BX 2230 vs BX 23

[PondFish]

I'm considering buying a BX model but I've got some questions regarding the differences between the BX 23 and 2230. I was also looking at a used BX 23.

I was quoted a price of $13,500 w/o tax) for a new 2230, 60" deck and LA211 FEL. I like the backhoe option (or the idea of it) on the BX 23 but I was told the BX 23 didn't come from the factory with the mid mount PTO so dropping a mower deck below it would take some reconfiguring it. I was told it could be done but it didn't come from the factor that way.

I'm wondering if it would be better to stick with the BX 2230 then add on the backhoe or try for the BX 23 and and see about putting a deck under it.

Does anyone here have a BX 23 and also use the mid mount mowing deck?

Thanks!

 

[NY_Yankees_Fan]

Pond,

The 60" MMM deck is made to fit the BX23, it is an option, about $1800 BUT will fit and work fine. The BX23 DOES come with a mid PTO standard. I would visit another Kubota dealer who knows what they are talking about.

Search BX22 or BX23 and you will find much info on this topic.

 

[PondFish]

Thanks - He may just be trying to move his old inventory. He didn't actually have a BX 23 to show. There was a few 2230 with FEL and a Woods BH sold as a package.

So the only real difference between the 23 and the 2230 is the 23 comes with the FEL and BH as a standard option?

I'm new to this.. I get more questions after looking at the brochures. This site has been great - thanks again.

 

[NY_Yankees_Fan]

Pond,

The BX23 has has about 300 lbs more weight because of the extra steel on the frame for the backhoe. Other then that they are the same tractor. Now what would happen from a warrenty point of view if you bend the frame on the BX2230 with a Wood hoe? What will Kubota say and will they pay to fix it??? These are questions you need to ask and consider.

Happy reading /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Volfandt]

NY Yankee is right. The BX23 is basically the same tractor as the BX2230 except w/more steel added to beef up the frame for the backhoe. The seat confguration is different also because the BX23's seat pivots to the rear for BH operation. Same engne, HST, sheet metal, contols, same FEL same MMM's etc. I have the 60" MMM on my BX23 but many also go w/the 54" too.

The BX23 comes std w/the BH & FEL as a package. All BX attachments are available as options for the BX23.

The BX23's BH, the BT600, can not be adapted to the BX2230 as it doesn't have the beefed up rear frame for it. The Woods BH is an option for the BX2230 but you'll have much more $$$'s invested in adding it then outrght purchasng the BX23! Plus the BT600 is a Kubota BH engineered specifically for the BX23 tractor, not a universal add-on.

The BX23/2230 has a rear & mid PTO's and they can be engaged independantly or simultanously. One use of running both PTO's simultaniously would be when powering the MMM and rear bagger.

As for ths dealer you spoke with. I'd steer clear of him because if he said the BX23 didn't have a mid PTO then he was either lieing or doesn't know his equipment. And in either case I wouldn't trust hm to service my tractor either!

Go to Kubota.com and check it out.

Volfandt

 

[jim_wilson]

The main differences that I know of between the BX2230 and BX23 are:

- BX23 comes standard with the backhoe attachment - there is no factory Kubota backhoe for the BX2230 - but you can add the Woods
- the frame on the BX23 is beefed up to the tune of about 300 pounds to handle the backhoe - if you look under the floorpan of the BX23 and compare it to the BX2230 you can see some of this reinforcement.
- the BX23 has the hydraulic outlets on the back of the tractor to power the backhoe - a few people have also used these outlets to power top and tilt on the 3pt or other hydraulics on the back of the tractor.
- the BX23 comes with neat looking grillguard that doesnt come standard on the BX2230
- the BX23 seat swivels so you can use it with the backhoe.
- the BX23 has a taller ROPS that folds so you are protected when operating the backhoe. If you add the Woods backhoe to the BX2230 you are stuck inside a the 2230 ROPS which can be confining.
- the FEL on the BX23 has a different part number - but I believe this is simply because the mounts for the BX23 FEL tie into the frame reinforcement for the backhoe - other than that the FEL's are the same.

 

[DannyD]

The 2 are the same, save the backhoe and the extra steel for the backhoe. It is a frame mount, not 3 pt hitch. I traded my 2200, last year model of the 2230, on my bx 23. The only reason I traded MMM for MMM is the warranty and there was no difference in cost for me......nice dealer. Point being, they are exactly the same, and they mount the same.

 

[Junkman]

The other posters are not completely wrong nor are they completely right. The BX23 has a different frame than the BX1830/2230 tractors. It BX22/23 is a completely redesigned frame unit as compared to the BX1800/1830/2200/2230 tractors. The last I heard, the BX23 was still using the older 3 cylinder BX engine whereas the BX2230 is using a new design engine. You can add a block heater to the BX23, but you have to use a in line radiator hose heater on the BX1830/2230. The rest of the tractor is the same for the BX series, except for the BX1500. If you can justify the BX23 price wise, it is the best investment you can make. Many people here have traded up from BX1500/1800/2200, etc to the BX22/23 models just because they found a need for the backhoe that they didn't originally think that they would need. I have no bones to pick with the Woods backhoe, but I wouldn't purchase a Woods to add to a new BX model at purchase time. I would rather have the full Kubota model rather than a add on model. Trade in or resale value will be higher on a complete BX23 than it would be for a BX2230 with the Woods back hoe. Enjoy your new tractor, no matter what you get...... just remember to post pictures....

 

[Will_C]

Do you want a backhoe or not? While Junkman has pointed out the differences betwenn the 2230 and the 23, the only reason to pick one or the other is based on the backhoe question. I will agree that if you do want a backhoe, go ahead and get the 23. The Woods unit is a very nicely designed piece of equipment. There are several things about it that I like better than the Kubota backhoe, but you don't have the extra frame of the 23. I know if I wanted a backhoe, I would certainly trade my BX 2200 on a new BX 23.
Will

 

[gsxr1100]

I agree. It comes down to, do you want the BH for xxxx dollars or not.