buying a tractor 1st timer
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Gatorboy
Elite Member
- Joined
- Aug 5, 2001
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- 3,138
- Location
- Bel Air, MD
- Tractor
- Kubota M8950, Bobcat 873 SSL & Kubota ZD-331
Welcome to TBN.
You probably should have posted this into the Kubota forum seeing that you are really trying to get opinions of the BX23. Your question is pretty vague, for when asking for how it ranks, you are not specifying what to rank it against -- what is your intended use for your tractor?
For example, if you asked how does Derek Jeter rank among other baseball players? If you are talking about hitting and fielding, he would rank very high, but if you really wanted to know how he ranked as a pitcher, he would be near the bottom.
You probably should have posted this into the Kubota forum seeing that you are really trying to get opinions of the BX23. Your question is pretty vague, for when asking for how it ranks, you are not specifying what to rank it against -- what is your intended use for your tractor?
For example, if you asked how does Derek Jeter rank among other baseball players? If you are talking about hitting and fielding, he would rank very high, but if you really wanted to know how he ranked as a pitcher, he would be near the bottom.
Spiffy
Veteran Member
Expanding on what Gatorboy is saying:
This site is quite well cross read, but many people are so busy they only read a few specific forums.
So if you're serious about the BX23 or the Kubota dealer, no doubt the 'Bota guys will have great input.
Else for the other half of the question I think you're asking: could you post your other possible dealers in this thread? Better yet, anything else catch your eye?
Never hurts to get a location and some more info in your profile too. Ground conditions vary for some effect, but more important you may discover a neighbor who can give you a real test drive.
Welcome and Good Luck! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
This site is quite well cross read, but many people are so busy they only read a few specific forums.
So if you're serious about the BX23 or the Kubota dealer, no doubt the 'Bota guys will have great input.
Else for the other half of the question I think you're asking: could you post your other possible dealers in this thread? Better yet, anything else catch your eye?
Never hurts to get a location and some more info in your profile too. Ground conditions vary for some effect, but more important you may discover a neighbor who can give you a real test drive.
Welcome and Good Luck! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Bird
Rest in Peace
I moved this thread from the general Buying forum.
HomeBrew2
Banned
Straying from the previous trains of thought, I have one and love it. Everything in my locale was higher priced ... I had the money, just no intention of spending it. I never even sat on it till the delivery driver left ... didn't do any comparisons (other than price by phone). I needed a tractor and told them I wanted it today and gave them a check and my address. Had 'em deliver 4 implements at the same time. That was 8 months and 250 hours ago. I like it and am impressed by it more each hour that clicks by.
Here's what I don't like about it:
It's not a 10,000# dozer
It's not a 20,000# track hoe
It's not a 6 wheel motor grader
It's not a paddlewheel scraper
It's not a 3 mast, 4 ton fork lift
But, for $18K with 4 implements, it does what I REALLY need to do. Plus it fits on my back patio and keeps me company at night.
If you have any specific questions, I, and I'm sure all the other BX owners, would be happy to answer them.
Cheers!
Here's what I don't like about it:
It's not a 10,000# dozer
It's not a 20,000# track hoe
It's not a 6 wheel motor grader
It's not a paddlewheel scraper
It's not a 3 mast, 4 ton fork lift
But, for $18K with 4 implements, it does what I REALLY need to do. Plus it fits on my back patio and keeps me company at night.
If you have any specific questions, I, and I'm sure all the other BX owners, would be happy to answer them.
Cheers!
Volfandt
Veteran Member
This is a copy of a reply I posted on this same subject before.
I've got a little over 74hrs on a BX23 and it has done everything I've tasked it to do & more. I nearly went for a bigger machine but since I primarily mow 2.5 acres and to a lesser extent dig and/or move material, the BX23 was the right size for me.
