bravo36
Member
Well, got a chance to put the new toy to work on Saturday on our lot on Lake Lewisville.
But first, a little history...
I had a guy clear out the underbrush with a skid steer last year to remove all the dead trees, and noxious undergrowth. He did a fine job, and allowed much needed sunlight and oxygen to get into the heart of the property. That, coupled with record rainfall of 35+" so far, caused an explosion of some of the tallest, nastiest weeds I've ever seen....literally 10' tall and thick as fur. I didn't know what the heck I'd find living in there.
I haven't been to the place probably in the last 3 1/2 months, when we decided we'd just drive by and take a peek at the new lake level after all the rain. Lake level?? I couldn't even get thru this stuff to see the lake. Major miscalculation on my part for not planning for this. No problem, I could solve this...I'd just "rent" a tractor and bush hog and mow it. Hmmm...everybody else was having the same problem, and couldn't find a tractor to rent for a month. Besides that, I couldn't find a 4' bush hog and a tractor small enough to run around and thru all the trees on the property (just under 2 acres). In the meantime, I had surreptiously got hold of a Kubota BX brochure and casually left it on my desk where I knew the wife would see it.
So, the wife says, "Why don't you just take your weed-eater up there and cut us a path down to the lake, I really want to see how high the water is now." (We've been in a drought for over 2 yrs., and the lake has been extremely low.) So, I said, "OK, why don't you come with me and give me a hand?" "You can use the machete." She agreed, and off we went a couple of Saturdays ago.
2 hrs., a blister on each finger, and about 6 gallons of sweat later, we had hacked out an area roughly the size of my pickup. I don't know what kind of weeds these things are, but they are tough as nails, big around as my thumb, and towered over us about 3 feet. It was also "bug city" in there. It was about at this point that the wife says something to the effect of, "I've has enough of this s***, why don't we just go buy a small tractor or something?" "Looks like we're gonna need it anyway once we build our house." Wow, honey, what a great idea!
The rest, gentlemen, as they say, is history.
Present day...
So, off to the lot I go hauling our newest acquisition, the BX2350, complete with FEL, and a 48" Bush Hog SQ148. After checking all fluids levels, I dove right in, cutting a main path all the way to the rear of the property to the lake shore. It was tough going. There was stuff flying off the tops of the weeds as the FEL plowed thru laying them over for the Bush Hog to chomp on. Bugs and insects I cannot begin to describe were up my nose, down my shirt, up my pants leg, and many...many wasps and yellow-jackets that were, uh, pissed. There were loose sticks and small logs, and a small stump here and there. Few rocks, thankfully.
After I reached the back side, I looked back and was amazed at the efficiency of the tractor and mower. I ran the unit at about 2800-2900 rpm's, in low gear, and 4wd. It looked like I was cuttin' a super-highway thru the Amazon. Trying to watch where you're going and also trying to keep an eye on the mower height and watching out for debris forced me to take it slow and easy...which is probably a blessing.
After about 2 hrs. of steady cutting, I had effectively figured out the perimeter, located most of the stumps, and zigged and zagged my way thru the majority of the trees, laying out my cutting pattern. The tractor at this point hadn't even so much as stuttered, but I was wringing wet with sweat, and caked with a nice even layer of fine brown "stuff". No stings yet, though. I had to take a break and found me a shade tree and parked.
Checking over the tractor, I couldn't so much as find a scratch. The Bush Hog was doing a fine job, and the little BX was pulling it like it belonged back there. All fluid levels checked out normal, but it was then that I noticed about an inch, literally, of fine fuzzies covering the intake screen in front of where my legs rest. ****, I remembered reading about this on TBN, but I hadn't been paying attention. I was watching the guages, and the temp never made it into the read...though it was just under it about 1/2". Cleaned that up, and wiped out the floorboard of the "stuff". (Note to self: Bring a small wisk broom for the floorboard next time).
I let the engine cool down a bit, and had the wife bring me a burger. She was amazed at the progress, and was able to walk thru the property to the lake...kinda. She was pretty happy at the job the tractor had done, but not as happy as I was. I was...impressed.
Anyway, back at it, I had to use the FEL a few times to move some fallen trees out of my path. I also utilized it continously as a probe. I kept it about 6" off the ground as I moved forward thru this mess to find anything that may damage the mower. It worked like a champ. Terrain is slighty hilly, and dirt was a little on the loose side. 4wd also came thru with shining colors. Never once spun a tire (turf's).
