BX upgrade??

[ChuckinNH]

Question for BX22,23, and 24 owners. Do the improvements; Quarter inching, hydraulic power, alternator, 3pt hitch lift, etc. in the BX24 make it a worthy upgrade to a BX22? It does look like the BX24 gives up a little bit of ground clearance under the hitch plate to the BX22. My BX22 with the bar tires has 7 1/2" of clearance there, or the same as a couple of ATV's that I looked at. Larger tractors are really nice, and I would like to have both of course, but the BX can do what I need done. I am in the process of ordering some implements, BX42 chipper, back blade, tiller, etc. and really need to decide about this upgrade before I go cutting pto shafts.
Thanks for your help......

 

[kwolfe]

I would say if the BX22 you already have is treating you right, stick with it. The new models do have better 3pt lift height, however there have been a number of post on TBN about modifying the lift linkage on your 22 that would improve the lift height and not cost you a dime.

If money is not an object, than a new machine is always fun to have. However, if your wallet does not bread $100 bills, then sticking with your bx22 would give you more $ for implements.

 

[KeithInSpace]

I wouldn't spend much time considering it. Only if you were making a step up to a B or something bigger. Sure there are incremental improvements, but I'd be hard-pressed to say any of them are so earth-shattering that you must have them to have any more fun that you're already having...

And even if I downsize to a townhome with a 15 x 15 plot in the back yard: I'd figure out a way to keep my BX.

 

[ChuckinNH]

There is something about the old BX22 that makes it hard to part with. I was just out moving some rocks with it, and think it would be pretty hard to part with for something more shiny. I was using my new Wallenstein thumb by the way, and found it pretty handy. Now for some forks.......

 

[ChuckinNH]

Thanks for the reinforcement guys, it's easy to have some second thoughts at the last moment.......

 

[lp333]

Question for BX22,23, and 24 owners. Do the improvements; Quarter inching, hydraulic power, alternator, 3pt hitch lift, etc. in the BX24 make it a worthy upgrade to a BX22? ...

The BX22, BX23 and BX24 are all great little machines; you can't really go wrong with any one of them. Permanently mounting the FEL valve on the BX23 was a smart move by Kubota. I have not had the BX24 very long, and only time will tell if Kubota's increased use of plastics to reduce the cost of this unit was a good move or not.

 

[Nik]

I have a BX23 with 190 hrs on acres. I miss position control and higher ground clearance. I do not use my backhoe much. I have thought about upgrading to the JD2720. This tractor has more ground clearance, more HP, and position control. I am disappointed in brushcutting with the bx23 as it mostly smashes the high weeds down due to low clearance. The rotary cutter the does not cut as well compared to my previous b2410. The pedal on the tractor sticks somewhat and the ride is not as nice as the B2410.

Based on this I would not change to a BX24 but would get a bigger tractor. The JD2720 seems to be the right size for my use and I plan to check out one soon. With your plot size you mat want to move up in size.

 

[Tom_H]

I have a BX23....I am disappointed in brushcutting...

Hmmm, Interesting. What size is the rough cutter? I have a BX2200 with a 40" GearMore Heavy Duty Rough Cutter. It is the only HD that I know of that's so small. It cuts most everything, even 2" sapplings in clusters. The only thing that slows it is a very thick broomgrass bush. I wonder whether it's the physical nature of the grass itself that's involved with the weeds windrowing and not getting cut. How low do you run your RC at the 3ph? I set mine low enough that the side runners almost glide over the ground and the blades suck up most stuff, though I do have some patches of naturalized oats that windrow a little and then need an extra pass from the opposite direction or perpendicular direction. I think it's the nature of the grass. I don't know whether a taller tractor would make a difference or not; I'm thinking the windrowing comes from the tires rather than the underbelly. Have you thought about renting or borrowing a larger tractor from a neighbor to test it out before committing the $$? Would be a shame to spend multiple $k more on an upgrade and still have the same situation. Just my $.02 worth.

 

[Nik]

Tom,
I use a WOODS RC 42". This is designed for the BX series tractor. Previously I have used a JD4310 with 5' cutter and B2410 with a 4' WOODS RC with excellent results. Maybe I should try cutting the grass before it is over 1 foot high or try raising my rotary cutter mowing height. The other tractors had no problem with 3 to 4' grass/weeds.

 

[Tom_H]

The other tractors had no problem with 3 to 4' grass/weeds.

