Your Thoughts on Me Ditching My B7510 for a BX2350.

[robertm]

That says it all. I'd appreciate input from those who have "downgraded" or those who have a BX.

I am sick and tired of my B7510 tearing the snot out of my yard when turning. I am not that exstatic on the mowing results I recieve with the MMM, either. I have been looking for a nice used lawn tractor, like a small John Deere with a 48" deck, to trim and eliminate the swirls my B cuts in the yard and around trees, but a descent used one goes for $1500 to $2500. For not much more, I could trade my B for a new BX2350 with a loader and suspended deck. From what I hear, the BX excels above the B with it's suspended linkage MMM, and I primarily mow, although snow removal is a key thing I use the tractor for. I won't part with a loader - it's far too useful.

I only mow 1-1/2+ acres, so the smaller BX wouldn't hurt me, but I think it may be easier on the grass, be less to store (slightly more compact, and still provide a main mowing machine with the loader capabilities.

The thought of storing another tractor/mower/zero turn and servicing it while a $15000 tractor (my B) sits just for loader use seems idiotic. The DW thinks I may be nuts to spend a fe grand to downgrade to a BX, but she can't see a second piece of machinery sitting here for looks most of the time, and the difference between buying a small dedicated mower and just going to a BX is very close to the same.

What do you all think? Will I really miss my B over the BX just mowing, moving mulch, moving dirt, and stacking snow?

Thanks in advance.

 

[easygo]

My 7510 has one of those suspended BX decks that Kubota sold as B7510 Turf Special model. If the ground contact deck is making marks on the ground then the suspended one is going to be better. If you find that you don't max out the loader and 3PH capabilities of the 7510 I would say go for it. Before I bought my B7510 I compared it to the BX2350. The most major deciding factor for me was the extra ground clearance all the other things I just counted as gravy. I really would rather not comment on the cut quality of the deck because my standards are pretty low. I sharpen the blades once/year and just kind of keep the grass in check on 2 acres, but don't pay much attention to make it look anywhere near perfect. When I make very sharp turns the front wheels leave marks, but the deck never does. So. I try to take wide turns. I sold my commercial walk-behind mower when I got the tractor. That mower had a very nice quality cut but I didn't want to maintain it and as you said let the tractor sit in the garage. Those BX's are really great machines. I think you would only "downgrade" in size.

 

[slewisma]

There are usually more people wanting to upgrade from a SCUT to a CUT so you might look for a lightly used BX from someone that might just trade. Cheaper than paying to downgrade.

My BX will sometime mark the yard in wet areas if I turn fast or catch an anti-scalp wheel in a turn but generally does a good job on my lawn. I mow about 2 acres with a no so gentle hill between upper and lower areas. I've only had the BX through summer so far so can't comment on snow removal. Was gonna add the snowblower this winter but truck had a different idea and needed a transmission. That plus the down stock market means no snowblower this year. Probably will give the FEL a try and if it doesn't get it done, pay the guy that plows for us one more season.

 

[DGS]

That says it all. I'd appreciate input from those who have "downgraded" or those who have a BX.

I am sick and tired of my B7510 tearing the snot out of my yard when turning. I am not that exstatic on the mowing results I recieve with the MMM, either. I have been looking for a nice used lawn tractor, like a small John Deere with a 48" deck, to trim and eliminate the swirls my B cuts in the yard and around trees, but a descent used one goes for $1500 to $2500. For not much more, I could trade my B for a new BX2350 with a loader and suspended deck. From what I hear, the BX excels above the B with it's suspended linkage MMM, and I primarily mow, although snow removal is a key thing I use the tractor for. I won't part with a loader - it's far too useful.

I only mow 1-1/2+ acres, so the smaller BX wouldn't hurt me, but I think it may be easier on the grass, be less to store (slightly more compact, and still provide a main mowing machine with the loader capabilities.
Hi Rob
Are you by any chance using 4WD when you are mowing?
If not try to lessen tight turns as that will turn turf
I found this out on my BX1830 with turf tires or ag tires as I have both for my machine
I don't think weight is an issue as they are just about the same in that category
just try it and if it don't work then you will have a to make up your mind about that
Good Luck
Don

 

[Old Paths]

I have had John Deere Lawn / Garden tractors (GT-225 last), zero turns, Wheel Horse, Ferguson TEA 20, Massey Harris, throw away mowers (MTD)...

