BX "Boulder Holder"

NYTrainer · Jul 14, 2001

BX \"Boulder Holder\"

Photo not meant to try and impress anybody but rather to illustrate the capabilities of the BX. This is for anyone considering a BX and is under the impression that it can do little more than move around mulch. Trescrows has shown similar type photos of his BX as well. BTW, this is one of the smaller rocks that I could get into the bucket. Larger ones were just as easily moved with straps and hooks.
David

r0GuE · Jul 14, 2001

Re: BX \"Boulder Holder\"

NYT:
After 3 loads shoveled by hand in to my little agrofab trailer, I am REALLY wishing I just got the damn loader.
I've been quoted 2300 to add it. I paid 9800 for the BX22 w/ 60". That would bring the total to 12,100. Sound right (ok?).
Do you think it will clean a driveway ok?

Rogue

Bird · Jul 14, 2001

Re: BX \"Boulder Holder\"

Rogue, that sounds about right. They figured the loader on my B2710 at $2,900 two years ago.

Bird

glennmac · Jul 14, 2001

Re: BX \"Boulder Holder\"

Rogue,

I owned a BX. Dont know your situation, but I'll offer a few comments.

I think that price is quite good. I paid about 12,500 for that setup about a year ago. That was about a 12% discount off list.

I wouldnt buy a loader or an expensive anything else on impulse or for just for one, nonrepeatible job. On the other hand, if you have a loader you will almost never again use a wheelbarrow or your agrifab cart ever again. So how many times do you use those? You will also do things with a loader that you cannot possibly do with those devices: digging, backdragging to smooth dirt, removing snow, carrying heavy things, lifting heavy things with chains (safely), etc.

I was so impressed with the abilities of my BX fel that I decided I needed a bigger tractor, so I traded in my BX for a 2910 (which I'm beginning to think is too small). But I have 11 acres, 9 of which was wild.

If you can afford it, particularly if you can add it onto your financing, a fel is a wonderful tool that takes advantage of why you presumably bought the BX in the first place instead of a garden tractor.

RPM · Jul 14, 2001

Re: BX "Boulder Holder"

Rogue,

You may be better off with a back blade for snow / light grading and a dirt scoop on your 3pt hitch for moving loose stuff around. I can't justify the FEL for my BX (don't have enough jobs for it), but I'm thinking about the scoop. They're both around $2 - 300 each if I remember rightly. Lot less than a FEL, although admittedly less cool.

If I went with a FEL then my wife would move the post hole digger and compressor that I want wayyyyy down the list!!!!

Here's a picture of a scoop from Northern's catalog. Bear in mind that these things are usually reversible - can have the scoop pointing either way.

Patrick

TresCrows · Jul 14, 2001

Re: BX \"Boulder Holder\"

David, my photos are not to try to impress either, I just wanted to illustrate what a BX can do as you have. Yes, I have moved large rocks with mine also and it is in the archives that I was told essentially (to condense the concensus) that it could not pick them up and that the tow rating for a trailer was to low to tug them---sooooo--I did it anyway towing more than 3000 lbs of boulders on a skid that plowed the ground as I went--I could have put them all on the skid. (Tow limits are for trailer handling issues and braking--not mechanical power limits). The boulders were to large to go into the bucket and I could not budge them so I used my loader to flip them/roll them--push them onto the skid--it was fun and easy.J
I like your picture. J

NYTrainer · Jul 14, 2001

Re: BX \"Boulder Holder\"

Trescrows,
I posted this in response (although I couldn't find the thread) to the "wimpy" comment regarding the BX & FEL. As we, and other BX'ers know, "wimpy" would have to be a relative term. Sure there are readers with machines that could load two or three times the amount that my photo shows and would wonder why someone would bother posting that photo. You, and a few others here, were instrumental in my tractor decision and I am trying to give useful info to someone who may not be sure what a BX can do. (As you have done so well). There are many people (including dealers) who just assume that it's size does not warrant the term "tractor" and that is certainly a played out subject! Take care.
David

r0GuE · Jul 14, 2001

Re: BX \"Boulder Holder\"

So that goes on the 3PH and can lift?
Thats cool! I would still need a device for plowing snow.
Front blade from kubota or rear cheaper $200-$300 blade?

Rogue

RPM · Jul 14, 2001

Re: BX "Boulder Holder"

Rogue,

I have the LandPride RB1560 - haven't used it in snow yet, but have recently bought the skid shoes for it so I don't tear up the drive (about another $100). I have used it for landscaping - it works very well after a bit of practice. The blade is fairly heavy - 240lbs. I got the blade as part of my original tractor purchase - a compromise - I really wanted a box-blade, but did not want to have to buy another implement for snow-removal.

Picture is below (this is an RB1572 - but the same apart from the width).

The Kubota blade looks a lot lighter - I went for the LandPride because of the heavy duty construction.

I have not yet met anyone that has used a dirt-scoop (in person) - although one or two on the board have said that they used them before getting their FELs. My one concern is that the 3pt on the BX goes low enough for it to run along the ground. I measured the BX and at the bottom of its travel the lower arms are 12" above the ground - now I just need to measure one of those dirt scoops.

FYI - WorkSaver also has a dirt scoop on their site ...

Patrick

Wheeldog · Jul 14, 2001

Re: BX \"Boulder Holder\"

I think that JimBinMi has a 3-point scoop that he uses with his NH TC18, so you may want to ask him about it. I think he has gotten quite a bit of use out of it. I seem to remember that he said he regrets not having just gotten a FEL at the time of tractor purchase and that the scoop is not a great substitute, but I may be mis-quoting him.

Rob