that was the BX2230.
Going back, if I had ended up with ANY of the other machines (BX1500 included), I'd still be just as happy as I am now with my purchase.
For the record, I bought my Woods BH6000 after only 1 year of owning the tractor. I LOVE it. If you ever think you'll add a BH, it really is less expensive (in the long run) to get the BX24 out of the box...I paid $5,500 installed, which is probably very, very close to the price differential between a BX1860 and a BX24. Just so you know.
And don't worry about this. It happens a lot.
Matt_Jr
Platinum Member
You're welcome. Let us know what you decide. Hope clearances are ok if you do decide make the change. Sorry I can't help you there
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