Buying Advice First tractor- Could really use input

[momof2crazygirls]

Well I went today and made my decision and was pretty surprised at what I decided. I actually went with the BX25D with 48"bush hog, added a thumb to the BH, and grapple with third function. I just decided since I was the one that would be using it all the time and my 10 and 11 year old daughters I felt most comfortable with its removing and booking up implements, etc. I figure if I need something bigger done that it can't handle I probably need to hire a professional to do it. I can hire a bunch of professionals for the extra 8-10K that the L2501 would cost me equally equipped. They have to order the grapple in and get it installed and then it should be ready sometime early next week if not sooner.

 

[2ndhalf]

Congrats on the new tractor! I think you will love the BX. I have a similar sized tractor in a different maker. I can do anything with it that you mentioned wanting to do. Grapple will be very nice. One bit of advice is to perhaps to pick up the cheapest dirt scoop you can buy on Craigs List... rusty and crusty is ok. Reason being they make great ballast and they make a great way to carry tools (i.e. tools, shovels etc.) to wherever your working. 14 acres is pretty large and you may want the extra tools with you. When ever you are doing dirt carrying or grapple work have the dirt scoop on. It will help with ballast and traction. Also, have someone who has had a tractor with a loader for years show you do's and don'ts.. I think every tractor newbie should do this..

One tip I would advise all newbies is.... Don't lift your bucket full of material higher than you need to and certainly don't make sharp turns with the bucket raised high and full.. you could flip the tractor.

Enjoy the new rig and post pics!

 

[desh]

Well I went today and made my decision and was pretty surprised at what I decided. I actually went with the BX25D with 48"bush hog, added a thumb to the BH, and grapple with third function. I just decided since I was the one that would be using it all the time and my 10 and 11 year old daughters I felt most comfortable with its removing and booking up implements, etc. I figure if I need something bigger done that it can't handle I probably need to hire a professional to do it. I can hire a bunch of professionals for the extra 8-10K that the L2501 would cost me equally equipped. They have to order the grapple in and get it installed and then it should be ready sometime early next week if not sooner.

Congrats! Never a bad choice if you've thought it out, and you're happy with it.

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

Enjoy! Be safe. ROPS and SEAT BELT. No one rides with you in the bucket and keep the bucket low.

 

[Garandman]

We have a DR Power ballast box. Very handy, has tool rings and a tow hitch.

Compact Tractor Ballast Box | DR Power Equipment

 

[Egon]

Good show.

 

[BigBoyToys]

Congrats on the new BX! :thumbsup:

As far a ballast goes the metal fabricated boxes can be expensive. Fortunately when I bought my tractor the guy had a Kubota box which was included so I haven't personally fabricated one. There are lots of alternatives to making your own. Most are concrete and people have used all sorts of forms/barrels to make one. Here's a link with an example of a DIY ballast...http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/build-yourself/203605-poured-concrete-ballast-box-build.html

 

[rScotty]

Enjoy! Be safe. ROPS and SEAT BELT. No one rides with you in the bucket and keep the bucket low.

Yes, safety first. Does the BX25D have draft control on the 3pt? If so, be SURE to completely turn off before mounting a 3 point backhoe.
rScotty

 

[Gary Fowler]

Thank you for the feedback. I have actually talked my husband into the backhoe attachment but after reading your post I am wondering If I shouldn't spend the extra money. What are your thoughts? We have beavers that like to increase our dam size and thought it would be useful every time they do that to break it back down and I am currently clearing out a lot of tree growth along fence lines and some cross fencing that I thought it would be helpful with removing as we work on it.

Growing up on a farm, we never had tractors with FEL's or backhoes. Now both my tractors have FELs and my go to tractor is my little B26 TLB. You never run out of uses for a small backhoe. Removing beaver dams is just on of them. I haven't use my wheelbarrow since getting my FEL tractors and rarely use a shovel except for final digging around delicate things like water lines etc. I plant trees and shrubs using the backhoe to dig the holes.
AS for a mid mount mower, I think if you consider the cost of a MMM vs a dedicated ZTR mower, you might spend another $1000 to get a very good ZTR high end residential mower and you wont be sorry for spending the extra money. A good high end (almost commercial grade) ZTR will run around $5500 new. I think you will find that a MMM will be around $4K or more and some of them would require removal to work the 3 PH or work in the woods without damaging them.

I am a firm believer in getting the right equipment for the job and mowing a lawn is not the best use of a tractor in most instances especially when larger acreages are concerned. If you just had a couple acres of manicured lawn and wanted a tractor (think BX25) so you could use the FEL for hauling mulch, back hoe to dig a small bit and a MMM to mow the large area, then great, but you would still need a push mower to finish up around trees and likely next to buildings that is unless you want to be repairing the accidental brush against the building with the tractor.

