green or orange small tractor??

PhilNH5 · May 14, 2003

I have a BX2200 that I got in March of this year.. I have the 54" deck but have not needed to mount it yet so I can't comment on the cut.
I looked at the Deere 2210 as well. Dealer didn't speak highly of it and had it so overpriced that the 4010 was only 200 bucks more! But it looked like a good tractor so I think he was just selling up. I was leary that it was a first year model whereas the BX has been around a bit.
Regarding the pedals. I agree with the above poster - the boomerang pedal is a great invention. It makes driving this thing mindless. Push forward to go forward - push backwards to go backwards. It is great when using the FEL.
I don't think you can go wrong with either and sounds like you are letting the dealer factor weigh in which is good. Have you been to Walt's up above Barre? He puts lots of ads in that 50 cent trading/selling newspaper and looks to have phenomanal prices.

Phil

surfran · May 14, 2003

I might as well throw in my 2 cents as well. I also looked at the same units you are and started with the $10,000 budget. My family has always had John Deeres and I was already the black sheep for having a used Cub Cadet (which the motor went thus my new unit). Anyhow, I compared the 2210, the BX1800, 2200 and even considered the BX1500. Talked to the NH dealers on the TC18D/TC21D as well but didn't test drive them as the costs were too high to start.

I would say the 2210 and the BX1800/2200 compare quite well so mine came down to price/options available. And the Kubota BX1800 ended up winning out for a couple reasons.

First, the BX's have a rear grass catcher (which my CFO required and consequently is how I was able to adjust my $10k to 13K in the end) and the 2210 did not offer this option at this time (although one dealer did think they could use one of the current baggers). This essentially eliminated the John Deere although cost was also higher.

Second, when it was all said and done, BX1800 ended up being $1000 less than the 2200. And considering my uses on (2) 3/4 acres properties, I just couldn't justify to the CFO adding the extra $1000, for the same machine with a few extra HP so I went with the 1800.

My set up ended up being BX1800, FEL w/2hooks and 4-way valve, 60" MMM, Rear Grass Catcher, Rear Ballast Box, Front brush guard, and engine block heater installed. This was also delivered from out of state, so I did not go with the local dealer (and time will tell if that is a good or bad thing).

I also first thought that the boomerang peddle was going to be a bit of a pain as I have driven with the John Deere dual peddles on my fathers 425 for several years, but now that I have had mine for a month or so, I really like the boomerang. I especially like it when I am nosing down a slope and may want to back up quickly, I can have heel ready to go!!! I usually have my heal on the floor board as suggested above for normal mowing.

Good luck and I don't think you will be sorry with any of these units, including the NH's if they are cost competitive your area.

thcri · May 14, 2003

( Good luck and I don't think you will be sorry with any of these units, including the NH's if they are cost competitive your area. )

You can't compare the New Hollands with the BX series. BX is a sub-compact and the New Holland TC18D,21D,24D are all CUT's. That is why they are more.

murph

Rick Jay · May 14, 2003

( Second, when it was all said and done, BX1800 ended up being $1000 less than the 2200 )

Hmmm...that's interesting. I thought I remember pricing the BX1800 and BX2200 when they first hit the streets and the "street price" difference was only $300-$500 or so. Am I correct, or am I having a pre-mid-life crisis senior moment?

If that's correct, has Kubota priced them apart a bit to help differentiate between each other and the BX1500 and BX22?

Just curious.

~Rick

surfran · May 14, 2003

Rick you are correct, apparently from what I understand from the dealer, Kubota widened the pricing structure to make the BX1800 more competitive. I think it also depends on where you are looking. If it is a dealer that doesn't carry the 1800, then they wll most likely price it higher to steer you toward the 2200 they already have.

surfran · May 14, 2003

Murph,

I fully understand the differences, I didn't intend to imply they were direct comparisons, just what I considered. But it is not uncommon for people to be considering this along with the BX's and NH doesn't offer a sub-compact so if your going to consider them, then the TC18/21/24 are your choices. I have heard of others getting very competive pricing making the NH a great choice. For me it just didn't get there, so I quit looking at them early. I even had one of the NH dealers recommend the BX for what I wanted to do. I really appreciated that dealer and will definately consider them if I ever go larger in the future (of course I don't see that happening unless I get a larger property, but hey I'm still young).

Anonymous Poster · May 14, 2003

( Thanks again everyone. Even more to consider, like the BX2200 vs. the BX22 for instance.
)

The BX22 is going to blow your budget all to bits as it lists for slightly over $17K without a mowing deck. It comes automatically with a FEL and a back hoe, neither of which you you mentioned getting. The BX2200 is the same tractor except for some frame strenghtening in the rear to handle the back hoe and some other modifications in the 3PH assembly to accomodate the hoe. It also comes with a cool brush guard! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

If you need (or want) the FEL and the hoe, this is certainly the way to go because you can not currently add the hoe to a BX2200.

