BX23 vs BX24?

[Northland]

I think the B7610 is a bit over priced for a used tractor (no quibbling with the 49hrs, that is just nothing, but it is at least two years old and therefore has little if any warranty left so you should be able to get a better deal than that). Also, the B7610 can use the much preferred LA352 loader so especially if the loader is new you should get that loader and it's increased capacity. Finally, while the Woods BH is excellent, I would personnally look at their newer "X" series to see if the 70X would fit on the 7610 as it has some advantages (and unfortuantely probably costs more) compared to the BH6000. That is not knocking the BH6000, I'd just want to know what the upgrade would cost if I were buying it new.

Just as an example, the local classified ads here in Massachusetts has the following really nice tractor for sale: 2003 MODEL 7800 KUBOTA TRACTOR W/7-1/2' backhoe. Larger bucket w/quick connectors, less than 125 hrs. 30hp. Always garaged, in exc cond. $19,500; (Groveland) 978-372-3172

That is more tractor, probably the LA402 loader with quick attach and a bigger BH for about the same as you are being asked for the 7610.

Here is another current ad: 2003 KUBOTA B7500 4WD TRACTOR W/loader & backhoe. Only 256 hrs. Hydrostatic trans, 3-cyl diesel, 3-pt hitch. Delivery avail. $14,750; E-mail for pics: saraandej@comcast.net. (Fremont, NH) (cell) 603-303-5499

If I were you I think I'd keep looking a while longer.

Thanks for the info/advice Island Tractor. If I lived in NH I'd buy that 7800 for sure

I was just quoted the following from a Michigan dealer: (all prices include block heater, BH sub-frame, block-heater & full tank of fuel)

B7510 w/302/4672 BH -$19060
B7610 w/352/4672 BH -$20600
B7800 w/BH75 -$23500

Even with the US exchange (1.1275) and adding Canadian sales taxes of 14%on top of all that the new 7610 is less expensive then the used 7610/303/BH600 I was quoted on. I am waiting for a quote from a Canadian Kubota dealer on a new B series units. Once I have that then I can decide and buy one. I think I will buy a 7610 and use the US $2900 difference (CDN$3727) from the 7800 to buy a front snow blower. Good idea?

 

[IslandTractor]

I agree that the B7610 set up is the sweet spot in the threesome you were quoted. The extra FEL power and a few extra PTO hp for snowblowing would be nice. The 7800 is a great machine but for an extra 3K you'd have to really need those extra HP to justify it. I do the land clearing you are describing with a 21hp tractor very easily so I don't think you really need 30hp (although again extra PTO hp is nice for snow blowing). Good luck with your selection.

 

[Northland]

Here's an update on my tractor buying adventure. Frankly I am sick of thinking about this-my poor wife wants me to shut-up about tractors as well. As much as I'd like to buy something now but I will not pay more $ then I should.

Right now I have the choice of buying a new B7610 w/302 loader (US $14730 or $14850 w/352) or B7800 w/402 loader (US $16900) in Michigan at prices that are $1000 to $2000 higher then quoted on TBN. For that $ the tires are filled and a block heater are put in but I have to rent/pick up a trailer and go get the tractor. The dealer rep is trying to find someone to deliver the unit to me.

I also have the option of buying from a guy who goes into the US, buys Kubota's and resells them back in Canada at what I consider reasonable prices; for Canada. He sells Wood's 6500's (no other models) at a good price-CDA$6150.

This guy has a 2006 B7800 (2 hours) but only has a Woods BH6000. That seems too small for this unit so I would want something larger. Should I wait and find a Woods 70x or whatever the next model up is? I would want the Woods sub-frame 4 point kit on either tractor as I plan on taking the BH on and off a lot. He also has a 2004 B7610 (50 hours) with LA302 & BH6000 but I would prefer the larger 352 loader as I have big rocks and trees to move around.

How good is a back blade for snow removal? We receive a lot of snow but I would prefer to buy find a good used front blower for the tractor and save $

So, do I either buy a new Kubota a Michigan dealer and pay more $, buy a hardly used 2004 B7610 or 2006 B7800 or perhaps wait and look for a used B7610/7800 in Michigan? For example I saw a 2004 B7800 with brush hog that went for US$12500 on eBay last June.

What do you think? Suggestions appreciated.

 

[IslandTractor]

Well, your price range keeps creeping here....the used 7800 looks to me like it could be the best deal if the price is less than the new one in Michigan. I think the B7610 would be fine for your needs but I don't personally like the idea of the LA302 loader for anything other than mucking out a stall or general moderate utility use. You'll be frustrated with that when you are trying to dig out small trees or carry a lot of brush/logs. The 7800 is obviously a lot more tractor and loader, maybe more than you absolutely need but it is still the sweetest of the two used options. I don't really know the specs on the Woods 6000 but if your main use is digging up roots and clearing land then it might be fine. Obviously a bigger more powerful BH will do things a bit quicker but I suspect you would be happy with the Woods 6000. I do fine with my Kioti 2365 doing similar work.

