BX2200 Loader/4X4 question

[gsxr1100]

Hi guys: Here is a question for all you owners. I was looking at a new BX2200 with mower and loader. Is the loader anygood for doing home projects (ie. snow removal, digging a little, lifting rocks, mulch etc). Also is the 4X4 worth the extra money or not! By this am I better off staying with a 2 wheel drive JD 455 or going to a 4X4? Again, this is for a home and not a farm. Yard is about 1 acre and the drive way is about 100 ft long. Just need some input for this matter

Thanks
Mike
Like I told my last ex-wife, I only drive as fast as I can see...and besides, It's all in the reflexes
-Jack Burton, Big Trouble in Little China

 

[Bird]

<font color=blue>BX2200 with mower and loader. Is the loader anygood for doing home projects (ie. snow removal, digging a little, lifting rocks, mulch etc</font color=blue>

Absolutely. You just have to take smaller bites with a small tractor and loader, but for about 400# at a time, sure beats shovels and wheel barrows.

<font color=blue>Also is the 4X4 worth the extra money or not! By this am I better off staying with a 2 wheel drive JD 455 or going to a 4X4?</font color=blue>

If all you're going to do is mow, and you have flat terrain, 2WD is OK, but there's just no comparison. The 4WD will keep going when the 2WD is sitting there spinning its wheels. And the 4WD is much, much better if you have a front end loader.

Bird

 

[MReeter]

Yes,yes and yes.We've had a compact tractor with a loader around since 1994.I can not immagine how I could ever get along without one (loader).I highly recommend the BX,it will work circles around any 2-wheel drive unit out there.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Make sure you do an archive search under BX2200 to see what's been posted the last year.

So far problems have been limited to items the factory knows about, and won't apply to a newer unit. The older ones are being updated under warranty.

As for comments you'll find them positive among those that want a small tractor.

There is a tremendous difference in 4WD, in a pickup, or backhoe. A typical pickup truck or big Case 580 backhoe can become helpless on wet grass. (no exaggeration)

I have a couple of bigger tractors and really figured that the BX was going to be somewhat useless tractor-wise. The wife wanted to be able to clean up the messes I make with my toys that I never have time to dress up, and I wanted to let her move her beauty bark without the shovel and wheelbarrow routine. Also wanted to be able to maybe mow some areas my JD GT was incapable of.

Salesmen of course were positive but we've all heard that before right? Regardless of what they told me I just wouldn't believe it.

A few days after I had it home I was shocked to find that for it's size it is a tremendously willing worker. I'm not a "stuck-with-that-brand" type of guy I have a new JD garden tractor (my "real" lawn mower), a Ford NH tractor I bought new in 1983, still impressed with it!, and the two Kubota's. I would recommend this to friends without a moments hesitation. This blows the JD455 out of the water if you want to do ANY dirt work, even light landscaping. It has a REAL frame under it and is not a cheap light version of something bigger, it is just scaled down.

I'm sure JD and NH have designs similar to this in the works. It is similar in design to what the Japanese market at least used to have in Kubotas, tiny true 4WD tractors.

I was in the EXACT same spot you were a year ago, looking at a JD, the one I wanted was about the 455 size, then fortunately the BX had just come out and my dealer mentioned it to me when I was getting ready to buy the L35, I bought it AS a lawnmower only, but with loader and rake etc. I soon was unwilling to take the loader and mower off and on even though they come off quick. It was just too useful as a tiny REAL TRACTOR! I went and bought a smaller JD garden tractor for just the lawn!

It depends on your uses, but from what you have said you will be pleased.

Any specific questions you need answers to, there's a bunch of fellas here that have the answers, this board sure has enlightened me on a few things!

And feel free to email me with any questions or more of my 2 cent opinions!

del

oldcarparts@mygarage.com

 

[TresCrows]

