2015 BX25D - plans for "upgrades"

[MaineTom]

Well we finally pulled the trigger and Barlow's should be delivering my new SCUT the week of the May 25, 2015. :thumbsup:
Went to Barlow after reading all the good stuff here and comparing prices locally. Brady just couldn't be beat even with a delivery all the way to Maine!

1 - What I ordered: Kubota BX25D- R-4 tires and 12" HD bucket and mechanical thumb.
2 - Land Pride SGC05 48" Front grapple, third function diverter valve included.
3 - X6315 BX Front Loader Quick Attach
4 - LED ROPS Mounted work lights
5 - Three Point Hitch

As you can see I'm NOT getting a MMM. At some point in time I may get a PTO driven mower/rotary cutter. So because the primary use of this little beast will be
clearing brush, stumps, and getting firewood, I'm convince that I need some "add-on". (I'm a retired engineer so "No project is ever done, it's just in review"

1 - Skid-plate/fan guard - I've gathered a lot of information from here, and other forums and plan to build my own "armor". I know I'm going to be into small sticks and stumps so it's going to be one of the first items before I go into battle.

2 -Steering guard - I have yet to see anyone build one that I think would actually protect the steering and boots up front, so I've already started making plans for that.

3 - Hitch ball on BH step - I saw this here I think. It was on a Woods BH but the BX25D BH has a nice spot on the step for a 2" hitch ball - may need some reinforcing but the spot is picked out!

4 - Receiver hitch on front - I have a winch that is mounted to use a Reese style receiver. I have power outlets and a receiver, on my truck in the front, and a "portable" battery case with power outlets on it as well. (Same battery drives my canoe trolling motor ) So I plan to mount the winch up front as a self recovery system. One of my projects will involve using the BH to clean up a swampy stream and pond...I KNOW I'll need the winch! I'll need to make an aux battery holder as well. It's a deep cycle battery and I just charge it up in the work shop, or for a fast charge I can plug it into the truck port.

5 - Battery charger port - Saw this here and it's on the list of "I'll get to it next winter", when I want to connect my battery minder.

6 - More lights - Although I ordered the ROPS mounted LEDs, I have some extra work lights around and I may mount them on the fenders.

7 - Tool holder - I plan to mount my 18V pruning saw somewhere so when I run across those branches that want to kill me when they hit the ROPS, I can get them first! Also a mount for my chain saw(s).

8 - Chain older(s) - probably some PVC style cans.

9 - Tool box - Have not decided where I'll put this yet.

10 - Wheel Spacers - someday but not right away.

So as I make progress I'll post pictures and status. Looking forward to some fun this summer! :cool2:

 

[k0ua]

Congrats on your new machine, Sounds like you have some very good ideas.. Keep us posted and "pictured" when you get going on these ideas.

 

[check]

Good for you, and congratulations. You will love that BX25!

 

[Coyote machine]

Congrats on your purchase. One thing to consider is placement of receiver hitches/balls. Technically, the only place one should pull loads from is the drawbar at the rear, at the lowest COG. Otherwise, the tractor can flip backward by using the rear wheels as a pivot point. And it's unlikely you will be able to pull the tractor out of pond muck via the loader bucket. In addition to again using the wrong pull/tow point, loader damage could occur. It's your machine, and I don't know if it's your first; but forewarned is forearmed.

 

[MaineTom]

Congrats on your purchase. One thing to consider is placement of receiver hitches/balls. Technically, the only place one should pull loads from is the drawbar at the rear, at the lowest COG. Otherwise, the tractor can flip backward by using the rear wheels as a pivot point. And it's unlikely you will be able to pull the tractor out of pond muck via the loader bucket. In addition to again using the wrong pull/tow point, loader damage could occur. It's your machine, and I don't know if it's your first; but forewarned is forearmed.

Thanks for the heads up...I don't plan on pulling large loads, just some brush in a small utility trailer, maybe a stump or two. With the BH in place I'm not to worried about flipping backward...I'll be careful to be sure. The pulling point on the front will not be with the loader bucket...winch connected to hitch receiver connected to frame.

Thanks for the advice.

 

[bcp]

Be aware that, while the BX looks like it has plenty of room for a medium sized winch mounted to the front of the frame, the space goes away quickly when the loader frame goes below the level position. You don't usually see it in that position, but you need to check before going ahead with the winch mount.

Loader all the way down, there is only 3 5/16 inch space between the loader stand and the front frame of the tractor.



Bruce

 

[dragoneggs]

Congratulations! :thumbsup: Looks like you have done your homework here on TBN for some cool mods.

 

[MaineTom]

Be aware that, while the BX looks like it has plenty of room for a medium sized winch mounted to the front of the frame, the space goes away quickly when the loader frame goes below the level position. You don't usually see it in that position, but you need to check before going ahead with the winch mount.

