Considering BX2200, but what about Clippings?

[TheChamp]

I've recently sold my Ariens GT20 Garden Tractor with the intent of moving up the ladder to a "sub-compact", such as the BX1800 or BX2200. I would like to get a BX2200, FEL and 60" MMM. I have found a new BX1800 with a 54" MMM for $13,000CDN (about $8400USD).

We have just under 2 acres on a river, with a moderate sloping embankment. We have weeds and mud, should have grass/sod next spring/summer, 130' flat driveway that most of the snow blows over. I think that a FEL would handle the snow, and don't need a blower.

My wife feels that a Collection System is a must for when we get grass, and thinks that just mowing or even mulching leaves the grass a mess. What are the opinions of the BX'ers out there who cut grass and a) don't pick any of it up, b) mulch, c) use a collection system or d) any or all of the above!

This is an excellent site, and have enjoyed reading all of the posts. Today I purchased the Compact Tractor Buying & Basics book by Muhammad Chishti and hope to learn more from the book and from reading more posts on this site!

Thanks.

 

[TresCrows]

Well if you look more into the BX you will find there is a collection system avaialble for it.
Answer to your question, I do not pick it up. I think collecting grass clippings is some kinda Yankee fetish. Collecting grass is environmentally unfreindly, mulching if you must but I just leave it lay. The BX does a great job without the mulch kit. If you want a primo cut then a tractor may not be the way to proceed but instead a dedicated grass mowing machine. The advantage of the BX or similar small utility tractor is it's versatility. Good luck. J

 

[MossRoad]

I don't own a BX. On the picking up clippings issue, I never pick up my clippings unless I have let the lawn get too high and it would windrow on top and kill it. I find that if I mow my good lawn twice a week, it takes about 1 hour total. If I only mow it once a week it takes an hour and a half, because the grass is taller and I have to go slower. Unless you have a thatch problem, I wouldn't pick up the clippings. They also conserve water and rot back into the ground, so you require less fertilizer. Also, keep the blades sharp so it cuts the grass and doesn't tear it.

<font color=green> MossRoad </font color=green>

 

[Jeff396]

I have a B7500 and purchased the grass catcher. I didn't get it so much to pick up the grass clippings, unless the rain has kept me from mowing for quite a while, but more for leaf collection. We have a load of trees surrounding our house. The main difference between the BX and B7500 grass catcher is where they take their power from. BX takes it from the rear PTO and the B7500 takes it from one of the mower heads. I think it works great but the capacity is way to small. If I had a flatter yard, I think I would have looked more seriously into the Trak Vak tow behind system. However, I was not interested in having another engine to maintain so I would have only went that route if the PTO could run it. Not really sure if you could get it that way. Of course if you are getting the BX because of your slopes and its lower more stable stance, I suppose a trailer system might not be the way to go.

Jeff

2001 B7500HSD, LA302 fel, 60"mmm, grass catcher

 

[Charliebrn]

You may find that you won't need a pickup system for the clippings. After having sold my Cub, I was going to purchase the bagger for the BX but couldn't afford it at the time. I'm glad I didn't! The BX mower is much more powerful than I had expected and I don't get the windrows like i used to unless it's really deep and then I just hit it a second time anyway.

 

[RPM]

The only place I get occasional windrowing is directly over my septic. Extra fertilizer I guess!! All I do there is mow over the windrows and they disappear.

Rest of the lawn is never a problem - the BX does a great job of blowing those clippings out of the side of the deck at high velocity.

Patrick

 

[frank_f15]

i don't have a bx, but i would wait on the collection system. i think the only time you might have a problem is when the grass is extremly wet or long. all the bx owners here seem to love them.

 

[MReeter]

Champ,we have a BX-2200/60" deck and the Kubota grass catcher.The Bagger does a super job of picking up about anything.Only downside is that it's a pain to hook-up and to remove,until you get the hang of it.We leave the bagger on the tractor about all summer,but only catch the clippings every 3rd or 4th mowing.Best of luck with your new BX,you'll love it.

 

[wdn]

I have a BX2200 with 60" MMM and do not use a bagger. You don't need it the way this machine cuts. It looks like a golf course.

For leaves in the fall I mow it until its mulch then I use a tow behind lawn sweeper to pick up with remains on the surface of the lawn. For regular grass no need to use the sweeper.

 

[msocko3]

Last year I moved up from an Ariens GT17 to the BX1800 with 60" mmm. When I owned the Ariens I didn't own a collection system I would borrow my dads Ariens GT20 for the leaves. With the BX1800 I started mulching my leaves to see how well it did and found that it workes just fine.