Buying Advice BX23S options question

Jaypeesi · Apr 16, 2017

Hello all. I've been in the market for a small tractor for the last year and the stars have finally aligned and I believe I will be purchasing one in the next few days. I am heading to the local Kubota dealer on Monday to get a price and I want to be certain I am getting all of the options correct. I will be buying a grapple so I know I will need a third function valve kit but beyond that I am little unsure of what else I should be adding. Are there still different front end attachments (pin vs quick attach I believe). I have been on Kubota website but an not sure if I am missing anything. Anything I should be including that are optional from Kubota that would make sense during the initial purchase? Thanks for you help! (I will also be getting a mower and box blade)

check · Apr 16, 2017

Don't get there FEL skid steer style quick attach. It lowers the capacity of the front loader way, way too much. And you need all the capacity that you can get.

Have fun with it! There are some really nifty improvements over the BX25 that I have.

Jaypeesi · Apr 16, 2017

Thanks for the help! That is exactly what I was hoping for!

JOHNTHOMAS · Apr 17, 2017

I would not get their pin type FEL. That will restrict you from so many attachments and may not even be able to get a grapple to fit it if not the SSQA attach.
I've owned a few Kubotas, two of the previous BX25s and attaching would be more important than a few pounds less lift capacity. :2cents:
After over 20 Kubotas in around 13 years I finally bought a grapple and it should have been one of my early purchases. I LOVE IT!! I've owned and traded off/sold many attachments/implements over the years. I have always kept the RatchetRake and boxblade. I've now bought another tiller and another post hole digger (Since I no longer own a BH) and another Rotary mower since aquiring another 28 acres. Needs change.

robertm · Apr 17, 2017

No disrespect to John, but I'll chime in... BX2670 owner, my 5th Kubota in 15 years, second BX.
Don't get the SSQA. If you have plans for the grapple, look at MyTractorTools. Jery Dunn makes a variety of grapples that are extremely light, but pick things vertically from trees the diameter of a pencil, to 55 gallon drums. Also makes a bunch of other grapples that I've seen in action that are incredible and light and strong. His quick attach with flip-style locks will retain your weight of the BX's capacity, and add some because it saves weight. I've had two sets of his QA and Forks, and they are the shiznit. Quality makes Kubota's look cheap. The SSQA cuts your weight, and unless you plan on using other skid steer type attachments on your BX, why lose your weight capacity? Those skid steer attachments weigh a bunch, and how do you get enough hydraulic flow and pressure from the BX to run some of the skid steer type attachments? Jery's QA WILL fit his grapples, and I'd bet his will fit other grapples that are designed for a pin-on style attachments..

TMGT · Apr 18, 2017

Does anyone have the actual numbers on the ssqa weight and how far it moves the attachment out compared to the other qa options?
I see a lot of post about the ssqa weight but don't remember seeing any actual numbers for them.

JOHNTHOMAS · Apr 18, 2017

http://www.kubota.com/product/BX80/specifications.aspx
Looks like 86 lbs is the weight lifting difference between pin and ssqa on Kubota site for BX23S or 126lbs. Not sure why two different lift capacity numbers. I'd still go for the SSQA having owned several of them and many, many more of the pin types on bigger machines. Maybe not as important with the BX for the SSQA.
I have a SSQA bucket, SSQA hydraulic post hole digger and SSQA grapple and previously had a SSQA forks. Swapping out front implements, being old, hooking up and disconnecting on sometimes unlevel ground and usually always working alone makes me still pick the SSQA.

check · Apr 18, 2017

robertm said:
No disrespect to John, but I'll chime in... BX2670 owner, my 5th Kubota in 15 years, second BX. Don't get the SSQA. If you have plans for the grapple, look at MyTractorTools. Jery Dunn makes a variety of grapples that are extremely light, but pick things vertically from trees the diameter of a pencil, to 55 gallon drums. Also makes a bunch of other grapples that I've seen in action that are incredible and light and strong. His quick attach with flip-style locks will retain your weight of the BX's capacity, and add some because it saves weight. I've had two sets of his QA and Forks, and they are the shiznit. Quality makes Kubota's look cheap. The SSQA cuts your weight, and unless you plan on using other skid steer type attachments on your BX, why lose your weight capacity? Those skid steer attachments weigh a bunch, and how do you get enough hydraulic flow and pressure from the BX to run some of the skid steer type attachments? Jery's QA WILL fit his grapples, and I'd bet his will fit other grapples that are designed for a pin-on style attachments..

Really great points, robertm - I'm convinced. If I can find it, somewhere I have a post whereby I calculated the reduction in lifting capacity as the result of the fact that the quick attach moves the pins forward about three or 4 inches or so. Even so, I think Jerry's set up would work well for me, and certainly have a lot greater lifting capacity than my current BXpanded forks that just attach to the front edge of my BX25 FEL. I have a 600 lb. fridge that I need to move, and there's no way I could do it with my existing set up.

check · Apr 18, 2017

check said:
Really great points, robertm - I'm convinced. If I can find it, somewhere I have a post whereby I calculated the reduction in lifting capacity as the result of the fact that the quick attach moves the pins forward about three or 4 inches or so. Even so, I think Jerry's set up would work well for me, and certainly have a lot greater lifting capacity than my current BXpanded forks that just attach to the front edge of my BX25 FEL. I have a 600 lb. fridge that I need to move, and there's no way I could do it with my existing set up.