Some of the Kubota guys will know better what a virtually new 7800 plus Woods 6000 is worth delivered but I'd imagine any price under $21,000 US would be very good.

 

[Northland]

Well, your price range keeps creeping here....the used 7800 looks to me like it could be the best deal if the price is less than the new one in Michigan. I think the B7610 would be fine for your needs but I don't personally like the idea of the LA302 loader for anything other than mucking out a stall or general moderate utility use. You'll be frustrated with that when you are trying to dig out small trees or carry a lot of brush/logs. The 7800 is obviously a lot more tractor and loader, maybe more than you absolutely need but it is still the sweetest of the two used options. I don't really know the specs on the Woods 6000 but if your main use is digging up roots and clearing land then it might be fine. Obviously a bigger more powerful BH will do things a bit quicker but I suspect you would be happy with the Woods 6000. I do fine with my Kioti 2365 doing similar work.

Some of the Kubota guys will know better what a virtually new 7800 plus Woods 6000 is worth delivered but I'd imagine any price under $21,000 US would be very good.

I agree that the B7610 could do the job for me but like everyone suggests I would not regret buying the bigger B7800. Still, I am thinking if I went with the B7610 I could use the savings from not the B7800 and use it towards getting a backhoe. I am not sure how much use I will get out of the backhoe but I do have some drainage ditching and other chores to do with it now. I fear that unless I buy the BH now I may never get it. Then again for sure I want a grapple put on the bucket next year. Right now I want a tooth bar put on the bucket. I'd also like to get 3 hooks welded onto the bucket but I fear they may interfere with the planned grapple attachment? Whatdo you think?

BTW, I got a price on a new Kioti CK20 with loader and backhoe for CDN$22500. Unforunately the closest dealer is 500+ miles away. I do wish I had more choices but for now I hope to get a better deal from the Michigan based Kubota dealer and buy from him.

thanks for all your suggestions

 

[LBrown59]

Northland,
Do a search for the broken plastic fender problem on the BX24. The BX23 does not have this problem as they are metal. There are a few people here who are not happy with their BX24, but I don't recall anyone dissatisfied with the 23.

Ken

I woulden't trade my Bx23 for 2 Bx24s.

 

[LBrown59]

Thanks for the good suggestions IslandTractor. I looked at a 2002 Kubota 7500 w/woods backhoe and only 98 hours for about CDN $21K but it would have cost CDN $800 more for the beefed up sub-frame. That and the warranty was over. Like many others I think I have the idea that a TLB is somehow better then a tractor w/aftermarket backhoe. It may be incorrect but it's the perception I had prior to redaing soe posts here...like yours.

I ordered brochures on the CK20 last year from Kiota and it looked perfect for my my needs but there are no dealers anywhere near me.

So, today I bought the BX23 with a 48" snow blower (Kubota Harvest days are on here). I got $1400 off the blower (CDN $2800 total) which has the hydralic motor for the snow chute control. I paid $19600 for the BX23 with the block heater as well as hooks welded to the top of the bucket. It has 0 zero hours and a 3 year warranty so I am happy. Once I see how this works for me I will either keep it or trade-up to a B21 if need be.

I am going to order that BX thumb and skidplates from Brotek (part of my rationale in not going with the BX24 for the extra $1250. Apparently the BX24 also lost the locking differential that the BX 23 has. Those broken plastic parts on the BX24 didn't thrill me either. It gets to be very cold up (-30 F)here and plastic cracks in the cold when it gets whacked

What I understand from reading on the Tractor Boards Is you can't mow with the BH attached to the BX 24 like you can do with the BX23.
This would be a real serious drawback on the BX24 for me as I never remove the BH to mow with the BX23.

 

[LBrown59]

You made a good choice. I have a 35hp tractor and a BX23 and use the BX23 for a lot more of the everyday jobs on my 20 acres. Everyone under estimates the
BX23 because of its low ground clearance which i've not yet found to be a problem in the 2 years and 300 hours i've owed it.
I live in WV where the terrain is pretty rugged. They will do just about anything a 40hp tractor can do just in smaller bites. I put in over a thousand feet of drain pipe 36" deep in about a week part time. Most of the bugs have been worked out of the BX23 except for the air cleaner brackets and safety switches. Heard of more teething pains with the BX24 since its intro the then BX22 and 23 have had combined.

Neither have I in the 2 years and 751 hours I've owned mine.

 

[LBrown59]

Going w/the BX23 is a good start, no matter what you end up doing down the road.
It'll do an amazing amount of work all day long for you and it has a very good resale value.
I just went over 200 hrs on a BX23 and although there has been a few times I could have used a bigger machine, the BX23 still got the job done, albeit taking alittle more time.
And when it comes to finish mowing, it'll cut circles around the larger CUTS

Volfandt

You hain't even got yours broke in :I've already put 751 hours on mine siice i got it new 2 years ago.
751 hours in only 2 years is really a lot of work for the little beast.

 

[LBrown59]

Thanks for the good suggestions IslandTractor. I looked at a 2002 Kubota 7500 w/woods backhoe and only 98 hours for about CDN $21K but it would have cost CDN $800 more for the beefed up sub-frame. That and the warranty was over. Like many others I think I have the idea that a TLB is somehow better then a tractor w/aftermarket backhoe. It may be incorrect but it's the perception I had prior to redaing soe posts here...like yours.

I ordered brochures on the CK20 last year from Kiota and it looked perfect for my my needs but there are no dealers anywhere near me.

So, today I bought the BX23 with a 48" snow blower (Kubota Harvest days are on here). I got $1400 off the blower (CDN $2800 total) which has the hydralic motor for the snow chute control. I paid $19600 for the BX23 with the block heater as well as hooks welded to the top of the bucket. It has 0 zero hours and a 3 year warranty so I am happy. Once I see how this works for me I will either keep it or trade-up to a B21 if need be.

I am going to order that BX thumb and skidplates from Brotek (part of my rationale in not going with the BX24 for the extra $1250. Apparently the BX24 also lost the locking differential that the BX 23 has. Those broken plastic parts on the BX24 didn't thrill me either. It gets to be very cold up (-30 F)here and plastic cracks in the cold when it gets whacked

There's no way I'd want to give up the BX23 therefore I prefer adding to rather than trading up.

 

[LBrown59]

Northland,

I don't think anyone has ever lost money on BX23s even if they end up trading up eventually. Those things hold their value very well so I would not fret. Your tasks seem split between around the house/driveway duties and the woods. Your BX will excel at the house/driveway stuff. Obviously a bigger machine would be better for the woods but if you are careful and take your time you can certainly accomplish most everything you are trying with the BX23. Just watch that ground clearance.

I am a grapple fan for working in brush and woods so you might consider adding a grapple to your bucket to help out there. I think that would be more useful than a backhoe thumb. You are likely to use your FEL more than the BH (almost everyone does) so I'd advise accessorizing the FEL before you worry about the BH.

By the way, with a subframe, the regular CUTs are just as solid for BH work as the BX23/24 so don't worry about that if you eventually upgrade. I don't think the work you are describing is a good match for a B21 (as Henro was hinting) as that is really a construction optomized machine (and a fine one). The B series (and the long anticipated update to it) would be my choice in the Kubota line as an upgrade to the BX. Mahindra, Kioti and TYM are all excellent tractors that compete directly with Kubota and should be considered too even though they obviously don't have the Kubota market share or dealer network. Each of those machines can be turned into a nice TLB.

Good luck with your new BX.23. I am sure you'll have a lot of fun.

I would love to have a B 2410 to go with my BX23 but not to replace it.

 

[LBrown59]

Do you think the skidplates are a good idea and worth buying right away?

I don't have them on mine as I never remove the 60'' MMM Which gives some protection to the under belley of the tractor.
If I was working in the woods with the mower off I would definitely install the skid plates first.
Certainly worth buying befor you damage something under there.

 

[IslandTractor]

I woulden't trade my Bx23 for 2 Bx24s.

I sure would. Sell one and have a second that is overall a better machine. No brainer.

 

[IslandTractor]

What I understand from reading on the Tractor Boards Is you can't mow with the BH attached to the BX 24 like you can do with the BX23.
This would be a real serious drawback on the BX24 for me as I never remove the BH to mow with the BX23.

Why on earth would you want to mow with a BH tagging along for the ride? The whole beauty of the BX series is that it is a relatively light weight tractor that mows well. Taking the BH off those puppies is trivial and there is no way having the BH on board improves the mowing quality. Why not optomize the machine for whatever it is you are doing?

 

[LBrown59]

If I were the proud new owner of a BX23 I'd try to get a bucket grapple rigged up. I have a full grapple on my CK20 but my FEL lift capacity is several hundred pounds more than yours. A bucket grapple would be great on the BX23. There are several ways to do it and some of your fellow BX23 owners can probably provide more specific advice. It depends also on how handy you are with a wrench. At least one company sells a kit specifically for the BX23 which looks nice. There are grapple arms you can buy on ebay for 200-300 bucks and then you'd need a diverter valve set up. Post a question in the Kubota owning and operating section if you cannot find a good thread by searching on BX23 and grapple.