4 1/2 hrs. total, and I was give out. Uncle. It was about 101 degrees in the shade, and not a breeze could be felt thru this stuff. Loaded up the BX, and headed home. In the driveway, after letting the tractor cool down for several hrs., I decided to break out the power washer to have a look at her. Man, was she dirty. Didn't look like the same tractor I had only taked delivery of less than 24 hrs. earlier. The washer did it's job, and in just a few minutes, she was looking her old self. Still couldn't find a scratch on her. The Bush Hog, however, had lost paint in several places, and looked like you would expect. I checked all fluids again, and all wers still normal. The fuel indicator guage had hardly moved, indicating a very efficient machine indeed. The fuzzies were back in the intake area, but the radiator was fairly clean, so I guess the pre-screen did it's job, but I can't help but think it could've been designed better. Everything was greased, and tractor was stored (indoor storage) until the next time.
All in all, I cannot say enough about the BX2350. Solid machine. Powerful, efficient, tough, and slightly sexy, though modest. I am no expert by any means, but I have to give this little tractor 2 thumbs up and a solid 9.0/10. I'd give it a 10 if they had come up with a better design on the radiator/air flow location. I felt rather proud of our new investment, and was very thankful of the knowledge I had garnered on this website. You guys share your knowledge and wisdom without so much as a second thought. Priceless! Prepared me for something I hadn't done since high school...and I'm 51 yrs. old. So, here is a heart felt and sincere: Thank You!
I'll attach a few pics of the property so you can all see this was no easy task, and let you all judge accordingly.
**My Bro-Tek skid plates just arrived tonight...after the first usage. If I had to do it over again, I would wait until I had them installed under the tractor. You wouldn't believe the sticks and what-not I pulled out from the underside. I consider myself "lucky" to have not damaged anything. Thanks to Richard for the "express" shipping on these from Canada. They are fine looking units and WILL be installed prior to further use.**
Property Entrance
After a couple of passes
I can see the lake!
Making Progress...but the vines hanging from the trees are full of thorns!
To be continued...
But first, a little history...
I had a guy clear out the underbrush with a skid steer last year to remove all the dead trees, and noxious undergrowth. He did a fine job, and allowed much needed sunlight and oxygen to get into the heart of the property. That, coupled with record rainfall of 35+" so far, caused an explosion of some of the tallest, nastiest weeds I've ever seen....literally 10' tall and thick as fur. I didn't know what the heck I'd find living in there.
I haven't been to the place probably in the last 3 1/2 months, when we decided we'd just drive by and take a peek at the new lake level after all the rain. Lake level?? I couldn't even get thru this stuff to see the lake. Major miscalculation on my part for not planning for this. No problem, I could solve this...I'd just "rent" a tractor and bush hog and mow it. Hmmm...everybody else was having the same problem, and couldn't find a tractor to rent for a month. Besides that, I couldn't find a 4' bush hog and a tractor small enough to run around and thru all the trees on the property (just under 2 acres). In the meantime, I had surreptiously got hold of a Kubota BX brochure and casually left it on my desk where I knew the wife would see it.
So, the wife says, "Why don't you just take your weed-eater up there and cut us a path down to the lake, I really want to see how high the water is now." (We've been in a drought for over 2 yrs., and the lake has been extremely low.) So, I said, "OK, why don't you come with me and give me a hand?" "You can use the machete." She agreed, and off we went a couple of Saturdays ago.
2 hrs., a blister on each finger, and about 6 gallons of sweat later, we had hacked out an area roughly the size of my pickup. I don't know what kind of weeds these things are, but they are tough as nails, big around as my thumb, and towered over us about 3 feet. It was also "bug city" in there. It was about at this point that the wife says something to the effect of, "I've has enough of this s***, why don't we just go buy a small tractor or something?" "Looks like we're gonna need it anyway once we build our house." Wow, honey, what a great idea!
The rest, gentlemen, as they say, is history.
Present day...
