A day in the life of a Kubota BX25D

[Gary Fowler]

When Cherokee 140 mentioned using the back hoe to plant a tree, I recalled how I used my B26 to plant an azalea bush. Wife wanted to take one from a pot and put in the yard. I had a spot where a previous plant (don't recall what) had died so I figured that would be a good spot. Shovel in hand to re-open this hole and I found that it wasn't much of a hole at all and underneath about a small shovel full of potting soil was solid rock ( I think its called caliche, a little clay and a lot of rectangular rocks). I got out the back hoe to dig out a large enough hole to put in some dirt that the plant can grown in. I ended up with a hole about 18" deep by 3 feet long and 16" wide. It took 3 FEL loads to haul all the rocks away. If put them on my gravel road and they will be good out there. Then I had to go scrape up some topsoil to fill the hole. Between that and a scoop of river sand we got it filled in and Azalea bush planted. I sure would have been looking for another planting spot if I had not had the backhoe. My land is all just like that, one spot may be all rocks, while 5 feet away may be all dirt. I had to dig a hole with the BH to put in a T post yesterday, it was all small gravel under about 4-5" of topsoil. It packed back in very tight. I think I may have to do a corner post the same way. LIFE IS GOOD WHEN YOU HAVE A BACKHOE!!!

 

[Cherokee140]

I think here or on one of the other threads someone asked if the grapple will pick up 3 RR ties....well yes it will. It will also pick up 4?

Sorry, TBN rules is pics or it didn't happen.

You know I had that thought when I did it....The first thing was no one would believe me, second thing was you know I really should be documenting more....when my phone went south I really stopped taking photos....but this was so cool.

Tell ya what, the phone has been on the charger all day, I plan on stopping and picking up am (accessory adapter otherwise known as a cigarette plug) and keep my phone charged.

I want to restack all the RR ties anyway....I was rushing to get inside before the T-storms...I bet you guys saw the tornado in Orrick MO....that is about 1hr north of me. We have had some real wacked weather this year so far.....but I do want to get those ties restacked, but it is thundering now. I will get the photos for you guys.

 

[k0ua]

A little bit about railway ties..All Railway ties are not the same.. Anyone that has ever tried to pick up a new creosote soaked one made out of oak will tell you about that. They are made from about 25 different species of wood with wildly varying densities and also when they get old they dry out and weigh considerably less. Many of the landscaping ties you see for sale weigh no more than 100 lbs, yet a good fresh oak railway tie can weigh over 200 lbs. So 4 ties being picked up by a BX with a lightweight grapple is easily believable, but would depend somewhat on how much each weighed. I personally believed you picked up 4 railway ties.

 

[fwc]

Update - The BX25D is now home and working. I spent the afternoon hauling 4 ft sections of a tall georgia pine that i cut. Then I sat on the backhoe for a while getting more practice on the backhoe digging the stump. Supper time got here before the stump is out so will try some more tomorrow. The hoe controls work as they should now. I did hit the relief valve a lot while trying to dig the stump. I hope that won't hurt anything. I am learning that I need to start wider where the roots are smaller and work my way in.... Glad to have the BX home...

 

[J F]

Nice. :thumbsup:

 

[dragoneggs]

Update - The BX25D is now home and working. I spent the afternoon hauling 4 ft sections of a tall georgia pine that i cut. Then I sat on the backhoe for a while getting more practice on the backhoe digging the stump. Supper time got here before the stump is out so will try some more tomorrow. The hoe controls work as they should now. I did hit the relief valve a lot while trying to dig the stump. I hope that won't hurt anything. I am learning that I need to start wider where the roots are smaller and work my way in.... Glad to have the BX home...

Now enjoy! Digging stumps is a blast... I have 145 hard hours on my BX in less than a year.

 

[Cherokee140]

A little bit about railway ties..All Railway ties are not the same.. Anyone that has ever tried to pick up a new creosote soaked one made out of oak will tell you about that. They are made from about 25 different species of wood with wildly varying densities and also when they get old they dry out and weigh considerably less. Many of the landscaping ties you see for sale weigh no more than 100 lbs, yet a good fresh oak railway tie can weigh over 200 lbs. So 4 ties being picked up by a BX with a lightweight grapple is easily believable, but would depend somewhat on how much each weighed. I personally believed you picked up 4 railway ties.

How much do you think wet ones weigh?

Still fricken raining here again today but it is to stop. I will try to get some pics or better yet a video...I still want to move that stuff around. Last night while the rain was coming down (I just love the sound of rain on a metal roof shop) I changed the last machine that needed its oil changed...the old 8N. I forgot that the hole in the bottom of the oil pan is about the size of a pop can....almost had a heck of a mess.

I hope for more pics tonight....then I will be out for a bit....getting scoped in the morning. Trying to fix some upper GI issues...should be nothing...but when they knock you out it is never nothing. I really think if I was a horse they would have shot my *** by now. Or perhaps at the rate I am going and the comments on here I will wear out about the same time the BX does...in about 2 years....who knows we will see.

 

[Gary Fowler]

Now enjoy! Digging stumps is a blast... I have 145 hard hours on my BX in less than a year.

View attachment 374941

That is one nice looking retaining wall.

 

[k0ua]

One way to find out what a RR tie weighs would be to find a flat surface (driveway?) get out the bathroom scale and place one on the scale.

 

[dragoneggs]

That is one nice looking retaining wall.

Thanks Gary... I suppose I should update my 'retaining wall' thread. Actually two walls to make a flat area for a vegetable garden. I just finished installing a deer fence and caught my wife in the pen this afternoon! Simply amazing what all I am getting done thanks to my BX.