Riding mower vs BX

Idahomestead · May 1, 2022

Hello everyone!

Should I sell my riding mower/snow blower and buy the MMM and snow blower for my upcoming BX23s purchase? What are your thoughts on the MMM and the BX2816 snow blower?

I’ve been reading through many posts and have found the forum a very helpful resource so I’m hoping you guys can help me. I live on 3.5 acres in rural Idaho and am hoping to work on improving my property this year as it needs a lot of TLC. About an acre of the land is sloping forest that I do not plan to improve. My needs include tending my garden, light brush removal, moderate snow removal, 300 feet of gravel driveway to maintain and about an acre of mowing. I am also going to be doing light (small) stump removal, putting some fences in, trenching French drains, and trenching electrical and maybe water lines. I’ve decided that a BX23s would be perfect for my needs. There are other brands available but I like the local Kubota dealership and there is very good resale for Orange in my area. I currently own a Husqvarna TS354XD with the 54in deck and a 42in Agrifab front snow blower. I have been very happy with this set up and have found the blower indispensable for my situation. Plowing snow doesn’t work as well for my situation. I wanted the BX previously but was not able to afford it until now. I can cover the cost of the non drive over MMM (RCK54-23BX) and the front mounted snow blower (BX2816) by selling my current setup.
Even though I am happy with the Husky setup, I am not sure that the belt driven snowblower will have quite the longevity of the PTO driven 2816 blower. I also like the idea of only having one engine to store/maintain.

Thoughts?

Thank you.

WVH1977 · May 1, 2022

My opinion, I would not want to have a mower under my tractor. To me, it will get in your way, especially if you have other work to do with the tractor. I would keep the lawnmower for cutting grass duty and use the tractor for all the other work you plan for.

bcp · May 1, 2022

I have a BX and no mid-mower. It would be in the way for almost all the other tractor work. The BX has low clearance already.

Bruce

oldnslo · May 1, 2022

I had a BX1850 with MMM and like others have stated basically no ground clearance with the mower deck on. I don’t remember how difficult it was to remove and install the mower but I do remember the drive shaft could be a challenge to connect.

I suspect BX would mow faster than your Husky and snowblower would also be better due to Diesel engine torque but if have to remove and reinstall mower deck every time you need it that will get old.

dodge man · May 1, 2022

I had a BX for 10 years and had the 60” mid mount. I liked it but agree, the mower was a pain to take off and put on. It wasn’t hard to do, just a little awkward. It comes off and goes back on in maybe 10 to 15 minutes tops.

Wagtail · May 1, 2022

G'day Mate and welcome to TBN from Downunder.

A MMM really can't get 'close' to obstacles... personally, I'd keep the lawn tractor or, if you've got a lot of grass to cut, invest (trade in) in a Z-turn. They're fast and efficient.

Enjoy the site.

jyoutz · May 1, 2022

dodge man said:
I had a BX for 10 years and had the 60” mid mount. I liked it but agree, the mower was a pain to take off and put on. It wasn’t hard to do, just a little awkward. It comes off and goes back on in maybe 10 to 15 minutes tops.

If you can do this on concrete.

WranglerX · May 1, 2022

Personally I have riding mower for all the "cutting" work (48 inch) and my SCUT does everything else.... On my 5 acres its not really practical for MMM as it would only be good for less then half I need to mow and to use rotary on rear its makes tractor awfully long and awkward...And my 75 year young, 95 pound soaking wet wife loves the riding mower so she gets to run it whenever she wants...

stevem5215 · May 1, 2022

I have Both a Steiner for driveway clearing with a front mounted 54" Rotating RS350 Brush. It's awesome and I have used ZERO salt in 15 years now. The sun melts the blacktop off quickly after brushing 99% of the snow off the driveway. And turn off the brush and it's a plow. And the Steiner is articulating so easy to handle. I also have for grass cutting the 4 acres a Simplicity Citation XL with a 61" deck. What you really want is to have two machines. One for grass cutting (i do have a 48" mower deck to mount on the Steiner for backup duty incase of failure of the Simplicity) and one for other work. Get the Kubota with a loader. I have a full loader for the Steiner and it's great also. I mount it in the spring and use it for my "around the yard" tasks as needed in Spring, Summer and Fall. Having two pieces of equipment is nice for 4 acres here with a 500ft driveway to maintain. I also have a Steiner Leaf blower for blowing leaves into the next county in the fall. I feel for you for the want of having one engine to maintain. But, when it comes to tractors it's easy to want more, more, more!

Idahomestead · May 1, 2022

I have to remove the mower deck on the Husky in order to place the snow blower so I would be removing a deck regardless. The Husky deck always takes awhile to change and at least appears to be more work than the mower deck on the BX would be according to the videos I have watched.

For those with a BX series mower, how do you like it?

Would I need to be worried about the BX sitting all winter without being used? I think part of me would just be sad to have paid so much money for the thing and not get to go use it for 4 seasons.