BX2350 or BX24? (Backhoe or not)

[KeithInSpace]

All good points, Mr. Brown. I have never posted that I saved money on the rig. The point I've made is keeping the 'price of admission' down to a certain level and add the BH later when you have more cash. While $111 a month probably woudn't break the bank, our family philosophy has been "if you need a loan, you can't afford it". Obviously this can't apply to the house, but when we make car purchases and made the tractor purchase, we keep it real. The financial comfort created by waiting a year to buy the BH WAS WORTH (to us...to my wife) the $1,100 extra in overall cost. That said, there is merit to your argument as well. Personal preference. We've done quite well by it, I assure you.

Regarding the ROPS, I have never had a single problem with the 'small' ROPS. Personally, I am (currently) 192# and 6'-0" on what I would call a fairly broad frame (hate 24" wide doors...have to go sideways through them) and a 35" waist, and I can honestly say that I have never once clunked my head, rubbed my shoulders or even once had the thought "boy, I wish this ROPS was bigger". Not saying that it being bigger wouldn't have some type of benefit, rather that mine being smaller has NOT been a problem. I have seen posts from a few others with similar rigs saying the same thing.

I will say that the Kubota seat swivel system is much better than the Woods system. Kubota's works great. Woods is a little "clunky" and, I hate to say it, cheap.

 

[fishpick]

Summary here - do what works for you - lots of opinions - but it's ultimately your back hoe - your comfort... You will find extra uses for it - no doubt - nobody can tell you if that will make it "pay" for itself.

 

[LBrown59]

*An a very valid point where one isn't able to swing the BH upon the original purchase as it leaves an out for later acquiring one.
** I'd probably notice the difference in the ROPS height after being accustomed to the taller BX23 ROPS.

All good points, Mr. Brown. I have never posted that I saved money on the rig.
*The point I've made is keeping the 'price of admission' down to a certain level and add the BH later when you have more cash.
While $111 a month probably woudn't break the bank, our family philosophy has been "if you need a loan, you can't afford it". Obviously this can't apply to the house, but when we make car purchases and made the tractor purchase, we keep it real. The financial comfort created by waiting a year to buy the BH WAS WORTH (to us...to my wife) the $1,100 extra in overall cost.
That said, there is merit to your argument as well. Personal preference. We've done quite well by it, I assure you.

Regarding the ROPS, I have never had a single problem with the 'small' ROPS. Personally, I am (currently) 192# and 6'-0" on what I would call a fairly broad frame (hate 24" wide doors...have to go sideways through them) and a 35" waist, and I can honestly say that I have never once clunked my head, rubbed my shoulders or even once had the thought "boy, I wish this ROPS was bigger".
**Not saying that it being bigger wouldn't have some type of benefit, rather that mine being smaller has NOT been a problem.
I have seen posts from a few others with similar rigs saying the same thing.

I will say that the Kubota seat swivel system is much better than the Woods system. Kubota's works great. Woods is a little "clunky" and, I hate to say it, cheap.

If I was wanting the BH I would seriously be looking at the MF GC2310 with 0% down and 0% percent financing for 60 months.
That financing will buy you a new $17000 GC2310 with the BH for $283 per month in contrast to a new 12000. BX2350 with out the BH fpr $333 a month.

 

[Tom_H]

BX24and 2350..... 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.

Tried to post this last night, but they had the server down for maintenance.

Your dollar amounts are pretty close. At my dealer, the difference is $3500 between the BX24 and the BX2350, and a Woods BH6000 is just over $5k. HOWEVER, Kubota does not make a bh for the BX2350. The Woods is the only option, although many consider it superior to the bh on the BX22, 23, 24. (LBrown59 is the only person who has ever made an issue of the ROPS, and he hasn't ever been on a BX with standard ROPS that had a Woods bh.)

Still, if I were the original poster, I'd consider a B3030 for that amount of property, IF I had the $$ to afford one. For it, you CAN get the Kubota bh later, AND there are two Woods backhoes that can fit it.

 

[LBrown59]

1*True,but I do have BX tractors with both sizes of ROPS.
Others have also posted on the forum about this matter so no I'm not really the only one.

1*LBrown59 is the only person who has ever made an issue of the ROPS, and he hasn't ever been on a BX with standard ROPS that had a Woods bh.

2*Still, if I were the original poster, I'd consider a B3030 for that amount of property, IF I had the $$ to afford one. For it, you CAN get the Kubota bh later, AND there are two Woods backhoes that can fit it.

2*If I were to consider something like this I would be looking hard at MF tractors comparable to it.
With the MF 0% 60 month financing you should be able to get the MF for a whole lots less per month than the payments on a Kubota or JD.

 

[KeithInSpace]

Mr. Brown feels pretty strongly about the Massey tractor. Of course, it may be a wonderful machine, but I can say that I meandered through a few other dealerships (NH, JD, and Kubota) and the Kubota tractor seems to always be on the front edge with most everything right where it should be. Looking at the JD, I wondered "Why'd they put that there? Seems inconvenient..." Both before and after ownership, it seems that machine was engineered for ease of assembly, not ease of use. The NH was nice, but more expensive and there were still things I didn't like as much.

The MF strikes me as a couple generations back on the Kubota. Straight BH boom. Bent instead of curved FEL arms (although I don't have a problem with my bent ones, they say curved is the new Khacki). Basically the MF LOOKS like it should cost less. That is great if you WANT a tractor that costs less, but keep in mind that the formula applies to all aspects of the tractor.

You'll probably do fine no matter what you choose, but I'm pretty passionate about my orange tractor. Love it. Never a moment's trouble. Worth a few extra bucks on a monthly bill given the stark difference between the to machines, IMHO.

 

[Tom_H]

1*True,but I do have BX tractors with both sizes of ROPS.
Others have also posted on the forum about this matter so no I'm not really the only one.

Yes, others have posted about "this matter": the standard ROPS on a BX with a Woods BH6000. The difference is, however, the others have said that there is no real problem. You are the one who eternally tries to create a problem where none exists.

 

[elalexander]

I've been following this thread and each of you have made some great points. I have been shopping and until yesterday never paid much attention to the BX24. Throw in a MMM and you have a great little machine and 24 ponies to get things done. Anyway, the last time I wanted to rent a hoe it was always booked. So I called a friend who does construction work and excavating on the side. About a year latter he showed up. The demand for small hoes to get in tight yards etc is greater then many folks realize. I'm not saying get one to hire yourself out but when you want to get a job done and can wait on someone wait. But I think one would be wise to get the hoe, do what you want, when you want and then if you don't need it sale it.

 

[LBrown59]

So then wonder why does the BX2350 and the BX24 have different ROPS if the BH doesn't make any difference?
If the reason for the 2 different rops isn't because of the BH then what in your opinion is the reason for it.
Doesn't it strike you as a little odd to put 2 different ROPS on the 2 tractors if there is no purpose for it?
== L B ==

Yes, others have posted about "this matter": the standard ROPS on a BX with a Woods BH6000. The difference is, however, the others have said that there is no real problem. You are the one who eternally tries to create a problem where none exists.

 

[ChuckinNH]

You are right! That is odd, I wonder why Kubota did that?