Buying Advice New BX vs What is the New Competition worth a look ?

[AxleHub]

Tractorshopper . . I've been to the Minnesota state fair 6 of the last 7 years to see product. The cub cadet yanmar seemed like a serious consideration. In the next 10 days I'm planning on driving to the closest yanmar dealer (60 miles away) to see how things have changed. Sadly, I'm sensing like the Cabelas 25 did to my expectations . . that the Yanmar may be disappointing. Hope I'm wrong.

 

[OldeEnglish]

Like a few people have said before, you should look into a B series. BX is a powerful little tractor, but with a B series you get a lot more tractor for the money. With some searching you see a lot of BX owners that operate on hilly conditions install rear wheel spacers to obtain more stability. A 4' mowing deck wouldn't compensate rear spacers. I think you'll find that a 5' deck will not scalp the lawn, if it does, rework the ground with the tractor to smooth it out more . Make that tractor earn its keep!

A B series would be much more stable feeling than a BX. The B has larger tires, when loaded it is a very stable machine. My father has a b2910 that is mainly a lawn mower and it cuts nice! Kubota makes a deck that you can drive right over to install, that's very handy and they build quality products that last forever when taken care of.

Like I said before the BX is a damm fine "little" tractor. In my opinion on snow blowing, the more ponies the better. The BX 18 will blow snow all day, but will work much harder than a 25hp machine. When looking at other brands, pay attention to their emission class, some sub compact manufacturers are running the Tier 4 emissions. Kubota is not on 30hp or less machines, and that is a good thing at this current time.

Get a dealer to let you demo a few models at your property to see what you like better. Happy hunting!

 

[Johnnymossville]

I've been researching and driving many of the options in this range as well. The three I narrowed it down to were the Kubota BX2370 the JD1025R and the MF GC1705. All priced with Mid Mower and FEL. After a couple months of driving people crazy, I'm going with the MF. I just like the way it handles and drives best, I feel at home on it. the JD just seemed a bit large for me, not to mention a bit more expensive and I bet I could take off the deck faster myself than the drive over deck they have. not saying it's junk, just that it might be more marketing than reality, and while the 2370 was actually my first choice, (internet shopping) before going to looking at them and trying them, the MF just kept calling me back to it. The kubota is a great machine no doubt, but the new DL 95 FEL on the Massey is super sweet and I'm kinda sold on the two vs one loader cylinders (in reality probably not an issue) I also liked that the MF had 1.5+ more PTO HP than the BX while also running at lower RPM. the MF ended up being 800 cheaper too, and more than that cheaper than the JD, so I have to say price was also a consideration for me. I can get a snow blade and a wagon for that so,....

That said, they are all great machines. I don't think anyone could go wrong with any of those 3. I actually didn't look at the LS while shopping, but probably would take a look at that as well. I did look at the Kioti and Yanmar, but the JD/MASSEY/Kubota's all seemed better built to me.

Whatever you end up with, enjoy, not bad choices here I'm sure.

 

[TBDonnelly]

Nice post Massey . . not because it recommends kubota but because its nicely reasoned and clearly defined. These types of posts are exactly why I didn't go to the general forums.

And with so many new or updated subcompacts today . . its a challenge to find the better finalists.

There is a method to the madness. With 5000+ people online at TBN at any given time, there is a need to have some organization of topics. Since the idea is to share the information, pay it forward if you will, TBN guidelines were established. Which hopefully makes topics more easily searchable for everyone.

Your question is two fold. 1. Confirm you own thoughts about Kubota's BX line. Which is a 'brand' specific question. Thus belongs here in the Kubota forum.
2. Ask about other/multiple brands that might compete with the BX line. Thus belongs in the General buying/pricing forum.

 

[AxleHub]

Johnnymossville . . . how would you compare the physical sizes of the Massey vs. BX2370. You mentioned you thought the JD was a bit large (my impression also). I'm surprised The BX products all have the same width (18 all the way to the 26).

 

[SDT]

Another consideration: Position control.

