BX2350 or BX24? (Backhoe or not)

[LBrown59]

what is the price difference. If I remember correctly the difference is under $4000, maybe closer to $3500.
If you go with the 2350 and want the BH later, it's $5-6000 for a Kubota BH or a Woods BH. I love my BX24.

When I got my BX23 the BX2230 with 60'' MMM and FEL was $11400 and my BX23 with 60'' MMM FEL and BH was $15200.
$3800 for a BH sounded a lot better for a BH than $5000 or $6000 so I went with the BX23 over the BX2230.
Boy am I ever glad I did cause I'd be lost without my BH.
The BX23 wouldn't seem like a tractor to me without it.

 

[DavesTractor]

Remember that you don't have to justify the entire cost of the backhoe, just the amount it depreciates. Let's say you pay $5000 for a backhoe and use it a bunch for two years, but keep it nice. Then one day, for reasons you will regret later, you decide you don't want the backhoe. If you sell the backhoe attachment for $3500, you got a lot of use out of the implement for $1500. Just an idea...

I'd consider stepping up a little in size, but that doesn't mean a BX won't do the job, it will just take longer than a larger unit.

 

[Camo]

The dealer told me that the Kubota BH to fit the BX series, will only fit the BX24 and will not fit the 2350....So it is a get it or forget it type option now. I guess the BX24 frame is built to incororate the BH.

 

[tommu56]

camo
the BX23/24 hoe is an intergal part of tractor it can be removed to put 3 point on but the mounts were designed for that hoe mine only takes about 10 minuets to put on and about 5 to take it off.

you will come up with 100 things that you didnt think of to use the hoe for after you have it.

tom

 

[roho]

MTCW(My 2 cents worth) Never owned a tractor but am still hoping for a SUB-CUT w/BH...Anyway I had a friend down the road that had a ole & I mean ole Kubota, must have bought it when Kubotas first come to states, & he wished he'd bought a BH w/it BUT DIDN'T. & now was time to get a new tractor(BX) & he decided to go with BH attachment. Now U talk bout the fun he had on his 2/3 acres & he never regretted it but All I regret is he moved to ARK before he started my projects... Not only look at use but the longivity...4k/3500 for one year seems like a lot of money but spread it over 15 to 20 years of use with tractor....& it's really reasonable.. Same story with my dad with F250 Powerstroke... wanted 4 wheel drive & said it was to much but now he's had truck for going on 10 yrs & still wished he'd bought 4WD.. Believe me U'll always regret not gettin it.. & maybe when U get it, put a sign on it that says "FOR HIRE" & when people ask you to use it, ask them if they can afford it! Now that's my 2 cents worth.. Good Luck

 

[KeithInSpace]

I went the route of getting the "lesser" tractor, the BX2230. Couldn't swing the BH at the time and wasn't sure how much I'd use it.

Within a year, I had a BH mounted on my tractor. In all it cost probably $1,000 more than the Kubota BH...no complaints, though. The BX23 had a straight boom and my Woods BH6000 has a curved boom (like the BX24) and had many other 'upgrades' from the Kubota BH at the time.

I've never looked back. Having a backhoe rocks.

A short story: Leaving for a party the Friday before Christmas and I found out that the power to my sewer ejector pump had been severed. Diagnosed the problem, ran a temporary fix, and had a 2" conduit installed 2 feet deep by Christmas Eve. Total labor of about 3 hours, including backfill.

Do that with a FEL or shovel.

If you have it, you will love it (the backhoe). If you don't have it, you will have a long list of projects waiting for it. And even if you only use it twice a year after your "log jam" of projects is taken care of, who cares? You'd save at least $500 a pop in rental fees at the very least.

No brainer to me. BX24.

 

[AndyinIowa]

I'm going to take the opposite side of this. I didn't get the BH. Instead, I dumped the 4k into Apple stock last spring. Just unloaded it for $8200 in less than 11 months.... Do I regret not buying a BH? Heck no! I'll take 105% return on my money over a BH ANY day!

When you choose whether to purchase something, its not only the depreciation cost, but the lost cost of opportunity for the money you spent.

Granted, my case was exceptional in the world of investing, but the principle is similar. Before you spend the $$$, consider what else the money can be doing for you in the meantime.

That being said, with our 'recession' kicking off, now is a great time to sit back and watch opportunities come up. Our neighbors just bought a Deere SCUT and its already been turned back to the dealer. Seems their budget ran out... I'm sure a lot of SCUTs will hit the market when people's credit cards are maxed and they can't make ends meet. Good deals will be available!

 

[fishpick]

...but the lost cost of opportunity for the money you spent...

I think you are taking the same approach as others here - just a different final resolution. Yup - the BH costs more - and sure - if you can get a IRR like you did on the cash - giddy up!
For many people- the work (time) saved with the BH equals or exceeds the PV or potential FV of the initial cost.

I know personally - I wrestled with the ideas and costs before making the decision - for the very reasons you outlined. But since the best guarantee (at that time) was a MM account at 5% - the opportunity cost for the BH and time save was greater than the actual dollar value...

Plus - there is also the "coolness" computation of having a BH (emotion + finance = bad things happen)

As for all sorts of buying opportunities coming to market soon - I couldn't agree more - it's payment time for the Joneses!

 

[KeithInSpace]

The dealer told me that the Kubota BH to fit the BX series, will only fit the BX24 and will not fit the 2350....

True for the Kubota OEM backhoe, but I'd pit the Woods BH6000 unit against the Kubota unit anyday. You wouldn't give anything up to put a Woods on a 2350 later if you want to wait. That's what I did and I'm pleased as punch.

 

[LBrown59]

*Within a year, I had a BH mounted on my tractor.
**In all it cost probably $1,000 more than the Kubota BH.
You wouldn't give anything up to put a Woods on a 2350 later if you want to wait.
=============

*What did you do about the problem of the ROPS being to short on a BX2350 for a Back Hoe?
As far as that goes I could put the woods BH on my BX1500 but that short ROPS on it would be a real head knocker.
The ROPS on my BX23 is a lot taller then the BX1500 ROPS.
**But there would be finance charges on top of this extra $1000 for the Woods BH but you are getting free financing on the BX24 BH.
$4000 at 0% for a $4000 BX24 BH is $4000; but $5000 for the Woods at 7%
is $6050.
I have never seen adding an aftermarket combo come out the low dollar compared to the Bx23 or Bx24.
Three advantages of going with the BX24 over the Bx2350.
BH cost less than adding an after market one later.
Zero percent financing of the BH cost VS finances charges you would have to add to the higher cost after market BHP.
You're not stuck with a ROPS that is to short for the BHP attachment.
If you can swing about $111 extra per month for a BX24 over the BX2350 go for the BX24.
I heard MF was coming out with 0% 60 month financing so now might be a good time to check out the MF GC2310.
==L.B==