Found my earlier post. The extension to the length of the loader arms is 3 5/8 inches. Thus, if you have the FEL on after, the reduction and lift capacity is about 100 lbs total, but that is with the bucket sticking straight out level. If you call the bucket back towards the tractor, the reduction and lift capacity is less. That figure would also be reduced by the difference in weight FEL bucket versus the pallet forks assembly, and I think that is where Jerry's set up shines.

TMGT · Apr 18, 2017

I'd still like to see numbers on the differnt qa setups, both the factory pin on and ssqa and the aftermarket options, once my dealer gets some bx80s in I'll have to stop by with my tape measure.
Still would like to get the weight of them all.
I've built and sold some pin on qa for B series Kubota's in the past, so I'm curious to see how they did on the factory options.

I have to believe the bx ssqa can't reduce capacity too much or else they wouldn't have changed from the pin on.
Maybe Messick's can help with figuring out the real numbers.

robertm · Apr 18, 2017

The difference in loader lift and breakout are in the literature... probably as JohnThomas has noted above. To me, the BX is a handy unit, that even reducing its capacities by 80-90 pounds is real loss. That's why I like Jery's QA and forks. Also, the center hook that aligns the QA on the implement is great for hooking up on uneven terrain. If it were a B-series or other, which needs both outboard pins to attach, it might be different, but Jery's again, hooks the top pins and latches on the bottom pins. Then, add the 2" receiver.
Back to the weight differences, the SSQA plate and levers weight are more likely the difference in the OEM KUBOTA QA and SSQA. Jery's QA is heavy, but built tough with more steel than the Bota QA.
Can anyone tell me what SSQA attachments would be useful on the front of a BX? Again, unless there is some sort of secondary self-contained hydro unit running of the rear PTO, I can see a BX providing enough hydraulic pressure or volume for a sweeper, post hole digger, front backhoe, etc.

TMGT · Apr 19, 2017

I saw that there is finally a full brochure with the info for the 80 series Still doesn't answer the question about how the other qa, both the kubota pin on qa and the aftermarket options compare.
I hear a lot of people say the ssqa kills too much lift capacity compared to the other options but haven't seen the numbers for the other options.

Personally ssqa isn't my favorite system but I like it better than the pin style qa.

Jaypeesi · Apr 19, 2017

I just went to the dealer today to look at the Bx23s and they only stock the qa. I guess it is about a $300 option that the dealer assumes most will want. Based on my needs, I don't think I am going to notice the difference between the qa vs. pin on as far as lift capacity is concerned. I am ready to sign the paperwork but I have 2 more questions. The first is regarding which mower to get for hilly terrain. I am just trying to knock down the native weeds on about 3 acres (about 45 minutes from Yosemite, oaks, pines and poison oak... lol). I was quoted pricing on a rotary mower but am wondering if a mmm would be better? The second question is if Kubota makes a third valve kit or if I should go with the land pride kit as I am wanting a grapple. The dealer believes that land pride is the only option but I swear I saw that Kubota makes a kit now? Not a big deal either way but I am partial to the factory stuff if possible. Thanks again for all of your help!!

robertm · Apr 19, 2017

Kubota makes a kit, but it COSTS. I'm putting on the dual rear outlets for cheaper cost. It offers four outlets (2 in-2 out). I can use them for positions with a blade that I'll use less, like tilt and curl. With a grapple, if you can reach down to the fender, you can do the same with the rear outlets.
I think the third valve from Kubota was like $800, Land Pride about the same (think LP makes Kubota's, like many of their implements. The rear dual by Kubota is like $400 with TWO sets of valves.

TMGT · Apr 20, 2017

If you're doing a lot of grapple work the 3rd function on the joystick makes life a lot easier, for occasional use I'm sure the rear remotes would be fine to operate the grapple. I have a diverter valve setup on my B and I prefer it for its efficiency, but I use my grapple a lot.

Jaypeesi · Apr 22, 2017

hmmmm... a lot to think about! I was quoted the land pride 3rd function kit but since I have not signed the contract so I still have some time to change things. I guess I will be doing some more research this weekend. Is the 3rd function kit something the dealer should be able to handle pretty easily? (I think the dealer is a fairly large dealer, the had (2) bx23s in front of the sales office and over 100 other tractors in the yard). I assume they have done this before?!?!

robertm · Apr 22, 2017

You could install the 3rd valve or rear remotes if you have some mechanical aptitude.

DAT · Apr 24, 2017

RobertM - would like to see more on those rear remotes you mentioned for the BX. I have a BX25 and I'm fairly certain I read somewhere that Kubota doesn't have a kit for the BX25. Hope I'm wrong as I would like to add TNT. (Also - really appreciate all the info on the tach-n-go, gonna get his set up soon!)

Anyone seen a post where someone did dual rear remotes on a BX24/25/25D? Thanks!