BX2380

[Ric4364]

Anyone mowing a small yard (1/2 acre) with a BX2380/2680? Here is the reason for my question. I'm needing a small tractor to use around our farm occasionally, mostly mowing grass, maintaining deer lanes and atv / dirtbike trails. Some light brush clearing, I've already done the heavy work with a skid steer. Due to local sticky fingers this tractor will have to travel with me between the farm and where we live 3.5 hours away. My hope was to have one machine that could also serve as my mower at home for the 1/2 acre lawn. My yard is fairly open, but just wonder if the bx will be cumbersome in such a small area (loader removed). Right now I'm mowing with a 42" lawn tractor that is ready to be replaced. We also have some landscaping projects this spring that could really use the FEL. Sorry for the long post and thanks for any options. Ric

 

[GrumpyFarmer]

IMO a BX would do just fine on a lawn and in the light farm use you described.

To me it’s limiting factor if you plan to play in the woods is ground clearance. Other than that they are real handy within it is size and weight. Like a diesel powered wheelbarrow.

I think you would be crazy to get one without a loader.

I used mine for shuttling boats (19-25’ fiberglass) in and out of barn, skidding logs, trophy care of deer, light fork lift work and light loader work. They need some ballast on the rear if planing to fill the bucket or lift anything heavy IMO.

Happy shopping.

 

[Bearcatrp]

My BX does fine mowing about 2 acres out in the country. I leave my loader on but remove the bucket. Have the quick attach. Don’t get a BX without the loader. Won’t be worth much if you try to sell it later. You can unmount it until needed. One thing about the BX line of tractors is they all have the same lift capacity.

 

[Shawn T. W]

Welcome to diesel fueled hydraulic powered tools!

Sounds like just what the doctor ordered!

A Sub-Compact Utility Tractor (SCUT) is a very handy tool ... Once you have one, you will be AMAZED at what you can do with it, many projects will become tractor jobs!

No it won't do the work of a larger farm tractor, or construction bulldozer, at least not in the same amount of time, but there small size is one of its benefits ... I call my SCUT a "Swiss Army Knife Tractor" as you can swap out "tools" on both the front and back to suit your needs!

 

[JimDeL]

I mow about 1½ acres with a BX2380 with a 54" belly mower. I have about 20 trees that I mow around and have no problem maneuvering the tractor around them.

BTW, Bearcatrp gave good advice regarding the loader.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

Neighbour bought a BX23xx ( MMM and snowblower, NO loader). he does his 2 acres just fine about 1/4 has trees..here ,there, everywhere. He's quite happy with it.
I use my BX23S for digging and moving, stuff. With SSQA it's quick to swap out bucket for the 900# pallet forks. A 'must have' in my books.
FWIW , I have R4s on my BX23S and NO damage to lawns, unless water soaked ,like springtime.

 

[Ric4364]

Thanks for the input guys. 100% agree on the loader. How hard are the industrial tires on lawns? Grumpy, I hadn't even thought about moving my boats around.

 

[JimDeL]

Thanks for the input guys. 100% agree on the loader. How hard are the industrial tires on lawns? Grumpy, I hadn't even thought about moving my boats around.

I have the R-4 tires on mine. They don't seem to tear up the lawn any more than the turf tires on my old JD did.

 

[bobnic]

I've had a BX2370 for 12 years and mow my lawn which has several obstacles and tight spots without difficulty. It has turf tires (rear are filled) and I find it extremely maneuverable and it does no damage to the lawn. I never remove the loader but I do remove the bucket when mowing. It is generally accepted that turf tires are less damaging to lawns than R4s and also they are generally thought to give better traction on snow and ice (which may not be a concern in your location).

 

[JimDeL]

Neil Messick did a video a few years ago comparing the difference between tire types on turf. R-4's did quite well. Check the video on Messick's YouTube channel.

 

[GrumpyFarmer]

Thanks for the input guys. 100% agree on the loader. How hard are the industrial tires on lawns? Grumpy, I hadn't even thought about moving my boats around.

Tread lightly (pun intended)…I’ve wrinkled the seat before when the boat was riding the BX down a grade and the brakes made it worse…anyway tread lightly. (Tongue weight and proper balance is important). However it much easier to negotiate a tandem axle trailer with a BX than by hand.

I have what I would consider a ‘low maintenance’ yard. If you want a manicured lawn go for turf tires. If the BX doesn’t s in 4WD and you turn tight and take going to ‘aerate’ the lawn. It’s now awful but I also don’t care about my lawn. I look at dandelions as resources for my bees. In 2WD it’s not a problem at all. It’s not bad in 4WD…I use 4WD for majority but f my yard as it’s fit for a goat / hilly…I don’t use the tractor if it’s wet as it’s just to steep. So a lot of my comments are related to terrain/slope and not the machine / tires.

If you were going to use it on a driveway for snow removal that’s maybe another consideration as if want chains or not. Turf might be better on a driveway with snow than R4s IMO. In the woods. Think I would prefer the toughness / plys of the R4s. Just my thoughts.

Keep the rubber side down.

 

[xrocketengineer]

I have 1 acre and I think that the BX is great for what you want. I went "smaller" with the BX1880 because of the 48 inch mower since I have trees A/C units, shed etc. However, mine came with the smaller R1 tires that were terrible in every way. When driving on concrete they felt like square tires, the traction was terrible, they needed to dig in to actually gain traction, 4wd was needed for almost anything . I ended up replacing them with BX23 sized "off road" wheels and tires. Much better ride and traction, hardly ever use 4wd unless with the rain when everything turns to muck.
Regardless, the BX is fantastic tool, I even put in French drain using the forks. Keep in mind on having the third function too. It is so convenient to have a grapple claw for after storm clean up.

 

[Russell King]

You could order both the R4 and R3 tires and have one or the other on the tractor as needed. The cost is probably not that great for the second set of tires and wheels.

 

[bobnic]

You could order both the R4 and R3 tires and have one or the other on the tractor as needed. The cost is probably not that great for the second set of tires and wheels.

Having two sets of tires (R4 and R3) is not going to be cheap and a bit of a time consuming pain to swap back and forth.

Alternatively he could order R14 tires which are a good combination of R3 (turf) and R4 tire characteristics. I have R14s on my LX4020 and while I do not mow with that tractor I do drive it on the lawn without any real damage and love the R14s for snow traction.

 

[PaulL]

I'd get it with turfs if you can, but if you really need the traction, the industrials will probably be fine. So long as your yard is reasonably firm. For a machine that you trailer and use on your lawn, definitely DON'T fill the tires.

 

[bobnic]

The OP is getting some conflicting info in this thread so here goes my two cents. My 12 years of experience mowing my lawn with a BX that has filled turf tires has been very good. Having filled tires helps in stability (lowers center of gravity) and provides much needed ballast for loader work although additional ballast on the three point should also be used for heavy loader work.

 

[Ric4364]

My thought was a drawbar and suitcase weights when using the loader. Remove the loader and weights when mowing for the lightest footprint. I'm most likely buying a low hour used. It seems like most I've seen have the R4s, so that's probably what I'll at least start with and see how it goes. Thanks again for the first hand knowledge. I've got almost no experience with sub compacts, mostly bigger tractors and skid loaders.