So, off to the lot I go hauling our newest acquisition, the BX2350, complete with FEL, and a 48" Bush Hog SQ148. After checking all fluids levels, I dove right in, cutting a main path all the way to the rear of the property to the lake shore. It was tough going. There was stuff flying off the tops of the weeds as the FEL plowed thru laying them over for the Bush Hog to chomp on. Bugs and insects I cannot begin to describe were up my nose, down my shirt, up my pants leg, and many...many wasps and yellow-jackets that were, uh, pissed. There were loose sticks and small logs, and a small stump here and there. Few rocks, thankfully.
After I reached the back side, I looked back and was amazed at the efficiency of the tractor and mower. I ran the unit at about 2800-2900 rpm's, in low gear, and 4wd. It looked like I was cuttin' a super-highway thru the Amazon. Trying to watch where you're going and also trying to keep an eye on the mower height and watching out for debris forced me to take it slow and easy...which is probably a blessing.
After about 2 hrs. of steady cutting, I had effectively figured out the perimeter, located most of the stumps, and zigged and zagged my way thru the majority of the trees, laying out my cutting pattern. The tractor at this point hadn't even so much as stuttered, but I was wringing wet with sweat, and caked with a nice even layer of fine brown "stuff". No stings yet, though. I had to take a break and found me a shade tree and parked.
Checking over the tractor, I couldn't so much as find a scratch. The Bush Hog was doing a fine job, and the little BX was pulling it like it belonged back there. All fluid levels checked out normal, but it was then that I noticed about an inch, literally, of fine fuzzies covering the intake screen in front of where my legs rest. ****, I remembered reading about this on TBN, but I hadn't been paying attention. I was watching the guages, and the temp never made it into the read...though it was just under it about 1/2". Cleaned that up, and wiped out the floorboard of the "stuff". (Note to self: Bring a small wisk broom for the floorboard next time).
I let the engine cool down a bit, and had the wife bring me a burger. She was amazed at the progress, and was able to walk thru the property to the lake...kinda. She was pretty happy at the job the tractor had done, but not as happy as I was. I was...impressed.
Anyway, back at it, I had to use the FEL a few times to move some fallen trees out of my path. I also utilized it continously as a probe. I kept it about 6" off the ground as I moved forward thru this mess to find anything that may damage the mower. It worked like a champ. Terrain is slighty hilly, and dirt was a little on the loose side. 4wd also came thru with shining colors. Never once spun a tire (turf's).
4 1/2 hrs. total, and I was give out. Uncle. It was about 101 degrees in the shade, and not a breeze could be felt thru this stuff. Loaded up the BX, and headed home. In the driveway, after letting the tractor cool down for several hrs., I decided to break out the power washer to have a look at her. Man, was she dirty. Didn't look like the same tractor I had only taked delivery of less than 24 hrs. earlier. The washer did it's job, and in just a few minutes, she was looking her old self. Still couldn't find a scratch on her. The Bush Hog, however, had lost paint in several places, and looked like you would expect. I checked all fluids again, and all wers still normal. The fuel indicator guage had hardly moved, indicating a very efficient machine indeed. The fuzzies were back in the intake area, but the radiator was fairly clean, so I guess the pre-screen did it's job, but I can't help but think it could've been designed better. Everything was greased, and tractor was stored (indoor storage) until the next time.
All in all, I cannot say enough about the BX2350. Solid machine. Powerful, efficient, tough, and slightly sexy, though modest. I am no expert by any means, but I have to give this little tractor 2 thumbs up and a solid 9.0/10. I'd give it a 10 if they had come up with a better design on the radiator/air flow location. I felt rather proud of our new investment, and was very thankful of the knowledge I had garnered on this website. You guys share your knowledge and wisdom without so much as a second thought. Priceless! Prepared me for something I hadn't done since high school...and I'm 51 yrs. old. So, here is a heart felt and sincere: Thank You!
I'll attach a few pics of the property so you can all see this was no easy task, and let you all judge accordingly.
**My Bro-Tek skid plates just arrived tonight...after the first usage. If I had to do it over again, I would wait until I had them installed under the tractor. You wouldn't believe the sticks and what-not I pulled out from the underside. I consider myself "lucky" to have not damaged anything. Thanks to Richard for the "express" shipping on these from Canada. They are fine looking units and WILL be installed prior to further use.**
Property Entrance
After a couple of passes
I can see the lake!
Making Progress...but the vines hanging from the trees are full of thorns!
To be continued...
Last edited:
