Tractor Sizing BX25D ... Is it the machine I need?

[archwoodholding]

I recently sold my L3540 with LA740 FEL, Pallet Forks, and rear blade. The main reason was it was too big and heavy for the tasks I had planned except when it came to moving snow. I couldn't mow with it due to the weight of the machine so much so that just driving on the turf would leave indentations due to 7,000lbs of weight and that I have some fairly steep hills and ditches. I am looking for a machine that will blow snow and also still be able to mow, move materials (granted not as much) and maybe do some digging from time to time. In looking at the BX25D it seems to be priced at the same as what I paid for the L3540 about 6 years ago. I don't want to buy an expensive garden tractor but a versatile machine capable of working year round etc... When I bought the L3540 it would not go in the shed only the garage with ROPS folded down. Had I kept it, I would have had to spent a lot of money building it a home. I know the BX and all its attachments can make it into my storage shed so that isn't my issue. My issue is that the BX25D is like a little Swiss army knife of tractors and as one might say when you do a lot of things okay you never really standout doing any one thing in particular. I guess my question is whether this machine truly is a workhorse or is it an extremely expensive garden/lawn tractor that does an average job or is it a great machine worth the money and the hype?

I have 2+ acres, a 400' asphalt drive, and many flower beds and foundation plants requiring mulching etc... each year. I also own an apartment complex on about 3 acres about 10 miles away from my residence where I sometimes need to do maintenance and landscaping tasks. I currently mow my lawn with a JD 445. I like the tractor but hate the way it mows so was hoping the BX25D could do that and all the other things better.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Code54]

The BX25 is a great little machine, now it will not move as much snow as your L series would due to the lack of weight but with a blower it will do a good job keeping the driveways clear. I have a MX series I use for my heavy duty work and a BX for the lighter duty work around the yard and for mowing. The BX is excellent for these tasks. It is light enough it does not rut up the yard or do any damage with just the MMM on and does a good job mowing. We have about 8 acres at the house I take care of and the backhoe makes quick work of several jobs that i never expected to use it for. If I am brush hogging trails (I help at the neighbors farm) and cutting the big fields I chose the MX due to its size, but if I had to only have one machine I would keep the BX as it does everything but just a little slower than the MX. If you have not seen Bxpandeds website check it out, they have some really nice add ons for the machine that makes it even better.

 

[chucky79]

I have been contemplating the same. I keep going back and forth between the bx25 and a b2301. I currently have a bx and have been impressed but want a loader and backhoe so I'm trying to decide which to trade in on. Hate to buy another bx and then wish I'd bought bigger. Already made that mistake once when I didn't get the TLB from the start.

 

[4570Man]

I have a smaller L series, but I have more ballast on it bringing the weight to about 8,500 pounds. I spent several hours on a friends JD version of a BX. Some ballast would have done it wonders, but it was almost worthless. I would consider it an expensive garden tractor. The loader couldn't even scoop chipper chips. The draw bar pull was pitiful. It struggled to pull a trailer loaded with brush weighing less than 1,000 pounds. The guy that owns the JD doesn't like to mow with it. He said it is still to heavy to mow with when it is wet.

 

[Code54]

I have not ran a JD but can assure you that the BX can lift a load of chips without a problem. The loader is not strongest loader ever built but is very well matched to the machine. I use the loader to dig out our ditches along the road and the only time I hit the limit of the loader is when digging into a bank. The actual load of mud is never a problem for the machine, it is the weight caused by pushing into the bank and lifting is the only time I hit the limit.
As for towing stuff i have used ours to move our empty eqpt. trailer (2200lbs) around and even up the hills on our road without any drama. I wouldn't want to take something that heavy down a steep hill due to the size/weight of the BX but just shuffling it around the neighborhood it worked great.

Just interested in how you are ballasting your small L to 8500lbs - that is a lot of weight. (My MX with loader and loaded tires, grapple and a 1400lb counter weight is less than that)

 

[chucky79]

I wouldn't call it a garden tractor like you see garden tractors today. Its definitely not a huge farming tractor either though. I have two early 80's heavy duty cub cadet garden tractors with hydraulic lift and hydraulic front control that have the option for 3ph attachments too. I also have a new bx2370 to compare those too and I have to tell you its NIGHT AND DAY difference. Diesel power, 4x4, cat 1 3ph, Rear PTO, etc. I love my bx and hope to own a loader or trade for a bx25D soon myself. thought about a B2301 too but I do more mowing than anything else and much of that is on steep inclines so ill probably just stick with the BX. I say go rent one for a day or two and use it around the spread to see what ya think. Im willing to bet you will be impressed.

 

[4570Man]

I have not ran a JD but can assure you that the BX can lift a load of chips without a problem. The loader is not strongest loader ever built but is very well matched to the machine. I use the loader to dig out our ditches along the road and the only time I hit the limit of the loader is when digging into a bank. The actual load of mud is never a problem for the machine, it is the weight caused by pushing into the bank and lifting is the only time I hit the limit. As for towing stuff i have used ours to move our empty eqpt. trailer (2200lbs) around and even up the hills on our road without any drama. I wouldn't want to take something that heavy down a steep hill due to the size/weight of the BX but just shuffling it around the neighborhood it worked great. Just interested in how you are ballasting your small L to 8500lbs - that is a lot of weight. (My MX with loader and loaded tires, grapple and a 1400lb counter weight is less than that)

The JD could lift the wood chips fine. It couldn't scoop the chips with loaded tires. My L is a L3240 only one series smaller than the op's. I have a loader, grapple, loaded tires, and a backhoe&subframe.

 

[Tompet]

I have been contemplating the same. I keep going back and forth between the bx25 and a b2301. I currently have a bx and have been impressed but want a loader and backhoe so I'm trying to decide which to trade in on. Hate to buy another bx and then wish I'd bought bigger. Already made that mistake once when I didn't get the TLB from the start.

If you have doubt go with the 2301 or whatever size in that series. It is simple. Same to the op archwoodholding.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

I'm on my second BX25 owning. Have owned an L3240, several Bs and several BXs.
The BX25 is a workhorse, well small workhorse. Going from an L down in size two steps to a BX will seem like a giant step and it is a giant step down "in size". It is what it is and that's a Sub compact tractor thus called a SCUT vs the B size being a CUT or compact utility tractor. I just traded a B2620 FEL BH to another BX25D since I missed my first one so much and now I'm really missing the extra power and size BH and FEL buckets.
The BX25D can do most jobs with time. Great mower? BXs aren't great mowers but are mowers with tractor capabilities. Zero turn Kubotas and F Kubotas are great mowers but no tractor capabilities. Any BX should mow better than your L but no BX will mow as good as a Zero turn or F.

 

[Lilguy]

I have 2 mid 80's Kubotas, a L2250 gear and a B8200 HST. Except for a hydraulic pump on the 2250 they have cost me oil, filters and belts in almost 30 years. I'm shopping the BX25D and the B2601 with like packages. My first impression is they are less substantial units now. Vibration transmitted through unit is noticeably greater. The BX seems more a lawn tractor with drive members mounted to a frame rather than one and other, in line, like a true tractor.
My home is 16 acres with one steep hill I mow up and down only in FWD. Want a BH and will not put a 3 point hitch on the older rides. I did notice the exposed plastic fan on the BX, feel it could be
better shielded. Are these units multi decade use machines still? What's been everyone's survice experience
with late model tractors. Thanks all.