But can the BX?

[Anonymous Poster]

I now have a JD 325 tractor with the 54" mower but I'd like a piece of equiptment to handle landscaping chores around my 6 acres. I've read all the rave reviews about the BX2200 but other than taking a front loader, it doesn't seem to be all that much more tractor. Can you actually do any digging with the FEL? With the FEL bucket full of dirt, gravel, or mulch is the machine front heavy necessitating a counter weight loaded on back? My father-in-law has a Yanmar compact tractor and with anything but the smallest 3-point attachments it is so light in the front end that it's constantly popping wheelies. Has anyone expeienced this with the BX? I'm going to take a bath money wise trading in this one-year-old JD tractor so I want to make sure the next tractor I get is "All That".

 

[Kelvin]

Re: But can the BX? ...maybe

MarkH,
General Comment: I'm assuming that the Yanmar that you mentioned didn't have a FEL when it was doing "wheelies". I would say that any tractor is designed where front counter balance is needed if the 3-point hitch is operating at its max capacity, and rear counter balance is needed if the FEL is operating at its max capacity. I have a B7100 with no FEL or front counter balance that gets light in the front end when the 3-point hitch has heavy equipment attached.

Front End Loaders (FEL): I'll make general comments that I believe apply to nearly all B-series Kubotas, and probably all compact tractors.

(1) Tractor FELs weren't really designed to do much digging into hard soil. Moving gravel, mulch and dirt from a dirt pile are jobs that I have never had a problem utilizing a compact tractor's FEL. As far a digging, I have used a yard box to break up the hard soil and then scoop it up with the FEL. Note that Bobcats which can dig into dirt have "teeth" on the front of their buckets which help break up the dirt.

(2) From the Kubota "Front End Loader Brochure", my B2150 "L350A" FEL specifications are listed as 1442 lbs "breakout force" and 838 lgs "lift capacity at full height" with no mention of counter-balance. However, my B2150 owner's manual indicates that 3-point hitch counter balance and/or rear tire ballast is required if the FEL is operating near its full capacity.

Unless changed recently, the BX's 3-point hitch lift arms are shorter than most other compact tractors and 3-point implements used for counter-balance may be a problem. I would first determine if the BX FEL's lift capacity is enough for you, then determine what counter balance weight is required to safely handle the max FEL load. If the FEL capacity is suitable and if you can find a suitable yard-box or other counter weight then there should be no problem.

Hope this helps,
Kelvin

 

[JudeK]

MarkH -

I own about 12 acres, and only have about 12 hours on my BX, but it can do everyhting I imagined and then some.

As far as digging with the FEL, I have "dug" down a couple of feet to move an old stone wall. I also have a box scraper on the back whenever I'm doing FEL work, which acts as a counter weight. I've pick up some big rocks (filled more than half of the bucket) with no problem.

In four wheel, I can drag my 4' boxscraper full with no problem

I'm not familiar with the Yanmar, but I can say that the BX2200 is one heck of a machine for the $$$.

 

[TresCrows]

Mark, seriously, you are kidding when you ask if the BX is not much more machine than the JD325? There simply is no common ground to compare them to. I suspect you guys need some training on how to use a tractor--I did too so do not take that as a flame. I had an old farmer friend give me some tips when he happened to drive by and see me struggling. He is now my good friend. Anyway, if the 3-point is loaded up you need weights or the loader installed--hey--you can scoop up some dirt in that loader for even more ballast. My BX has been able to dig but like another person said--no small tractor is really meant for digging. I bust ground with my 4 foot boxblade and then turn around at it with the loader. The loader used at it's capacity will need a weight box or boxblade to counter. The three point on the BX--it is a smallish cat-1 so you have to shop around for implements--there are plenty out there and soon there will be subcompact cat-1 implements available--I would bet--some already are. The lift force at the arms is 1210 lbs and at 24 inches 680 lbs, this is enough for things like boxblades, tillers, plows, spreaders/sprayers, post hole digger (some) and other items. Pulling/pushing power compared to the JD 325?--lot's and lot's more--lot's more. J

 

[watersjj]

I used my BX2200 with FEL to dig some flower beds this spring. I have used the loader with and without box blade on rear for ballast. You do have to be careful without the rear ballast if the FEL bucket has a full load of heavy material. About the only disadvantage that might be a problem is the loading height of the BX. Because of it's low profile, which makes it more stable, loading over the side of tall vehicles can be a problem. I made a lightweight ramp from expanded metal that gives me some extra height. The BX FEL is rated at 460 pounds. You will be amazed as to how handy the FEL will be around your place. The other problem discussed on this site deals with the low profile of the tractor and the 3 point lifting height. Some people have had problems using a 3 pt post hole digger on the BX because the lift was not enough to clear the auger from the ground. I drilled new holes in the lift arms on my BX to give it a higher clearence of 3 point implements. The responses on this board can just about get you around any problem you might encounter. Just search the site before making you decision. Good luck in your quest.

 

[NYTrainer]

Watersjj,
Any possibility of a pic of where you drilled the holes. It may be obvious to others but it escapes me where you are adding these holes. Thanks.
David

 

[watersjj]

NY Trainer I don't have a pic at this time but I drilled the holes 1.5 inches out towards the ball from the old holes. You might be able to get another .5 inch out, but the stabilizer bracket will get in the way of the lifting action. The arms that I'm talking about are the ones you hook your implements to. I got this idea from a thread on this board. I understand some tractor makers already have the holes to allow for this adjustment. If this info does not help, I will attempt to get a pic.