Lookng for opinions (G or BX)

[Boner]

Hello All. Let me start by saying I have 2 acres of lawn (minus house, shop, and 300' drive, no brush) that I have done ok staying on top of with a 1991 38" JD LX172. It takes a couple hours to cut, but it has done me well. Having seen my neighbors go through 2 and 3 "affordable" mowers, I am a firm believer in buying a quality piece of equipment. (except for the one neighbor who has a 5 year old T series Kubota that still looks like the day he got it.) Well, I think it is time to retire the JD. Here is my dilemma. In all do honesty, a 54" TG1860 would do me fine...except I feel like the hydrolic lift, 3 HP, shaft drive, 60" deck, fuel indicator (although It pisses me off they did away the guages.) is worth the extra $1500.00 to go up a G2160. My hang up is, for what I need, is it worth another $2500.00 to gain a larger frame, 1 HP, 3PH, 4WD, (and my favorite) Fuel & Temp guages. My gut instinct says yes, but remember my needs barely constitute a G2160. If I had a need for impliments, it would be a no-brainer. I have told myself that 20 years from now when I am ready for something else, a small tractor will be worth more than a big mower. I also notice that there are a gozillion BX owners here, and I have not found one G2160. Are they that new, or are they not selling, and why? I am just looking for opinions, and maybe someone who has been in this situation. I welcome all opinions except "Go to Wal-Mart." I'd rather just keep my JD. As ugly as it has become, it still starts when I turn the key. Thanks.

Ben
bonerb@eatel.net

 

[TresCrows]

The G2160 is a large lawn mower. The BX is a small tractor! The BX cannot seriously be compared to a lawnmower like the TG2160 or even a JD455. The 4WD, greater weight, massive construction, versatility and other substantial differences to numerous to mention explain why there are few 2160 owners here. J

 

[r0GuE]

BX2200
Steel Hood, 3/8" steel frame, 3PH, immense power available, WAY BETTER POTENTIAL RESALE!!! Very popular tractor.

Rogue

 

[Charliebrn]

Front-End Loader. (I honestly don't know how I lived without it!) Rear Blade. The power to take care of that 300' drive of yours, and I don't mean that single horsepower, I'm talking aobut the gearing, the 4 wheel drive (VERY important when moving snow or anything else. Universal implements (CAT 1) are much cheaper than the special ones for the GT's and you don't have to rebuy them when you get another tractor. The flexibility to do things later that you don't foresee right now. Resale....HUGE issue.

 

[RPM]

Beyond the basic considerations (major uses for me are grass and snow) I also considered the following:

1. Availability of implements - auger

I have lots of projects planned for my property. First and foremost is putting in a fence - followed by some tree planting. I've done small fences before with the one / two man augers and that isn't really an option for me with the heavy clay and rocky soil. Besides, I'd like it completed before the first post rots out.

The local rental cost for a tractor plus auger was $300 for a half day. When I calculated the number of posts and expected time to do the work I could easily justify an extra $1000 or so (even counting the cost of an auger at around $1000 for my tractor - which I haven't purchased yet)

Add to this the number of trees (couple hundred) that I want to plant. I really want to use an auger to do this as the ground here is so compacted. To be conservative, I would estimate another $500 or so saved here due to not losing trees that would have died of stress in the hard clay soil.


2. Availability of implements - middle-buster

Seems like every property I have worked on ends up needing treching work done - laying cable out to the shop, running downspouts away from the house. This is a cheap attachment and saves the need for renting a trencher. Another couple hundred saved.


3. Ability to handle rough ground / longevity

As I said, lots of pasture to mow. Not rough enough (no brush) to justify a 3ph rotary cutter. The tough deck on the BX works great though. I also don't have to worry about bending the frame or wrecking the axles like you would on a riding mower. I expect a much longer life as a result - if the G2160 could be expected to have a life of 10 years, I would expect the BX to have a life of at least 15 years. That's very conservative but if you spread the costs across the life it's significant and reduces the perceived difference in price.

I'm also confident that the BX will meet my needs over those 15 years. I don't plan to start farming - but it will definitely handle the needs of my property in that time.


4. Has 4wd - probably won't need chains

Haven't needed them so far - my lot is fairly level. Saves another $100 or so - and a lot of hassle.


5. Resale value - because of all the above

It's not an investment - but there is some peace of mind that if my circumstances change in an unforseen way that I can recover a pretty good part of my costs. Hopefully they will change so that I can get a larger property and a bigger tractor!


So, those were the factors for me. All told, the tractor probably comes out level in the short term vs. buying smaller and renting slightly larger equipment. In the longer haul it's all positive.

Nearly forgot one though ... getting the job done quicker and having more time to spend with the family? Priceless ... /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[BigE]

I had the same delema last year, but took it a little further and got a B7300, only 16 hp but a bigger overall tractor. I was very impressed with the BX but wanted more ground clearance. I mow 2 acres with a lot of trees, does a great job and is ready to tackle a whole bunch of other chores that the riding mower type machines couldn't even imagine.

 

[Boner]

So, has anyone here bought a BX for 99% grass cutting. If so, are you glad you did?

-Ben

 

[Charliebrn]

Well, the trouble is this: I THOUGHT I was buying for 99% grass cutting, but turns out that the dang thing is so handy that I can do so much more.....more than I thought it could do...like putting in a driveway...next, I'm putting in a shooting range for my bro...

The point is that things that I previously would have hired out I am now doing with the tractor, and I never would have believed that anything as "small" as the BX could handle such jobs..until I started playing with it. It still amazes me that it does all this stuff with such ease.

 

[r0GuE]

Mows very well. Throws the grass couple of feet. I like it very much. Hydro is a must with trees and obsticles.

Rogue

 

[Boner]

Well, I believe I have the best prices I will find locally. I have a quote of $7455 for the G2160 w/60" deck, and $9650 for the BX2200 with 60" deck. So it boils down to $2200. I have read from some of you that chose the BX with alot more of a price gap than that. From what I have seen, that is an excellent price for the BX. I guess living in an "economically depressed" state (LA) has it's advantages.
On an off note, without a tach, how do you know what RPM your PTO is turning?

THX