Buying a BX23?

[Patrick_Bocce]

I’ve been lurking for a while and want to thank everyone for all of the helpful information they’ve posted in this forum. With your help, I think I’ve decided to buy a BX 23. I’m waiting on the sale of some stock to finalize, and when it does I’ll head off to my local dealer.

I’m looking at a BX 23 with a 60” mid-mount mower. I have 2+ acres of land and feel that should do nicely. I’ll be cutting grass, moving mulch, taking out some tree stumps, graveling the driveway, digging a pond, etc. My shed is relatively small, and the BX should fit just perfectly.

My dealer in Ashland, VA has quoted me a price of $17,625. That’s the BX 23 ($15,500), MMM ($1,825), and a set of turf tires ($300) in addition to the bars that come on the machine. (I figured I’d get both since I’ll be mowing and don’t want to tear up the grass.) Does that sound like a reasonable price? How much quibbling should I do? I don’t want to nickel and dime them, but I do want to get the best deal possible.

Thanks again for all of your help. I’m looking forward to a little orange in my life. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[detredwingsfan]

I bought a BX23 in June '04 and paid a little less than your quote. Turf Tires were a no cost option so I didn't have to pay the $300 you are being charged. So far I really like the BX23, anything bigger and I'd be tearing up my yard. I've used it for digging up bushes and small trees, digging holes for new bushes and trees, pulling up concrete sidewalk, moving dirt, etc. Overall no complaints, it works great. Good luck with yours.

 

[Junkman]

Go with the turf tires and forget the bar tires if you are worried about the lawn. I have both bar and turf and have never used the turfs. My bar tires are loaded with Rim Guard and I don't have a problem with tearing up the turf, but I can see where this might present a problem for some people. If you want the bar tires later on, they will still cost the same $300. Most people only use one set of tires on their BX tractor and store the spare set wishing that they never bought them. Either way, you will enjoy the machine.
As for price, it seems that the prices are all over the lot. Some people will claim to pay less and some more. I suggest that you shop around for the best deal. If you have a paved driveway, you might want to consider the flip over pads for the outriggers... about $200 for the pair. Get a spare set of blades and don't forget to grease the spindles when you get the deck. Seems that the dealers don't grease them enough prior to delivery. Also a spare set of filters is a good thing to have and some Super UDT. If you are planning additional lighting, the HD alternator is a worthwhile investment. Since you are in VA, the block heater isn't going to be a necessity because it doesn't get that cold down there. If you want to spend an additional $30 it is a cheap investment in cold weather starting. A tooth bar is a must if you are going to be doing digging. It will set you back about $300. Don't forget to ask for your free Kubota hat!!!!!

 

[Nik]

Price for the BX23 without the mower in this area is just under 15,000 at two different dealers. Your prices seem in line and you may be able to get your qouted price down slightly with negotiation particularly if you have another similar dealer quote. As mentioned on TBN, good dealer service and reputation can be more important then a small difference in price between two dealers.

 

[Jim_Becker]

I had turfs on my BX2200. When I got the BX22, I went with the bar tires and haven't looked back. They do NOT mark my lawn unless it's really, really wet...and I don't mow then, anyway. They provide significantly more traction when you are using the FEL. The bar tires on the BX are not like the ag tires on larger tractors...they are wide, supportive and the lugs are not overly deep. They float enough for mowing yet dig in when you are digging in... /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[gugy]

Junkman is on the money with tires one set is all you need,either one would work.As for the alternator and block heater ,let the dealer install them . most likely cheaper in the long run.I myself have only turfs and I have no problems with them.
Good luck and have fun with your new machine.
gugy BX-22

 

[Henro]

<font color="blue"> Go with the turf tires and forget the bar tires if you are worried about the lawn. I have both bar and turf and have never used the turfs. </font>

Having just bought a set of bar tires for my BX2200, I must say I was thinking just the opposite! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

I would say go with the bar tires, and forget the turfs initially. IF the bar tires turn out to be a problem, then you can add the turfs later. I doubt anyone wants to be constantly changing tires back and forth! I know I don't.

My rear bar tires are loaded with WW fluid and the fronts are foam filled. I do notice that the bar tire leave an imprint in the clover (I have a yard, and it seems that clover is much more sensitive to whatever pushes it down than grass is) but it soon goes away.

The bar tires give better traction when needed from what I can see.