This question is similar to ones asked by others, and I am new to this forum, but at the risk of repeating myself you will find the BX actually is a for real tractor, though small and the JD455 is a big lawn mower that looks like a tractor. Again, my neighbor has a 455 and it is much smaller and lighter duty unit than the BX. He likes it and I do to, it is a nice, quality machine--for mowing! You will find the BX with 60 inch deck, FEL and boxblade a willing worker. It can do most things larger tractors do, just of course more slowly, cept for mowing--it does that better (my opinion). They say your tractor cannot be too big and I notice there are guys on this forum mowing 3/4 acres with an L series Kubota--if tractors are a hobby and they enjoy owning such machines then great but it is probably overkill unless they use them for other unidentified jobs ( I would like to have one secretly too--talk about way kewl). On the other hand, if you do various yard jobs and maintenance and dirt projects about your place the BX will be a great investment. I like mine and I especially like the way when I "snick" it into 4WD it hunkers down and muscles into an old pile of mostly hard clay I keep in reserve for hole filling and tears out a nice chunk without much fuss at all. I have the bar tires, they do surprisingly well on lawns with reduced pressure but for a small yard maybe the turfs would be better if you are really persnickity about appearance. The BX is a small diesel tractor, the 455 is a lawnmower. Like all Kubotas the BX can be worked hard, I am not so sure about the 455. JR

 

[Russ]

I looked at the jd455 last year before I bought my BX2200. The BX looked better all around to me. I didn't like the strange goal post looking frame they used to attach the FEL to the 455 and prices of the 2 machines were pretty close. The Loader on the BX2200 is very useful. Its rated I think at 460 LBS of lifting capability. I know it will lift with ease as much dirt, sand, snow that you can get into the bucket. When diging into a load of top soil the 4 wheel drive will let you dig into the pile much deeper than when you are in 2 wheel dirve. I would not want to do without 4 wheel drive for FEL work. Even just for mowing or bladeing the driveway the 4 wheel drive great if you get into a wet area or need more traction going thru a ditch. I am on 2 acres and am always finding soemthing else to use the BX and espeically the FEL for.

Russ

 

[Anonymous Poster]

I have the BX2200, with the 60" mower deck and the FEL. There is no comparison to the JD 445. The added features of three pt. hitch, 4WD, and the ability to have the quick detach loader make this an easy call.

 

[rag]

This is my first response to a forum question so here goes. I owned a JD 445 with front bucket, snow blower, front blade and mower deck. The tractor is a nice machine for cutting grass and super at removing snow with the blower. However when it comes to using the bucket, it has its limitations. When the BX series was introduced, I checked it out and decided I had to have one. Sold the JD and couldn't believe the difference between the JD and BX2200. The bucket can lift much more weight without having additional weights on the back (except for antifreeze in the rear tires) and the four wheel drive really digs in. I have moved rocks that I could not even budge with the JD. Moving snow with a five foot blade on the front is pretty easy with the 4x4 but run out of room to put it. Might invest in the snow blower for next winter. So far I am very happy with the performance of the BX2200. Nice machine!!!

 

[WillingtonPizza]

There is no comparision between a small 2 wheel drive tractor and a small 4 wheel drive tractor, period. I know I am repeating myself but I know if you would be happy with a bx2200 you would be happier with a power trac pt422. The mower hooks upto the same arms the loader hooks upto so it is in front of you and changing from the loader to the mower only takes 1 to 2 minutes. You can also get a 6 way hydralic snow plow for it at a more than reasonable price ($450). And the loader can is listed at 800 lbs but I would gues it was a great deal more, I have a pt425. Wonderful machine that anybody could work on. 22hp,4 wheel drive, hyrostatic, mower, bucket and hydralic angle snow plow $8750.00
I would love to respond to any questions about these machines, you can email me or post them.

ps. this site is a great source of information and you will never be steered wrong but you will have so many options you may be confused, take your time!

 

[gsxr1100]

I wanted to go buy my neighbors Ford 1220 with all the lovely play items (almost to good of a deal to pass up), but I had to see (sit and use it) what the BX2200 was all about. The thing is not too big and yes the 4X4 works really well. Is it better than my old JD455 yes a little, but the 455 would also get the work done just not as fast. In my application the 2WD or 4X4 would both work just fine. I received some emails from dealers giving me prices on the BX2200 with mower and loader. They all were pretty much the same (+/- $150) except for one dealer. This dealer is way lower than all the other. Now I do not know what to do. By the way what is with the freaken foot pedal on the BX2200? I am 6’ 2” tall and it is very hard to get use to it. I also think the BX2200 is a great tractor but I look like a money f**ken a football. I look way to big on it. My wife said that phrase and just laughed!
Now I have no tractor and I have to make a choice. Man, life is hard sometimes /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif


Thanks
Mike
Like I told my last ex-wife, I only drive as fast as I can see...and besides, It's all in the reflexes
-Jack Burton, Big Trouble in Little China

 

[LarryG]

I don't understand what your problem is. I have a BX2200 with a Curtis Cab on it. I don't have any problems with using the foot pedal or any of the controls. Also, I am 6' 4" tall and after using the BX for 2 to 3 hours at a time, have no cramped or stiffness at all. If you think that you look like a monkey with a football on a BX what did it look like on the JD455?

