Small Suburban Lot

[esloser]

Hi All,

I live in a subdivision in Southern New Jersey. I have 1/3-1/2 an acre that sits out in a field with a woodline to the rear. 2 years ago, I bought what I thought was overkill in a John Deere x310 lawn tractor with hydraulic lift and power-steering.

However, I started to think that having a bigger and more capable machine would be really nice, plus with the 0% financing, my payment would go up another $80-100 per month over what I am paying for the John Deere. So, i spec'd out a BX1870-1 with FEL, 48" MMM, and front quick hitch snow plow.

Historically, I tend to over-purchase. For example, instead of the residential grade trimmer and snow blower, I went with the Stihl commercial grade FS90R and BG86CE blower. I went with the x310 over the big box store D-series.

Is this crazy? Are there other users on this forum that have smaller lots? When I look at the footprint, the Kubota will be about 6" wider than the deere and ~22" longer w/o the FEL.

 

[Humblebub]

It is probably more than you need but what do you want? Want overrides need if you can afford it. I have a 2370 for my 1.5 acres. Residential use. It is more than I need but is absolutely perfect and I have not had buyers remorse. I too have had lighter mowers / snow removal equipment and I wish I had purchased the 2370 sooner.

 

[RCW]

Stihl FS 86 Trimmer/brushcutter (bought 11/1/1991 for $470 w/ acc.)
Stihl FS 130 Trimmer/brushcutter

Stihl 046 Magnum chainsaw
Stihl MS211 chainsaw

Stihl 086 leaf blower

Kubota 2360, FEL, Snowblower, box scraper

Craftsman 10hp chipper
Troy Bilt 5500w generator

Except for the 211, all Stihl are commercial.

I think you get the idea...............................

My place is more rural.

I've always thought better to be over-powered.

 

[85Hokie]

Stihl FS 86 Trimmer/brushcutter (bought 11/1/1991 for $470 w/ acc.)
Stihl FS 130 Trimmer/brushcutter

Stihl 046 Magnum chainsaw
Stihl MS211 chainsaw

Stihl 086 leaf blower

Kubota 2360, FEL, Snowblower, box scraper

Craftsman 10hp chipper
Troy Bilt 5500w generator

Except for the 211, all Stihl are commercial.

I think you get the idea...............................

My place is more rural.

I've always thought better to be over-powered.

I like your taste in tools ......yes indeed !!! I too have 4 stihls - 2 kubotas and a genny and one of them thar leaf suck em uppers !!!! and a tiller....and the list goes on.....

 

[esloser]

Haha - I agree 100%. Just want to make sure that I'm not getting too overpowered for my yard. I want to be able to still turn around and be able to maneuver it without driving over the neighbor's fence or dog. Although, I am looking forward to waking the neighbors with the sound of the diesel first thing in the morning!

Stihl FS 86 Trimmer/brushcutter (bought 11/1/1991 for $470 w/ acc.)
Stihl FS 130 Trimmer/brushcutter

Stihl 046 Magnum chainsaw
Stihl MS211 chainsaw

Stihl 086 leaf blower

Kubota 2360, FEL, Snowblower, box scraper

Craftsman 10hp chipper
Troy Bilt 5500w generator

Except for the 211, all Stihl are commercial.

I think you get the idea...............................

My place is more rural.

I've always thought better to be over-powered.

 

[wardsfarmnj]

I live in South Jersey as well, just my input but if your saying that you only have a third to a half an acre and it's a subdivision I think that machine would be overkill. My first house had close to an acre in a residential area(cherry hill) and it would have been overkill for that. Now I live on 5 acres but have about 1/2 acre fenced in for my dog and have to take the FEL off everytime I cut the lawn in that area. So I just have a Husqvarna riding mower for that.

Of course when all said and done it depends on what you're trying to do with it...that would probably be a better indication of whether its worth it or not.