This is still perplexing. I have a low spot on my property which is adjacent to a highly irrigated pasture. The ground stays saturated, yet there's no standing water on top of it. I don't know what kind of weeds they are, but I've measured some at almost 9' in this hyperirrigated spot. My BX2200 with the 40" GearMore HD R.C. doesn't even loose any RPMs when I take it through that stuff, sapplings either. Only the broomgrass lugs it down some so that I have to creep across it to avoid a stall. I think it may have to do with the mass of the blades on this GearMore. They are very massive (though short) and the tremendous inertia just obliterates everything. I think most of the other smaller rough cutters are medium duty and light duty, and though they have spindle pan (stump jumper) blades, I am under the impression that these units have blades that are not as massive (thick, wide, and heavy) as those on models designated as heavy duty. Thus their inertia is absorbed more easily and they stall. This sucker has so much inertia that it just blasts through anything in its way. Fact is, there's no semblence of a sharp edge on the blades at all. The sheer weight and speed just breaks everything to pieces.

I'm guessing that your 4' and 5' models were heavy duty, but that this 40" model is med. or light duty, having blades that are not only shorter, but thinner in the other two directions as well, which gives the blades low enough inertia that they are overcome by the resistance of the brush. Could this be the case??

 

[crbr]

One quarter inching is an outright false statement of integrity and operations (another word would be "lie"). If there's anything near 1/4" setting control, I'll eat that Vol fan's hat. It's a farse.... Truth may hurt but pain is pain. Bear it.

That is the one thing I am disappointed with on the Kubota. You ask, thus my venting...

I've got a crappy tiny John Deere lawn machine that has the lever setting, of which I am more pleased...

 

[Volfandt]

If there's anything near 1/4" setting control, I'll eat that Vol fan's hat.

No doubt, the color of said fans hat is Orange

re. upgrading from a BX22. I was at a Kubota dealership today buying some parts and took alittle time to check out some larger machines sitting on his lot. Funny, I wasn't that interested in the BX24 other than to compare it's relative size in relation to some B's sitting beside it and as far as footprint goes, the B7510/B7610 weren't much bigger as far as length, width and height at the ROPS went and the B7800/B2630 weren't that much bigger than the smaller B's. They didn't have a B3030 on the lot but physically it about the same size as the B7800/B2630.
But anyways, IF I were to upgrade I would go up a class into the B's as opposed to staying in the BX class and my choice in the B's would either be the B2630 or B3030 with a B3030 w/conditioned cab being my fav. Course they'll cost more with a BH, which I've already determined that I'd need should I upgrade but it's only money right
All that said, I'm very happy with my BX23 and am not in the mood nor any hurry for trading at this time, but I never say never
Of course it's JMHO

 

[ChuckinNH]

I would like to upgrade to a larger B series, but the backhoe makes that pretty expensive. Actually, I would like to trade my Simplicity rider for a BX2350, and then get a larger tractor to keep it company. Like Volfandt, mowing is a concern....... I still have to mow this:

 

[kwolfe]

Chuck,
Thanks for the pictures. You have a beautiful piece of property. It helps a lot to see what yuou have. I would say the 2350 would fit you needs perfectly. The mowable area looks nice and flat (not rough and bumpy like a ploughed field). Good luck with your purchase.

 

[ChuckinNH]

This is also my land, and a different, and exciting challenge.......

 

[okie350]

however there have been a number of post on TBN about modifying the lift linkage on your 22 that would improve the lift height and not cost you a dime.

I'm not wanting to highjack the tread, but can someone expand on this comment, it sounds like something i may be interested in.

 

[HomeBrew2]

Here's a (poor) pic of the linkage mod: I drilled 2 more holes in each side link shackle 0.75" apart and 1 more in the arms 1.5" from the orig.

As for an upgrade ... nope. Expect to turn 1000 hrs by the end of the month

 

[Nik]

tom

The other rotary cutters were light duty jdeere 5' and WOODS 4'. The blades on my present 48" WOODS RC are not that big and as I recall not much thicker or bigger than finish mower blades. This 48" RC does not stall but just does not seem to cut that well.

 

[hazmat]

Chuck - I mow my 1 acre lawn with a TC18 - its about 300# lighter than a B3030. I'm in the process of potentially buying a B3030. If you were to upgrade, I don't think you'd see a big enough performance difference to make it worth it untill you get to the larger B series - B3030 B7800 etc.

I've settled on the B3030 as it is still small and light enough to mow with, yet has much more power than my TC18. I have just under 4 acres total.

So if you were to upgrade and only have 1 machine - go for the large B series. If you are going the 2 machine route - BX2350 + L series (or equiv).

It's only money...

 

[ChuckinNH]

hazmat - I'm beginning to feel the same way that you do. It seems that many things that need to be done are at the edge of what a BX is capable of. More, and more I am believing that it's not what is possible, but more what is well within the capabilities of the machine that is important. I like your two tractor solution, and agree that the larger B series is probably the best compromise. One of them would actually be easier on my yard than the BX22 with loaded tires, and BH. Thanks for your input, and the input of all the others that have responded........ ONLY money is the consideration now.