Bobcat CT230

[Dmace]

Not everyone has your feelings on the matter, think before you type.

I am not degrading anyone's equipment or their opinion of their purchase here. I am simply stating facts, take it how you want but I want to make sure people know why I said his comparison was Apples-to-Oranges and the facts show why. I don't think the BX series is bad, if I wanted a dedicated mower with loader capability it would be the first on my list.

BTW, When you said "denegrate" I believe you meant denigrate. Spellcheck after you type.

 

[Gittyup]

Notwithstanding this opinion : "to me that makes it a lawnmower with a loader", there is nothing much insulting here, just statements of facts. The facts are what they are: The BX is a better mower and the Kioti is a better loader/backhoe/ground engager. These machines aren't at all comparable. Just look at the weight difference. Same is true when comparing a 50 hp CUT to a 50 hp Utility tractor or true TLB.

The BX makes sense for a lot of people. It fits what they need. But, let's get real here. It's a false claim to say that it's in the same league as the CK20 for loader/backhoe work - not even close.

 

[timswi]

Notwithstanding this opinion : "to me that makes it a lawnmower with a loader", there is nothing much insulting here, just statements of facts. The facts are what they are: The BX is a better mower and the Kioti is a better loader/backhoe/ground engager. These machines aren't at all comparable. Just look at the weight difference. Same is true when comparing a 50 hp CUT to a 50 hp Utility tractor or true TLB.

The BX makes sense for a lot of people. It fits what they need. But, let's get real here. It's a false claim to say that it's in the same league as the CK20 for loader/backhoe work - not even close.

I never said they were even remotely comparable. One is a small farm tractor and the other is a small CUT. I still disagree that my BX23 is a garden tractor with a BH & FEL. I've had A GT, and this is no GT.

I just don't like the way that the BX is being discussed as almost a toy, it certainly is not....Whatever.

 

[Dmace]

I never said they were even remotely comparable. One is a small farm tractor and the other is a small CUT. I still disagree that my BX23 is a garden tractor with a BH & FEL. I've had A GT, and this is no GT.

I just don't like the way that the BX is being discussed as almost a toy, it certainly is not....Whatever.

Nobody said it was a garden tractor! Why are you getting your britches all in a bunch over my comment that the BX is a "lawnmower with a loader"...? That is exactly what it is, it's a great lawnmower that has a loader. Once again nobody said it was a garden tractor! If you think it's not a lawnmower then what do you call a tractor that primarily cuts grass?

 

[timswi]

Nobody said it was a garden tractor! Why are you getting your britches all in a bunch over my comment that the BX is a "lawnmower with a loader"...? That is exactly what it is, it's a great lawnmower that has a loader. Once again nobody said it was a garden tractor! If you think it's not a lawnmower then what do you call a tractor that primarily cuts grass?

I'm cool...relax. What exactly is a lawnmower with a loader then?

Yes, I cut grass with it, but I also dig ditches, holes and do landscaping with it. I maintain 600 ft of driveway. Moved over 100 ton of gravel this summer.

Leveled and graveled the neighbors garage in prep for concrete. Dug a 200ft ditch for his electrical and water.

Last year I dug out a clay area to install a pond, and moved the solid clay with no problem at all. Can I do that as fast as you? I'm guessing not, but speed was never an issue when I bought it.


One of they guys in the neighborhood is a township heavy equipment operator, and he loves my BX. He sees it as a great compromise utility tractor. So I guess not everybody sees it in the same light.

Sound like a lawnmower?

Look, I'm not picking a fight, this thing is a very capable machine that does far more than just cut grass. That's all I'm saying.

 

[IslandTractor]

Having owned (and loved) a CK20 TLB and always having a lust for a BX TLB too, I'd say that everyone is right. The CK is a bigger tractor and specs higher as a CUT but the BX TLB as a SCUT is just as wonderful a machine. Smaller TLBs (both fit in this category) are really extremely useful tools. True the CK will lift, push and drag more but at the same time the BX will get into places where the CK will seem too big. I'd rate the CK as worth about six men with shovels and the BX maybe four men but they both get the job done better than dismounting and picking up one of those horrible shovel tools.

Having moved up to a 40hp TLB with nine foot BH I can tell you that there are some jobs that I just cannot do nearly as well as if I had one of the smaller TLBs. I spent about two hours a few weeks ago trying to delicately redig a garden next to our house. Would have been much easier with either the BX or CK20 and I would have done much less damage to the lawn.

Be happy with whichever of these two machines you have.

 

[timswi]

Having owned (and loved) a CK20 TLB and always having a lust for a BX TLB too, I'd say that everyone is right. The CK is a bigger tractor and specs higher as a CUT but the BX TLB as a SCUT is just as wonderful a machine. Smaller TLBs (both fit in this category) are really extremely useful tools. True the CK will lift, push and drag more but at the same time the BX will get into places where the CK will seem too big. I'd rate the CK as worth about six men with shovels and the BX maybe four men but they both get the job done better than dismounting and picking up one of those horrible shovel tools.

Having moved up to a 40hp TLB with nine foot BH I can tell you that there are some jobs that I just cannot do nearly as well as if I had one of the smaller TLBs. I spent about two hours a few weeks ago trying to delicately redig a garden next to our house. Would have been much easier with either the BX or CK20 and I would have done much less damage to the lawn.

Be happy with whichever of these two machines you have.

Amen brother....

 

[Dmace]

Look, I'm not picking a fight, this thing is a very capable machine that does far more than just cut grass. That's all I'm saying.