 

[William1]

I've got just shy of ten acres. 8.5 is woods. For 14 years, all I used was a Craftsman 23Hp HST riding mower (still runs like a champ, had to replace the deck due to rusting out and the steering shaft due to plastic bushings, all ball bearing now, feels like power steering!) and a series of weedwackers and disposable chainsaws. A few years back, I finally bit the bullet and bought a Sthil weedwacker. Turned out to work so much better that it cut my weedwacking time in half. When the current chainsaw dies, I'll by a Sthil too.
While I made do pulling stuff with the lawn tractor or my pickup, it was a pain. No FEL made annual mulching of the gardens a lot of work. No BH meant stumps either had to be dug by hand or a grinder rented.
So I finally got a SCUT.
One thing to keep in mind, while having all the tools is nice, you have to store and maintain them. You have to weigh that work against the time saving they provide.

 

[esloser]

I appreciate the honest feedback. I know Sewell pretty well. I grew up in Winslow Twp., when I came back after college, I settled outside of Millville in Cumberland County.

I bought the home new about 8 years ago and am just getting around to working on the landscaping. I landscaped around the foundation of the home and planted some fruit trees. But, I have a lot of landscaping projects that I want to do and enjoy doing the labor myself. I typically spread between 15 and 20 yards of mulch a year, so figure the FEL would be awesome for that. Plus, I could come up with 100 BS tasks to get some more use out of it - moving firewood, taking supplies out to my raised bed vegetable gardens while I'm working in them, raking leaves and dumping them in the woods.

And, I do like helping other people, so I figured I could help plow driveways in the winter and other stuff in the Summer.

So, I don't think mowing with the loader is an option, but it doesn't look like it's complicated to put on for when I would need it. The 42" deck I have now is probably right-sized, but don't think the 48" will be too big. I do think a 54" or 60" would be way too big though.

I live in South Jersey as well, just my input but if your saying that you only have a third to a half an acre and it's a subdivision I think that machine would be overkill. My first house had close to an acre in a residential area(cherry hill) and it would have been overkill for that. Now I live on 5 acres but have about 1/2 acre fenced in for my dog and have to take the FEL off everytime I cut the lawn in that area. So I just have a Husqvarna riding mower for that.

Of course when all said and done it depends on what you're trying to do with it...that would probably be a better indication of whether its worth it or not.

 

[esloser]

Right now, I have a two car garage and keep the cars parked in the driveway. So, plenty of room for a Kubota. I do all of the prescribed maintenance on the x310, but don't know how much more work a diesel would be to maintain.

I do like the idea of a FEL to spread mulch - especially as I start to add more and more shrub beds. I used to do 15 yards with a wheelbarrow over a weekend and about died. Then I picked up the John Deere with 10p cart that I could drive around and dump and that made it easier. But, a FEL would make it a breeze and be able to reach over into the back areas to pull it forward. Almost worth the price just not having to spend the entire weekend doing that chore anymore. Of course, I could probably just hire it out for the next 10 years and that would pay for itself too then.

I've got just shy of ten acres. 8.5 is woods. For 14 years, all I used was a Craftsman 23Hp HST riding mower (still runs like a champ, had to replace the deck due to rusting out and the steering shaft due to plastic bushings, all ball bearing now, feels like power steering!) and a series of weedwackers and disposable chainsaws. A few years back, I finally bit the bullet and bought a Sthil weedwacker. Turned out to work so much better that it cut my weedwacking time in half. When the current chainsaw dies, I'll by a Sthil too.
While I made do pulling stuff with the lawn tractor or my pickup, it was a pain. No FEL made annual mulching of the gardens a lot of work. No BH meant stumps either had to be dug by hand or a grinder rented.
So I finally got a SCUT.
One thing to keep in mind, while having all the tools is nice, you have to store and maintain them. You have to weigh that work against the time saving they provide.

