Buying a BX2370-1, I have Questions PLEASE.

[dfran1]

Hi,
I currently have a craftsman 1986 20 HP OAN engine, with dozer blade, dual 50 LB wheel weights, tire chains, and ~75 LB weight on back, besides my 200 LB arse.

It has served me well thru the years but for the past 12 years in my new house it just can not keep up with snow, I am tired of fixing broken parts due to me pushing more snow than it can handle.

It also does not cut like new mowers, my wife saw me this last storm fighting with the snow and she actually suggested I get a Kubota.

So I spent time reading but some questions (or thoughts, feelings, or??) I have, please bear with me......

I was going to go with a front snow blower attachment but my brother and the dealer said it just overkill for my area and a plow blade will do fine. So this is what I want to order tomorrow at my dealer.....

BX2370-1
Turf Tires
54-inch Fine Cut Finishing Mower Deck
FEL (front end loader)
BALLAST BOX
Kubota-designed Loader Quick Hitch (to make things very simple, I hope)
60" STRAIGHT BLADE
Hard heated cab (cause I hate the cold, and my back does to)
rear-- bar or industrial tires and rims for snow (I forgot what the dealer said was better)
My dealer is going to add left and right hydraulics on the blade for me (he thinks, I will know if he can tommorow)

Now the questions for you all......
1. These do come with force down on the bucket I think you all call it 4 valve not 3 (sorry for any of my newbie ness)
2. Will my dealer add another stick or ?? for the left / right or just take the tilt up and down (sorry for any of my newbie ness)
3. Will the cab be enough weight or do I still need that BALLAST BOX for weight and what do I fill it with and how much??
4. Is maintanence hard on this ?? (I did it for all my equipment but I never owned a diesel or hydraulic anything??
5. Do I need a blue gas can for diesel ? and any diesel at any station or is some brand better for this??
6. I want this in my attached garage, will it stink me out??
7. Do I need wheel spacers (I read this from time to time in here)?
8. Is the extended warranty worth getting (its only 2 more years so I think not)
9. Anything else I forgot to ask, please, please advise??

Sorry for any newbie question, this is a major purchase especially for the price, I just need reassurance on my decision.
Thank You all!!

 

[bp fick]

Hi,
I currently have a craftsman 1986 20 HP OAN engine, with dozer blade, dual 50 LB wheel weights, tire chains, and ~75 LB weight on back, besides my 200 LB arse.

It has served me well thru the years but for the past 12 years in my new house it just can not keep up with snow, I am tired of fixing broken parts due to me pushing more snow than it can handle.

It also does not cut like new mowers, my wife saw me this last storm fighting with the snow and she actually suggested I get a Kubota.

So I spent time reading but some questions (or thoughts, feelings, or??) I have, please bear with me......

I was going to go with a front snow blower attachment but my brother and the dealer said it just overkill for my area and a plow blade will do fine. So this is what I want to order tomorrow at my dealer.....

BX2370-1
Turf Tires
54-inch Fine Cut Finishing Mower Deck
FEL (front end loader)
BALLAST BOX
Kubota-designed Loader Quick Hitch (to make things very simple, I hope)
60" STRAIGHT BLADE
Hard heated cab (cause I hate the cold, and my back does to)
rear-- bar or industrial tires and rims for snow (I forgot what the dealer said was better)
My dealer is going to add left and right hydraulics on the blade for me (he thinks, I will know if he can tommorow)

Now the questions for you all......
1. These do come with force down on the bucket I think you all call it 4 valve not 3 (sorry for any of my newbie ness)
Yes, you can apply down force enough to do some light digging, but it isn't a backhoe, of course. It will be enough down force to lift the tractor.

2. Will my dealer add another stick or ?? for the left / right or just take the tilt up and down (sorry for any of my newbie ness)

You use the one "stick" for both the front blade and the FEL and the same valve kit.
3. Will the cab be enough weight or do I still need that BALLAST BOX for weight and what do I fill it with and how much??
I'd rather own an implement to put on the back for counter weight myself.

