Possible BX1800 purchase, and will the deck fit?

[RyeThomas]

Hey guys, newbie here.
Looking at a BX1800 with a 48" rear rotary mower (bush hog) with 1000 hours on it. She looks in pretty good shape, Tax and all out the door at $4500.

What say you?

Next issue is it has no mid mount mower and I need one. I found an older RCK60B-22BX

First of I have read it will fit, but a 60 may be a little big for the BX1800.
The price is right $650 but will it work?

I can't believe the price and low availability of used decks!

Is there a list somewhere that will tell me definitively what decks will for sure fit what models?

Thanks fellas and happy holidays, Rye.

 

[RyeThomas]

OH and I forgot, I know some of the older green machines do not come with a mid mount PTO. Do all BX series come with mid PTOs from the factory ready to run a mower deck. Again, thanks.

 

[L4740]

I have never found a list of what mower decks will fit on which BX's. I have found that the sales brochures that the dealers give away to be very useful. Unfortunately I do not have an old brochure for the BX2200/BX1800. I wish I did. Maybe someone looking can verify that the 60" deck was or was not an option for the 1800. I am pretty sure it was. The only BX that I know of that would not accept the 60" deck was the BX1500. The only option on that BX was the 54" deck. As far as I know, the 1500 was the only BX that was shortened by 4" since it is only a 2 cylinder and they didn't need the longer chassis. So there may not only have been some HP limitations, the 60" deck may not have physically fit under it.

As far as your other question goes, yes, all BX's come with a mid mount and rear mount PTO.

 

[L4740]

Hold the phone....I found my old brochure. I knew I had it some where. Yes, that mower deck will fit on your BX1800. There were two options for both the 1800 and the 2200. A 54" or the 60". And that model number, RCK60B-22BX, is the correct model.

 

[RyeThomas]

Thanks you sir, anybody else know for sure?

Price seem fair?

 

[seifman]

No, that model won't fit your BX1800! The RCK54-22BX that is on my BX1800 will fit your BX1800 and then that 60" deck will fit on my BX1800! So buy that deck and I will trade you mine. Seriously, that deck will fit and the tractor should have no problems turning it.

 

[RyeThomas]

Thanks guys, you had me a little worried! Lol.

Well thanks to the quick advice and looking at comps I put down a deposit on both. I can't pick them up till Jan 9.

This set up will be replacing my JD425 and will be my first Kubota.

I will keep searching here but if anyone has anything to add please do.

Happy Holidays, be safe. Rye.

 

[GaryL]

yes, that deck will fit, as others have said. I have a BX22 and for some reason the original owner bought a 48" deck from the BX15/18 to put on it. I am not going to change it for a lousy 6" or 12" difference. Just can only imagine that he had a clearance issue somewhere on his property to fit through.

 

[RyeThomas]

Well fellas, seems everything is falling into place. A buddy of mine just happens to be home for the holidays and is going to pick up the deck for me next week. This saves me about a 6 hr round trip, not to mention the deck is at a great price.
The dealer already pulled the ad for the machine and is holding it till Jan 9 when I can go get her. My only concern now is wondering how high the 3pt will lift the 48" rotary mower on the rear? My dump trailer is a little steep to load and being the machine with the rear mower is over 13' as the tractor goes up the ramps the cutter is going to have to get up off the ground a bit or it's going to bind.
I guess worst case is I can park down hill if possible and lift the dump a bit to lessen the approach angle. I've had to do that before with equipment to lessen the angle and make it easier to load.
I'm not familure with the Kubota 3pt and what it will do/how high it will lift, guess we will see.

 

[L4740]

You could always remove the mower from the 3 pt. hitch. Drive the tractor onto the trailer and then you and a buddy (or two) manually place the mower deck in the trailer behind the tractor.

 

[D2Cat]

Maybe you can back the trailer is a lower spot to reduce the ramp angle, then back the tractor up on the trailer (with the mower attached).

And have your top link shortened as much as possible.

 

[L4740]

It you do back the tractor onto the trailer, make sure you can back it in far enough to have sufficient tongue weight. A lot of trailers would not be long enough to be able to get the center of gravity past the axle. A trailer without tongue weight is an accident in the making.

 

[RyeThomas]

All good points gents. My trailer is HD dump and at 3400lbs empty, the tractor is nothing as far as weight but I agree and I'm not a fan of backing it on the trailer. Any problem I have forward I'm bound to have in reverse.
I'll have to check how heavy the 48" rear rotary is but I'm doubting 2 people could lift it (but I have no clue to be honest).
Nice thing about the dump trailer is as long as I can get her faced downhill I can lift it up and it really reduces the angle up the ramps.
It's coming with me one way or another so I guess I'll have to figure it out.
I'm just searching for ways to make sure I get the 3 pt set for its highest lift before I give it a shot like the top link comment. I'll be sure to check that.

I'm searching for pics and trying to figure any and all adjustments I can make to get the deck as high off the ground as possible.

 

[Daren Todd]

I've always preferred backing my tractor on. Less issues with the implement dragging. With having a 2wd model and no rops, it's a more comfortable feeling and it's less tippy. Plus I can get the weight better balanced on the trailer for a more comfortable towing experience


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[RyeThomas]

well if it would work better backing I'm all for giving i a try, then I can see how it sits on the trailer and how the load rests. I back skid steers on it and that works well.

 

[D2Cat]

If all else fails, back your trailer as close to the mower (unattached to the tractor) and use a simple cable come-a-long to drag it up on the trailer. Then load the tractor.

 

[RyeThomas]

Yeah I'm sure I can figure it out. The issue will be long term, one of the reasons I picked this exact combo is in theory it will fit but just barley fit. I am hoping I figure a way to get it done myself with no issue. I have a few people I can do some field mowing for on the side, so I'd like to be able to load it and move her around with no issue. I'm pretty motivated to make it work so I'm sure it will be fine.
I'm really excited to get this machine, I'll be 40 this year and I've wanted a Kubota a long time. Couldn't afford a newer one or the Bx2200 I wanted, but if it's anything like my JD experience the older machines are far superior anyway.

Really nice to see all the reply's and info on this site, it's really helpful.

 

[RyeThomas]

So I went on Friday to pick up the Machine, come to find out the mower lifts about 10.5" at the lowest point. Thats perfect for loading, pointed down hill or backing up to a slight grade to change the angle of the ramps is best, but flat loading will work. Like all tractors Ive used with Rotary mowers she could use a little weight on the front end.

Left my house and it was 39 degrees, got to where I was headed and it was 24 and snowing. Needless to say my truck and trailer were covered in SALT when I got home. Machine and cutter fit with about 3" to spare (I do have to remove the rear wheel on the cutter, no big deal we figured that.)




So far Im very happy and impressed with this little machine.