All compact/subcompact tractor manufacturers removed position control from the hydraulic lift 15 or more years ago to reduce cost and replaced it with the "quarter inching" system, which is a poor substitute. Primairly (not exclusively) for this reason, I have refused to replace my 1994 B1750HSD.

I noticed recently that JD has reintroduced position control on their new line of SCUTs.

AT the recent open house at my local Kubota/New Holland dealer, I spoke with the Kubota rep about this. He was careful about what he said and how he said it but hinted that position control will likely be reintroduced on at least some Kubota CUT/SCUTs in the foreseeable future.

SDT

 

[SDT]

I've been researching and driving many of the options in this range as well. The three I narrowed it down to were the Kubota BX2370 the JD1025R and the MF GC1705. All priced with Mid Mower and FEL. After a couple months of driving people crazy, I'm going with the MF. I just like the way it handles and drives best, I feel at home on it. the JD just seemed a bit large for me, not to mention a bit more expensive and I bet I could take off the deck faster myself than the drive over deck they have. not saying it's junk, just that it might be more marketing than reality, and while the 2370 was actually my first choice, (internet shopping) before going to looking at them and trying them, the MF just kept calling me back to it. The kubota is a great machine no doubt, but the new DL 95 FEL on the Massey is super sweet and I'm kinda sold on the two vs one loader cylinders (in reality probably not an issue) I also liked that the MF had 1.5+ more PTO HP than the BX while also running at lower RPM. the MF ended up being 800 cheaper too, and more than that cheaper than the JD, so I have to say price was also a consideration for me. I can get a snow blade and a wagon for that so,....

That said, they are all great machines. I don't think anyone could go wrong with any of those 3. I actually didn't look at the LS while shopping, but probably would take a look at that as well. I did look at the Kioti and Yanmar, but the JD/MASSEY/Kubota's all seemed better built to me.

Whatever you end up with, enjoy, not bad choices here I'm sure.

I researched this a couple of years ago and at the time settled upon the MF SCUT but did not buy one (see position control post). I preferred the MF to the BX because it has a larger displacement engine that operates at lower RPM. It also has a more substantial MM deck. The MF CUT/SCUTs are made by Iseki, which is a repuptable Japanese company. I've owned Iseki in the past without issues.

SDT

 

[AxleHub]

Greetings TBDonnelly. When I was in the market for a new pickup in 2004 - I studied and visited/tested quite few (78 trucks at 16+ dealerships). I ended up with a very unique product - that many dealers didn't even know existed. I helped Chevy sell more than a dozen of that model across the country Currently I believe there are already about 5 people waiting to know what decision I make (not on TBN) . . so they can consider similar choices. I like the Kubota Forum because I believe buyers of Kubotas are not "followers". They looked at the competition . . . and if they chose some other product . . it was for specific reasons.
My problem with the General buying forum is - they don't seem to draw hardline separation between sizes . . . and for me - it must be a sub compact - nothing larger will do. Just as with my Chevy efforts in 2004 - I found certain brands and models have quite uniquely different qualities and skills of contributors. Kubota posters seem to have more awareness as a general impression

 

[s219]

Another consideration: Position control.

All compact/subcompact tractor manufacturers removed position control from the hydraulic lift 15 or more years ago to reduce cost and replaced it with the "quarter inching" system, which is a poor substitute. Primairly (not exclusively) for this reason, I have refused to replace my 1994 B1750HSD.

I noticed recently that JD has reintroduced position control on their new line of SCUTs.

AT the recent open house at my local Kubota/New Holland dealer, I spoke with the Kubota rep about this. He was careful about what he said and how he said it but hinted that position control will likely be reintroduced on at least some Kubota CUT/SCUTs in the foreseeable future.

SDT

It's been on several B models for at least 5-6 years, including current basic models of B2301/B2601 (but not their xx20 predecessors) and the deluxe B2650/B3350 (and their xx30 predecessors). And of course the Ls and other Kubota compacts have it too. Really the only place it has been missing is on the BX subcompact.

 

[oldpilgrim]

the smaller Mahindras 22 and 25. They look clunky/less compact than kubotas.

Clunky looking ?!?!?!?!?