BX2200 Mower and Blower

[toddler]

That makes us neighbors Pat,

Did you buy from Gary in Essex, Walt down by Montpelior, or elsewhere? If you bought from Gary, I'd ask him if he'd loan you a 4' or 5' woods, if you'd consider buying from him. I personally liked the woods he sells better than the king kutter at CT, although I can't recall the price difference.

I've got a little 48" woods you're welcome to try. I honestly think it's the max for the BX. Mowers will probably take a little less HP if their blades are sharp, because they cut, rotary "cutters" tend to smash and tear. I think that's why kubota recommends a smaller cutter than mower. 48" vs 72" as on my tractor might be overly cautious (clearly is since I seem to be the only person without a 60"), but 48" vs 60" on yours seems about right to me.

Given what you plan on cutting, why don't you stop by my place and see just how badly a rotary cutter cuts compared to a mid mount mower. It's not awful, but it always misses a few stalks which then pop back up. It's only advantage is that the blades are on pivot pins at the end of a spinning bar, so they pivot back if you hit something too solid, and then just keep smashing at it. That's instead of stalling or slipping a clutch which would happen with a solid mower blade.

You're welcome to try my cutter on your BX if you can bring it over, or on my toy. Given what you're describing, I'd get a 60" mower and just sharpen the blades once or twice a season. Midmount or 3pt would work, but the mid mount would probably let you do a lot of the cutting around your house. If you can drive the naked tractor close to the house, you can cut with it with a Mid Mount, which saves time with a walk behind.

I just cut down the unused part of my garden with my MMM on Sunday because I was too lazy to put on the cutter. Worked fine. A BX with a MMM, front thrower, and FEL, is an awsome set up.

Todd

One last thought, you can go faster with the MMM or finish mower on light stuff, than you can with a cutter. Gotta go real slow with the cutter or it doesn't do the job.

 

[Bird]

Todd, you're right about the rotary cutter blades not being as sharp as finish mower blades because they're intended to break and shatter small trees and brush, but if I were Pat, only intending to cut weeds and grass with a rotary cutter, then I'd just sharpen those blades to a finer edge.

Bird

 

[toddler]

That could work. It might be that the 2000fpm tip speed advantage and thinner blade of a mower would be somewhat offset by the "rear discharge" of the cutter. Really long stuff might bog down the BX with a side discharge MMM if you went too fast.

However, I sharpen my cutter blades beyond the recs, but even early season, it doesn't cut as well as the mower. I suspect your rear discharge mower would do better at what we're discussing. Also, Landpride has lower HP recs for their rear mowers than their rear cutters in similar sizes, so if we're going to far exceed Kubota's rec'd impliment size, I still lean away from a 60" cutter to a 48"cutter or 60" mower. I'm for 60" because 5 acres is a lot to cut with a 48", or even with a 60" for that matter.

I guess what would be ideal for Pat would be to try em and see before he buys.
Todd

 

[PatnJ]

Todd,

Thanks for the offer. I havn't purchased the BX yet, so I can't borrow your cutter yet . I do have a sense what the brush hog "look" is like, my Father in law does his that way and it seems OK.

I have been speaking to Jason at Essex, and Walt in Montpelier. Walt gave me a pretty good price, Jason gave list and said when I narrow down what I want he will give me a package deal.

I like your idea about borrowing a cutter to test out the theory. If they say no, I can always rent one! That may be the way to go.

I think that I will go with the FEL and Front snowblower, then borrow or rent the 4' and light duty 5' cutters. If I dont like the outcome, I can always add the mid mount after the fact. (Pain in the a.. but at least I will solidify my plan)

Walt at Montpelier clearly had the better prices, but I will see what Jason can do at Essex before I buy.

Thanks to all. This has been extremely helpful !!!!

Pat

 

[toddler]

Hi Pat,

I don't think Jason can actually give you a price, only Gary can, and he usually is in the same ball park as Walt. If you go to him second, and want a package, he might be a touch better.

When Gary quoted a price on my tractor, Walt told me he couldn't come close, so get it from Gary. I think Gary gave me a steal deal to make a quota or something. Normally they're probably closer. As far as service, Essex clearly has an advantage. Bigger, more staff, more parts on site and such. Also closer for me.

I bought my snow thrower from them last winter, a JRW for about $50 more than the distributor sold them for, but it was worth it. When I couldn't get it to lower far enough and we couldn't solve it over the phone, they came out to get the tractor and thrower on a Saturday. Figured out it was just a matter of different link arm holes being used, fixed it, and drove it back to me.

I needed it for the next day to make a path down my backyard for the well drilling guys to use, since our well had died. Pretty good service if you ask me. They also did a nice job on the 100 hr service.

Tell Gary that Todd, the doctor with a 2710 recommended him when you see him. He's been very honest and reasonable with me from the start. He was also a lot less on a snow thrower than Hertz First Choice (same brand). To be fair, Brian is the one who they should have had me talk to at Hertz, but since he was out that day, I'm guessing they may have quoted me FFR.

Brian is another strait up guy. He sent me to a different dealer for my tiller because he couldn't get it in stock for 2 to 3 weeks. When you want a tiller, go talk to him about a little Del Morino. He also sells Land Pride, but I'll bet you you'll go Italian after you check them both out. Big $$ difference! I wanted to buy the thrower from him because of that, but the other guys may have dropped the ball on that one.

Gotta run. Stay cool.
Todd

 

[PatnJ]

Todd,

Thanks for the tips! I will probably stop by to see Gary at Essex this coming week (Gotta vacation and can't wait). Also, It is good to know about Hertz. I have not been to see them yet....maybe it is worth a look.

It is amazing how I never thought I would be seriously considering buying or using a tractor. It took me 10 acres and a little move out of Burlington to realize that it is an invaluable tool!

Stay cool !

Pat

 

[PatnJ]

Its been a while since I posted this message. Thanks to all for the help and advice!

After flirting with the idea of moving up to the B7500, I have decided that the B7500 did not show me the value for the extra $2400 price tag.

I am buying the BX2200 with FEL, 60" Belly Mower, Front Mounted Snowblower,Turf tires with Chains for $14,100. Seems like a pretty good buy! I will play with a few different rotary cutters before I decide which to buy.

Again, Thanks for all of the help! Looking forward to playing with my new toy!
I am surprised that my first post on this site received so much attention!

Pat


<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by patnj on 09/10/01 09:49 PM (server time).</FONT></P>

 

[huckflynn]

That's a great price -- and (in my book) a great configuration. Congrats!

 

[pcmem]

Pat,

That sounds like the exact setup we've been looking at.
Should work well. We're still looking to see between the
7500 and BX though but I'm thinking there isn't much you
can mount on the 7500 you can't find for the BX. Care
to share the dealer that offered you that package?

Enjoy,
Michael

 

[PatnJ]

I feel the same way. The 7500 implements are roughly the same specs as the BX (except for the snowblower...the 7500 can be a 60" rather than a 50"). A couple of dealers I spoke with said I wont do anymore work with the 7500 than I will with the BX (unless I have a lot of loader work...which I will only have occasional use).

I had two local dealers offer the same price.....Essex Equipment in Essex Vermont, and Walt's in Berlin Vermont. Both were very helpful....but Essex is closer to me.