BX1880 actual part differences/specs questions

[tommott77]

HI All,

I recently purchased a 2nd hand BX1880. I love it! It's used at my small home property, less than an acre, and used predominantly as mower. Over the past several many years I've had a John Deere 1023 and 1025, as well as a Kubota AWS G1900. The 1880 would run circles around the Deeres mowing my yard that has a bunch of obstacles and at least keep up with the G1900. I love the 1880 so much I'm considering upgrading to a new one once they're more readily available at the dealers.

Here's my question, and its a bit of a deep dive into the specs/parts/differences of the 1880 vs 2380/2680. I know that with the 80 series BX Kubota moved all the HP configurations to the same size frame. Is literally the only difference (aside from engine size/hp, and bells and whistles) the smaller tire size? Is it the exact same transmission, with the exact same gearing as the 23 and 26hp? Looking at Kubota's specs the tires are obviously smaller and the top speed is a bit lower on the 1880.

The reason I ask is because I am 95% sure what makes the BX1880 able to run circles around my previous sub compact Deere's is the smaller diameter tires. It feels like it accelerates around all the obstacles in my yard much quicker as you'd expect from a smaller diameter wheel. The lower top speed is hardly noticeable when mowing and the 1880s setup mows perfectly for my application.

The impetus behind my question is because if I do look to upgrade to a new machine, and everything is apples to apples from 18 to 23/26hp as far as the driveline is considered, I'd strongly consider buying either a 23/26hp BX and the replacing with the smaller diameter wheels off the BX1880. It wouldn't be 100% necessary, but it would be nice to have the extra PTO HP on tap if ever needed.

 

[eserv]

HI All,

I recently purchased a 2nd hand BX1880. I love it! It's used at my small home property, less than an acre, and used predominantly as mower. Over the past several many years I've had a John Deere 1023 and 1025, as well as a Kubota AWS G1900. The 1880 would run circles around the Deeres mowing my yard that has a bunch of obstacles and at least keep up with the G1900. I love the 1880 so much I'm considering upgrading to a new one once they're more readily available at the dealers.

Here's my question, and its a bit of a deep dive into the specs/parts/differences of the 1880 vs 2380/2680. I know that with the 80 series BX Kubota moved all the HP configurations to the same size frame. Is literally the only difference (aside from engine size/hp, and bells and whistles) the smaller tire size? Is it the exact same transmission, with the exact same gearing as the 23 and 26hp? Looking at Kubota's specs the tires are obviously smaller and the top speed is a bit lower on the 1880.

The reason I ask is because I am 95% sure what makes the BX1880 able to run circles around my previous sub compact Deere's is the smaller diameter tires. It feels like it accelerates around all the obstacles in my yard much quicker as you'd expect from a smaller diameter wheel. The lower top speed is hardly noticeable when mowing and the 1880s setup mows perfectly for my application.

The impetus behind my question is because if I do look to upgrade to a new machine, and everything is apples to apples from 18 to 23/26hp as far as the driveline is considered, I'd strongly consider buying either a 23/26hp BX and the replacing with the smaller diameter wheels off the BX1880. It wouldn't be 100% necessary, but it would be nice to have the extra PTO HP on tap if ever needed.

Hardly anyone here would be surprised that a Kubota would run circles around a John Deere!!

 

[RCW]

Often, the larger wheels and tires on the 23/26 are the preferred size. Seems a couple folks have up-sized their 18’s.

Honestly, not sure wheel/tire package is what made the orange tractor out-run the green ones. I would hesitate before swapping mine for smaller ones.

 

[tommott77]

Often, the larger wheels and tires on the 23/26 are the preferred size. Seems a couple folks have up-sized their 18’s.

Honestly, not sure wheel/tire package is what made the orange tractor out-run the green ones. I would hesitate before swapping mine for smaller ones.

Thanks for that. Just knowing that people upsize the tires on 1880s tells me half of what I need to know.

I checked and all the JD 1 Series do have the same tires/wheels as the 23 and 2680. Also after a quick look at the part numbers on Kubota parts it appears that the 1880 does share at least the same gear set in the rear end as does the 23/2680.

In terms of a 'preferred' tire size different diameter tires will have their pros and cons. As far as real 'tractor' work larger diameters with their added traction and stability are the way to go, and I'd never swap smaller tire onto my work machines. For the 95% mowing that my smaller tractor does though the smaller tire with smallest footprint and added agility makes sense for me.

 

[xrocketengineer]

I upgraded the tires on my BX1880. BX1880 Upgraded Tires I am very happy with the results. I don't believe that the tire size makes any difference on the maneuverability of the tractor.