Do some $$$ comparisons between the use of MMM and dedicated mower and you may find that you can swing the extra payment for the ZTR or even a lawn tractor. My brother in law has used a Craftsman 6500 series lawn tractor for 7 years and over 800 hours and still going strong. I think it cost about $2500 when new.

 

[rScotty]

Growing up on a farm, we never had tractors with FEL's or backhoes. Now both my tractors have FELs and my go to tractor is my little B26 TLB. You never run out of uses for a small backhoe. Removing beaver dams is just on of them. I haven't use my wheelbarrow since getting my FEL tractors and rarely use a shovel except for final digging around delicate things like water lines etc. I plant trees and shrubs using the backhoe to dig the holes.

Gary,
IMHO, A small TLB like the B26 with a mounted backhoe and an accessory 3 point hitch is a whole different machine from a BX25 tractor that has a mounted 3 point hitch and an accessory backhoe. The TLB is more usable, safer, and more stable. I've had both. Would you agree?
rScotty

 

[TripleR]

I would strongly recommend buying HST fan protection from BXPanded or Bro Tek, cost of repair is high. The steering gear is low and exposed so you may well wind up with torn boots, I added protection from Bro Tek, so just add a wrap to them. I also added wheel spacers to our BXs for a bit smoother ride and added stability.

With the BXs quarter inching valve 3PH, you will get drift down with the rotary cutter over time, so you'll need to bump it up from time to time or add check chains to the cutter and tractor, I believe they are an option on the cutter.

Like Gary Fowler, I too would consider the separate mower. We used our BX2200 as a " do it all machine" for several years, but got tired of removing/attaching MMM and loader, cutter, tiller etc., so we use one BX as a dedicated mower and one for loader etc. work. We did the two BX due to unusual circumstance, so I'm not recommending that, just a BX and separate mower. When your young and full of energy, it's no big deal, but as you age... You will just find yourself having to schedule tasks rather than doing one thing then another or at least that was my experience.

 

[BigBoyToys]

I too agree with getting a separate mower. I purchased a Bad Boy ZT Elite. It's built like a tank and has been a great mower. We purchased it 3 years ago for a little over $5K. We got the 48" deck to maneuver around mulch beds and other obstacles. My wife does most of the lawn mowing and loves it. The Zero Turns makes fast and easy work of it especially with a mulching kit!

ZT Elite Mowers ZTR Mower Best Residential Lawn Mowers - Bad Boy Mowers

You can see the ZT in the background...the "orange" blends in nicely with the Kubota! :laughing:

 

[KyleH]

Congrats, be sure to post some pictures of it in use once you get it home.

 

[Blackgreyhounds]

Congratulations!!! Can't wait to see pictures. I think you did a great job of balancing price, performance and reality! Looking at your property and your desired uses, I think the BX will do just about everything you will ever want and as you said, if you can't do it, it's time to call in a professional. That's a very mature way of dealing handling it. If you ever do find yourself calling in the professionals to often (which I doubt), your BX will hold it's value/price really well if you need to trade up.:thumbsup:

 

[check]

Yes, safety first. Does the BX25D have draft control on the 3pt? If so, be SURE to completely turn off before mounting a 3 point backhoe. rScotty

The backhoe that comes with the BX 25D is frame mounted, not three point hitch mounted. Pretty tough, too!

 

[dragoneggs]

Yes, Congrats!!! As the first to reply to your thread and now a fellow BX owner, I welcome to the BX club! I enjoyed following along in your decision making process and appreciated the feedback by many. I am sure you will find a lot of pleasure with your new hardworking 'toy'. I still think you might opt for a dedicated mower such as a Zero Turn, especially since you have a BH. It took me a year to come to that conclusion.

Seat time and experience will steer you accordingly. But as of now you can do a heck of a lot on your property and will have fun doing it. Your wheelbarrow and shovel will probably be hanging out together and getting lonely looking at each other

 

[momof2crazygirls]

Yes, Congrats!!! As the first to reply to your thread and now a fellow BX owner, I welcome to the BX club! I enjoyed following along in your decision making process and appreciated the feedback by many. I am sure you will find a lot of pleasure with your new hardworking 'toy'. I still think you might opt for a dedicated mower such as a Zero Turn, especially since you have a BH. It took me a year to come to that conclusion.

Seat time and experience will steer you accordingly. But as of now you can do a heck of a lot on your property and will have fun doing it. Your wheelbarrow and shovel will probably be hanging out together and getting lonely looking at each other

Thanks so much! I am excited to get it! I can't wait to try out the third function grapple! I also had them add liquid to the tires and the thumb for the backhoe. I see lots of potential!!