BX for only mowing

[MOOTS]

Who here uses their BX for only mowing
What models to look for/ stay away from?
I know the second fuel filter is a pain to change, but that can be fixed.
Are the forward/reverse pedals the same 2 pad design or is there a treadle option?
Deck options?

Toying with the idea to retire my 1990’s cub cadet 46” mower. Has had an engine swap and is starting to smoke, badly. Transmission is weak too. Thinking diesel since I’m already setup with a bulk tank. This would only be used for mowing and pulling the splitter/yard cart around. No loader or rear implements.

 

[MOOTS]

Found a few on marketplace, but don’t really know what to look for. And not 100% on going this direction yet.

 

[PoTreeBoy]

A few models or years had plastic body parts. Probably want to stay away from those unless you're wanting pure utility, no looks.

 

[Shawn T. W]

Just for mowing? Look at a Zero turn.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Any BX should work for what you want to do, there wasn't really any "bad models".

I'll agree with Shawn T. W are zero turn is a much better dedicated mower than a BX.

 

[BX25D Rookie]

I just purchased a second BX machine, strictly for mowing lawn and having better fuel efficiency
than gasoline powered similar sized machines. I'm also tired of shuffling implements around.

From the factory, the 18 horsepower BX models appear to be limited to the 54" deck width.
The 23 & 26 horsepower BX models can swing the 60" deck width.

I searched long and hard for a 23 horsepower BX that didn't have a loader.
I recently acquired a BX 2370 with 361 hours on the clock, and it never had a loader mounted.
It is equipped with the 60" mid mounted deck and the three point hitch.
I will be removing the three point hitch and storing it in the barn.
About the only extra things I will be doing to the BX 2370 is add some LED headlights and a grill guard.

For loader/backhoe/bush hogging, I use my BX 25 TLB.

To be honest, I haven't used a mid mount mower on a BX machine yet for a single blade of grass.
Check in with me this coming fall and I will have a mowing season of first hand experience.

I did have a Kubota dealer salesman tell me it was a financial mistake to purchase a "NEW" Kubota BX
tractor without a FEL and the owner would take a big hit upon resale.

In my case, I'm the second owner and didn't take that $$$ hit.

Most people do a Zero turn mower, but I'm a tractor guy.

You can see my JD X 720 that I traded in on the new incoming BX 2370.
The JD is a really nice lawn /garden tractor. Zero complaints other than guzzling gasoline.
The BX 2370 is several hundred pounds heavier than the JD X720.

Look here, bottom of the page.

Buying a Kubota tractor and building a Camp

We deployed the mobile hunting shack in the woods on Saturday. It's reasonably level, and supported by five cinderblocks with wood cribbing. IMG_20240928_132345735_HDR by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr IMG_20240928_132420434_HDR by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr IMG_20240928_132443748_HDR by cee_Kamp...

www.orangetractortalks.com

 

[Shawn T. W]

They make diesel sipping zero turns too ...

 

[BX25D Rookie]

Oh, I know they do. But a zero turn is NOT a tractor...

 

[McMXi]

Who here uses their BX for only mowing

I used a BX25 with the RCK54-23BX mower deck for five summers cutting close to 2 acres without any obstacles to mow around. It worked just fine in terms of cutting, but the ride in that bumpy field left something to be desired. It wasn't a mowing only tractor for me though.

 

[chim]

A tractor for mowing the yard? That's crazy. Who would ever.............................uhhh.......

Here's mine

 

[Sidekick]

I used my BX 2360 for years just for mowing. Had to put a suspension seat on it because they ride like crap if your lawn isn't perfectly flat. Just maintenence, no major problems. Worked good until I bought a zero turn that cut mowing time in half with a better cut. Still use the BX on my hill and wet spots.

 

[PaulL]

BX2350 was the plastic one. I had one, all the panels were broken. On the upside, I bought it real cheap, and mechanically it was sound despite having been abused by the apprentice in the place that owned it. They're hard to break.

If you're genuinely never going to use the 3pt or the loader, surely a GR is a better choice?

My BX mowed just fine, but with the 2 speed box they don't go as fast as a B2301/B2601. The B also has larger tires so rides a bit softer (not that much in it, but some). My B2601 I can mow in H range at full speed, ground smoothness permitting (and you can make your ground smoother if it doesn't). I reckon the extra speed takes about 1/3rd of the mowing time. My table I made ages ago says that a BX does 13.5kph, a B2601 does 20kph. So yeah, about 1/3rd off.

BX vs B01 vs B50

A table I had made for BX and B01 when I was looking. I've seen a few questions on differences, so thought I'd post the full table including the B50 series (and now L2501 as well), because lots of people ask about the differences. Really no question or point in the post beyond contributing...

www.orangetractortalks.com

If it were me I'd get a loader anyway, they're surprisingly useful even if you already have a loader on a bigger machine. Unless one without a loader is a lot cheaper. The loader comes off very easily.

 

[jyoutz]

Oh, I know they do. But a zero turn is NOT a tractor...

Nope it’s not and they both have things they do best. I mow gentle ground with my zero turn. And the rough field grass with my 6’ rotary cutter on my MX. The zero turn takes half the time as when I mowed it with a small tractor.

 

[BX25D Rookie]

I totally understand that a zero turn will likely mow a piece of lawn property faster.
My recreational property where I mow almost two acres is a reclaimed pasture.
It certainly isn't golf course smooth or flat.
I'm retired and enjoy using a tractor. I really don't mind the extra time.
I also used my big JD X 720 for moving trailers around the property and pulling a yard cart.
The BX also has the 3 point hitch. The BX 2370 will work fine for my needs.

 

[Shawn T. W]

Reclaimed 6 acres hay field ... 2 hours with 60" 31 HP gas Z-turn - 6 gallons of gas! (Keeps a fresh supply of premium 100% gas!) Suspension seat is AWESOME!

My Z has a tow "hitch" too ...

But can't do 10 mph with the dethatcher behind, as it just bounces along, gotta slow down to about half speed!

Same field, 6 hours with 4' brush hog, 25 HP diesel SCUT, 4 gallon of diesel ...

 

[12251hd]

I have a BX 1880 w 54 inch mower. Wife loves it. Great for yard and around the barn and out buildings.

 

[John T]

BX23s
I take off the loader/hoe once a week to cut the grass w/60" MMM

works great.

But I will say, If I didn't "need" a tractor.... I would buy a gas job zero turn.

diesel zeros are slugs.... and expensive if buying new.

 

[GrumpyFarmer]

Anyone heard from @hagrid lately? Seems odd we have a legitimate emergency here and have not heard a peep.

 

[Bearcatrp]

I bought a 1880 new to replace my 8 year old cub cadet. The cub would bog down in heavy grass so had to crawl to cut. The 1880 cut it like butter. I just remove the bucket when cutting grass. If you do buy a Kubota, get the loader. Plus, get the quick attach. You won’t like having to unbolt the bucket when needed.

 

[WI_Hedgehog]

I was after a zero-turn for mowing until:

1. I had a need for a tractor and did not want to store/service 2 machines.
2. Found out Z-turns are dangerous on steep wet hills when mowing across them (horizontally), and may not have the traction to mow up them ( vertically).

Otherwise a zero-turn is usually the right tool for the job.

If I didn't have tight spaces to mow I'd own a 3-point mower: removing the Front End Loader and putting on the Mid-Mount Mower is pretty simple, but tedious, especially with wheel spacers. For my needs the BX is awesome and I'm thankful to have such a powerful machine (in other countries it's not possible to own one).