GR2120 v. BX1870 Decision

[car compulsive]

I'm replacing my 1985 JD 318 with something diesel, 4WD, and Orange that will last for the next 20 years that I'll be mowing and blowing. My property is small, just over 1/2 acre to mow with one area having a steep side slope, one area that gets mucky after a rain, and rather low hanging trees & bushes that I can just get under with my 318. The driveway is asphalt and rather steep. I can only blow downhill with my 318 and, at times, driving back uphill is rather iffy, even with weights and chains. (Unfortunately, I can't reliably use walk-behind units due an old injury.)

The most practical solution given the low hanging trees, mucky area, side slope, and benefits of good handling would be a GR2120 with a 54" deck and snow blower - final price would be about $12.8K. The BX1870 with a 54" deck and snow blower - final price about $13.2K. Part of me just wants a tractor, and the $400 premium for a BX is nothing, especially with the long-term value. However, i would probably complain weekly about the clearance issues (or do lots of tree / shrub trimming), big turning radius, and heavy weight of the BX. The GR price may change in July if Kubota adds some incentives. The BX price will likely go up $1000 in July when the 2-implement rebate expires. What think you?

 

[skeets]

My vote would be for the BX but them I use my little beasty as a small tractor. I have no knowledge of the GR, but I do the BX is a very nimble machine that will do everything you could reasonably ask of it, and then some, even things you ( I ) shouldn't ask of it. Either way you cant go wrong. But the BX in MHO, just aint a lawn mower I wish you well either way you go and welcome to the ORANGE,, oh yeah remember we love our tractor porn so when it comes home post some pics

 

[car compulsive]

One thing I should add is that it is very unlikely I will need a FEL, blade, or tiller. My new wife has NO interest in gardening and there's only a small probability that I'd buy a hobby farm when I retire in about 8 years. Then again, if I had the tractor, uses for it would probably find me...

 

[atechbh]

Love my GR2120. But I am also considering upgrading to a bx2370 with 54 inch mower. The GR had been trouble free for the last 3 years

 

[car compulsive]

Is there any reason NOT to go diesel, aside from initial cost? I could opt for the GR2020 that has a Kohler gas engine if there are good reasons to stick with gas. While I use a tractor year round for mowing and blowing, there may be 3-4 week periods in the winter when we don't get enough snow to blow and I put my current tractor on the Battery Tender overnight after a couple weeks.

 

[dmbe]

I had to make the same decision last year. Have about 1 acre of hilly lawn to mow. I didn't know anything about diesels and was a little concerned about that. I ended up getting the bx1870 and never regretted it. Got the FEL with thinking I would only use it a little but the times I do, it's a back saver. Last winter I got the snowblower attachment and very happy with it. Have the Fine cut 54" mower and it does a great job on the lawn.
Guess what I'm saying is for me the bx was the way to go. The few questions I had about the diesel were all answered by this forum.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[85Hokie]

Is there any reason NOT to go diesel, aside from initial cost? I could opt for the GR2020 that has a Kohler gas engine if there are good reasons to stick with gas. While I use a tractor year round for mowing and blowing, there may be 3-4 week periods in the winter when we don't get enough snow to blow and I put my current tractor on the Battery Tender overnight after a couple weeks.

I second what skeets said - the BX is a hellva lot more than JUST a lawn mower.......

hands down I would get the BX, buddy of mine - he is 82, has an older B and a new 4 wheel steer Gr - loves the gr, but all he does is cut grass with it! His B7200 has done things that Kubota never thought of!

As for the diesel - if I never own another gasser - that will be ok with me.

The price to join the diesel club is high on the front side....but :
much better fuel usage
more torque
less to deal with overall.

and hell - it is a diesel !!!

Seriously - ask your friends that have a tractor if they would go back to a gas powered tractor if they could? 9 out of 10 would not.

 

[Dr Honda]

I just went though this myself.


1) I originally was looking at the GR2100... but the more I looked... the more I realized that, even though it's a "Kubota"... it's still just a lawn mower. Sure, it's industrial as far as a riding mower goes... but it's not heavy duty like the BX.

2) If you are thinking that the BX is just a beast in comparison... have your dealer park a GR2100 and a BX1870 beside each other. Guess what???? they are dang near the same foot print, and the seat height is the same. The BX weighs more... but it's not like the GR is light.

3) There have been issues with the "Glide Steer" in the GR over the years... and if it doesn't de-couple... it will rip up your grass. The BX is nice, because you can just put it in 2wd when you don't need to climb hills.

4) The BX is only slightly more than the GR. AND... there may be deals if you get more that one implement at a time. I got the 48" deck, and a FEL... and between a factory rebate, and the dealer working on the price... I basically got my deck for free.

5) Assuming you aren't going to write a check... the financing deals on the BX are always better. I got 60 mo for 0%. Since it was "Free Money" why write the check??



Needless to say... I bought the BX1870. I love the tractor, and it does everything I need. AND... even my wife (who didn't want me to spend the $$) admits it gets used more than she thought it would.


As a final FYI... I got my BX1870, with the 48", and FEL for $13k total. SO... I'd say you still have some wiggle room with your dealer.

 

[car compulsive]

I just went though this myself....

