Buying my first Kubota - education needed!

[coryfavre]

Good afternoon everyone!

I will be buying a BX2380 very soon - with the following build:

54" MMM
LA344 Front Loader
R4 Tires

I will be using this mainly as my primary mower on almost 3 acres of mainly flat ground in Missouri. Also for driveway maintenance and snow removal of 2 driveways. Maybe transporting some fire wood as well

I can't get the 60" deck, won't be able to get around the wife's flower beds/yard decorations etc. So I went with the 54" and I don't need the drive over deck

I have a few questions if everyone doesn't mind.

I will be financing this through my dealer. Do I have to take the extended warranties he quoted me on the tractor and loader? I'd rather take that $1400 and buy another implement honestly. Maybe a rear blade? If I can take that $1400 and spend it on something else, what would you recommend? Quick hitch? Box scraper

Do I buy the Kubota bolt on cutting edge for the loader or is there an aftermarket edge that will be better?

Am I correct in assuming I want to add the 3rd function valve if I want to use the loader as a grapple to move sections of tree trunk? I don't actually know what the rear remote hydraulic valves are, would adding them now be beneficial in any way?

Finally lets talk about weights? I think I'd prefer to add weight as needed for snow removal etc and not fill the back tires. Is that correct? What would be my best bet to accomplish this? Wheel weights? Make a ballast box?

Thanks in advance and I hope I haven't been too annoying with all the questions

 

[jeff9366]

You do not have to buy an extended warranty.

You do need insurance coverage to finance. I have had excellent experience with Kubota's KTAC insurance, which I maintain on my tractor though tractor is paid off.

Few buy a bolt on cutting edge to reinforce the LA344 bucket. Most use the factory bucket "bare". If you want to dig to a limited extent with the Loader, consider a Piranha Tooth Bar, rather than a bolt on cutting edge. (BXEXPANDED also makes snow extensions for FEL bucket.)

LINK: BXpanded Piranha Toothbar


You may want an industrial plastic Snow Edge for your bucket, to prevent gouging driveways clearing snow.

LINK: RATCHET RAKE SNOW EDGE - Google Search



Weight behind the rear axle (on the Three Point Hitch) is more effective, pound for pound, than weight in the rear tires for counterbalancing FEL loads, due to leverage. While I am in the minority, all three of my tractors have had tires inflated with air.

However, for snow traction you may wish to weight the rear wheels. The tires on a BX are so small they do not accept much liquid. I believe you can add more weight with iron wheel weights than through adding liquid. Snow chains are another option.

Grapples on a subcompact tractor are not very effective.
VIDEO: The downside to a skid steer quick coupler - TMT - YouTube

For moving tree trunks fairly short distances, consider <$400 short Three Point Hitch mounted Pallet Forks. The rear axle is much more robust than the front axle. Easy to load a pallet to serve as counterbalance to FEL lifts.

LINK: three point hitch pallet forks - Google Search

You can't drag much weight with a BX and chains. BX has only a two-range HST transmission, which means BX is not geared as low as a heavier tractor with a three-range HST transmission.


IMPLEMENTS: https://www.lsuagcenter.com/~/media...aa214276e14dacb/pub2917tractorimplements1.pdf

Buckeye Tractor Online Catalog - Garden Series Page 01

There is very limited space around a BX Three Point Hitch. Most implements require reduced dimensions to fit and function behind a BX, which has 9" ground clearance. Most implements are designed around 12+" of ground clearance.

There are plenty of implements for subcompact tractors. You just have to purchase reduced dimension implements.

 

[KennyG]

Just a few thoughts, only my opinion.

Extended warranties are, like all insurance, profit centers. If you will be bankrupted by a breakdown, maybe you should consider it. Otherwise pass on it.

You're going to move sections of tree trunks with a BX2380? What is the lift capacity? My tractor will lift about 1100 lbs and a grapple would be waste because any significant log weighs too much. I move small stuff with forks. I think forks are a much better first investment.

I assume you are looking at a cutting edge for the loader for snow or are you looking at a toothed edge for dirt? Plowing snow with a loader gets old real fast. I adapted a snow plow to mine after a few years. Yes, you need weight for snow. I put my box blade on. If I didn't have that, I would get a ballast box. If you are mowing a lot, pass on the filled tires.

 

[coryfavre]

Thanks guys! I'll skip the plans for a grapple and look at forks. Is there any reason to add the 3rd function then?

 

[jeff9366]

Most consider implements for BX are so light that adjusting BX implements manually via Three Point Hitch Top Link and Three Point Hitch adjustable right Lifting Rod, is reasonably easy.

Once implements weigh 600 to 1,200 pounds on heavier tractors, hydraulic adjustment via rear hydraulic ports, a pair for each adjustment desired, may be worthwhile. Rear ports substitute hydraulic adjustment for Three Point Hitch Top Link and Three Point Hitch adjustable right Lifting Rod.

 

[3gunr]

Wou might yyelcome cory favre.I have a farm just north of labelle, are you buying from the farm shop in edina. They have worked on our old massey several times and seem to be good guys. I also think with your list of things to do you might want to look at an L size tractor .

 

[jeff9366]

No mid-PTO for standard L models, therefore no MMM possible. Could consider B2650.

VIDEO: Kubota BX Series VS. B Series - YouTube


Certainly easier to purchase standard dimension implements for a 'B' over the BX.

 

[jeff9366]

Thanks guys! I'll skip the plans for a grapple and look at forks. Is there any reason to add the 3rd function then?

No.

Third function closes grapple maw.

I suggest Three Point Hitch Pallet Forks, not FEL Pallet Forks.

 

[dodge man]

I've had a BX for 10 years and haven't found a need for a 3rd function or a rear remote. A hydraulic rear blade would be a reason for a set of rear remotes. I have bucket forks for mine, but they won't lift a lot of weight but are good for brush and such. I also have a rear blade for snow removal. Look at a company called BX Expanded, they sell a lot of stuff for the BX's.

 

[oldballs]

Here's my thoughts.....I've owned a BX2660 and now own a B2620 and a B2650:

If you can afford it, get a B2650.
I've never had the filled rear tires and got along fine without them....moving lots of rock, gravel, dirt, plowing and tilling and moving snow.
The Piranha Bar is a good attachment.
I've moved a lot of brush/logs and other "stuff" with FEL with/without clamp on forks.
For one initial investment get a Box Blade for general dirt/gravel work, even snow.....and it is good for ballast without buying a "Ballast Box".
If you have any money left over, get a rear Quick Hitch....for more attachments to come.
Cheers,
Mike