4. Is maintanence hard on this ?? (I did it for all my equipment but I never owned a diesel or hydraulic anything??
Straight forward and there are GREAT threads with photos and everything, to walk you right through the 50 hour.
5. Do I need a blue gas can for diesel ? and any diesel at any station or is some brand better for this??
Yes, and yes to any good filling station. These BX's sip fuel so you won't go that much.
6. I want this in my attached garage, will it stink me out??
Not a problem
7. Do I need wheel spacers (I read this from time to time in here)?
I don't have them and haven't felt the need. You may have much more hilly property than I.

8. Is the extended warranty worth getting (its only 2 more years so I think not)
I don't buy such things. Do what you feel comfortable with.
9. Anything else I forgot to ask, please, please advise??
You're gonna love this thing.

Sorry for any newbie question, this is a major purchase especially for the price, I just need reassurance on my decision.
Thank You all!!

And welcome to TBN

 

[dfran1]

And welcome to TBN

Thank You, This forum has the kindest people on earth from what I have been reading so far!!

 

[peterc38]

BP Fick gave a lot of good advice, but I don't agree with your brother or the dealer regarding the snowblower. You guys get enough snow there to justify it IMO.

 

[craiga45]

Thank You, This forum has the kindest people on earth from what I have been reading so far!!

Get the snowblower. I bought my BX2370 a year ago. I have turf tires and the rears are loaded. Traction with 4WD in the snow is great. You will like the results you will get with the snowblower.

 

[Scrambler82]

A blade has a tendency to push smaller tractors sideways and I wouldnt get one.
I lived in MA for 65 years and when I got my tractor my plan was to get the snow blower.
Yanmar was having troubles with their snow blowers at the time and by the time they got it straighten out I had used my FEL and found it to be the way to move the snow in the northeast.
If I had stayed in the area I probably would have purchased a snow blower but never a blade.

Oh Ya Deisel cans are yellow or even green, water is blue... don't get them mixed up and add a sticker or opening label for diesel only.

 

[bp fick]

Blue is Kerosene here. Same as Diesel #1. Yellow is good for diesel. I've got both. No issues.

 

[rbarker]

The difference between your Craftsman and the BX is substantial, you will love it! I'm not sure how someone could say a snowblower in Mass is overkill with the winter we're having. The cab will be nice for sure but measure your garage clearance first to make sure it fits height wise. Also, my experience is that the turf tires are just fine in snow so I wouldn't bother with the bar tires you mentioned. For the same money as the ballast box you can get a rear blade that will add functionality instead of just hanging there. I bought the ballast box a dozen years ago with my first BX and I don't think it's been on the tractor more than once. Consider a block heater for those zero and below days. Not mandatory but handy. I also filter all my fuel through a Mr. Funnel. You can get them at Tractor Supply for under $20. My last piece of advice is to look at the Kubota insurance which pays for loss due to accident, loss, or theft. It may be required if you finance the tractor (0% interest may make sense even if you have the cash).

Good luck and let us know how you made out.

Sent from my iPad using TractorByNet

 

[PoorPlowboy]

An aftermarket cab sometimes makes routine maintenance more difficult depending on how well it is engineered. I had a Curtis Cab on a machine a few years back and was not happy. An OEM cab seems to be better designed and integrated.

Yellow can is the legal transport method for diesel fuel. Blue is kerosene, light blue or black is water, and red is gasoline of course.

The dealer is looking into how many hydraulic remote valves he can install to give you the extra functions on the front blade.

Wheel spacers aren't required on mostly level ground but greatly enhance stability on slopes especially when using the front loader.

It will not stink you out of the garage if you don't idle/warmup there. Fire it up and drive it outdoors for the warmup cycle. Even better is to gently use it to bring it up to temperature if its very cold.

