My machine (Case) came in with turfs. I tried it for a little over a month, and got real tired, real fast with the traction issues of the turfs while doing dirt work. So I ordered a set of bar tires, and that little tractor is like a bulldozer now compared to when it had the turfs on it.
My neighbor switched his bars out for turfs on his
BX22, and with the weight of the backhoe, it has better traction with the turfs than mine did with a rear tiller on the 3ph. However, the
BX22 also does slip a bit doing front loader work, so I can imagine what a little tank it must be with the bar tires.
If you are able to get the tires mounted on rims for 300, that's a pretty good deal (Kubota dealers charge $500-$600 around these parts). It's not that big a deal to swap out the wheels once in a while, but the only time you'll really want to run the turfs will be on newly seeded lawn (and when I get to that point, I'll probably just use the push mower)
One way to help yourself if using the bar tires for dirtwork and mowing, is to make sure you keep them at the max tire pressure (or even a couple of pounds lower) during mowing, and that will minimize turf damage. Don't make sharp, quick turns. Then air them up as much as 5 lbs over max stamped on the tire (many tire guys recommend this with bias plys, and you'll see why once you start using them) when doing heavier dirt work.
That price is right where prices for the
BX23 were when I was looking in June, and I found that our prices out here are a bit higher than other parts of the country. I heard from guys in the Midwest that purchased for $1500-$2000 lower than the quotes I was getting. He's giving you a decent price on the tractor, but is quoting list on the mower deck. Ask him if that's the best price he's willing to offer, as you're getting other quotes. Worst case is he'll tell you that's his best price, and with that comes the quality of after-sale service you'll expect.
SeymourBota,
I had 2 Kubota dealers tell me there was no way they would install 2 bar tires with 2 turf tires on the BX's, like you can get on the B series. Apparently, that directive comes straight from Kubota. If you end up with driveline problems, and bring in your machine with the 2 different types of tires front and rear on the BX, they'll void your warranty. That's what I was told. It may be that the size of the subs makes them more sensitive to the rolling diameter differences.
The bar tires ARE a different diameter than the turfs you replaced - not a big difference, but there is one (even though the size stamped on the side is the same). You have decreased the size ratio between the fronts and rears with what you have done. Be interested to see how your driveline holds up over time, as you've done what every dealer has told me we should not do.
