Getting close on a BX2230

[dariusr]

I have been lurking for several years and am getting close to pulling the trigger on a BX2230 (or BX1830) MMM and Loader. I need some advice from the group.

I live on 5 acres, mainly woods with 1 1/2 acres to mow. Lots of trees, 300 foot gravel driveway, Kansas winters (meaning some snow). I have several projects that will require the front loader... moving rocks for retaining walls, building several brick patios, moving topsoil and improving the lawn (leveling, seeding), building an outbuilding and moving firewood from the woods to the house.

I realize a ZTR would work better for mowing, but there are a lot of other things I do and need to do that the loader would be a big help. I also want to limit the number of devices I have to maintain. SO my question is: do I go with the 54 or 60 deck?

I currently mow with a JD 318 with a 46 inch deck and it works fine with one or two spots being a bit tight. I can always change the landscaping to allow the 54 or 60 to fit. Is there a big difference in cut of the two? Is the 54 that much better on triming around trees?

Thanks in advance for the help.

 

[SCB]

the 60 inch deck is a suspension deck and the 54 inch is not. the suspension alows it to follow the contour of the land better. Some have said that with the larger deck it is more prone to scalping in uneven terrain.

 

[jlw52]

Sorry SCB, but the 54" is a suspension also, at least the one I have is.

 

[gsxr1100]

my bx22 is a suspened deck also (54"). One heavy sucker.

 

[Will_C]

I would recommend the 60" MMM for several reasons.
1. You have the horsepower to run it, so why not cut your mowing time?
2. The width of the 60" will actually cut down on trimming, as the overhang on each side will allow you to reach closer to obstacles.
3. The 60" has a leveling device that helps balance the deck. I have noticed a better, more level cut than with my old Ingersoll with a 60" deck.
It sounds like your property and needs are similar to mine . I have been very happy with the BX, and I am sure you will be too.
Will
P.S. I just re-read your post, and if you are moving up from a 46" MMM, you will have to adjust some landscaping anyway, so Just adjust for a 60" MMM, and be done with it. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[BotaGuy]

Go with the 60 inch MMM. My BX cuts better than my previous commercial ZTR. The BX is a fine mowing machine, as well as a little tank with the loader.

 

[ByronBob]

I love my BX2230. It's a total package machine for my uses. Your only mowing 1.5 acres which isn't much. You could easily get the 54 and be set but if the costs don't vary much then why get less when you can get more with the 60 /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I've moved a bunch of rock with my FEL. Just remember that the load will want to lift the rear up without a weight box attached to the 3pt. The tractor almost threw me right out of the seat once!! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif Always remember keep the loader as low to the ground as possible so this doesn't happen.

I looked briefly at the 1830 but the cost difference was only a few hundred dollars from the 2230. Why bother?

Welcome Darius and your gonna be happy with your new toy....er work machine

 

[Jim_Becker]

Your property isn't all that much different than mine and the BX is likely to be a great fit for your stated needs. There may be some ZTR mowers that will cut "better" but the BX is a pretty awesome grass machine when you are not using it for more "Tractorly" duties!

As to the mower deck, the 60" MMM is the way to go, IMHO, and yes, it's better for trimming around trees...trust me, I do it every cut. I only get out the weed-whacker a few times each season since I can get so close to the tree trunks and most of that trimming is not where the trees are. The extra few inches that the 60" mower sticks out from the sides of the machine make a big difference in how close you can get and also effectively decrease the radius of the curve you can cut without backing up.

 

[BANDAMAN]

I am only mowing an acre with my BX2230 with 60 MMM and I think it is perfect. My previous mowing machine was a JD lawn tractor with a 42" deck and I have cut my mowing time by more than half. I am very busy, so mowing the acre in 30-45 minutes is nice. It is so much fun, though, sometimes I wished it took longer /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

I went with the 60 MMM because it is a thicker guage of steel, takes a wider bite, is easier to trim around things, and it has the self balancing feature that the 54 doesn't. I have some uneven areas and once the deck is properly leveled and the anti scalp wheels are set, there isn't any scalping issues. I am very happy with the cut on my grass.

The loader is so useful, I can't even begin to explain! I have been doing alot of various tasks around the yard and have been putting the FEL, MMM, and BB on and off almost every weekend. It is so easy that it is silly! I'd much rather mow with the FEL off, and then put it right back on to move some dirt, mulch, rocks, etc. I'll never use my wheelbarrow again /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

I could not even find a BX1830 around here. For only $500 less no dealers in MI will even stock one. I already have appreciated the extra horsepower when digging and grading in the tough clay we have here.

Go for it and enjoy!

 

[Henro]

<font color="blue"> Sorry SCB, but the 54" is a suspension also, at least the one I have is.
</font>

jlw52,

While both decks are suspended, the 60 inch has a difference (forget what it is called) where the deck itself pivots in the back, on a linkage with a center pivot, and springs at each end. I think this is not included on the 54" deck...