If I had a BX23 and was planning to work in the woods I would sure try to put on a skid plate. Again, your fellow BX23 owners can give better advice on how to do it.

One of our fellow members builds and sells then for the BX23 Tractors.

 

[IslandTractor]

I agree that the B7610 could do the job for me

No question, it is just the LA302 loader I was arguing against. If you could get the LA352 that tractor would be fine for your intended use.

I am not sure how much use I will get out of the backhoe but I do have some drainage ditching and other chores to do with it now. I fear that unless I buy the BH now I may never get it. Then again for sure I want a grapple put on the bucket next year. Right now I want a tooth bar put on the bucket. I'd also like to get 3 hooks welded onto the bucket but I fear they may interfere with the planned grapple attachment? Whatdo you think?

I agree it is easier to justify the BH as part of the original package. You don't see that many guys buying BHs separately. I definitely use mine and have lots of little projects lined up to do. There is a reasonable debate regarding purchase vs occasional rental but for me, being on an island, daily rental was out of the question. A toothbar is essential for digging around in the woods and chain hooks are very nice. I'd just make sure you either position the chain hooks out of the way of the middle upper lip of the bucket so you can attach a grapple there, or, decide you want the ATI or Add A Grapple versions which have a bridge structure that goes over the bucket lip (and the chain hooks would not interfere).

BTW, I got a price on a new Kioti CK20 with loader and backhoe for CDN$22500. Unforunately the closest dealer is 500+ miles away. I do wish I had more choices but for now I hope to get a better deal from the Michigan based Kubota dealer and buy from him.

Well, you are not going to get an argument from me against the CK20. Great machine with stronger loader than even the LA352. And, if you are traveling to Michigan for a Kubota, why not at least investigate Kioti dealers in Michigan? The B series Kubotas are excellent but suffer from relatively weak loaders and lack some very nice features like position control, suspension seats etc. Overall the issue is simply that Kubota has not bothered to update that line significantly for at least 5-6 years and therefore they look long in the tooth compared to the newer competition from Kioti, TYM, Mahindra etc. Kubota needs to revamp the line and until they do the upstart brands have some advantages.

 

[LBrown59]

Your scaring me with all the talk of rock. The BX has a low profile to the ground vs the B series.

I would seriously look at this closer. You break the transmission casing and you won't like it. Get the B.

Did I mention getting the B series yet??

To late he alll ready got the BX23.

 

[LBrown59]

Island Tractor

My deal on the BX23 died as the dealer delivered it without the snowblower, and the unit was not in good shape maintenance wise....so, I refused delivery.

I am taking some of the advice from the tractor vets here and looking for a 7500/7610 type unit with a Woods BH6000.

What do you think of this deal?-KUBOTA B7610 2004 model. Just 49 hours use. The loader is a NEW Kubota LA 302 with 660lbs lift capacity. This is a 24hp diesel tractor with 4wd, Power Steering, Hydrostatic trans., 3pt, PTO, Industrial tires and folding rollbar. Extra Clean. Not a mark anywhere! I can buy that for CDN $15500 (US$13839) and CDN $5350 (US$4816) for a new Woods BH6000 backhoe. It'll cost me $700 for delivery.

How can a new tractor be in bad shape? That don't make sense.
Is this from the same dealer that delivered the BX23?

 

[LBrown59]

My deal on the BX23 died as the dealer delivered it without the snowblower, no manuals, no demo and the unit was not in good shape maintenance wise....so, I refused delivery.

I am taking some of the advice from the tractor vets here and looking for a 7500/7610 type unit with a Woods BH6000.

What do you think of this deal?-KUBOTA B7610 2004 model. Just 49 hours use. The loader is a NEW Kubota LA 302 with 660lbs lift capacity. This is a 24hp diesel tractor with 4wd, Power Steering, Hydrostatic trans., 3pt, PTO, Industrial tires and folding rollbar. Extra Clean. Not a mark anywhere! I can buy that for CDN $15500 (US$13839) and CDN $5350 (US$4816) for a new Woods BH6000 backhoe. It'll cost me $700 for delivery.

The problem with this is more money and no warranty.

 

[LBrown59]

I sure would. Sell one and have a second that is overall a better machine. No brainer.

I see a lot more I don't like about the BX 24 over the BX23 than I do the other way around.
Sell both and buy another BX23 would be my preference.
I just don't see a BX24 as better than the BX23 and just don't care for them.
Why would I want to trade a tractor I like for one that I don't care fore?