Real tractor plus a whole lot more.
I've had the
bx24 now for about 2 years. It is an amazing piece of equipment. I've used a fair number of other machines, usually in new condition - Cases, Deeres, Terexs, backhoes, forklifts, front end loaders, track hoes, bobcats, and various weird pieces of big and small specialty equipment for loading planes in the military. Even with this background, the
bx24 has surpassed every expectation of mine and continues to amaze me.
It is *real tractor* made to be small, but that is all that distinguishes it from bigger backhoes. It is all tractor otherwise. The frame is durable and stiff, the fittings beautifully machined, tolerances are tight, drivetrain components thick. The engine and transmission are superb. It has it's quirks - most notably the neck snapping braking that occurs when you let up on the reverse too quickly. Pushing it forward(or backward depending on your point of view) when trenching takes a bit of getting used to. But once you figure those out, you will be happy every time you sit on it. I regularly drive it on the street for a couple blocks to plow a little rental property in the winter - I end up looking for excuses to use it, it's so fun.
I use it on a couple of acres during spring and summer for everything imaginable - scraping, planting, digging, ditching, plowing, moving everything. In the winter, we take it to our place in the city (Salt Lake, Utah) and plow the driveway and little dead end street we live on (the city never gets to it, so we're on our own). I can place any implement mounted on that little tractor to within 1/16" of inch repeatedly and with ease. I regularly plow to within 1" of vehicles without any problem or fear of damaging them. I plow the sidewalks which are only a few inches wider than the blade I have. I haven't hit a single thing yet. No joke. It never ceases to amaze me how precise it is.
It is astounding how well made it is and how versatile. If you're willing to buy it, there is an implement to do anything you want. One really nice aspect of the
bx24 is how light it is, yet how powerful. If I remove the FEL and backhoe, I can tow it with a car in an 8' trailer. I do recommend adding weight boxes to the front and back if you decide to remove the backhoe and/or FEL. Ditto if you use a box scraper. 300-600 lbs can make a huge difference in traction and control. I use John Deer 40 lb suitecase weights and some great weight boxes brougth from a guy on ebay. Send me a pm if you want more info.
Some advice though on buying a used one. Be careful. It is a tractor, not a car, and as such there is no title. A lot of people bought these things with Kubota financing which is (maybe still is) a killer deal - 0% for 5 years. Now they may be looking for some quick cash. If you buy it used, not through a reputable business, you run a risk that the person you buy from may default on the loan, and Kubota (or whoever else has an interest in it) could come looking for you to get "their" tractor back. This is why I paid a couple thousand more for a new one. I viewed it as piece of mind, not to mention the fact the hour meter hadn't been disconnected (yes, sad to say, it happens with great regularity). In theory you're protected by various legal provisions of the uniform commercial code and other laws found in most states, but it usually takes a lawyer (I am one BTW) to exercise those provisions should such a thing happen - and at that point, you've just spent a whole lot more than you thought you saved. Make sure the seller *really* owns it free and clear. Also, don't forget to insure it. Again, Kubota has a great insurance plan they bundle with financing, or at least they did when I bought.
I'm a fussy tool guy. My family teases me relentlessly about only insisting on Stabila levels and lasers on my projects (German made, highly precise, tough as nails, and expensive) and that's only the tip of the iceberg in that regard. That said, you can't go wrong with the
bx24. Oh, another word of advice, the
bx24's Achilles heal is the plastic cooling fan and lack of a belly plate. End result is you end up driving over a tree branch which inevitably sticks up in there, breaking the blades. The repair is incredibly expensive - you have to remove a fair amount of of the machine to get to that stupid fan. Invest in a belly plate and put it on the first day you get the machine. I bought a steal plate from a guy on ebay called Bro-tek I think. It fit great and is really thick. Thick enough to support the machine should you high ground it. Highly recommended. The cost of the plate is significantly less than a single fan repair.
Once you figure it out, you really can remove and reinstall the FEL and backhoe with one person (just you) in under 5 minutes. No exaggeration there. I'm to the point I can do either in less than 3 minutes without even thinking about it. I have a back injury and can't lift more than 20lbs - so all the work is done is by the machine, not me. All I do is pull some levers, pins, and some quick disconnect hydraulic hoses and it's done. The machine was invented by a Japanese company. In Japan, labor cost is high and room is tight, so it only makes sense that they successfully developed a really small tractor that can be *completely* managed by just one person.
I looked long and hard before plunking down my money on that thing and don't regret it for one minute. Given my background, I was concerned it was too small or not a "real" backhoe. Boy was I wrong. Nothing came close in terms of quality, fit, finish, strength and surprisingly - cost. The Deeres and Furgusons were more money and not nearly as well thought out, IMHO.
Good luck and I hope you enjoy your Kubota!
Oh - and whatever you do don't get a glorified lawn mower or some atv with attachments, no matter whose name is on it. Deere or not, those things just aren't made to do the things you'll want to do. Step up, pay the bucks, and get a sub-compact tractor - they really are different creatures.