Will_C · May 14, 2003

Jaimesearl; I think a price to shoot for on a BX2200 and a 60"MMM is $10,000 or so. Add the FEL and you should be looking at $12,000 and change. Depending on your dealers, it may not be possible to get to that level, but you should come close.
Will

JaimesEarl · May 15, 2003

Thanks again for all the advice.

As far as pricing, Walt's is the Kubota dealer I am dealing with - nice and informed salesguy. He priced the BX1500 @ $8,000 - the BX1800 @ $9,600 and the BX2200 @ $11,100 - each with their 54" deck. $200 more for 60". Reading through posts here would suggest that these prices are way overboard - but the salesguy said they have list and retail prices to show, and he gave me retail prices straight out of his guide - the same guide the owner was using a few weeks ago when I first stopped by for literature. Maybe I am buying at the totally wrong time of the year?? Seems like I should be able to get the 2200 w/60" deck for around my $10K somewhere - but I do like the guy at Walt's...

Next, I called around VT and found one 2210 about 90 minutes from here in Middlebury, VT but it is already sold. They have 2 more coming in in about 2 weeks or so. No one else has one and some say they won't for a month or more. They priced it @ $11,500 with the 62" deck. $400 more than my quoted 2200. The local JD dealer offers 2 year pickup on scheduled maintenance, and a 12 hour guarantee on fixing or I get a loaner. Kubota dealer has a similar guarantee with free loaner if under warrantee. I don't have a trailer - yet.

I know I am hung up on pricing, but my local dealers seem to be at least $1,700 higher than what people here are saying they paid. That's a lot of coin to me, better spent on a FEL or something else. Kubota has 10% down and 0% for 3 years - that's worth something too.

The unpaved part of my driveway is about 200' long - so something to maintain that would be a nice option. The paved part (another 200', some steeply graded, with parking for 4 vehicles near the house) needs snow removal too, plus we have a 4' x 45' paver walkway from the drive to the front door that needs clearing daily in the winter. Probably a snow thrower is in the cards come November. I don't know if Kubota attachments are priced similarly as the JD stuff, but around here it seems the JD stuff costs more. Also, do these start pretty good when it's 20 below? Any comments on cold starting with Kubota vs. JD products?

Nearly everyone here thinks the 60 or 62" deck will work best around trees and scalping is minimized due to the layout of the 60 on the Kubota - and a 60 fits my storage space. I think I will need the folding ROPS though.

Next, the seat didn't go back as far on the Kubota so I am wondering of anyone here has tried to remove and refit in a farther back spot? My legs are at a right angle on the Kubota products and my knees aren't so great now. JD has better seating for me and a tilt steering wheel.

Although the JD has a bigger motor, I thing the 12% difference in size won't make a significant difference to performance, for what I am going to do with them.

People say the JD has the best decks in the business but I don't hear anyone complaing about the Kubota deck. Again, probably very simiar results. We have a few wet spots and more than a few bumps in the yard so deck performance is important for me.

The tires are more aggressive on the JD too - which could be a factor on snow and ice. But then I will probably need chains with either machine so I guess that doesn't matter either.

These are all my observations since yesterday. I am putting a lot (too much?) thought into this so I do appreciate all the help.

JE

Anonymous Poster · May 15, 2003

I don't think you're making too much of issue of it. It's a big decision.

You said that Kubota has 0% financing for 36 months. Deere has 0 Down, and 0% for 36 months too.

I was in the same position about a month ago. Either way you slice, all the machines you list are good. It really comes down to which one you feel most comfortable on and the dealer. Yes, one machine has +/- but they will all do the job.

You are correct though, the prices you were quoted are higher than some I've seen (and what I was quoted).

The BX2200 was $9995 with 60" deck, $12,400 w/ FEL
The JD2210 was roughly the same (I didn't get it quoted with the deck only) and $12,200 with FEL.

