BX24 capabilities

[ktmpat]

I have been reading this site every night for the last two weeks trying to decide which tractor to purchase. Great site by the way!

I will be completely re-landscaping my house, to include new paver walkways, stone retaining walls, floor beds, excavating under my deck for a shed/storage space, removing/planting bushes, removing a few smaller to medium size stumps, installing a sprinkler system and starting over with all the grass. My property is about 1/2 acre. Also, I will be rebuilding our vacation cottage next year so I need a tractor for similar landscape work there, among other things. From my research it appears the BX24 would meet my needs. I致e also been reading many posts from members that are amazed/happy with it痴 abilities and have made notes as to the jobs it痴 been subjected too. I believe I have a new one: tearing down a cottage. Yes, in my quest to further justify the purchase I would like to use the BX24 to assist in tearing down my single story, 35x25 with 10x25 porch and 20x35 deck. The structure is all wood and sits on wood supports (no foundation).

Am I asking too much from this tractor?

My plan is to manually remove all the windows with a reciprocating saw, then use the backhoe to punch holes in the side of the cottage to reveal the studs, tie a chain around the studs and start pulling with the truck. After the cottage is down I would use the backhoe again to smash the bigger pieces. The loader would then be used to dump into the roll-offs. I watched the contractor tear down my neighbors cottage a few years ago. They used a large excavator and in two or three hits with the bucket the entire house was flattened. I知 not looking for that kind of results but would like to avoid having to rent a larger machine.

 

[rdsaustintx]

Sounds like you have everything planned well. I tore down a similar size building last year, but there were a gillion nails, both from storage inside and tearing off the roofing. Got three flats in 15 minutes, no kidding. $50 to fix the tires and $150 for a huge magnet

Other than that, the BX was an awesome implement of destruction...

 

[ktmpat]

rdsaustintx - Thanks, looks like I missed something big, flat tires. That would spool the the day!

 

[ktmpat]

here are a couple of pictures of the cottage that might help in determining my needs.

 

[Jimbrown]

here are a couple of pictures of the cottage that might help in determining my needs.

I think it is just what you need. If you go any bigger it will make landscaping in tight areas difficult. It certainly can do what you say you want it for. It might take a little longer to dig some foundations or move some large piles of dirt around than a bigger one would, But I find I do a better job moving it in smaller amounts. The bucket will not hold a lot of scrap at one time when teraing down the cottage but none of the cuts really do. It certainly has the power to knock down the walls and dig out the post.

 

[Singlecoil]

I would get a thumb for your backhoe and a skidplate right away.

 

[samofsweden]

Singlecoil, what is a THUMB for the backshoe and frontloader?
Maybe Im stupied, but Im new in this, just bought a new BX24...happy happy1
Thanks,
sam

 

[asylum575]

Check this site

Bro-Tek: Tractor Add Ons

They sell aftermarket accessories for the BX, there are other manufacturers, this is only one of many.

Ed

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

A word of warning with the bolt on thumbs. We've had customers who have had the thumb break loose and slide back breaking the hydraulic hose off the bucket cylinder. These really should be welded in place.

 

[Harry c]

You can have the tires filled with foam and eliminate the flats. I personally don't like foam filled tires for all around use but with what you save doing this work yourself you can buy new tires when you're finished.

 

[Singlecoil]

Singlecoil, what is a THUMB for the backshoe and frontloader?
Maybe Im stupied, but Im new in this, just bought a new BX24...happy happy1
Thanks,
sam

A thumb will let you do things like this:

When you are taking down the cottage, you'll be able to grab material with the backhoe and carry it around if you have a thumb. The skidplate will protect the underside, especially the transmission cooling fan (plastic) that breaks easily if a stick gets up in there and is extremely expensive to replace. I've heard you have to pull the engine and it is over $400.

 

[bird1968]

Check this site

Bro-Tek: Tractor Add Ons

Ed

Note to our customer: The Bro-Tek thumb has been around for more than 18 months, out of 200+ units, not one problem reported . Please do not weld this Thumb to the boom, the boom strenght could be compromise if it's welded to the boom side.

Problems reported, are from other Thumb suppliers.

Richard

 

[ktmpat]

Once I pull the trigger on the tractor, probably tomorrow morning, I will be ordering the skid plate. I also plan on ordering the BH thumb but will wait until I actually need it next spring for the cottage work. I've also been looking at the grapple for the loader, that seems like it would really help with cleanup of the old cottage.

Thanks for all the replies.

 

[ktmpat]

That cottage looks too good to destroy. Is there a place you could move it and have it for a storage shed or a garage for your tractor and the attachments you will likely end up with?

It's really not that bad for a "cottage". The original structure, 25x20, was build in 1938. The left and right wings were added in the sixties. All is sitting on posts, some are missing and the floor is not level. The cottage is truly a summer place, not heated other than a portable kerosene heater, and we would like to spend more time there in the winter. We looked are renovating the cottage but the structure would require too much work. It's actually easier to tear down and start over.

 

[TroyR57]

I dont think the two by fours will brake up like you saw with the track hoe. That said, you can use a sawzall, to cut them up some what first.
then rip them out with the back hoe, or loader.

 

[Dog Lover]

The BX24 will do all that you list. In fact, I have done almost all of your list and then some. For your size property and what you want to do, anything larger will be too much, in my opinion. My BX24 has been perfect since the day they delivered it. I even lifted 9000lbs of new roof shingles to the roof with my FEL and forks I made. ( did it 1 SQ at a time).

 

[RayCo]

A word of warning with the bolt on thumbs. We've had customers who have had the thumb break loose and slide back breaking the hydraulic hose off the bucket cylinder. These really should be welded in place.

I'm one of them. Since welding the plate for my thumb onto the dipperstick, it's been fine. It's nice to be able to leave the thumb on permanently.

 

[Singlecoil]

Note to our customer: The Bro-Tek thumb has been around for more than 18 months, out of 200+ units, not one problem reported . Please do not weld this Thumb to the boom, the boom strenght could be compromise if it's welded to the boom side.

Problems reported, are from other Thumb suppliers.

Richard

I have to agree. If you look at competing designs, they are curved and have a wider base (the part that contacts rocks, logs, etc.). If things strike it on the extreme sides, there is more of a moment to cause twisting of the unit. Also, the curved support structure is not as strong as the Bro-Tek design which utilizes a straight top link. It is easier to compress a curved piece than a straight one.

 

[samofsweden]

Check this site

Bro-Tek: Tractor Add Ons

They sell aftermarket accessories for the BX, there are other manufacturers, this is only one of many.

Ed

Thanks alot!
/Sam
Look very handy!

 

[samofsweden]

A thumb will let you do things like this:

When you are taking down the cottage, you'll be able to grab material with the backhoe and carry it around if you have a thumb. The skidplate will protect the underside, especially the transmission cooling fan (plastic) that breaks easily if a stick gets up in there and is extremely expensive to replace. I've heard you have to pull the engine and it is over $400.

Thanks! You guys are so helpful! Big thanks to you all!
/Sam