Loader all the way down, there is only 3 5/16 inch space between the loader stand and the front frame of the tractor.

View attachment 424926 View attachment 424927

Bruce

Good point! I didn't realize that. Since I don't have the BX yet I'm planning a bit blind in places. Advice like this is why I love this forum! I'll rethink my winch plans. Thanks!

 

[MaineTom]

Thanks dragoneggs...I like some of your posts, good advise here.

 

[kdm0811]

I own a BX 24, and I suggest that you rethink mounting a ball or hitch to the BH. The pulling force of the tractor is too strong to transfer the load to the BH if the trailor gets hung.

 

[Coyote machine]

Thanks for the heads up...I don't plan on pulling large loads, just some brush in a small utility trailer, maybe a stump or two. With the BH in place I'm not to worried about flipping backward...I'll be careful to be sure. The pulling point on the front will not be with the loader bucket...winch connected to hitch receiver connected to frame.

Thanks for the advice.

I get that the hoe could stop a backward flip, but it's more about causing an imbalance that could render loss of control that could lead to a tip over, roll over, etc. These things can happen in a blink, better to not unintentionally increase the risks if avoidable.

Here's what's been working for me. I have tons of tree damage from this past winter, on all kinds of land on 25 acres. Some are huge overgrown apples that split at the trunk base into 3 or more pieces.
Birches, pines, etc.
I go to the area in question with the tractor. I bring along my ATV with dumpable flatbed cart with floating ATV type tyres and floating tandem mid-mount axles. I place cut sections of logs branches etc. on the cart and haul loads to burn pile/dumping area by the ATV. The tractor is equipped with a 4000# Igland winch and GR-20 log grapple. It can handle most anything including entire trees 40'+.

 

[MaineTom]

I own a BX 24, and I suggest that you rethink mounting a ball or hitch to the BH. The pulling force of the tractor is too strong to transfer the load to the BH if the trailor gets hung.

The hitch ball will not be mounted to the BH but to the step. I'll be very careful and let you all know what I decide after I test it out.
Thanks for the advice.

 

[xzcVAbc5]

There is a receiver hitch that is sold for the BX25 designed to bolt the subframe in the back. It should protect the HST case from the back. The only downide is your BH has to be off in order to use the hitch.

I considered adding a receiver hitch to the back of the bucket on my BX25. I'm not sure how well it would work. More thought needed.

For your charging port its never too early to install one. I started a thread on TBN about the Powerlet and added pics. Its worth the $30 IMHO.

On your list I don't believe I saw a toothbar. You might consider the BXpanded PTB. I also posted install pics in a thred on that as well.

 

[MaineTom]

There is a receiver hitch that is sold for the BX25 designed to bolt the subframe in the back. It should protect the HST case from the back. The only downide is your BH has to be off in order to use the hitch.

I considered adding a receiver hitch to the back of the bucket on my BX25. I'm not sure how well it would work. More thought needed.

For your charging port its never too early to install one. I started a thread on TBN about the Powerlet and added pics. Its worth the $30 IMHO.

On your list I don't believe I saw a toothbar. You might consider the BXpanded PTB. I also posted install pics in a thred on that as well.

The only reason I want the hitch on the BH step is to be able to have the utility trailer (4x6ft) there while I have the BH on. Like I said, I'll try a few things and let you all know how it works out. Toothbar would be nice but I think I can handle the ground around here with the BH and FEL. Maybe in the future...I saw you charger port and that's what I plan to do!

 

[MaineTom]

:cool2:It here It's here! :cool2:

Barlow's dropped it off this AM and I got to work right away! The Grapple is awesome, plus! BH works great for tilling the garden too!

Now I'm hoping it rains tomorrow so I can get busy with measurements and figure out what's next.

Like they say "Happiness is a new toy - er tool."

 

[dragoneggs]

Very, very nice... especially droolin' over the grapple.

 

[check]

Maine Tom, can you use that grapple with the bucket on?

 

[k0ua]

Very, very nice... especially droolin' over the grapple.

Yep, even on a small tractor, a grapple is a handy thing to have. A real back saver.

 

[MaineTom]

Maine Tom, can you use that grapple with the bucket on?

No - the Grapple and Bucket are separate...quick hitch makes it easy to swap.

 

[MaineTom]

Put 7 hours on the little beast so far...did more work in those 7 hours than I've done in weeks!
Getting ready to build the "skid plate" design is complete and I've found all the materials that I need. One piece of "plate" is a slide out drawer from an old typewriter desk. It's pretty rugged, and with a little reinforcing it will be great. It's a perfect fit for a rear guard protecting the filter and PTO. The other "plate" is another re-purposed piece from some type of cabinet. Again perfect size, no cutting required. It will go in the front. I plan to leave the OEM guard in place but use the mounting points by using some longer bolts to hang a bracket. Once I have the fab done I'll post pictures. Did I say how much I love this machine! :dance1: