Bx23 (new) or B7100HSD?

dieselchaser · Apr 17, 2005

Hello, Looking for a Kubota with both FEL and a Backhoe. If I were to buy new, I believe the BX23 would do the job. Have a need to some trenching for Conduit and Drain Tile around the small farmstead I have which is pushing me in that direction. Recently found a 1999 B7100 HSD with a Woods FEL and 54" Kubota Belly mower with 350hrs on it. Appears to be in perfect shape. Asking price is $7500. #1, is this a fair price? #2 I see that a 3pt Backhooe can be had for Approzx $4k, will this 16hp be suffiecient to handle a backhoe reasonably well? I'd imagine running a posthole digger should be no problem. That would put me into it for about 11,500 vs 15,500 plus tax for the Bx23.

Any thoughts/advice would be appreciated.

TroyR57 · Apr 17, 2005

Well I just went with a New BX 23, due to the 0% for three years. So if you have cash for the 7100, why not use just part of it for down payment on BX 23. But also don't know how much land you have, so hard to tell. As most will tell you here, we need more info. But have fun looking and deciding.

dieselchaser · Apr 17, 2005

Thanks Troy. I like the greater clearance and larger tires that the B7100 has vs the BX23. The BX23 just seems like it'd get hung up more. It just seems to be a larger overall tractor, even though it has less HP. The 36mo 0% financing is attractive however. If the 16 HP was enough to power a 3pt backhoe I guess I feel I'd go that way, and saving 5k plus I'd have 54" belly mower (that's a $1300 option with the BX23). The Hoes I've seen on ebay say anywhere from 15 to 30 hp is needed to power them.
In addition to drain tile work that I need doing they'll be a fair amount of Post hole digging for new fencing that I need and a small pole barn that needs building. It will be working on about 10 acres that is a mix of Woods/brush, lawn and pastuer. The $7500 for the tractor, loader and belly mower seemed to be fair.

andrewimbrogno · Apr 17, 2005

I have a b6100 and must say it is a workhorse. It seems like ur leaning towards the b7100. I'm sure its up to pretty much anything you want it to do. One thing you might want to consider with the loader on it is that it does not have power steering. So you will require some strength to turn the wheel. If clearance is an issue than i say go with the b7100. The bx23 is still one really nice machine though

TroyR57 · Apr 18, 2005

Yes, I would go along with that, now that I know the rest of the story.

Egon · Apr 18, 2005

I have a B7100 HST with loader, 60 in" belly mower, 44 " tiller and 5 foot rear blade with 2300 hours on it.

For it's size its an impressive machine only lacking power steering. The HP difference would really come into play with rotary equipment.

I've been offered a trade in allowance of $9500.000 on a year old 250 hour Kubota B7800 with loader. The total price difference including taxes was $14,000. Unfortunetly my meagre finances allowed me no more than to dream. This is in Canadian dollars.

From my view point the power steering would be the decision maker as I think The B7100 will work better in varied terain.

Decisions - Decisions

Egon

jpr62902 · Apr 18, 2005

I wouldn't worry about the B7100's HP. The BX22\23 powerplant is the same engine Kubota used in the B1700 (17 HP), a successor to the 7100. The HP increase was generated by ramping up the RPM's.

My concern would be with the 3 pt. BH. Maybe Egon can help me here, but I believe the B7100 is a traditionally styled tractor where the transmission and bell housing make up the "body" of the tractor, versus Kubota's modern tractors, which have a ladder frame. 3 pt BH's can generate enough stress on these older style tractors to literally tear them in half. Perhaps the new Woods BH for sub CUT's with a subframe would be a be better fit? I don't know if it would work on the B7100, though.

andrewimbrogno · Apr 18, 2005

jpr brings up an excellent point. I would be concerned about attaching a bh to the 3ph. There really is no tractor frame, its just the transmission, differential and hydraulic system all tied into one piece, which means if anything needs to be done to these components you need to 'split the tractor in half'. With a bh on the 3ph i would be extremely concerned that it might do this, i dont think my b6100 would handle a bh on my 3ph

teach · Apr 18, 2005

Diesel.,
Funny that you brought up your question comparing the BX23 and a B7100. I own an older B7100, standard shift, 16hp (1983) with nearly every attachment for the 3pt hitch that will fit on it except a backhoe, and loader, but including a front mounted snowblower. This little machine is power house! I run a 42" brushhog, plowed out of the blizzard of '05 with a scraper blade, skid out fairly large oak trees, etc. However, I have spent the last two days on a brand new borrowed (I have very nice friends!) BX23 digging with the backhoe and using the bucket to get out small stumps, pull stone, and install a flagstone walk. I must say there are many things that LOVE about this BX 23. #1-the backhoe is pretty strong for its size, as is the loader, I am impressed with the size stones that I have picked up. #2-power steering!, #3-a comfortable seat, WITH SPRINGS!!!, #4-did I say power steering yet?, #5- hydrostatic drive.
Dislikes--#1, clearance in the woods or ANY unlevel ground is an issue. #2, power up hills is sluggish (even compared to my old B7100), #3, it doesn't belong to me.
If money is not an issue (wouldn't that be nice?) I would go with a B7510, similiar versatility to the BX23, enhanced clearance. It seems like the perfect mix of capabilities.
Good luck whichever tractor you go with!
Teach

dieselchaser · Apr 19, 2005

First of all Thanks to each of you for the input you've given! This is definitely a great site and place to gather info. I hear a couple things loud and clear...gotta have the power stearing if you want the FEL, try to stick with the subframe BH if possible, go for the Hydro if you can and take advantage of the 0% financing if new!
Now I know this is the Kubota site, but just to be sure I was looking at the right machine for me, I checked out the local Kioti dealer today. They have a TLB package for the CK20HST that is about 10% more than the BX23. The tractor is physically bigger however, more like the B7510. The FEL has twice the lift capacity of the Kubota BX23 and the BH has 50% more digging force. They also offer the same 36mo 0%. The BX is already more than I should spend, and would certainly meet my needs, but for 10% more it seems like a no-brainer to go with the Kioti. I havent really found anything bad about these tractors, but wonder what the Kubota guys think? Is that kinda like asking Army fans what they think of Navy this year?