The BX was the 1st in class of the SubCuts. The JD 2210, MF2300, CUB 5XXX series & NH (I forget the model) were introduced later to compete against it. They all are within specs of each other with one or another have a slightly better spec in a particular category. All are worthy of a checkout also.
Some info on the BX23.
As you know, it is a factory TLB (tractor, loader, backhoe) and it is basically a modified BX2230 with the frame being beefed up to accommodate these implements as well as additional hydraulics to accommodate the BH. The 22 HP engine is more than enough to power it and the threadle foot control HST and power steering is effortless to operate.
The FEL could stand to be bigger but will lift, carry & dump it's rated load capacity of around 460lbs all day long. It can be mounted / dismounted from the tractor without any tools in a few minutes. I keep mine dismounted when I mow as it is so very easy to remount when needed.
The BH has a 6' reach and a 6' digging depth. I have the 10" bucket and Kubota offers an optional 12" too. Some folks have installed a 16" and it handles it OK. I've used the BH for digging out roots, small saplings, transplanting, digging out a small pond and other general digging chores and my back has yet to be strained :^). While it has a small bite, it will dig it's little heart out for you all day long and do it again the next day & the next day etc etc etc. It to is mounted & dismounted w/o any tools and it takes a little longer than the FEL, around 4 minutes or so. I keep it dismounted most of the time also and I built a little dolly so I can roll it around and out of the way when I store it in the shop. It's hard to cost justify a BH unless you work it allot. In my case, it's there when I need it and that’s justification enough for me. ;^)
I have the fully floating 60" MMM and the cut is as good or better than any lawn tractor I've ever owned. The diesel coupled with the heavy deck also makes it the quietest mower I've ever owned too. The 60" sticks out beyond the wheels far enough which makes mowing in next to trees & shrubbery much easier and also cuts down on the turning radius. The 60" MMM has a self balancer built in which helps to keep the cut even. I've heard other folk’s remark on how well their 54" MMM cuts so if space is a concern a 54" cuts well also.
As I've mentioned before, the power steering & footcontrolled HST makes operation effortless, enough said!
The 3PH is rated at Cat1 but is considered a "limited" Cat1 because of the height of the tractor. While the tractor can hook up to and lift most std Cat1 implements, it won’t lift them high enough to clear the ground because the short rear wheels aren't tall enough. Hence one needs to shop for 3PH implements made specifically for SubCuts. They are readily available at just about all tractor parts supply stores.
You can have the MMM, BH & FEL mounted and working at the same time n a BX23 but since the FEL & BH adds nearly 1000lbs to the weight of the tractor, I remove them to keep the tractor light for mowing.
Some benefits of keeping it light for mowing is less mashing down of the grass, ability to fit in very tight places and outstanding fuel economy. It generally takes a little over a 1/4 tank of fuel (it holds 5.5 gals) to mow 2.5 acres. Conversely it used to take my 23hp gasoline lawn tractor w/a 48" cut all of it's rated 2.1 gals to mow the same area. That’s about double the MPG.
All in all, the BX23 is the choice if mowing is primary w/TLB work being 2nd'ary. If TLB work is primary w/mowing being 2nd'ary I'd look into a B7510 or B7610 w/the FEL & BH as they will have double the ground clearance and quite a bit more digging and carrying power.
The BX series is manufactured just outside of Atlanta GA. The engine & HST are made in Japan and shipped there while the rest of the tractor is made & assembled in GA. All the implements are made there also.
There is plenty of info on the BX series of tractors here on tractorbynet. Do a search on the Kubota owner’s forum for the BX22 and/or BX23. The info's there.
Good luck
Volfandt
I've got a little over 74hrs on a BX23 and it has done everything I've tasked it to do & more. I nearly went for a bigger machine but since I primarily mow 2.5 acres and to a lesser extent dig and/or move material, the BX23 was the right size for me.
The BX was the 1st in class of the SubCuts. The JD 2210, MF2300, CUB 5XXX series & NH (I forget the model) were introduced later to compete against it. They all are within specs of each other with one or another have a slightly better spec in a particular category. All are worthy of a checkout also.
Some info on the BX23.
As you know, it is a factory TLB (tractor, loader, backhoe) and it is basically a modified BX2230 with the frame being beefed up to accommodate these implements as well as additional hydraulics to accommodate the BH. The 22 HP engine is more than enough to power it and the threadle foot control HST and power steering is effortless to operate.
The FEL could stand to be bigger but will lift, carry & dump it's rated load capacity of around 460lbs all day long. It can be mounted / dismounted from the tractor without any tools in a few minutes. I keep mine dismounted when I mow as it is so very easy to remount when needed.
The BH has a 6' reach and a 6' digging depth. I have the 10" bucket and Kubota offers an optional 12" too. Some folks have installed a 16" and it handles it OK. I've used the BH for digging out roots, small saplings, transplanting, digging out a small pond and other general digging chores and my back has yet to be strained :^). While it has a small bite, it will dig it's little heart out for you all day long and do it again the next day & the next day etc etc etc. It to is mounted & dismounted w/o any tools and it takes a little longer than the FEL, around 4 minutes or so. I keep it dismounted most of the time also and I built a little dolly so I can roll it around and out of the way when I store it in the shop. It's hard to cost justify a BH unless you work it allot. In my case, it's there when I need it and that’s justification enough for me. ;^)
I have the fully floating 60" MMM and the cut is as good or better than any lawn tractor I've ever owned. The diesel coupled with the heavy deck also makes it the quietest mower I've ever owned too. The 60" sticks out beyond the wheels far enough which makes mowing in next to trees & shrubbery much easier and also cuts down on the turning radius. The 60" MMM has a self balancer built in which helps to keep the cut even. I've heard other folk’s remark on how well their 54" MMM cuts so if space is a concern a 54" cuts well also.
As I've mentioned before, the power steering & footcontrolled HST makes operation effortless, enough said!
The 3PH is rated at Cat1 but is considered a "limited" Cat1 because of the height of the tractor. While the tractor can hook up to and lift most std Cat1 implements, it won’t lift them high enough to clear the ground because the short rear wheels aren't tall enough. Hence one needs to shop for 3PH implements made specifically for SubCuts. They are readily available at just about all tractor parts supply stores.
You can have the MMM, BH & FEL mounted and working at the same time n a BX23 but since the FEL & BH adds nearly 1000lbs to the weight of the tractor, I remove them to keep the tractor light for mowing.
Some benefits of keeping it light for mowing is less mashing down of the grass, ability to fit in very tight places and outstanding fuel economy. It generally takes a little over a 1/4 tank of fuel (it holds 5.5 gals) to mow 2.5 acres. Conversely it used to take my 23hp gasoline lawn tractor w/a 48" cut all of it's rated 2.1 gals to mow the same area. That’s about double the MPG.
All in all, the BX23 is the choice if mowing is primary w/TLB work being 2nd'ary. If TLB work is primary w/mowing being 2nd'ary I'd look into a B7510 or B7610 w/the FEL & BH as they will have double the ground clearance and quite a bit more digging and carrying power.
The BX series is manufactured just outside of Atlanta GA. The engine & HST are made in Japan and shipped there while the rest of the tractor is made & assembled in GA. All the implements are made there also.
There is plenty of info on the BX series of tractors here on tractorbynet. Do a search on the Kubota owner’s forum for the BX22 and/or BX23. The info's there.
Good luck
Volfandt
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LBrown59
Super Star Member
- Joined
- Oct 27, 2004
- Messages
- 16,831
- Tractor
- 2003 Kubota BX1500/2004 Kubota Bx23/2005 Kubota BX1500
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Im looking to buy a new Kubota BX23. How does this brand rank against the other brands and this model against the others. Does anyone out there own this tractor and have some feedback for me, either good or bad. )</font>
what did you decide on???
what did you decide on???