Learning the BX-24
Model Year: 2009
I have 2.5 acres and live in the country outside Albuquerque, New Mexico. I bought a lightly used (200 hours) 2009 BX-24 on Craigslist that came with a Land Pride RTR0550 rototiller and an RCR1548 rotary cutter. I've since added a Land Pride blade (RB0560) and landscape rake (LR1560). This is the first tractor I have owned, so I have don't really have experience in comparing the BX-24's performance to anything else. The BX-24 is a subcompact tractor - full featured, but small. My property is fully fenced with two gates and is a mixture of open field and trees. A significant advantage of the BX-24 is that it is highly mobile and can get into small areas that a tractor that was any larger couldn't reach. I believe that its small size combined with its robust construction is what I value most about this tractor for my situation. The small size comes at a cost, though. I haven't really been bothered by the modest capacity of the FEL. Sometimes when moving bulky items it would be nicer to have a little more volume, but that hasn't been a real issue. I have noticed the lack of height and reach of the FEL more than its limited volume. The BX-24 has a 23 HP engine and a single hydraulic system for both the transmission and the implements. When digging a hole with the backhoe I particularly notice the lack of power that comes with this small a tractor. It is easier to stall hydraulics when digging with the backhoe than I would really like. I have dug a 5 foot deep hole with the backhoe, so it certainly can get the job done, but more power would be nice! It is easy to swap out attachments on the 3-point hitch and it is not difficult to put on or remove the backhoe. Kubota did a good job engineering the tractor. The BX-24 has been fantastically useful around the property in the few months that I have owned it. I'm doing a major landscaping project and have moved many yards of compost, dirt, gravel, and mulch. The small size of the tractor lets me sneak into places where I need to move material that I couldn't with anything bigger. I've used the tractor to rototill and plant a small field that would have been impossible to do without a tractor. The FEL has also been useful in hauling water to our compost pile and to trees far away from our hose bibs. And the uses go on, and on... How did I ever get by without a tractor? My final comment is that we have a Kubota dealer in Albuquerque, Mesa Tractor. I'm very glad to have a dedicated dealership to work with. They have been very helpful when doing maintenance and have the spare parts, accessories, and experience I have needed readily available. One of the reasons I chose to buy a Kubota was because there is a local dealer. I would recommend including this factor in your purchasing decision.
Pros: Excellent size and capability for small properties. Cat 1 implements can be used effectively, so there are lots of tools you can use.
Cons: Modest power, but in all fairness adequate for my tasks.