BX23 Attachment questions and advice wanted.

orangecrush · Oct 3, 2005

Hello all,

I just plunked down some money on a brand new Kubota BX23. Yes, I’m excited!

I will use this rig for landscaping and ATV trail work, snow removal with the FEL, York raking, rough mowing, building site prepping, and some wood lot work like log skidding, hauling trees around, etc.

I chose the BX23 primarily for its size, particularly with respect to the trail work I intend to tackle, as there are miles upon blissful miles of it. I live in the White Mountains of NH by the way.

The Kubota dealer (Wescott & Sons) will roll some attachments into the 0% financing deal and I'd like to get a few implements to go with the hoe & loader that come stock. Advise on any of this would be most appreciated as this tractor requisition episode has been quick and I’ve got to react on the implements within a few days for it to be part of this deal.

The tractor is $16,000 with loaded AG tires, 3 point hydraulics, setup, delivery, etc. and no sales tax since NH is the “priced as marked” state. He’ll also throw in the upgraded alternator and installation if I buy an attachment or two. Does this sound like a fair price?

Wescott is offering me the following new implements.

Woods RCC42 42” rotary cutter for $895. Is this a good unit? Good match for the tractor? Rugged? I’ll be mowing wooded meadows (weeds, small saplings, grass). Plenty of surprises like rocks and old beaver stumps too.

Woods LRC60 Landscape rake w/ wheels for $695. Is this rig rugged enough for trail work. How about really boney gravel like soil?

Kubota canopy described as the same top as on a B21 less the front two posts for $425. He couldn’t produce a picture of the canopy mounted so I’m really not sure about that item. One of those TuffTopps might be better since it can be taken off more easily. If the canopy is long enough to cover the steering wheel, I would imagine the ROPS will be just as tall when its folded back with the top. Plus how much would it end up weighing?

Thanks for any insights. I’ve really enjoyed researching this purchase here even though it’s only been a few days, and hope to contribute more to the site once I get this rig in a week or so and get some time on her. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Thanks!

Scott

RayH · Oct 4, 2005

I just last week downsized from an L3130 to my new BX23 so Im not going to comment on attachments and so forth except to say you may want to reconsider the canopy if you are working in and under the trees. If you absolutely want a canopy, consider carefully how easy it is to remove from the tractor.
Im wrong, I AM going to comment on attachments, think about getting a box blade. Its the Swiss Army Knife of implements, real nice for clearing brush and grading/leveling. The rake is nice for finishing but wont move much heavy material. Together, they are a winning team.
$16000 sounds kinda high for just the tractor. I payed $15300 + tax for mine (standard alt) but that may be a regional thing. Whatever you end up paying, Im sure you wont regret it.

EDIT: Welcome to TBN.
Hows that "price as marked" thing work?" If the tax has simply been pre added to the sticker, then you arent doing too bad at $16000.

PhilNH5 · Oct 4, 2005

Scott,
Welcome to TBN and congrats on your purchase. I think, after coming to TBN for a few years, that New Englanders generally pay more for their tractors than the mid-atlantic and southern states. Emerich in NY may be the exception to that for Kubota.
16K doesn't seem to bad from what I have seen. Roughly 5% higher than RayH paid. Unfortunately that seems about right for up here.

Phil

orangecrush · Oct 4, 2005

Thanks for the replies and the kind welcome.

Phil, I think you're right about the price difference being somewhat regional. Others pay less for a lot of things it seems, not just tractors.

Ray, I've never used a box blade before only a rake. What are the advantages of this type of implement. I assume I should get it as an "addition to" and not an "instead of" with respect to the rake. These things really are not that hard to justify are they /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif.

The priced as marked comment is because NH has no sales tax. No income tax either for that matter. It's a Maine dealer but they're delivering it to NH so no tax.

Thanks again,

Scott

HomeBrew2 · Oct 4, 2005

Congrats on the BX! It's an awesome machine!!!
Attachment comments:
My priority was a box blade first, then a rake, but I did buy them both at the same time. I'm still hogging dirt out, not smoothing it for planting yet so not much rake use.
If you get a BB, get a heavy one with scarifiers ... try to talk the dealer into giving you 4-hole (18") shanks instead of the standard 3-hole (16") shanks ... Though, possibly it's just my preference.

If money's not a big concern, get the gauge wheels for the rake.

The rake price seems high but maybe it includes the gauge wheels?

I, and most (I think) BX users that have rotary cutters, have a 48"er instead of smaller. The BX handles it just fine contrary to what Kubota says and I believe they may be a bit cheaper cuz it's a more common size.

You may want to keep a tiller in the back of your mind if you have a lot of landscaping to do.

Cheers!

LBrown59 · Oct 4, 2005

What are you going to mow your yard with ?
I didn't see a mower attachment listed.

valleydweller1 · Oct 4, 2005

Hi Scott,

I have a BX2230 with the RCC42 mower, it is a good unit and well sized to the tractor; it will do great at trail clearing. I agree with others about the box blade, I'm using mine to smooth out my field. It also helps for making a short counterweight for the FEL. It is the 48" Woods, RCB48 or something.

Have fun with your new tractor!

escavader · Oct 4, 2005

If your going to do atv trails,a chipper would be in order.They clean up the brush you cut andwork great to smooth things up
ALAN

Will_C · Oct 4, 2005

Scott; Some thoughts regarding your post.
1. The Woods rake is a good one. I am sure it will serve you well. I paid $650 for mine, with the wheel kit.
2. The 42" rotary cutter is a good match for the tractor. i know some are running a 48" unit, but I think the overall size of the 42" fits the BX better.
3. I also would advise you to re-think the canopy if you will in the woods alot.
I hope this helps,
Will

orangecrush · Oct 4, 2005

You guys are a great help to me in this fun endeavor and I really appreciate it.

Homebrew2,
the rake does have the wheels. I don’t understand what you mean about the 18” vs. 16” posts for the box blade. Do you know if there is a significant difference between the Kubota 754B box scraper and the Woods GBC48. The dealer quoted $625 for the Kubota and didn't give me a price on the Woods. Maybe he doesn't stock them? I'll be in the market for a tiller no doubt too, probably next spring once the ground thaws.

I mow my lawn with a $25 pawn shop lawn boy, great exercise and a slick reliable mower. (I have about ½ hour worth of lawn). I have two 8 speed Gravely model L tractors with attachments too, but I've decided to get rid of all the old Gravely stuff. I love the old “L” tractors but it's time to clean house and move on (and up).

I like the idea of the 42" mower vs a 48”, just because it will be easier to handle, narrower for trail use, and feel more powerful on the tractor. I actually haven't seen any of these attachments in person as Wescotts doesn't have any setup at the Fryeburg fair and that's where this whole deal is going down. I’ve never seen anything Woods or Kubota that was crap so I’m sure it’s all good.

Alan,
I like your thoughts about a chipper. What's a good match for this tractor size wise. What brands should I ask this dealer to quote? I'm not sure how much in the way of implements I can get with the o% financing but I'm sure having fun thinking about it! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Will,
the major reason I'm interested in the canopy idea so much is because we've been experiencing a lot of wet winters lately and I plan on doing a lot of snow removal work with it. In fact I got rid of my Polaris Indy last winter in disgust because of the erratic riding conditions. Ever heard of those Tuff-tops. Supposed to be easy to take off without tools. Seemed pricy though so who knows if its worth it. I might just tarp it for when it’s necessary. I am actually considering a 5 foot bucket just for the snow work, but not till after I see how it goes with the 4’.

It’s easy to picture this getting out of hand money wise isn’t it? /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif It's like you guys are reading my mind or something.

See ya!

Scott