2) If you are thinking that the BX is just a beast in comparison... have your dealer park a GR2100 and a BX1870 beside each other. Guess what???? they are dang near the same foot print, and the seat height is the same. The BX weighs more... but it's not like the GR is a light...

Very interesting. I have driven both, but at two different dealers, so I couldn't compare seat height. I really like how the GR handles.

I'm also concerned about the weight of the BX, especially on the front tires - which are the same size as the GR. However, both have wider front tires than my JD 318, which weighs a bit more than the GR.

As I suspected, you guys are making a compelling argument for the BX.

 

[85Hokie]

Very interesting. I have driven both, but at two different dealers, so I couldn't compare seat height. I really like how the GR handles.

I'm also concerned about the weight of the BX, especially on the front tires - which are the same size as the GR. However, both have wider front tires than my JD 318, which weighs a bit more than the GR.

As I suspected, you guys are making a compelling argument for the BX.

I think if you look at the big picture.....
the bx gives you a lot more for the buck.

What if you need to move some snow.....you have a machine (buy a back blade) and you got everything you need.

If you need to move so wood (for stove) - get you a carry all for the rear of the BX and you have a fantastic wheelbarrow!

for you situation - turfs might be a good choice, The GR's are really nice machines, but all they do is cut grass. The BX gives you the same cutting, but with so many more options!

 

[car compulsive]

Re: GR2120 v. BX1870 v. BX2370(?) Decision

So, IF, I buy a BX, should I...

- get the 1870 or step up to the 2370?

- skip the snow blower (we're on the dryer side of Michigan) and opt for a blade?

- if I get a blade, get the snow blade, FEL only, or FEL with the quick-hitch blade?

(I'm not a fan of working with rear-mounted implements like a back blade.)

 

[Dr Honda]

Re: GR2120 v. BX1870 v. BX2370(?) Decision

So, IF, I buy a BX, should I...

- get the 1870 or step up to the 2370?

- skip the snow blower (we're on the dryer side of Michigan) and opt for a blade?

- if I get a blade, get the snow blade, FEL only, or FEL with the quick-hitch blade?

(I'm not a fan of working with rear-mounted implements like a back blade.)

Just get the BX1870. The other BX's are physically larger, heavier, and more expensive.

If it was me... I would get a blade. The BX and a blade can move a lot of snow pretty fast. And when it's wet... the snow blower will jam up. BUT... get the FEL too. You will probably use it more than you would have originally thought.

I don't have the blade for my BX... but I do have one on my Polaris RZR... and it's my plow machine. If it gets real deep... I'll use the FEL to scoop it out of the way

 

[car compulsive]

Decision made:

- BX1870
- 54" mower
- 60" front blade
- FEL

$13,816 OTD

Writing a check this afternoon. Sound good?

 

[sheepfarmer]

It sounds good! The good thing about these attachments is you can always swap them out for different ones if you decide you want to do something else. I opted for rear blade in the end, after first wanting a front one, because I use the FEL all the time, and I didn't want to be taking it on and off when I had to plow. FEL on the front and back blade worked well for me last winter. BTW Michigan has a dry side where????? The middle is less than near the western shore, but thought we all got dumped on pretty often

 

[car compulsive]

... BTW Michigan has a dry side where????? The middle is less than near the western shore, but thought we all got dumped on pretty often

I'm halfway between Detroit and Lansing, just south of I-96. Some winters, not the last two, we only get 1 or 2 snows big enough to use a blower. With just a blade, I can use it on the small overnight lake effect showers before leaving for work.

 

[sheepfarmer]

I'm halfway between Detroit and Lansing, just south of I-96. Some winters, not the last two, we only get 1 or 2 snows big enough to use a blower. With just a blade, I can use it on the small overnight lake effect showers before leaving for work.

Not too far away! sounds perfect. Yes, well fun as it is to plow snow, I am hoping the last two winters have not become the new normal. It was like that every winter for a few years when I first moved here in 1980, but then after that it was hardly worth the bother of putting the snowblower on.

Have fun, and we'll be keen to see pictures of her in her new home!

 

[Dr Honda]

Decision made:

- BX1870
- 54" mower
- 60" front blade
- FEL

$13,816 OTD

Writing a check this afternoon. Sound good?

Sounds good to me too. BUT.. since you are mowing... make sure you get the turf tires, and not the bar tires. The bar tires will rip up your lawn.


Oh... and congrats.

 

[car compulsive]

Delivery on Wednesday...

 

[skeets]

OUTSTANDING .
And I should be blowing past both your places pretty soon heading up to the GWN, set up camp and do some panning ( and no I have never found a thing worth keeping,,lol) and as much fishing as I can stand.

 

[85Hokie]

Delivery on Wednesday...

I think when you get about 25 hours on her, you will see what it can do - how much it can do, and you will thank yourself for getting it. Even though someone reading this might say " I aint gonna pay $13,000 for no damn lawnmower" ......

I 'll say that the money spent keeps my back from hurting a lot more than it does, keeps my hands from hurting, and dang gone it - it is fun to get stuff accomplished in a quick and easy manner.

congrats - I dont think you will be sorry.........RTFM however......read the ------ manual well!!!

thing to add :

toothbar,
ballast for rears,
spacers for rears
if MMM comes off - under armor !

They all add up - but then again, they add to what it can do!