 

[Anonymous Poster]

I'm only 5 ft 8 and I hate the pedal on the BX, it is the most unrelaxed setup I could imagine. My wife doesn't see a problem and she's got longer legs then mine.

My Christmas wish...a BX with the pedals of my JD garden tractor (and all bigger JD's. Two pedals just where a "gas"pedal would be one for forward and one right next to it for reverse.

I still feel goofy using the BX, the garden tractor I was comfortable on in 10 minutes. I think Kubota has a lot of money invested in that rocker pedal and don't want to lose "face" by going the JD route, or maybe the JD setup is patented. The JD also allows you to use the turning brakes if you're pushing a load of dirt and you want to turn tractor, which is impossible using a Kubota HST effectively. You can of course reduce your "bite" on the load so the front wheels turning ability is active but that defeats the whole purpose.

Until something better comes along I'll keep using my rocker pedal and feeling goofy.

del

 

[TresCrows]

Yes, if you look like a Monkey on a BX what did you look like on the JD mower, a Monkey with a golf ball? If you do not like the BX, do not buy one, no point in not being happy with your purchase. I found the pedal different but quickly adapted to it and now I like it. Just what you get used to I suppose. It is kinda funny, folks making fun of the BX who have heretofore been scooting about on step-over frame Murrys and even JD's. One thing about the BX, it is a very compact tractor and the reverse flow radiator and smaller wheels that allow a short wheelbase for ease of manuvering do make it appear shorter than one would expect--I like that about it when working in close quaters. One thing, might your wife have an ulterior motive in dispariging the BX such as you keep the old mower and she gets a new kitchen makeover--just joking? That little loader on the 455 is a joke. Good luck with your shopping. J

 

[gsxr1100]

I think you guys got me wrong on my last post. The BX is a nice tractor. I just stated that my old 455 would also get the job done in my personal home application. Also I just said my wife thought I like very big on the tractor. She said the tractor was smaller that my last one (455), that’s it. I am not down grading the BX at all. I just think the petal setup is a little different. The old 455 has the pedals more toward the front of the tractor so your right leg is like on a 120 degree angle while using. The BX the pedal is more toward the back of the tractor and your leg is like at a 75 degree angle. The BX is just a bit smaller frame and you sit a little lower. These are just some minor ergonomic issues that I have. I am going to think long and hard over this one. The BX and the Ford 1220 are both good tractors. They both have good and bad things. Lastly TresCrows
, yes my wifes wants a kitchen makeover and yes she will get it (like I could say no). Woman have that “special”” power if you know what I mean /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif. By the way she also took the garage for her car and kicked me out. Okay with me, because it gives me an excuse to build a larger one for me. More space = more equipment to buy!!!![wick]


Thanks
Mike
Like I told my last ex-wife, I only drive as fast as I can see...and besides, It's all in the reflexes
-Jack Burton, Big Trouble in Little China

 

[Roy]

Correct about they each have good and bad things. There is no one perfect universal design; one size fits all solution. We all have our own quirks, likes, dislikes and personal comfort conditions. One of the worse things that you can do is put the money out for something that bothers you during operation (seat, controls, etc.). The other sin is buying something that can's do the particular task that you require. Both the BX and the 455 have owners who love 'em, and owners who don't. I don't believe that either design is so clearly superior that it is going to knock the other out of the market. When I took a 4xx for a test spin, I actually liked the feel. But… it didn't have the functional capabilities I desired. So, I went with the BX. Now, I personally don't dislike the rocker pedal (except for when it sticks /w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif), it's just that I like the JD configuration a little bit more. From what I have seen posted though, as far as general ergonomics go, the NH's seem to be the innovator.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Boy a big ditto on the NH "feel". I don't know how the new models are durability wise, but my old 83 NH has been to hell and back with nary a peep. If the old thing broke in half tomorrow I wouldn't be shocked or disappointed, because it did what no tractor should have to...exist with ME.

del

 

[Roy]

Del; If your that demanding of things, it says a lot for the durability of your tractors, and it says even more about the forgiving temperament of your wife /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif.

