Using a BX as a mower/tractor

[OrangeRidge]

BX MMM decks are double width belts and all greaseable . I've not
seen a tougher pressed metal deck on anything.

 

[CAgnoli]

If you like the finish cut look, to save your equipment you should mow the section more often. It comes down to what the mower is designed for. 12" grass in a finish mower means more HP to run it, meaning more fuel burnt, and more heat generated, translating into bearing failures.

You should be able to find a used 48" rotary cutter for a fair price, and just hook it up to the BX when you need it, no need to remove the mmm, but the mom will add weight which won't help your soft spots.....

 

[TripleR]

Someone is being less than honest assessment of the capabilities of the Husky v Kubota. Like Orange Ridge, I have yet to see a tougher deck setup on any mower and that includes our John Deere 2305. I have mowed briars, very small tree sprouts, heavy weeds etc. with ours, but that is not what I would buy one for.

Rather than trying to turn a lawnmower into a brush cutter, I would just mow more often. Even if you do mow 12" of grass with a MMM it is still not going to turn it into a good looking yard without going extremely slow and raking the grass up or mowing twice and raking the grass up. I don't see much of a savings in time over more frequent mowing.

I am not saying a BX won't do it, I am saying I wouldn't do it with mine.

 

[bp fick]

Agree with mowing more often. The BX will give as nice a cut as the riding mower. I used a Rear Finishing Mower behind my BX. The cut was golf course quality.

Still, whether a finishing deck in mounted on the rear or Mid Mount, they aren't a bush hog for 12" grasses.

The fuel consumption on a BX is half a riding mower, and the power steering is incredible.

 

[Artisan]

RE: Handling; the turning radius is 7.5', the length of the tractor is 7.95'.
It turns on a dime IMO. I added a broadie knob, makes fast work of it...
That lil broadie knob is too fast when you want to go straight...better to just
grab the wheel but when it is time to get to the gettin' and get in and out
of places the BX w/ a broadie knob shines.

 

[PeterK]

I just purchased a 48" rotary cutter from TSC ($700 with coupon) to avoid the abuse of the BX mmm. The rotary cutter is alot less expensive than the mmm which I use on my lawn.

 

[radioman]

Hmmm, are the Kubota MMM's not built any heavier than a riding mower? I guess I figured if it was powered by a 20+ hp diesel it would hold up better.

I really don't want a bush hog type mower, they do not give the finish cut I like. The riders have not had any problems with breakage on the mowing end, I have had other issues, like fuel pumps, belts, and one has had engine troubles that are common for older flat head twin engines.

Actually the smaller one (15hp) has been the most trouble free, but it is VERY slow in the heavy stuff, as one would expect. Interesting how the different experiences of different owners sways their opinions.

Maybe I will talk to the dealers and get their opinions on the grass issue. I told the Husqvarna dealer what I would mow it for and he says their machine is perfect for it. It comes with a 3 year warranty so if it broke......

It's hard for me to imagine the Husky being heavier duty than the BX, I'm sure it isn't, I just wonder how heavy duty the Kubota MMM is? Surely it's heavier duty than a 24hp gas mowers.

Everyone here have spoken good advice here. The BX decks are heavier, have greaseable spindles and oiled gearbox. A box store mower will NOT have these features and will have a shorten life for type of mowing you want to do. The Box store engines will always grunts during this type of work you want to do, the diesel on BX, will slice it like huh - is that it?! come on, I can do more.

As for husky mower- for dealer opinion. hmmmm . DO you really want to deal with broken parts on a box store type of mower or get right kind of equipment and have it last for years?

 

[handirifle]

All very good points made here, and especially the one about mowing more. In all honesty, it isn't always 12" high, but it can get there. When I first got the place some of it was waist high. I hired a guy with a 50hp John Deere and bush hog. I didn't even have a tractor then. If I knew then......you know that story.

From the sound of it the mmm is built a lot heavier duty, than the Husky. In all fairness to the Husky dealer, these are not dime/box store Huskies either. The deck is a manufactured (welded heavy gauge steel, not stamped) with heavier duty spindles that can be greased as well. They are single belt drive, so I am sure the Kubota is much heavier built.

Keep in mind, EVERYTHING mower wise that I would ask the BX to do, I am already doing with either a 15hp or 20hp gas garden tractor, so I seriously doubt it will hinder the BX.

Thanks guys for a ton of answers, real experience means a lot more than sales men talk.

OK that settled, how well do the BX's do on real tractor work? Now keep in mind, I am using a '97 model 16hp, MF1010, with a MF FEL and Gannon rotating box. Mine is a 4x4, dual range, stick shift with R1 tires and wheels. I have done a TON of work around these 3 little acres with it. I used the box to make a creek bed, level the property, move over 12 yds or gravel, and another 10yds of fill dirt.

It has it's limits for sure but it is a real work horse. Should I assume just about any 4x4 BX will do the same? Are there certain BX model/years to avoid?

Oh one more MMM question, are they difficult to mount up? The MMM would not be a permanent fixture. I would be taking the rear box and FEL off everytime I mowed.

 

[timswi]

Keep in mind that the MMM for a BX costs as much or more than a big box tractor...Once you see one in person, you'll see why.

The FEL comes off in less than 5 minutes, and that's being slow..

There were a few models with abrupt HST stopping complaints and some with plastic that cracked which I believe Kubota somewhat warrantied.

If I were you, I'd just buy a new one and keep it for 20 years...Almost 8 years on mine and I've replaced nothing but filters and fluids..MMM belt is original and so is the battery if that's any indication of the quality.

BX's are like Swiss army knives, they'll do almost everything, just not everything perfect.

I have no regrets on my BX...I'd buy another one in a heartbeat.

 

[TripleR]

You will be amazed at how much work you can do with a BX, in spite of their small size they are in my opinion they are in every way a tractor and I don't mean garden tractor or lawn tractor.

I have moved untold dump truck loads of rock and dirt as well as pushed and pulled downed trees out of our woods. I maintained a lot of our roads with them using the box blade and FEL.

If you are going to work with the MMM removed, you will need to install under belly protection for the HST fan, these can be bought from Bro Tek or BXpanded.

The only possible drawback is the low ground clearance of about 8.7", but I doubt you have any more than that with your present machine.

The models with the abrupt direction change was the BXxx50 Series, some couldn't stand them while others didn't seem to mind, there are old threads on these.

I agree the new ones are nice, but our old 2003 BX2200 is still running strong in use by a relative. The older ones do have a harder to remove FEL than the new ones though.

The MMM is not particularly hard to do if you are in good shape which I am not any more, but my son can mount or dismount one in under five minutes.