My dealer actually recommends against the extended warranty if you're financing with Kubota and buying KTAC insurance as part of the loan. It will cover just about catastrophic failures and accidents. Genuine warranty claims on faulty parts or workmanship are very low. I would wager Kubota has some of the lowest numbers of warranty claims in the industry. The KTAC insurance has a much lower standard of proof for service as well. To make a claim on an extended warranty, you may be asked to provide receipts for genuine Kubota routine maintenance items such as fluids and filters. KTAC is more interested in protecting their investment and resale value in case of an unfortunate repossession, etc.

On the ballast box question, more weight is ALWAYS a benefit when pushing snow or dirt. You can always add it later if you find yourself slipping the tires more than you would like.

If it is a MFWD or 4x4 tractor you're looking at, all 4 tires will be of the same tread type. Both turf and r4 industrials are good for pushing snow, while the turfs might actually provide a bit more traction in snow. R4 industrial will be more versatile on varied terrains and dirt. R1 agricultural tires are max traction on soil, but wear quickly on pavement.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

:welcome: :thumbsup: You'll wonder why you didn't buy this tractor years ago.
You've rec'd a lot of good advise and I'll add the weight box has never made sense to me. I'd use the money to buy a boxblade which will have many uses and provide the needed weight on the rear for fel work..
Search here on TBN Owning and Operating for the Do your own 50 hour service on a BX thread or maybe someone will bump it for you and maybe others that haven't seen it.

 

[dfran1]

I want to first THANK YOU ALL!!

I really do think very highly of all your opinions and thought about them all night.

I am going to eliminate the spare snow tires the dealer has suggested and maybe the weight box and ask him for a price on the back blade, but I am trying to stick with compact due to space limitations, anything else to get for the back, more compact maybe??.

On the snowblower, I live in southern ma near cape and we normally do not get snow like this winter at all, BUT my other dilemma is storage of the entire front bucket FEL. I am going to barely get the tractor in the garage, never mind store the arms for the FEL, I do not see having room at all, sheds are out of the question and I like to store my stuff inside, no corrosion, ect..
BUT I really did consider the snowblower, but that is what the FEL is for and the quick connect for the plow and bucket so the arms stay on the tractor at all times. I do wish I could store it but there is no way I have room for the tractor and FEL with arms, I could stand it up (I think) but I already have back issues so the less stress on that the better, that is why the quick connect for FEL and plow.
Thank You BUT please keep em coming.

 

[Oldironken]

I just ordered a 2370-1 myself and expect to take delivery in early April. Along with the FEL and 54" mower the front mount snowblower was a must. In my situation a snowplow just would not work, i would run out of places to put snow after 2 storms. I've been using a heavy duty 24" 8 hp Simplicity snow thrower for 18 years to get the snow away from the driveway and sidewalks, it has been a great solution for me. Since we plan on retiring here and dying in this house at the ripe old age of 97 or so, we figured i'd better upgrade the equipment now. I'm completely confident the BX will be passed on to my heirs and i'll get 40 years out of it. My family is still running the Kubota we bought in 1978.

 

[ustobefarmer]

I got my 2370-1 last week. I got the FEL, 60" mmm, 50" rear blade and 50" tiller with the R4 tires. I would think twice about getting the fine finish cut mower the reviews that I have read were not very good. The say that it does not do a very nice job on the lawn. Do you think you need the FEL? Its my understanding that you have to remove it to put the front blade on. Maybe someone else can verify this. Good luck in your decision. Can't wait to use my tractor.

 

[bp fick]

A snow blower with cab is pretty nifty. But while they are the bee's knees, a blade also works, as you yourself have managed with the Craftsman setup all these years. A BX with snowblade is a different creature altogether. The weight, the power, the 4 wheel drive, etc all combine to push snow like nobody's business. I live up here where snow is 100" a year on average and I enjoy pushing it. The machines does very, very well, if you have the room to push the snow back far, far out of the way in the early season, which I do.

Not trying to talk you out of a blower/cab. Not at all. Merely to say hundreds of us in true snow country push snow successfully. We don't have a small fortune in the setup either, but that's another issue altogether.

 

[dfran1]

Well I mowed it over quite a bit today.

