green or orange small tractor??

[JaimesEarl]

Hello and thanks for having me on here...
I have a house with 5 acres, we mow 4. It's fairly hilly here in VT and we have several obstacles to negotiate. I have been loking at the JD X595, and the new 2210, as well as the Kubota BX1800, & 2200 thinking deisel is the way to go due to longevity, efficiency, torque and resale - is this correct thinking?

Second - I bet my question has been asked hundreds of times and it seems people recommend going with a dealer rather than a brand - but if the dealers are similar, which tractor will be best at cutting grass, which is primarily what I need to do. I am looking for down the road flexibility too because I will probably want to add more attachments - like a snow blower, blade, etc. The local Kubota dealer rents all sorts of attachments so I don't have to buy the tiller, etc. that I might only use occassionally. I can see myself planting trees and hauling stuff around too - but nothing too heavy duty. The 4-WD feature is important due to our hills and long snow season, I also want a tight turning radius and fast mowing speed so I'm not mowing for 4 hours every week.

The JD x595 is $12,000, the Kubota BX1800 is $9,600 and the BX2200 is $11,000 - each priced with 54" deck. I told my wife I would keep it under $10,000 but... These are all here and in stock, the 2210 wouldn't be here until late June or so due to high demand. Because this is VT, there are few choices of dealers locally. Is there any other tractor I shopuld look at? Which one of these should I buy?

Thanks - JE

 

[thcri]

JamesEarl,

Welcome to TBN. Please if you get time fill out your profile so we have a better idea of where your from.

To answer your questions. Both John Deere and Kubota are fine rigs. If both of your dealers are good then go with the one the tractor that you like and feel the most comfortable with. Based on delivery I think you have already picked a Kubota?? The other reason for Kubota is the fact your dealer rents out implements. That will come in handy. I think with your hills that I would stay with a sub-compact just like you have said. I would question though with 4 acres to mow if you would be happy with a 54" mower. I think you would be much happier with the 60". 4 acres is a lot to mow everyweek. I have about 1.5 acres of actual mowing and around trees and it takes me about an hour with a 72". I believe the BX1800 would handle a 60" mower with no problems. Keep in mind also that some day you will want a FEL. Most people just can't go without that. You will find all kinds of things to use it for. Maybe the loader before the snow blower?? Just a thought, the loader not as good as the snow blower but can be used for more things.

Just some ideas.

murph

 

[Will_C]

Murph has good advice. I love my BX 2200 but I believe the deere machine would be quite good also. look aroung, take your time and have fun /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
Will

 

[JaimesEarl]

Murph,

I knew I could count on you to reply - thanks. Yes, I will complete more of a profile - I thought I was done!

The reason for the 54" rather than the 60 or 62 is because I want to avoid the scallop look - you know when you take a corner and the inside edge is a bit lower? Maybe on these $10K tractors that's not an issue but also getting around trees and stuff, I don't know. I haven't made up my mind. Oh yea, one more thing - the 54 will fit into my current shed w/o modification - reason number 3 I think...

Can you comment on which of these will give a better appearing lawn when it's done, or are they pretty much equal?

FEL huh? Perhaps, but I own a couple of insurance agencies, plus we have a 5 year old, an 18 month old, and a baby on the way (it was a cold winter...) so time with family is my priority now, plus keeping my business going in these tough times. As I said, down the road maybe some fancier attachments but for now maybe just snow removal items. I was leaning towards the BX1800 but maybe that's a bit under powered?

Thanks for your excellent advice.

JE

 

[thcri]

JaimesEarl,

As far as the 60" versus the 54" I am not sure you will see much difference in scalping. Now If my memory serves me correctly some one said the 60" in the Kubota was actually a better mower and had better scalping devices?? Maybe some of the Kubota people here can help with that. Im actually one of them blue men!!! No not the Vegas guys /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif I had a 60" on my TC21D and when I got my TC29D I got the 72' and yes, more scalping. Remember also the 60" will allow you to get around more trees, unless they are planted to close, but to circle around them the 60" allows you to make a wider turn. But if you garage can't handle the 60" then you have to have the 54"

The BX1800 is a bit small but duable especially with your 54" mower deck. Remember your pocket book, the BX2200 was a bit more. The 1800 can do just as much as the 2200 but with just a little more time. Now another thing you said was family time was important, maybe the larger so you can get back to the family. Remember, your family comes first.