I happen to work for a Deere supplier, so it didn't hurt to go green . That and I felt more comfortable on the 2210

Anonymous Poster · May 15, 2003

JE
Try calling Jim at Emerich Sales in Charlton NY. !-518-399-8574 I found his pricing and service to be the best in the area. Dont bother trying the NH dealers the prices will meet or exceed what you see in VT. For me a long distance purchase with a low price worked best.

surfran · May 15, 2003

James,

Here are a couple of links to websites with some current pricing on BX units. I bought mine from Carver in NC and have been very pleased with their proffesionalism and responsiveness. For the equipmenttraderonline sight do a search on their site for kubota (mfg) and New York. Rammelt & Sons have some good pricing as well.

http://www.carverequipment.com/cool_season_new.htm

http://www.equipmenttraderonline.com/adsearchprocess.html

PhilNH5 · May 15, 2003

JE,
I am surprised at Walt's. I have a summer camp up in Ryegate. I usually pick up the Green Mountain Trader for 50 cents. Walt's always had multiple ads and I remember thinking the prices were very low. I took a drive up there last summer but they were at the Lyndonville fair that weekend so I never spoke with them.
I wonder if his prices have changed that much over the winter. When we open the camp I will have to get the latest paper.
I considering buying from him based on those ads once I had decided on the BX2200. But I went with a dealer in Milford NH to support a semi local dealer. I agree that NE prices are high. I paid 12,795 in March for the 2200, 54"mmm and FEL.
At a farm show I met the owner of Townline Equipment in Plainfield NH and he had similar prices. You might try them.

Good luck

Phil

ipwanab · May 15, 2003

I have two comments. First I have owned a BX2200 with 60 inch deck and it did a superb job , better than a push mower,on my yard.It hardly ever scalped. Since it is suspended from the BX, it never leaves wheel ruts (from the deck) in wet conditions. Started and ran great. second don't be like me and save the FEL for later, if you are married, the talk of FEL later talk may forever be just that.

jrlichina · May 15, 2003

The only machine that comes with a folding ROPS is the BX22. So if you wanted that you have to pay for it and my guess is it would be at least $300.00

JaimesEarl · May 15, 2003

Thanks for the leads on better prices in northern New England, NY area. Rammelt & Sons in Westfield, NY has the BX2200 witha 60" deck for $9,750 - my price locally was $11,300. That's a huge difference. My local guy says they sell 50-60 units/year and in a town of 8,000 - that seems like a lot. I think dealers pay the same invoice price no matter what - maybe there's dealer incentives for volume dealers, but it can't be that much...

My pile of dung Craftsman disappointed me for the last time today (the deck lift lever broke completely apart) so I am going to find my best deal immediately and beging working on getting my lawn back in shape.

Anyone want a 2 year old 16 1/2 hp kohler, 46" deck, hydro drive Crapsman? I mean, Craftsman? I feel bad because my dad got it for us as a house warming gift but the thing simply doesn't get the job done. It would probably be fine for someone who mows a perfectly flat, totally dry acre but that's about it.

I have heard from more Kubota supporters here than JD, it seems, but everyone agrees that they are pretty equal machines and both would handle everything I need except a back hoe, which I don't need. I know of a used JD4110 I could get for around $10K - it's a newer model but seems like more than I really need.

I'm still looking around for the right deal - I'll keep you all posted.

Thanks,
JE

Anonymous Poster · May 16, 2003

JaimesEarl,
If you like the price from Rammelt & Sons I would strongly reccomend calling Jim Crane at Emerich Sales in Charlton,NY. He will definitely be in the ballpark pricewise. I know when I bought my BX22 about a month ago he was only $100 dollars more than Rammelt & Sons. He may even match the price! He did good by me and i'm sure quite a few other people on the TBN website. And furthermore, not to start a brand war but I too inquired about both orange and green. The dealer I stopped by sold both and he convinced me to go orange. Kubota machines are all Kubota (engines,axles,et.). Plus for the similar machine in green it was a couple of grand more. Good luck in your shopping! Emerich's phone # is (518)-399-8574.

Brian

JaimesEarl · May 17, 2003

I didn't feel like waiting a month, or traveling over 100 miles, or paying $1,500 min. more for the JD 2210 so I got the orange BX2200, with a 60" mower deck - plus I also got a 6'x10' single axle trailer - for $11,000 US dollars, plus tax. I know I could have paid less at a different orange dealer, but not much less and not without additional considerations.

Thanks again for all the input. I am now a loyal fan of this site!

JE

PhilVA · May 18, 2003

JE,

Congrats on the new tractor! I'm sure you'll enjoy it and wonder how you got along without one. It's amazing the things you can think of to do with one when you have it.

The decision process for buying a tractor is definitely a tough one as I'm sure many here can attest to. We all agonized over which color, which implement, HP ratings, etc. Like you, I came here seeking advice an opinions and the folks here helped fill in the gaps of my tractor knowledge.

Anyway, congrats and good luck! Enjoy your new tractor.

PhilVA
Kubota L3000DT

Anonymous Poster · May 18, 2003

Sounds like a pretty good price for the New England area. Hope you love your BX2200 as much as I love mine! Start saving your pennies for a fel, they come in real handy!