 

[D2Cat]

esloser, it appears you have totally convinced yourself you need the orange kubota. You have got to remember all those chores/jobs will get done much quicker then you imagine. Then your biggest challenge will be to keep busy enough you don't set around and become a "Buddha" image!

 

[William1]

Seems like your eyes are wide open. Go for it!
No, the Kubota is no more work than the JD to take care of. I've found the better the quality tool, the easier i is to take care of too.
I too, have done the 15 yards in two days with a wheel barrow. I expect it to take two days next spring but be fun instead of a test of tourture/endurance.

 

[esloser]

Yeah, that's the problem though - it doesn't take too much to convince me this is a great idea! That's how I ended up with the x310 to begin with. That's why I'm here trying to validate it by finding someone that has been doing something similar.

Size-wise, it doesn't seem to be too much bigger than the x310. I'm looking at about 20" longer including the 3pt. and 6" wider. Tires will be bigger and I'll sit up higher, but the footprint isn't all that much of a difference. And, the added functionality will be exponentially better.

esloser, it appears you have totally convinced yourself you need the orange kubota. You have got to remember all those chores/jobs will get done much quicker then you imagine. Then your biggest challenge will be to keep busy enough you don't set around and become a "Buddha" image!

 

[skeets]

I have never heard any one say geeee I wish my tractor was smaller You cannot go wrong with the BX, and dont let any one tell you about it just being another lawnmower,,, cause it aint !!! Enjoy the beast!!!

 

[esloser]

I'm one of those people that will over analyze every decision and look at it from every angle.

The wheel barrow was no fun. Although, I'd easily drop about 10 lbs that weekend. Then I got the John Deere and was at least able to pull the mulch around, but it's still work loading it up and emptying it - doesn't dump smoothly. So, when I look at the Kubota with FEL, where I can load it up, drive it over and dump it. All I will have to do is smooth it out and be done with it.

I do plan on adding more planting beds, so the FEL will definitely pay for itself, whether transporting bushes or carrying mulch every year. Plus, it would just be plain good ole fun to drive.

Seems like your eyes are wide open. Go for it!
No, the Kubota is no more work than the JD to take care of. I've found the better the quality tool, the easier i is to take care of too.
I too, have done the 15 yards in two days with a wheel barrow. I expect it to take two days next spring but be fun instead of a test of tourture/endurance.

 

[esloser]

haha - followed that logic when I was tv shopping too!

I have never heard any one say geeee I wish my tractor was smaller You cannot go wrong with the BX, and dont let any one tell you about it just being another lawnmower,,, cause it aint !!! Enjoy the beast!!!

 

[esloser]

That does bring up an interesting question though. I'm pretty much set on the 48" deck because of the size of my property. However, there are two decks listed on the build page - a fine cut and 3 blade finishing mower. What is the difference? Is the fine cut noticeably different / better than the finishing mower? They are both side discharge.

I have never heard any one say geeee I wish my tractor was smaller You cannot go wrong with the BX, and dont let any one tell you about it just being another lawnmower,,, cause it aint !!! Enjoy the beast!!!

 

[car compulsive]

Sorry, been gone for the past couple weeks buying a truck that's bigger than I need - Ram 1500 Ecodiesel. That said, I have about 1/2 acre and a fairly steep driveway. When I was looking to replace my 1985 JD 318 this summer (50" deck, blade, tiller, blower), which was more than enough, I wanted something with the same capabilities but with 4wd. I was looking at the GR 2020 mower, then thought GR 2120 diesel, and from there it only made sense to spend just a few more $$ and get a BX1870, 54" deck, blade, and FEL.

I have not regretted the decision, but a couple words of caution:

- Check your low hanging branches and other overhead obstructions. Even folded, the ROPS is about 6' high. If I can't walk under something without ducking, it gets trimmed up.

- The 54" deck and diverter won't fit between some trees in the wooded area next to my yard, but the wider deck does allow me to get closer to some things as it sticks out further from the side of the tractor.