All I am saying is that as capable as you think it is, it will never be comparable to CUT such as the CK20 in terms of capacities. So don't tell me that a BX for the same price as a CK is a good deal when the CK is so much more tractor. Once again, Apples-to-Oranges...

 

[MESSMAKER]

You can get a full size tractor for about the same you pay for a super nice sub-cut. You can't make a full size small when you need it to be, nor can you make a sub-cut handle large attachments that require both weight and power. They make both for a reason. It is now, and will always be more impressive to see a small machine do a big job than the other way around.

 

[JayC]

It is now, and will always be more impressive to see a small machine do a big job than the other way around.

This has been an interesting thread. I can see both sides of the fence of this issue, but why stop there? There's always something that will outspec something else. To me, and probably a number of others, the CK20 and a SubCUT are both dinky. One's just less dinky than the other. I think a topic like this is moot. It's all a matter of perspective. Anyway, I quoted the above because I agree with it. SubCUTs fascinate me in how they cram so much into such a small package. I am always amazed to see what people do with their small machines.

 

[MDM]

JayC hit the nail on the head. I agree that a BX is not an apples to apples comparison size wise, but the BX is probably just as capable overall. When the CK20 excels in some areas, the BX might excel in another area. In the attachment department, it is hard to beat Kubota and Deere, especially with the smaller machines. Each offer alot of options and the ease of attachment is where they really shine. THe CT230 really is a good deal right now, eventhough I feel the Daedong made machines are not the kind of quality you get with Kubota and Deere. Even still, with the prices Bobcat are offering, it makes up the difference. Bobcat will be outselling Kioti within a year if they keep the prices where they are at. I wonder what the Kioti dealers think of these Bobcat prices? I don't know why anyone would buy a Kioti right now with the Bobcat price difference - probably just the uninformed. Maybe when Bobcat signed up with Daedong, they got huge discounts on so many of the first units.

 

[ORBrit]

Back to pricing on the CT230.

Here is a quote from my dealer for CT230 with FEL and Rotary cutter.

So that's $12,385 for the tractor and FEL.
Is this in line with nationwide pricing or is this slightly high?

 

[archerm3]

Back to pricing on the CT230.

Here is a quote from my dealer for CT230 with FEL and Rotary cutter.

So that's $12,385 for the tractor and FEL.
Is this in line with nationwide pricing or is this slightly high?

Price is right, though I'm questioning having to pay extra for the tires it's supposed to come with. Also notice how the "free FEL" discount is 2830, but you're being charged 3352 for the FEL. They're probably going to add delivery and prep charges too...

I contacted a dealer in the NE that wanted to charge extra for the Loader bucket after he applied the free FEL discount. He said it doesn't come with a bucket. He was in the $15k range for a no option 230 AFTER the free FEL and 3500 rebate. Nutz.

 

[Kipper76]

Back to pricing on the CT230.

Here is a quote from my dealer for CT230 with FEL and Rotary cutter.

So that's $12,385 for the tractor and FEL.
Is this in line with nationwide pricing or is this slightly high?

I'm shopping around this range too. That is a great price. I was quoted over the phone $13,950 for a CT230 and FEL only. You are paying less AND getting a cutter too!

What part of the country are you in? I am just outside San Antonio. The 8th or so largest city in the country (with tractors everywhere) doesn't have a Bobcat Tractor dealer in it! I have to go 60 miles to get one. Speaking of that, he wanted to charge me a $200 delivery fee too!

 

[ORBrit]

I'm in Eugene, OR. The Bobcat dealer is about 3 miles from my house. The Kubota dealer is a block from them and the JD dealer is about 15 miles away.

 

[Kipper76]

I'm in Eugene, OR. The Bobcat dealer is about 3 miles from my house. The Kubota dealer is a block from them and the JD dealer is about 15 miles away.

I think I'd jump on that deal if it were offered to me... had I gotten a good impression from the dealer.

I didn't get a good impression over the phone with the salesman I talked with. He seemed not to care whether he sold me the tractor or not.... "I've got people from all over the country calling trying to get these... blah, blah, blah.."

The fact that he wouldn't deliver it for free kinda bothers me too.

Maybe someone else will know.... Do different dealers/states/regions pay more for a tractor than others?

The one here is asking about $1500 more than this invoice.

 

[archerm3]

When I say delivery charges, I meant the charges from factory to dealer, as in shipping and handling, not necessarily from the dealer to your door. Reading it back made what I wrote a tad unclear. Every dealer I talked to on a new machine wanted to add those "delivery/S+H" charges on a new machine.

 

[favarcat]

So that's $12,385 for the tractor and FEL.
Is this in line with nationwide pricing or is this slightly high?

You are about where you should be. I paid $12,280 for the CT230 with deluxe seat, bobtach loader, block heater, 50 hr. service filters, 2 hats, 2 shirts, and 125 mile delivery.

 

[Grand_Pooba]

Back to pricing on the CT230.

Here is a quote from my dealer for CT230 with FEL and Rotary cutter.

So that's $12,385 for the tractor and FEL.
Is this in line with nationwide pricing or is this slightly high?

I paid $12,174 for the exact same tractor and FEL here in Western New York. I ordered it last week but the dealer couldn't give me a firm delivery date. His best guess was 3-8 weeks for the tractor and maybe 12 weeks for the loader. Are others being quote these kinds of delivery dates?

 

[CT230 Fan]

Very close. My quote was for the CT230 w. FEL, deluxe seat and 1 set of rear remotes. The out the door price was about 12,300, and the rear remotes were a little over 300 of that. BTW, his price on the rotary cutter is way under what I was quoted for a 6' model. Looks like a great deal, especially when you figure in the discount you are getting on that cutter.