A GR2120 or BX1880?

[STS_EA888]

I am in a bit of a conundrum as I am trying to decide what would be the right machine for my needs.

I have a half acre of property in the Northeast that wasn't well maintained at all by the previous owner so I want to fix that and bring it up to its potential. The property is nice and flat up front but the backyard has multiple hills that range from 12-20 degrees (measured) and the trees and brush are quite unruly back there but all in the back leading to a large pond. There is little in terms of obstacles outside the rear of the property. I've already had many wildly overgrown bushes and stumps removed and ground down. I plan to use the machine to mow probably 80% of the time but will tow a utility cart to move brush, cut up felled trees, firewood and soil, tow a lawn sweeper and use a plug aerator to help bring some life back to the lawn. The towing on hills does seem to steer me toward AWD/4WD. There is a decent section that needs a lot of clearing with chainsaws and it can be tight. I'd also like to use a leaf collection system to collect all the fallen leaves from the mature maple trees as well. Additionally, the lawn feels a bit soft and spongy and the backyard also has a leetchfield. I'd rather not leave ruts in the lawn if possible.

I gather that most big box store stuff won't last doing what I want to do on hills and towing. I do like Kubota and these seem to fit my needs. The green paint tax seems like a lot for an X7 series as well though one very capable machine! With a lot of thought, I am not seeing the need for a FEL in my future. With what I said, which seems to fit the best?

These two seem to fit well for my needs, close in price but are two different classes. Any help and guidance before checking them out would be appreciated.

Also, I do not need a snowblower attachment as I have Honda snowblowers for that.

Thanks for your help!

 

[jyoutz]

I am in a bit of a conundrum as I am trying to decide what would be the right machine for my needs.

I have a half acre of property in the Northeast that wasn't well maintained at all by the previous owner so I want to fix that and bring it up to its potential. The property is nice and flat up front but the backyard has multiple hills that range from 12-20 degrees (measured) and the trees and brush are quite unruly back there but all in the back leading to a large pond. There is little in terms of obstacles outside the rear of the property. I've already had many wildly overgrown bushes and stumps removed and ground down. I plan to use the machine to mow probably 80% of the time but will tow a utility cart to move brush, cut up felled trees, firewood and soil, tow a lawn sweeper and use a plug aerator to help bring some life back to the lawn. The towing on hills does seem to steer me toward AWD/4WD. There is a decent section that needs a lot of clearing with chainsaws and it can be tight. I'd also like to use a leaf collection system to collect all the fallen leaves from the mature maple trees as well. Additionally, the lawn feels a bit soft and spongy and the backyard also has a leetchfield. I'd rather not leave ruts in the lawn if possible.

I gather that most big box store stuff won't last doing what I want to do on hills and towing. I do like Kubota and these seem to fit my needs. The green paint tax seems like a lot for an X7 series as well though one very capable machine! With a lot of thought, I am not seeing the need for a FEL in my future. With what I said, which seems to fit the best?

These two seem to fit well for my needs, close in price but are two different classes. Any help and guidance before checking them out would be appreciated.

Also, I do not need a snowblower attachment as I have Honda snowblowers for that.

Thanks for your help!

Get the BX. Far more useful and durable than a garden tractor.

 

[William1]

4WD 99% of the time is a godsend. Bagging clippings, you have to deal with the powerhead. A rear PTO mount keeps the tractor more narrow.The GR (like the green) hang it off of the side) A mower has a significantly tighter turning radius. A tractor is generally more versatile. I use the FEL A LO\T!
I was faced with the same dilemma six months ago. I payed the piper and got a green X754 AWS. Actually larger than my BX25D!!! But all wheel steering.... I did have it upgraded with a rear PTO, 21 bushel power bagger and a 3pt just in case. Buy once, cry once.
I now have both as I did not want to spend the time swapping implements during 'work season' and the green is able to make the tight turns.
If finances were tight, I'd get the tractor with a FEL and 'Big Box Store' garden tractor (biggest engine you can get) knowing in a few years you are going to upgrade.

 

[Grandad4]

If you're a hands-on kind of guy (or gal), get the BX - AND the loader. Following years of lawn tractors, I bought and used a BX that. outworked those other gadgets many times over.

The loader... well think of it as a sidekick that can bench press 500 lbs all day long without tiring. The list of chores where that can be useful is limited only by your imagination. It is expected that you add some weight to the back of the tractor for balance, but it is well worth it.

Learn how to mount and dismount the loader as needed. With practice it's an easy task.

 

[Bearcatrp]

If you go BX, do not buy without the FEL. You can unhook it and leave it in the garage until needed. It will be hard to sell without a FEL in the future. BTW, the 4 wheel drive is fantastic on my BX1880. Saved my bacon many times.

 

[GrumpyFarmer]

IMO, the BX is a diesel powered wheelbarrow if you get the loader.

If you simply want to mow, zero turn is superior.

If you want the all purpose utility there is no comparison. I’ve said before it should be illegal for a dealer to sell a BX without the loader and someone got their feelings hurt onto this forum (I believe they are gone now )…but I a semi serious about that in a Snarky way.

The loader really opens up possibilities to of the utility / capability of the BX…forks grapple loader bucket plus pto on the back.

It’s like a mullet…business up front party on the rear.

