54 inch or 60 inch MMM on a BX23S

[Dunslandloy]

OK last one.....

when I bought mine I got the turf tires..... thinking the R4 tires would mess up the lawn....

Well, I recently got a good deal on a set of R4 tars... and I don't notice a lick of difference on the lawn..... and they work much better if you get into mud or soupy stuff if you are doing other work with the tractor...

My R4's do great in the snow and soupy stuff but got me in trouble big time once in mud after a heavy rain. Brother-in-law rescued me with his L3130. He had Ag tread.

 

[Dunslandloy]

Just about ready to pull the trigger on a BX23S. Was planning on adding the 60 inch MMM (Not the easy-over). But I got to wondering why would someone opt for the 54 inch instead?

Narrower would make it easier to maneuver around trees and such I would think. And make it a little easier to store. But neither of those are going to be things I really have to worry about.

Is there anything about the 54 inch deck that differs from the 60 inch other than size?

Thanks

Martin

One year of scalps with the 60-inch and your yard will conform to your standard with no more back talk. Grass always grows back. I went from 54-inch on my last machine to 60 on my B and I don't regret it.
Also, once you wear out the Kubota blades, switch to the Oregon Gator high lift blades. Chops grass into confetti.

 

[John T]

OK, I'll be the 'devil'. For the cost of the MMM, you can probably buy a good riding mower with 54" deck. That was the case 7 years ago when I bought my BX23S. For me(well neighbours..), it's to dig and haul NOT cut grass.It'd be a real PITA for me ,at 72, to remove loader and BH, install deck every week or so.
No matter what anyone says, we all get older NOT younger, with time !

Kinda agree...

As much as I think my 60" MMM does a good job....

If I could go back to 2017
I would have bought a used zero turn instead.....


just tonight I was fuggin around with the skeleton bucket sifting some dirt and you have to be mindful of the mower deck....

 

[Sidekick]

OK, I'll be the 'devil'. For the cost of the MMM, you can probably buy a good riding mower with 54" deck. That was the case 7 years ago when I bought my BX23S. For me(well neighbours..), it's to dig and haul NOT cut grass.It'd be a real PITA for me ,at 72, to remove loader and BH, install deck every week or so.
No matter what anyone says, we all get older NOT younger, with time !

You can not buy a good riding mower that will last 25 years for that money. Especially if you have hills and muddy areas to cut. My BX has only been a mower and snowblower that has been totally troubled free with recommend maintenance and only burned a little over a half gallon of diesel per hour. I have never had a loader or backhoe on it for the reason you mentioned. You can get a mini excavator for half the price of a backhoe attachment these days that I feel would be a better choice and eliminate the swapping over. Heck, I have been using a $2k Harbor freight trencher for 15 years now that is just as capable as a bx backhoe when needed.