Again a snowblower and loader would be extremely tight or not fit at all in the garage soo....

I looked into the fine cut deck.......
I did find some great info, but absolutely no evidence of it being not good, matter in fact the few that owned it (one or 2 actually had both kinds or tried them) said they liked the fine cut better, BUT what I did read is that it forces the grass up and out more than the standard and that is exactly what I need and wanted. (assuming what I read is correct)

Thank you bp fick, that was what I was assuming, and yes I do have enough room to push it back.

I still want to thank you all for some great input!!

I went with what I originally thought,
*BX2370-1 With turf tires
*54" fine cut mower MMM (mid mount mower)
*Loader Quick Hitch (this is for the loader and plow, for very easy switching)
*FEL (front end loader)
*60" Blade
*Dealer installed hydraulics for 60" Blade angle adjustment (with added control for it, they are still poking at what way they want to install for me)
*Ballast box (yah I know put something else in the rear, but I could not think of any and my storage problem)
*All 4 tires of R4 for winter or if needed at other times
*Curtis Heated Hard Cab with front wiper and
-rear wiper
-switch panel / fuse block
-front and a rear work lights
-strobe
-defroster fan (and summer)
-side view mirror kit
-interior dome light


They gave me $800 for my craftsman wow, very happy with this.

I am happy with this so now its the wait. Now I need to find these maintenance threads some mentioned here.

Please don't let my decision stop you all from posting, your thoughts are very well taken in and I am still very interested what you all would have done, by me and many others that will read this.......

 

[rbarker]

Well I mowed it over quite a bit today. Again a snowblower and loader would be extremely tight or not fit at all in the garage soo.... I looked into the fine cut deck....... I did find some great info, but absolutely no evidence of it being not good, matter in fact the few that owned it (one or 2 actually had both kinds or tried them) said they liked the fine cut better, BUT what I did read is that it forces the grass up and out more than the standard and that is exactly what I need and wanted. (assuming what I read is correct) Thank you bp fick, that was what I was assuming, and yes I do have enough room to push it back. I still want to thank you all for some great input!! I went with what I originally thought, *BX2370-1 With turf tires *54" fine cut mower MMM (mid mount mower) *Loader Quick Hitch (this is for the loader and plow, for very easy switching) *FEL (front end loader) *60" Blade *Dealer installed hydraulics for 60" Blade angle adjustment (with added control for it, they are still poking at what way they want to install for me) *Ballast box (yah I know put something else in the rear, but I could not think of any and my storage problem) *All 4 tires of R4 for winter or if needed at other times *Curtis Heated Hard Cab with front wiper and -rear wiper -switch panel / fuse block -front and a rear work lights -strobe -defroster fan (and summer) -side view mirror kit -interior dome light They gave me $800 for my craftsman wow, very happy with this. I am happy with this so now its the wait. Now I need to find these maintenance threads some mentioned here. Please don't let my decision stop you all from posting, your thoughts are very well taken in and I am still very interested what you all would have done, by me and many others that will read this.......

Well in the end there is no right or wrong answer, only what works best for you. Your new BX is well set up and will handle everything you said you were looking to accomplish. Good luck with it and don't forget to post some pictures!

Sent from my iPad using TractorByNet

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Once you've made a decision and ordered or bought what you decide is best for you after input from others.......well other than congratulations there's not much need for further input other than from naysayers. :thumbsup:
Congratulations! You've ordered the perfect machine and implements for you and couldn't have done a better job.:thumbsup:
I'll try and find the BX 50 hour service it yourself thread and bump it for you.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

It's over in the Kubota Owners and operating forum here..........http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-owning-operating/

 

[Oldironken]

Nice, you are going to be begging for snow next winter just so you can go out and move it around the yard, and your neighbors yard as well. :thumbsup:

 

[Baby Grand]

Where you live, the only way the front snow thrower can be construed as overkill is if your brother appears at your place at the start of every snowstorm and shovels until you're all cleared out and the snow has stopped falling. With the snow this year, plowing stopped being an option (at least for me) after the second or third storm.