Oh yes as far as which one has the better appearing lawn, I think in another post the 60" did a better job of mowing and had less scalps because it was a much better mower??? Kubota guys you have to chime in here.
murph

 

[JaimesEarl]

Thanks Will.

You have a BX2200, do you think these prices are in line? I could go to bigger dealers in NH where the prices would be cheaper, plus they don't have sales tax there - ours is 5%. I would rather buy locally but if I can save $1,000 or more, there becomes a trade-off between fraternity and frugality.

I hate that dilemna.

JE

 

[Rick Jay]

JaimesEarl,

Well, sounds like you've got a couple of good units in your sights. I'd recommend the BX2200 'cause I don't think it's that much more than the BX1800 and the extra couple of HP just might come in handy someday down the line.

I would also caution you regarding the sales tax, or lack thereof, in New Hampshire. Although that is true, I believe most states have a law stating that you are responsible for paying the sales tax to the state you live in. You might get away with it, and you might not. You might get a bill for tax due from the state of VT after your purchase. For neighboring states like NH and VT, and with tax revenues being low, it seems like a pretty big gamble to me. You might as well just support your local dealer and local economy. From what you've said about the local Kubota dealer, he sounds pretty promising.

Good Luck on your decision, and welcome to TBN.

~Rick

 

[Anonymous Poster]

JaimesEarl,
I bought a bx2200 during the dealers cabin fever sale in March. with a 54" mmm it cost around $9,500 + tax. The fel took the price to $11,600. I hear that prices are higher in New England. As far as the 54" mmm, mine cuts better than any machine I've ever had, and that includes a Dixon ztr amongst others. The bonus is that the bx is really, really stable on hills. And you may find that the bx1800 will do what you need at less cost. Go out, try them out and beat the sales person up for a good price. I doubt you will be unhappy with any of the machines.
DaveL

 

[Anonymous Poster]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( The reason for the 54" rather than the 60 or 62 is because I want to avoid the scallop look - you know when you take a corner and the inside edge is a bit lower? Maybe on these $10K tractors that's not an issue but also getting around trees and stuff, I don't know. I haven't made up my mind. Oh yea, one more thing - the 54 will fit into my current shed w/o modification - reason number 3 I think...
)</font>

The 54" vs 60" has been discussed extensively in the Kubota groups. Each will give a great cut but the consensus seems to be that the 60" has a slight edge because a.) it sticks out a little further from the edge of the tractor and allows for better close work and b.) the 60" is suspended differently than the 54" so the 60" will follow the contours better. They call it "self balancing" and it involves the deck being mounted to an arm that pivots in the middle. The 54" does not include this feature. The discussion was sufficient to convince me to get the 60" instead of the 54" I had originally planned on getting. I have only mowed once so far but I am extremely pleased with my BX2200 and 60" deck.

This is not to say that you might not be equally as happy with the smaller deck or a tractor of a different color.

As far as your shed is concerned, well... I can't really help you there but these tractors are also quite a bit taller than your average lawn tractor because of the ROPS (roll bar). Just something else to consider.

 

[JaimesEarl]

This is the greatest site I have ever seen. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif Thanks for all the practical advice - very timely too.

It looks as though the local orange dealer will be ponying up either a sparkling new BX2200 with a 60" deck, or an 1800 54. Considering time saved in mowing, thighter cutting radius, and the power to get the job done - 2200 looks smarter for me. Maybe I can even sell the guy some insurance to offset the cost. Guess I conveniently forgot abouth that sales tax loop hole - **** revenuers.

I would still like to hear from the green people though. The deck design and the extra ammenities make the 2210 worth a look, right? They are so hard to come by something must be right with them.

Thanks again, JE