I now have a BX1500 with 48" deck. I can get between trees, under most trees, (200+ trees on 4 acres of grass) and the cutting quality on the little BX is super. I never cut leaves as fine as this year, mulches to nothing. I would have stalled the deck on the zero turn (which doesn't do well on hills, cutting side to side you "crab" across a hill. I got rid of all the other toys and bought the BX1500 for the ability to hold on a hill without "pucker factor" .

I have noted that if grass is wet, the hydrostatic burnouts can be there (nothing like a zero turn though), but the lighter footprint from all that tire (turfs) on the ground spares the lawn...

I have grubs (can't afford GRUBEX for 4 acres, neighbors have grubs too) which makes sod tender and vulnerable. The BX is the gentlest to the turf of all prior mowers. I run a 6' rear blade on the BX, with FEL. We get about 130-150 inches of snow a year here. Would not trade the BX for anything...

Horsepower is not a limiting factor, if I need more, I go for a second bucket load of mulch, dirt, stone etc... Best all around combo on the market

 

[LBrown59]

I have had John Deere Lawn / Garden tractors (GT-225 last), zero turns, Wheel Horse, Ferguson TEA 20, Massey Harris, throw away mowers (MTD)...

I now have a BX1500 with 48" deck. I can get between trees, under most trees, (200+ trees on 4 acres of grass) and the cutting quality on the little BX is super. I never cut leaves as fine as this year, mulches to nothing. I would have stalled the deck on the zero turn (which doesn't do well on hills, cutting side to side you "crab" across a hill. I got rid of all the other toys and bought the BX1500 for the ability to hold on a hill without "pucker factor" .

I have noted that if grass is wet, the hydrostatic burnouts can be there (nothing like a zero turn though), but the lighter footprint from all that tire (turfs) on the ground spares the lawn...

I have grubs (can't afford GRUBEX for 4 acres, neighbors have grubs too) which makes sod tender and vulnerable. The BX is the gentlest to the turf of all prior mowers. I run a 6' rear blade on the BX, with FEL. We get about 130-150 inches of snow a year here. Would not trade the BX for anything.

Horsepower is not a limiting factor, if I need more, I go for a second bucket load of mulch, dirt, stone etc... Best all around combo on the market

So do I but I would like to have had the 54'' deck on it.
This plays a big roll in why I use the BX1500 in areas of my property that I will not take the BX23 on.
Neither would I but then I wouldn't trade my BX23 for anything either.
The BX1500 fills a gap that no other tractor fits in.

 

[savageactor7]

Robert I know with the weather closing in you probably won't have a chance to do this but before you downgrade...

...start sharpening you blades more often and lower the air pressure in your front tires...but not so that they squat like a radial tire profile. See if that helps and when you know you on damp ground try and plan a mowing pattern that will omit turns there.

As far as getting a throw away trim riding mower...ya that's not a bad idea. But sleep on it a little before trading down.

 

[SDT]

Robert:

It your turf damage is caused by the front wheels pushing when turning shortly around obstructions rather than the MMM gauge wheels, you may wish to consider the B series Bi-Speed Turn option (or simply switching the FWA off). The Bi-Speed Turn is available on the B series but not the BX.

SDT

 

[LBrown59]

Robert:

It your turf damage is caused by the front wheels pushing when turning shortly around obstructions rather than the MMM gauge wheels, you may wish to consider the B series Bi-Speed Turn option (or simply switching the FWA off). The Bi-Speed Turn is available on the B series but not the BX.

SDT

My Dealer says they have had to repair more fronts ends due to damage caused by Bi-Speed Turn.
He don't recommend it.

 

[8561]

My Dealer says they have had to repair more fronts ends due to damage caused by Bi-Speed Turn.
He don't recommend it.

I've had it on mine for 5 years - I do recommend it. It operates issue free, and I've never heard of anyone having trouble with one.


Mowing without the loader on and being careful not to turn sharply on wet ground are the key. I don't see why you'd use bi-speed turn while mowing, it only works with all 4 wheels driven, and I only mow in two wheel drive. I have a B2410 with loaded R4 tires and a Landpride rear finish mower and I don't cut the lawn (and I have places that are almost always wet), but I'm pretty careful.