And extra set of tires is just something you have to store somewhere. Get the dealer to knock off the $300 and see what you think. You can add the tires you did not get later if you need to.

I wish I would have gotten bar tires to start with. Would have saved my $300...

Live and learn.

Take your best shot on one set of tires initially. If you get it right you will save money and not have to store the extras... /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[Junkman]

I suggested the turf tires because of what he described as his use needs. I have bar tires on mine, and they do tear up the lawn somewhat if it is wet. There are times that I am not cutting grass that I still have to cross over it when it is wet and that is when most of the damage is done. I also have the turf tires and I will be switching over to them for cutting the newly seeded areas. I know that the bars will definitely take there toll on the tender grass shoots. The turfs will take less. I might even just leave them on to see how they do in the snow. I know that you can't pull a landscape rake with turfs. Tried that once and learned real quick that it doesn't work. If someone is to get only one set of tires, then they have to look at the majority of the work that they plan on doing and match the tires to the task.

 

[SeymourBota]

I have turfs on my 2200 and just bought a set of bars for the front. They are the same size and for under $100 I can greatly improve front axle traction.
I just swapped them in to mow a neighbor's field which has wet areas and they are a definite plus. As I mowed my own lawn, which was dry but soft from recent rains, they did imprint more, but not badly.
I run chains on the rear turfs in the winter and for FEL work, so no need for a separate set of bars for the rear.

 

[Junkman]

I had asked the dealer about doing this.. running turfs on one axle and bars on the other. He told me that it shouldn't be done, because even though the tires are in theory the same size, they tread would make a difference. I don't have anything to back up this theory, but that is what I was told not to do. I would love to be able to run turfs in front and bars in the rear, but I don't want to risk damage to the tractor. I guess that in 2 wheel drive, it wouldn't matter, but 4 wheel is where it would count.

 

[jpalasek]

Just bought a BX23 here in Maryland 2 weeks ago. 14,500
I bought a ZD28 from him last year so he said he was giving me a deal. MIne came with turf tires. He said if I want extra tires about $300 but try the turf first. He said he can get me some in 3 days if I want Bar tires. Will get chains to plow. Wait and see what works best. Why have 4 tires sitting around if you don't need them. I bought it from Frederick Kubota. Give them a call. Mybe a better price.

 

[Junkman]

Is that $14500 figure include the MMM deck? That can be a $1500 - $1800 difference.

 

[SeymourBota]

that might be an issue if you were running in 4wd with no slippage, as on blacktop, but for use in snow and mud, there is not enough difference in tire diameter to create bind in the drivetrain.
The front tires spin at 4+ times the rate of the rears, so they would wear faster anyway, and there goes your diameter match!!!

 

[bandit67]

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.

 

[aardvark]

I just took delivery of my BX23 last thursday, the day before Hurricane Frances hit Florida. I've been very happy with the traction on the bar tires so far, although they do mark the ground pretty well when it's wet. The ground around my place is very wet right now, had 8" of standing water in a few places. On the dry dirt and grass the bar tires haven't made any really noticable marks. With the bucket full to capacity, turning the front tires at a standstill marks the dry ground, but well, it's got about 500 lbs in the bucket, so the marking seems reasonable to me in that situation.

I paid $16300 for the machine with the 50 hr filters and a 60" deck ($15k machine, $1300 deck, filters free). I also bought the Kubota insurance which I think was $470-ish, but has a $250 deductible over the three years of financing.

The BX23 has been a lifesaver so far clearing out all the damage to the yard, I really love it. Have 9.7 hours on it now.

 

[SeymourBota]

Interesting. Two dealers in my area said it wouldn't be a problem.
I'm not running it that way very much- mostly for winter snowblower work and there is more slippage required from turning corners in 4wd than there would ever be from diameter differences.
The tractor would never show up at a dealership for service with mismatched tires!!!!

 

[jmwest]

Patrick,
I have a friend who lives near Staunton, VA and he was just telling me that Staunton Tractor (Kubota dealer) beats anyones prices on Kubota's. His father-in-law owns a farm and has checked prices recently on compact tractors and has found this to be true. It might be worth a call to get a price. It's also a pretty drive from Richmond. The phone number is on their website at www.stauntontractor.com. I may even be driving in from Nashville to purchase a BX2230 from there.
Hope this helps.