BX 23 and power questions

[Code54]

Today we were at the dealer looking at B7610's and he showed me the BX again. He really feels it would be the best machine for my use (cutting 2-2.5 acres, moving gravel for the driveway, mulch and some dirt). He said I will notice a good deal less power than with the 7610 and on steep hills it will be slow or could have problems if the bucket is loaded. Do you see this as being true and has anyone had any concerns with power. Also can the front end loader lift a full bucket of gravel when working on a drive way? I really like the 7610 but i am also thinking about a BX but am very concerned with the power comments. Oh - one more thing - which would be most stable on hills, a BX23 or a 7610( wheels all the way out) ??Thanks

 

[HomeBrew2]

I'm more than satisfied with my BX23. I don't have a real steep hills though ... don't know if you do either. During winter, I was able to scoop and move extremely heavy wet clay with no probs at all. Really, I've yet to find anything that it won't do with the stock bucket and appropriately sized implements. I probably bush hogged 3 acres this year with a 4' cutter.
One comment though. The bucket is only 4' wide. Don't know how big the other one you were looking at was. I bought a dump trailer to haul gravel a few hundred yards from a stockpile so I wouldn't be making so many trips with the BX. I''l be using the trailer for many more dirt moving and brush clearing jobs too.
Cheers!

 

[Code54]

Thanks Homebrew2. I am glad to hear you have no problems and I am really interested in what people think. I am just scared that the dealer says it is underpowered. Now he may have a reason to that I don't know but......

 

[HomeBrew2]

You're quite welcome Code54. You can sample some of the undelievable stuff some of us have done with the BX ... I just can't remember a time when someone complained about lack of power. For sure it has limitations. It is one of the smallest TLB's made. It has been referred to as a "lawn tractor on steroids" which I consider a downright insult!!! On it's worst day, it is a "lawn tractor on PCP". A couple words of caution: Unless you're going to drive it to the store for more beer, high range is worthless. And, if the parking brake is set, even slightly (which ALL of us BX owners have done numerous times because it doesn't actually lock the machine), it is a total slug and incapable of doing much at all in motion.
Cheers!

 

[Junkman]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( ................. Also can the front end loader lift a full bucket of gravel when working on a drive way? )</font>

I have attempted to lift a full bucket of stone mixed with stone dust, and the BX couldn't lift it if I had pushed into the pile sufficiently to grab a full bucket load. It will do it with loam and other materials. I believe that to be fair to the machine, you have to know the weight of a cubic foot of the material that you intend to lift. If it is extremely dense, like my stone dust/stone mixture, you will need to take smaller loads. If it is light and fluffy like a freshly delivered load of loam, you will have no problem. I have also lifted and transported large boulders in my bucket that made the front tires look like they were going to burst any moment. I wasn't able to lift it very high, but it was high enough to transport to where I wanted it. The BX is a fine machine, but it does have its limitations. You wouldn't buy a 1/2 ton truck to do the work of a 1 ton truck. Keep that in mind when you are considering a tractor. Will the tractor do what you want within the limitations of its size. For me the BX is properly sized for 90% of what I want to do. For the other 10% I get help. I personally wouldn't spend a lot more for a tractor to do that additional 10%.

 

[Berniep]

I just spread 10 tons of gravel on a driveway and I didn't have any problem lifting a bucket full. High range won't pull you up much of a hill but I haven't had any problems in low range. I have read where others mow in high range just fine. As far as being stable on hills, you might ask the dealer to bring it out so you can try it out on your hills. Better yet let him drive it first that way if they are too steep he gets to ride it over /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
From your description of your needs it seems like the BX will fit your needs
That said, I learned a long time ago that you will always want more power. This applies to boats, cars, trucks, motorcycles, tractors, airplanes and politics so it's best to buy the most you can afford to start with

 

[graybeard451]

<<Today we were at the dealer looking at B7610's and he showed me the BX again. He really feels it would be the best machine for my use (cutting 2-2.5 acres, moving gravel for the driveway, mulch and some dirt). >>

I've never used a B7610 but I've had my BX 23 about one year. If you are mowing around trees the size of the BX is perfect. I moved over 20 tons of gravel and leveled a driveway in a hour or two (see photo section). Yes, I would think a larger tractor would do many of the jobs I do quicker but then it would be too big for mowing around the trees. A few weeks ago I decided to level this mound I've been mowing around. It had a large old stump and a couple of rocks sticking up. I ended up with a hole you could loose a full sized van in. I pulled out enough rocks to fill two full sized pickups and two rocks the size of a sub-compact car that I wasn't pulling out. I did dig around them, rolled the egg shaped rocks on their side and re-filled the hole. Including taking off the back-hoe, putting on the rake to finish grade, I had 12 to 13 hours of seat time. It did everything I asked, just slower than a bigger tractor. However I don't wish I had bought larger, it seems the right size for what I do. Heavy work you would use low range on any tractor, I think, not only for power but for safety. Just my .02 cents Richard

 

[jim_wilson]

What kind of dump trailer did you end up getting? Was this a dump trailer to be hauled behind the BX23 or with another vehicle? I ask because I have been thinking of the same thing - a dump trailer would make for much less trips than hauling everything in the FEL bucket. Got any pics?

 

[HomeBrew2]

Jim, attached is a pic of the type of trailer I'm getting. Unfortunately, it was supposed to be ready yesterday but wasn't. I wanted something I could use as a highway trailer too. It is 5' x 10', elec/hyd pump, 7K GVW, elec brakes, large battery/tool box on tongue, ~$3300. I don't really plan to pull it with my BX cuz I have an old Dodge Ramcharger "ranch vehicle" that loves that kind of work /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
I had them put some D rings inside so I can trailer my BX if necessary.

 

[Montana_Jack]

I have spent many hours on different forums researching ZTRs. I have about 1/2 acre of manicured lawn to maintain and about 8 acres of meadow to mow. The meadow has grades up to 25*. I narrowed my choice of ZTrs to Hustler & Kubota, specifically the ZD21 pro. I had several dealings with the Kubota dealer so went there first. He explained a ZTR would not be the best machine for me due to the grade of my slope. He suggested a BX2230. I already have an M5700 & didn't think I need another tractor, but the ZTR was two wheel drive & he said I would need 4 wheel drive for the slopes. He then demo'd the BX climbing a slope at least 25*, with the last few feet probably closer to 30*. The little BX climbed straight up, spun it's wheels a(turf tires) a little at the top, backed off a little and then climbed over the top. I couldn't believe what I saw & bought the tractor on the spot. It was amazing.