 

[TresCrows]

Mike, please do not think I am trying to run the 455 down but I did go by the JD dealer today, sat on one and picked up the literature not to mention that my neighbor has one. Anyway, no.(1)--the BX is smaller than the 455--not so--no way! My neighbor's eyeballs are about nabel level when we are both mounted up. The 455 has a 50 inch wheelbase and the BX a 55. The BX weighs 1300 lbs dry and the 455 965 lbs with mower attached. Length of the 455 overall is 75 inches and the BX is 92.1 inches long. no.(2), the 455 has a step over design you straddle with your legs apart and way out in front "Hog Harley" style and the BX has a flat deck step through design you sit upon like a chair with feet flat to the floor like most all utility tractors. The BX has a full length welded 3/8 steel ladder frame and the 455 has a stamped steel frame. Wheel and tire size is about the same but sitting a flat floor deck atop the ladder frame sits the whole tractor up considerably higher than the lower 455 motorcyle seating position and flatter stamped frame. no. (3) the BX has a real FE loader and can pull 4 foot box blades with a working cat 1- 3 point w/540 RPM PTO and the loader with bucket weighs about 550 lbs. and is built for stout and is very powerful. The box blade I use is about 350 lbs. The mower deck weighs in at 250 lbs and has a nice cut and removes quickly and is shaft driven. no.(4), the BX has real bevel gear 4WD and moves out with authority when commanded to do so and the hydro is smooth and I like that goofy pedal--it feels natural to me compared to the motorcycle feet way out in front position of the 455. no.(5), the 455 is a large garden tractor and the BX is a small utility tractor. All in all this may be like two mice arguing which is the most mighty but Mighty Mouse was a mighty mouse and between these two mice the BX is the mightest and it is clearly larger to boot. Sorry for the long post and not trying to offend anyone, just looking at the brochures here. PS JD is scrambling to field a competitor for the runaway succes story the BX has been for Kubota and this certainly validates the subcompact utility tractor niche. Again, goodluck with whatever brand or size machine you purchase and hope it is "just right" for you. J

 

[gsxr1100]

JR You did a great dimensional analysis, but I just know what I feel like on it and how I look. Just look big and it “feels” small. I think it has to do with the weird pedal that forces the leg up to use and that the floor is different. Just ergonomics man. One tractor is not right for everyone. My father lovers his older Fat Boy and I hate the freaken thing. To slow for my blood and it gives me lower back pain. It is visa-versa for him. He hates my Suzuki GSX-R1100 with turbo because it is a death trap and you are leaning over all the time; which causes his arms to hurt /w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif. It is to each his own.

Your data is all good but again they both have good points and both have bad. Again, both tractors would do the job just fine at my house . I had the JD and it worked just fine. Would I buy another for my personal application, yup! Would I also consider buying a BX2200, yes I would. The #1 reason why I would not buy the BX2200 is because I can buy my neighbors garaged FORD 1220 4X4 in mint shape (very, very few hours) with 6’ mower, loader, 5 ft tiller for less than a new BX2200 with only mower and loader. The problem is that the Ford 1220 is WAY to freaken big for my yard. By the time you open the beer the job is done! Well, I will have to think about it for a few weeks no need to buy something that I really don’t want or I could get a better deal.
Plus, Bike Week Here I come!!!!


Thanks
Mike
Like I told my last ex-wife, I only drive as fast as I can see...and besides, It's all in the reflexes
-Jack Burton, Big Trouble in Little China

 

[TresCrows]

Mike, I do not drink beer but I do like to ride about pretending to be working sipping my coffee. I understand what you mean about that Ford being to big--those big tractor guys get done to soon and then they have to go help moma--no fun there. It does sound like a sweet deal, perhaps you can find other uses for it to justify it's larger size. Another thing, JD was taken aback by the BX and not initially realizing what a formidable machine it was or appreciating the market it serves was going to quickly throw something togther to get in and grab some sells from loyalist. When they realized how good the BX was they decided somewhere along the line that introducing an outgunned product was not a good idea and hopefully they have gone back to the drawing board and will introduce a worthy competitor this year. I was told by a Kubota man they expected it this fall as a 2002 product (?). Obviously some speculation there. I was also told Kubota expected the BX to continue as is and their knowledge of the JD competition expected the BX to continue to lead that market and stack up well against whatever JD intoduces. Strange Kubota knows more about the JDBX than JD dealers. A new competitor in a new market would be great because, as you mention, we all like different things and hopefully it will differ enough that it will provide real alternatives in feel and function and not just a green colored clone of the BX. That would be great. Maybe you should wait. Maybe even prices might drop as a result (?). JR, Suzuki SV