 

[Mrlunchbox]

I had the same issue when I was deciding. For a few thousand more I bought a much more capable machine. The BX2380 has been nothing short of awesome for me. Overkill for my 1/2 acre but oh so nice having a loader to do so many things.

 

[airbiscuit]

I'm not a fan of sub-compact tractors, but it seems about right for your needs. My neighbor has a GR2120 and I am impressed. It is 4wd, and he effortlessly blows 12" of snow. It will do all the tasks you describe and put a smile on your face.

That said, I think you might reconsider the value of having a loader. It turns your tractor into a Swiss army knife. You will use it to do a hundred things, only one of which is moving dirt. I don't know anyone who bought a tractor and loader, who regrets buying the loader. I do know people who just bought a tractor, and wish they had bought a loader (unless you need a 150hp tractor to run a baler).

 

[Runs With Scissors]

 

[Shawn T. W]

I agree with a loader is VERY HANDY, lots of stuff that it can do to not only make your life easier, but possible!

With that said ... While I do have a loader (and backhoe too!) I also have a different tractor without a loader, and actually looking for a third tractor without a loader too!

I don't think a loader is required on every tractor, but will say that a non-loader tractor is much harder to sell for a good price compared to what you paid for it, whereas if it has a loader, there is nowhere near the price dump! But ... That means I can buy a non-loader tractor very cheap!

Of those two choices I'd get the BX with a loader ... Add the Backhoe if you want a truly Swiss Army Knife Tractor! (Might have to bump engine size though!) It's only money!

 

[Bearcatrp]

Look at this way. Can you lift 600 lbs? My BX 1880 with forks had saved my poor back many times. The BX line of tractors is a great sub tractor for less than 10 acres of land. Gets the job done!

 

[Shawn T. W]

I live alone ... My little Swiss Army Knife Tractor has made my life much easier ...

I had this old rescued cattle panel that I was using to "double up" to to make the openings smaller, to help protect my barn cats, that protect my tractors from rodents, I wasn't strong enough to push it in tight/close enough to be able to pound in the fencing staples ... I used the forks to be a "helping hand"!



Same project ... Try to lift a floppy 16' wide cattle panel in the wind, and hold it while you pound in the staples by yourself!



Now my kitties have a safe place to eat and sleep without worries about coyotes or stray dogs!



Forks are the next step, after rear ballast ...

 

[STS_EA888]

Thank you for the responses thus far! Please keep them coming. This will be my first major yard equipment machine outside of my Kubota W5019. It seems to be pretty one sided for the BX1880. This forum has been much more helpful than other places I've asked machine questions and no one responds. I like to be as informed as possible from those who own one or similar before talking to any salesman about my needs. I am pretty handy myself and can do a whole lot on my own and have those who I can ask to help and or teach me if I don't know. The loader likely would help a lot with heavily overgrown brush clearing and pulling out felled trees.

I don't have a place to store one inside unfortunately so it would live outdoors but it looks like covers are available to keep rain, snow and bird crap off of it.

 

[PaulL]

Definitely get the loader.

Also consider the BX2380. It's really not much more money, and would have better resale. I realise we're spending your money, not ours. And the BX1880 is also a great machine - so it's not "get the BX2380 or nothing", it's more that you get a bit bigger wheels, a bit more power, and better resale, for what's probably an extra $1-2K at purchase.

For the tasks you describe, you'll be amazed how much a loader helps. It lets you modify your land to make it like you want, rather than just dealing with the hills, lumps and bumps that it comes with. Lifting brush that you've cut, and just moving stuff from place to place, it's amazing what they're useful for. Putting dirt in the trailer. Lifting things off the trailer. Putting your better half up in the bucket to clean the gutters, trim the trees, pick the fruit. Moving mulch and landscape timber. You never need a wheelbarrow again.

 

[Shawn T. W]

Not sure if you have the rotten invasive species multi-flora roses or not, but my place was overgrown with them! If they were too big to back the brush hog over them, I'd drive into them with the loader at ground level, and uproot them!



Tossed it out of the way, mash it down some with the loader, then was able to run over it with the brush hog and mulch it up!



Went from this old overgrown "pasture" ...



To this!



From this ...


To this ...


To this!


Forks are handy too!



This Sub-Compact Utility Tractor (SCUT) is similar size to a BX 2380.

 

[Bearcatrp]

Definitely get the loader.

Also consider the BX2380. It's really not much more money, and would have better resale. I realise we're spending your money, not ours. And the BX1880 is also a great machine - so it's not "get the BX2380 or nothing", it's more that you get a bit bigger wheels, a bit more power, and better resale, for what's probably an extra $1-2K at purchase.

For the tasks you describe, you'll be amazed how much a loader helps. It lets you modify your land to make it like you want, rather than just dealing with the hills, lumps and bumps that it comes with. Lifting brush that you've cut, and just moving stuff from place to place, it's amazing what they're useful for. Putting dirt in the trailer. Lifting things off the trailer. Putting your better half up in the bucket to clean the gutters, trim the trees, pick the fruit. Moving mulch and landscape timber. You never need a wheelbarrow again.

PaulL is correct on this. I had to buy tires for the 23S in order to get R4 tires. Someone posted awhile back about doing this. The axle on the 1880 has a marking 23S on it. Works great. Gave a about a 4 inch lift. The BX line of tractors all have the same lift capacity. Just different size motors and tires.