Comparison BX2680 vs 1025R

[gocards1177]

Wow it's been a long time since I've posted! So I've got my better half on board with the idea of upgrading from our x300 for mowing - all the way to a subcompact. I like the idea of having a diesel, 4wd, rops mower that can do other tasks around the house and garden like a smaller loader than what's on my bigger tractor, tilling, etc.

I like both the Deere and Kubota dealers, I have purchases with both previously, and they're both near me. Up until today I was sold on the 1025R and was about to pull the trigger but we happened to be driving by the Kubota dealer and I stopped and noticed they had a BX2680. Both my wife and I drove it and liked it. The quick detach for the loader and deck was slick. I need to go back and drive the 1025R again but I liked the controls and operators station on the BX better.

As for prices they're very similar. The 1025R with H120 loader and 60 inch deck is 16700 plus the frontier RT1149 for 1800.

The BX2680 with 334 loader and 60 inch deck is 16350 plus a land pride tiller for 2000.

The two things worrying me about the BX are both somewhat minor. First off I dislike buying the first version of something. I like for things to be out a while, prove themselves, and get the kinks worked out. Secondly the front guard looks silly and feels flimsy. I suppose it might grow on me. I doubt I'm the only one that feels this way so maybe a third party will come out with a replacement?

Otherwise there's things I like and dislike about each. But I did prefer the BX's operator station and feel.

PS no I'm only interested in Deere or Kubota thanks.

PPD no I don't plan on getting a BH. As much fun as getting the BX23S would be I can rent a mini ex locally twenty times for the price difference of a BH

 

[CADplans]

Otherwise there's things I like and dislike about each. But I did prefer the BX's operator station and feel.

Which HST pedal did you prefer?

I can only use the JD,, as I have a large shoe size,,,
unless the pedal has been changed on the newer Kubota??

 

[gocards1177]

I can't remember what the pedal was like on my L3800 but I don't think it was like the BX's today. I think maybe they both have a treadle pedal but the BX's is mostly below the deck. I honesty didn't have a preference. The 1025Rs is like my x300 and is slightly more ergonomic. The BX's though is more intuitive. I have to admit sometimes on my x300 I would briefly hit the wrong direction pedal.

 

[dodge man]

They have been making BX's for a lot of years. Each new model usually just has a few changes.

 

[dragoneggs]

Difficult to compare other than to get seat time in both, or at least drive both around the dealer lot and get a good idea on controls. I'm 6'2" and found the BX platform better fit for me than the JD. I have the BX25D but I'm not set on color.

Yes the BH is a luxury and I have no regrets. That said, you better have lots of digging in your future to make it pay off because as you mentioned, one can rent more than a few mini ex's to cover the cost difference. Not so convenient though and that is an understatement. You won't rent one to do little projects that take 15 min. You will get more far more seat time in a BX w/BH than in a rented mini ex. Definitely not trying to sell you on a BH though. Have fun shopping!

 

[Tractorable]

Why not just keep the X300 for mowing the lawn and get the 1025R or BX for bigger tasks? That's the setup my neighbor has and it works well for his 6 acres.

I have an X590 that I use for around the house and I plan on getting a 40-50hp CUT for mowing pastures, maintenance of my 1/3mi gravel driveway, and snow removal.

Good luck on your decision.

 

[s219]

The two things worrying me about the BX are both somewhat minor. First off I dislike buying the first version of something. I like for things to be out a while, prove themselves, and get the kinks worked out.

The BX '80 models are just a "refresh" really -- the core stuff has been around and has been well tested by time. I bet if we did a poll, the BX might be the top owned tractor here on TBN. Surely it's the most popular subcompact on TBN. Seems like half the posters here have one!

 

[gocards1177]

They have been making BX's for a lot of years. Each new model usually just has a few changes.

True true. Like I said it's probably a silly concern being a new model.

 

[gocards1177]

Difficult to compare other than to get seat time in both, or at least drive both around the dealer lot and get a good idea on controls. I'm 6'2" and found the BX platform better fit for me than the JD. I have the BX25D but I'm not set on color.

Yes the BH is a luxury and I have no regrets. That said, you better have lots of digging in your future to make it pay off because as you mentioned, one can rent more than a few mini ex's to cover the cost difference. Not so convenient though and that is an understatement. You won't rent one to do little projects that take 15 min. You will get more far more seat time in a BX w/BH than in a rented mini ex. Definitely not trying to sell you on a BH though. Have fun shopping!

I think Iliked the BXs operator station best. It just felt more open. I'll be back from our trip later this week. The two dealers are 15 minutes from one another. I'll try driving them one right after the other for comparison.

 

[gocards1177]

Why not just keep the X300 for mowing the lawn and get the 1025R or BX for bigger tasks? That's the setup my neighbor has and it works well for his 6 acres.

I have an X590 that I use for around the house and I plan on getting a 40-50hp CUT for mowing pastures, maintenance of my 1/3mi gravel driveway, and snow removal.

Good luck on your decision.

