Sub Compact owners, a couple questions for you

[Robert_in_NY]

I currently have a Cub Cadet GT1554 (54" deck) and I don't really plan to replace it just yet but with watching the threads where you BX owners go to battle over the Mahindra Max being called sub compacts it got me to wondering about taking the jump to a sub compact when I do get ready to replace the CC. I mow about 3 acres between my parents main farm and mine. I keep the orchard mowed behind the house and the CC currently mows about 1 acre an hour with what I have to contend with. I can see potentially mowing up to 4 acres at a time if I start trying to maintain around the two ponds (my daughter loves fishing). I do have a few wet spots from where the springs pop up and the CC loves to get stuck in them if I try to get too close.

so I am curious as to if you guys think a BX would actually be a good option for me or if I should look at a different direction. It won't have a loader or backhoe or anything else other then a mower deck (thinking a 60" would work but nothing larger without doing a lot of ground work). I would love to be able to fill it up from the diesel tanks we have on the farm (I'm trying to get away from needing to keep gas in 5 gallon containers). I really haven't done much research on lawn and garden equipment so would appreciate any information you guys would like to share as to what I should be thinking about when the time comes to upgrade. My ground is mostly flat except along the road is a little steep. I'm working on filling up that area to make the edge more gradual and not as dangerous but its a very long stretch (around 400 yards) and not a high priority so I bring a bucket or two of fill up every so often and spread it and have been filling my way from the house outwards.

I will admit I love the concept that John Deere had with the drive over deck and don't know if Kubota has that option or is working to implement a similar system but I would find it handy. So please have fun with this thread, I'm looking to expand my knowledge ahead of time so that I am prepared for when I do decide to upgrade (I'm thinking either 2013 or 2014 at the latest). I would like it to be easy maintenace (easy access to grease fittings, oil drain plugs and fill ports and those sorts of things my Cub fails with).

 

[ccsial]

For just mowing I love my 4wd JD X748SE. It is real comfy and has a tight turn radius. I fill it up at the diesel tank with the others.

I put a blade on front for winter to handle those light snows too small for the blower.

 

[timswi]

A BX sounds perfect for the application you described...I cut around 2 acres with my BX23 and I'm sure the newer ones are somewhat better, but I'd never trade my BX for anyones brand garden tractor...My mom has a JD GT275 and it is nice, but I like my BX much better...BX's don't come cheap though, you do pay for quality.

I know litle about Kioti, but I have no dealers of said brand around here and it would seem to me if a problem came up it would be like a Chevy vs Kia issue as far as finding a dealer.

My BX23 is mostly easy to maintain, I have a few annoyances, but not much.

 

[aczlan]

We have a BX2660 and a B7500 each of which has a 60" MMM, I have also run Exmark, Cub Cadet and Huskvarna zero turns with 60-72" decks.
If you are JUST going to be mowing, I would go with an F or Z series Kubota (front mount or zeroturn).
IMO, the BX2660 is just a little too slow (and a little too short of wheelbase) to mow open areas with.
The B7500 is less bumpy when mowing in the field than the BX2660 is.
The BX has a top speed of 8.1 MPH and the B has a top speed of 9.6 MPH.

Just my $0.02

Aaron Z

 

[Robert_in_NY]

We have a BX2660 and a B7500 each of which has a 60" MMM, I have also run Exmark, Cub Cadet and Huskvarna zero turns with 60-72" decks.
If you are JUST going to be mowing, I would go with an F or Z series Kubota (front mount or zeroturn).
IMO, the BX2660 is just a little too slow (and a little too short of wheelbase) to mow open areas with.
The B7500 is less bumpy when mowing in the field than the BX2660 is.
The BX has a top speed of 8.1 MPH and the B has a top speed of 9.6 MPH.

Just my $0.02

Aaron Z

The only zero turn I have any experience with is an older Dixon model and it didn't like mowing the slope along the road. I had to fight it to stay where I wanted as I didn't really want to mow up and down. I know the Dixon is a chain drive setup so I don't know how well one of the better hydraulic units would do but I have been hesitant about them and definitely would need to demo one first. One other issue is mowing the orchards means I have a lot of trees to be careful around and I find myself ducking a limb often. The traditional mower I could just set the throttle and keep moving it forward while holding the steering wheel with one hand and the limb with the other. Using the two lever system on the zero turns I am familiar with seeing would seem to be a little more complicated.