- The machine is heavy. While this isn't a problem with my yard, which has seen 15 years of mowing with my 1000 lb. 318 rig, other yards may yield different results. My neighbor uses a walk-behind mulching mower and has a very dense lawn and soft soil. I mowed his lawn a few weeks ago when he was recovering from surgery and the Kubota really sunk in and mowed a lot lower than I had it set. (At least he hasn't needed to mow again this fall.)

- During the first month of ownership, be prepared to be interrupted by curious neighbors at least once during each mowing, wanting to talk about the Kubota. I think the ROPS gets their attention and then the diesel hooks them.

Good luck with your new Kubota.

 

[skeets]

That does bring up an interesting question though. I'm pretty much set on the 48" deck because of the size of my property. However, there are two decks listed on the build page - a fine cut and 3 blade finishing mower. What is the difference? Is the fine cut noticeably different / better than the finishing mower? They are both side discharge.

IM running the 60 inch finish deck, HOWEVER I will add this, dont be afraid to mow with it, they are heavy built and strong... I have been through some pretty narley stuff with my beast and she works well. And yes yes yes please do watch the ROPS. I never had a tractor before with a ROPS and while mowing the orchard some big dummy managed to push up and branch from a pare tree with his hand and got it tangled in the branch and against the ROPS.. That only took 6 weeks to heal. Since that time theres not a branch on the place that is lower than the ROPS. Enjoy the little beast

 

[RonBoyBX25D]

if you want a better cut, go with the gator blades. They do a nice job of cutting up the discharge & help the deck act more like a mulcher. One thing to think about with a larger deck will be it can trim closer than the narrow deck, but as said above check clearances between trees so not a lot of trimming. I don't see it as overkill at all, and think of it as future proof against moving to a larger lot.

 

[esloser]

Haha - I did the truck thing a couple of months back. I was able to talk myself down from the 2500hd with diesel to a 1500. That was an easy decision because I realistically couldn't afford the larger truck, so there was a real limitation.

I don't really have any low hanging branches. The home was built on the edge of what used to be a horse pasture. It's in a subdivision and I'm on the outside ring. I keep the trees cut back at the wood-line. I did plant some peach trees and apple trees last Spring, but can keep them trimmed however I want.

Do you mow with the ROPs up or folded? What blade did you end up getting - the front quick hitch one or the one that utilizes the boom arms from the loader?

Thanks for the input.

Eric

Sorry, been gone for the past couple weeks buying a truck that's bigger than I need - Ram 1500 Ecodiesel. That said, I have about 1/2 acre and a fairly steep driveway. When I was looking to replace my 1985 JD 318 this summer (50" deck, blade, tiller, blower), which was more than enough, I wanted something with the same capabilities but with 4wd. I was looking at the GR 2020 mower, then thought GR 2120 diesel, and from there it only made sense to spend just a few more $$ and get a BX1870, 54" deck, blade, and FEL.

I have not regretted the decision, but a couple words of caution:

- Check your low hanging branches and other overhead obstructions. Even folded, the ROPS is about 6' high. If I can't walk under something without ducking, it gets trimmed up.

- The 54" deck and diverter won't fit between some trees in the wooded area next to my yard, but the wider deck does allow me to get closer to some things as it sticks out further from the side of the tractor.

- The machine is heavy. While this isn't a problem with my yard, which has seen 15 years of mowing with my 1000 lb. 318 rig, other yards may yield different results. My neighbor uses a walk-behind mulching mower and has a very dense lawn and soft soil. I mowed his lawn a few weeks ago when he was recovering from surgery and the Kubota really sunk in and mowed a lot lower than I had it set. (At least he hasn't needed to mow again this fall.)

- During the first month of ownership, be prepared to be interrupted by curious neighbors at least once during each mowing, wanting to talk about the Kubota. I think the ROPS gets their attention and then the diesel hooks them.

Good luck with your new Kubota.