Have BX2350, considering smaller riding mower for yard

[techguy2]

I have a BX2350 with 60 inch deck and FEL. Major problem I have is that our 2 acres is black gumbo clay. Every time it rains even a little, the BX makes a total mess of the yard (I have the lawn tires).

I have been trying to decide wether or not to buy a smaller normal riding mower (probably JD from Home depot for about 2100) to mow the front yard. I have been noticing that the neighbors with the smaller mowers yards look much more evenly cut than mine does.

Anyone doing this? Am I nuts?

Edit> Tried with new blades, properly adjusted antiscalp etc. I am wondering if the deck just doesnt have enough sucktion/updraft to lift my weedly lawn. Lawn is 60% weeds like johnson, bahai, clover, etc... former pasture land.

 

[SLIMSHADIE]

I used my BX25 for 2 seasons mowing, got a good deal on a zero turn, was my dads. Its a little faster even with a 52" deck compared to the BX 60". I have 3 acres to mow. First had a JD x320 with a 48" deck. It took 2 1/2 hours. Bx takes 2 hours, zero turn takes 1 1/2 hours. I was putting 100 hours a year on the BX, mowing, snowplowing, small utility jobs. I decided on the zero turn to keep the hours down on the BX. Now its a backup if needed. They all cut the same to me, which I thought is pretty good.

 

[jesseb3@att.net]

I never thought my BX2350 did a great job, particularly on the weed-filled sections of yard. The stiffer weeds seem to get crushed by the weight, and then only get smacked by the blades as they're standing back up. The BX would leave strips of frayed weeds where the R4 tires passed, and through the center - if I remember correctly. Oddly enough, my buddy's BX2230 didn't exhibit the problem on the same lawn - he would run near full speed and get a great cut. I do think he ran his deck lower though.

My wife's cheap Scott's mower (JD really) did a good job for 7-8 years. Eventually upgraded to a JD X530 to get a larger deck. Again, much nicer job than my BX.

The JDs at the big box stores feel flimsy, but after the abuse we put that Scott's though, I'll never knock them. They have their place in the market.

 

[muskoka kubota guy]

Pretty much what I do. I have a B tractor for snow blowing, loader work, moving stuff, etc., etc., but use a JD rider for cutting our 2.5 acres.

 

[General Lee]

I have a year old BX1870 and I think it cuts great. My yard is thin weedly stuff but I help with my neighbors place that has a better lawn and it does great as well. I was in your position this time last year, needing a new mower. But I wanted a good heavy duty mower and that's why I went with the BX.

 

[s219]

I have a BX2350 with 60 inch deck and FEL. Major problem I have is that our 2 acres is black gumbo clay. Every time it rains even a little, the BX makes a total mess of the yard (I have the lawn tires).

I have been trying to decide wether or not to buy a smaller normal riding mower (probably JD from Home depot for about 2100) to mow the front yard. I have been noticing that the neighbors with the smaller mowers yards look much more evenly cut than mine does.

Anyone doing this? Am I nuts?

Edit> Tried with new blades, properly adjusted antiscalp etc. I am wondering if the deck just doesnt have enough sucktion/updraft to lift my weedly lawn. Lawn is 60% weeds like johnson, bahai, clover, etc... former pasture land.

Do you mow with the FEL on? If so, try removing it, as that will offload a *LOT* of weight and also improve turning in muddy conditions so you're much less likely to tear up the lawn.

I wouldn't waste money on a Deere from Lowes or HD -- they just aren't built well and in fact I think they are overpriced considering what you're getting. Put the money towards an X300 or X500 from a Deere dealer, and it will be a far better value and should last a long time.

 

[radioman]

for awhile I would use my box store mower to mow the soft, wet clay areas instead of my BX, but gave up as its always under water when mowing. I gave up trying to make it nice every week regardless of it rained or not.My current metod is I would just cut an area where I CAN mow with BX and leave the soft/wet clay area alone for 2-3 weeks. By then it dry enough to mow and the BX has all the power to cut thet all crappy weeds/grass.

 

[Baby Grand]

I'll second the idea of putting your cash towards a high quality mower from a dealer. Or, if you don't mind doing some wrench turning at the start, consider looking at some of the older iron that's out there.

I went through a similar buying decision, a few years ago, when our box store rider blew a second head gasket after 5 years of highly unreliable service. I saw a B5100 (a tiny ag tractor) with a mowing deck on CL for not much & got it. The B5100 has heavy steering & a manual gearbox, which I quickly realized is not a good mix for mowing a lawn with lots of obstacles. When the PTO failed, a few weeks after getting it, I realized that getting the mowing deck working didn't look like it would be worth the effort. So I went looking for a well built, older machine that's only purpose in life is to cut grass.

We found a Kubota G5200 (made sometime between 1984 - 1990). It has light steering and an HST tranny and came with a 44" deck for about the same money as a new "boxer". I had to do some wrench turning to get it straightened out, but now that it's working as it should, it's doing a great job on our "lawn" (lots of weeds, not much grass). The tires seem much bigger (diameter) than the box store mowers, which I think helps it to float on our wet clay and sandy loam soils. It is 14Hp vs the old mower's 21, and will mow circles around it while using half as much fuel. It is in no way flimsy.

 

[davesl708]

I am in the opposite situation. I have a JD130 for mowing 1 acre and am considering using my BX to mow with. The JD does not do as clean a cut and spins out on the turns on the slopes with the 2wd. Also the BX is faster with the 60" deck. This will also result in one less machine to maintain.

As radioman I have a low area that stays wet longer. The JD spins on the slightest slope. The BX has no issues. Have not had a problem with compression with the BX. I take the FEL off.

The flatter front tires on the BX don't compress the grass as much as the more rounded front tires on the JD.

 

[SteveNH]

I used my BX25 to mow for a season, I mowed without the backhoe but left the FEL on. I also used the BX25 to plow in the winter, I took the backhoe and FEL off and put the front blade on. I was looking at a decent dedicated mower which was pretty pricey so I decided to go with a BX1870 with a 48" deck and I also got the front snow blower since I had the front mount for the plow - that was pricey too. It fits in my 12x8 shed and sips fuel. I also use it to run my 3 pt wood splitter I built and utilize the 3 pt for other things so I no longer have remove the backhoe or FEL from the BX25. I picked up the rear remote kit and a hydraulic top link but have not installed those yet.

It wasn't a huge deal to remove the FEL and BH but I guess I got lazy. either way, I am happy with the BX1870 for mowing and snow removal and the fact that it has the 3 pt and PTO and I put those to use. The BX1870 is also pretty stable on the hill I have. Do your research and weight the pros and cons and make the best decision based on that. You can second guess yourself all day along.