The front deck seems nice though as it would be a lot easier to access for maintance.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

A BX sounds perfect for the application you described...I cut around 2 acres with my BX23 and I'm sure the newer ones are somewhat better, but I'd never trade my BX for anyones brand garden tractor...My mom has a JD GT275 and it is nice, but I like my BX much better...BX's don't come cheap though, you do pay for quality.

I know litle about Kioti, but I have no dealers of said brand around here and it would seem to me if a problem came up it would be like a Chevy vs Kia issue as far as finding a dealer.

My BX23 is mostly easy to maintain, I have a few annoyances, but not much.

I don't mind paying more for something that will last a long time. When I bought the CC I thought I was getting something good and for the most part it is but it hasn't met my expectations. I had a $1k Ranch king from Quality Farm and fleet that ran for 10 years with out any mechanical failures. I had to keep tightening the engine to the frame and the hood broke loose (plastic) so I didn't keep it on but it was easy to grease and it ran fine. I spend 3 times that on this Cub Cadet and while it has more power I am not happy with the deck on it. I've replaced two spindles already (their not cheap) and am hoping the third one last through the season. The hydro is a nice upgrade to the old standard tranny the Ranch King had but the CC isn't really that refined. MTD kind of threw it together and I learned my lesson. So I'm hoping to get a couple more years out of it then sell it off or keep it around as a backup but just want something more reliable, higher quality and diesel.

 

[aczlan]

The only zero turn I have any experience with is an older Dixon model and it didn't like mowing the slope along the road. I had to fight it to stay where I wanted as I didn't really want to mow up and down. I know the Dixon is a chain drive setup so I don't know how well one of the better hydraulic units would do but I have been hesitant about them and definitely would need to demo one first.

I didnt have issues with running a zero turn across a slope (unless it was wet enough that I was sliding), but my father in law did with the Cub Cadet we demoed (a Tank 60" IIRC), so I agree that a demo would be in order

One other issue is mowing the orchards means I have a lot of trees to be careful around and I find myself ducking a limb often. The traditional mower I could just set the throttle and keep moving it forward while holding the steering wheel with one hand and the limb with the other. Using the two lever system on the zero turns I am familiar with seeing would seem to be a little more complicated.

With the Exmarks, I would hold both sticks in one hand and move stuff with the other, the Cub wasn't setup with the sticks close enough to do that (and it was a demo, so I didn't want to fool with it).
It sounds though like a zero turn with a steering wheel or a front mount mower might be better for your situation as branches will come loose and catch on one of the sticks (which makes the mower do odd things).

The front deck seems nice though as it would be a lot easier to access for maintance.

The Deere front mount I worked with was pretty good. 2 bolts and 1 shaft to remove the deck. Something like a Grasshopper would be really nice, their front decks tilt to almost vertical while mounted on the mower.

Aaron Z

 

[repair1]

We mow with a BX2360 and it does a fine job. However, I need the tractor for multiple jobs, not just mowing. In your case i would demo zero turns until you find one you like. Also, the comment was made about "only going 8 mph" To that I will say that onless you live on a golf course you won't be able to stay on the seat going that fast. It's all about trimming and turning, not just straight line speed.

 

[CAgnoli]

Another vote for the JD x748. The AWD system is amazing, it will never tear up the grass, and the 7 iron deck leaves a great looking lawn. Get the SE and the suspension seat with arm rests makes for a super pleasant mowing experience.

If I ever decide I need a dedicated mower again, I wouldn't consider anything but the x748. The cruise control is really easy to operate, and as mentioned, adding a front blade is a snap for light cleanup.

 

[art]

You might look at the Cadet Z force with a steering wheel! Great on slopes and no skid marks as with twin sticks women and children can drive them with the steering wheel and love them.

The Kubota GR with the four wheel drive is a great buy and could handle your chores although the current largest deck is a 54"