Buying my first Kubota - education needed!

[eubie5]

I couldn't find the one by bp fick, but like John, does a good comparison between the BX and B. oldballs also has a good chronicle of how he wound up with what he has. My story/advice so closely follows their I won't bother.

https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums...30-b3200-bx2660-side-side-not.html?highlight=

https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums...ing/147841-bx-just-isnt-b-you.html?highlight=

https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums...224-buying-first-test-tractor.html?highlight=

So, seems like everyone here is a nogo on a small grapple for a bx? I know it couldn't pick up huge logs, but i have acres of smaller logs and branches that i have let lay over the years. That's why I'm looking to get one. And even a larger tree can still be cut up into smaller pieces. EA makes an excellent grapple built just for that size tractor.
Am i crazy to be thinking about doing this?
Tim, from tractor time w/tim has a grapple and i think he uses a JD 1025. He does quite a lot with his grapple.

 

[CobyRupert]

I've checked out the B2650, it was actually the first quote I got. I just don't think I can make it work size wise with some of the things I'm wanting to do at this time.

Right now I think I'm going with this:

3 pt pallet forks
FEL
Rear blade
54" MMM

And maybe switching from the R4 tires, but I have to research that one more.

How much lift can you get using 3 PT pallet forks? Worthwhile?

You not going to like moving snow with a FEL bucket.
You're going to want to have at least 2, maybe 3, rear hydraulic SCV valves if you have a rear blade, unless you don't mind getting off tractor a lot to angle, tilt or offset it.

I don't have a grapple and have been making do with forks. Lately I've been considering a bucket grapple thumb (to mount on the forks). I think this is lightweight, and cheaper, and useful when you just want to lightly hold brush or whatever from rolling off. A good poor man's solution. It does require a third function, or running hoses from the back SCV.

 

[jeff9366]

So, seems like everyone here is a nogo on a small grapple for a BX?

I know it couldn't pick up huge logs, but I have acres of smaller logs and branches that i have let lay over the years. That's A larger tree can still be cut up into smaller pieces. EA makes an excellent grapple built just for that size tractor.

Am i crazy to be thinking about this?

Corral/pile your acres of debris with a Ratchet Rake.

Lift and transport piles of debris to the lift capacity of your FEL on ULTRAFORKS.
You will have considerably more lift capacity with Ultraforks, relative to a very small grapple.

LINK: Multi-Spear Ultra Fork

VIDEO: New Multi Spear Utility Forks by BucketSolutions.com - YouTube

Keep it simple.

 

[PaulL2]

I don't have experience with grapples. But my research would suggest to me that a grapple on a BX is much much better than a rake and picking things up by hand.

If the question is whether a grapple on a bigger tractor could lift more - of course it could. If you're getting a BX and the question is whether a grapple is better than no grapple, I'd have thought the answer is obviously that a grapple is better.

A B2601 doesn't lift much more than a BX, and GP Outdoors lifts a heck of a lot with his. #99 Kubota B261 Compact Tractor and HLA Grapple : It's Grappl'in Time! - YouTube. If a BX lifts half of that it'd still be very very useful.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

I couldn't find the one by bp fick, but like John, does a good comparison between the BX and B. oldballs also has a good chronicle of how he wound up with what he has. My story/advice so closely follows their I won't bother.

https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums...30-b3200-bx2660-side-side-not.html?highlight=

https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums...ing/147841-bx-just-isnt-b-you.html?highlight=

https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums...224-buying-first-test-tractor.html?highlight=

These are good on going posts with lots of good contributions of thoughts/questions by lots of experienced and inexperienced owners/buyers. BP Fick also did a great personal experience write up on the B vs BX question if it can be found. I actually have done the B to BX to B to BX trades several times due to property and needs changes and with a great trading/selling dealer like Barlows the financial hit hasn't always been that bad. My venture from tractors to skid steer back to tractors was a financial disaster though.

 

[nrosario]

If you want the grapple just get it.
Here are the facts:

-You want the grapple
-It seems you can afford it
-A grapple is a nice tool, with good real world applications
-Is a nice toy and an stress reliever
-Just get it

Here is my recommendation

Root Rake Grapple For Kubota BX

Very capable and only 150lb...can't beat that.

 

[Professor Marvel]

Does it come with a QA bucket?
If not I would work that into the new purchase deal. Has to be cheaper than to do it later which is what I did. I bought my tractor used so didn't have that choice at purchase but it was sooo worth it. If you want forks or a snow blade (someone else I think already pointed out how tedious snow removal becomes with a bucket) it is like a 2 minute changeout. Also grapple bucket changeout is the same.
Just my 2 cents. You know your application best. Enjoy your new purchase.
P.S. I have a B2150 that I have owned since new that is a little monster. If my bigger tractors were as tough as the 2150 has been they would be incredible.

 

[nrosario]

Does it come with a QA bucket?
If not I would work that into the new purchase deal. Has to be cheaper than to do it later which is what I did. I bought my tractor used so didn't have that choice at purchase but it was sooo worth it. If you want forks or a snow blade (someone else I think already pointed out how tedious snow removal becomes with a bucket) it is like a 2 minute changeout. Also grapple bucket changeout is the same.
Just my 2 cents. You know your application best. Enjoy your new purchase.
P.S. I have a B2150 that I have owned since new that is a little monster. If my bigger tractors were as tough as the 2150 has been they would be incredible.

SSQA will reduce the lifting capacity, on this particular case I think he should keep the pin-on system.
Or move to a different, more capable equipment

 

[oldballs]

I've never owned a grapple and am not sold on its utility at my place. I'd say that using some model of a pin on fork is the best option. I say this because I really doubt that a grapple will pick up all the debris that I accumulate dropping dead pine trees. I really don't mind lifting my butt out of the seat to load the FEL/pin on forks. Even a dedicated Pallet Fork might even be better....viz..no third function hydraulics.
See these pics of a Kubota "B" model and a "BX" model.

 

[Professor Marvel]

I've never owned a grapple and am not sold on its utility at my place. I'd say that using some model of a pin on fork is the best option. I say this because I really doubt that a grapple will pick up all the debris that I accumulate dropping dead pine trees. I really don't mind lifting my butt out of the seat to load the FEL/pin on forks. Even a dedicated Pallet Fork might even be better....viz..no third function hydraulics.
See these pics of a Kubota "B" model and a "BX" model.View attachment 591593View attachment 591594

View attachment 591595View attachment 591597View attachment 591598

how do you attach the pallet forks on the tractor in the middle picture?