Thanks and yes we were thinking the same - at least this season. Depending on how the SCUT handles the mowing jobs we can either keep it or I'd sell it myself this time next year. It's only got 110 hours on it and really has been a nice machine. It's just small and doesn't have locking diff.

 

[gocards1177]

Why not just keep the X300 for mowing the lawn and get the 1025R or BX for bigger tasks? That's the setup my neighbor has and it works well for his 6 acres.

I have an X590 that I use for around the house and I plan on getting a 40-50hp CUT for mowing pastures, maintenance of my 1/3mi gravel driveway, and snow removal.

Good luck on your decision.

Thanks and yes we were thinking the same - at least this season. Depending on how the SCUT handles the mowing jobs we can either keep it or I'd sell it myself this time next year. It's only got 110 hours on it and really has been a nice machine. It's just small and doesn't have locking diff.

As for other tasks on our property and driveway I've got the 5083E Deere. The SCUT would fill the gap between those two.

 

[gocards1177]

The BX '80 models are just a "refresh" really -- the core stuff has been around and has been well tested by time. I bet if we did a poll, the BX might be the top owned tractor here on TBN. Surely it's the most popular subcompact on TBN. Seems like half the posters here have one!

I don't doubt you're right! The 1025R seems popular too but I'm surprised on the "Reviews" section it doesn't seem to fair very well. Why do you think that is? Also what do you think of the brush guard? Like I said earlier, it's not just looks. It has to fold forward to accommodate the hood tipping forward. So to do that Kubota has to fixed posts on either side (like goal posts) and there's a thin metal sheet that hinges forward and snaps to the posts using clips like what you'd see on cabinets. Doesn't seem robust either. On my 5083E the brush guard tips forward but the arms pivot at the base.

 

[s219]

I have only seen the new Kubota grill guard in pictures so I can't comment on that. Does it seem tough when all put together in place? To me, that's all that matters. I would hope the two side posts are fairly rigid.

I looked at the Deere many years ago (was 1026R then) and liked it a lot, but some of the turnoffs were the plastic hood and the fuel gauge on the gas cap. The seat was excellent though and the tractor had a smooth comfortable feel. Back then the 1-series was new and dealers were pricing them high. I ended up realizing the Kubota B series was just a little more money and went with a B2920 instead. Never even sat on a BX that time.

 

[Tractorable]

Thanks and yes we were thinking the same - at least this season. Depending on how the SCUT handles the mowing jobs we can either keep it or I'd sell it myself this time next year. It's only got 110 hours on it and really has been a nice machine. It's just small and doesn't have locking diff.

As for other tasks on our property and driveway I've got the 5083E Deere. The SCUT would fill the gap between those two.

If you had the X300, 1025R, and 5083E you'd have the perfect Deere tri-fecta. The only problem then is you'd have no excuse to buy more tractors, but maybe you could get creative and come up with something.

 

[AxleHub]

Up until today I was sold on the 1025R and was about to pull the trigger but we happened to be driving by the Kubota dealer and I stopped and noticed they had a BX2680. Both my wife and I drove it and liked it.


PS no I'm only interested in Deere or Kubota thanks.

But up until 1 day ago you were only interested in JD. LOL

So I won't tell you why from 2006 till early 2015 I planned to by a Kubota BX and ended up with a Massey GC1715 instead

 

[gocards1177]

I have only seen the new Kubota grill guard in pictures so I can't comment on that. Does it seem tough when all put together in place? To me, that's all that matters. I would hope the two side posts are fairly rigid.

I looked at the Deere many years ago (was 1026R then) and liked it a lot, but some of the turnoffs were the plastic hood and the fuel gauge on the gas cap. The seat was excellent though and the tractor had a smooth comfortable feel. Back then the 1-series was new and dealers were pricing them high. I ended up realizing the Kubota B series was just a little more money and went with a B2920 instead. Never even sat on a BX that time.

The grill guard is so-so IHMO. The angled side pieces are quite stout and would deflect quite a bit of force. The metal in between though is flimsy and clips to the side supports with pressure clips similar to what's on some cabinet doors.

Yes a B series or JD 2 series would be nice too, but I figure what I can't do with a BX I've got my 5083E for backup.

 

[gocards1177]

But up until 1 day ago you were only interested in JD. LOL

So I won't tell you why from 2006 till early 2015 I planned to by a Kubota BX and ended up with a Massey GC1715 instead

Guilty as charged. I know tractors come in all kids of flavors but where I live Deere and Kubota are the most convenient dealers and I like them both.

 

[gocards1177]

So an interesting thing happened today. The salesman at Deere texted me this morning to let me know that in all of their stores (this place has like 7 stores scattered across southern MO) they only had ONE 1025R with loader and mower left and he didn't know when he would get more in. He said he has a lot of 1025Rs that have BH but I'm not really interested in that as I mentioned above. I trust this salesman and know him personally. He said he would hold the remaining 1025R (which is not at my local store - it's 45 min away) if he could until I can drive it this Saturday. I wonder if Deere is phasing out 1025Rs for a new model? Or they're just popular and not keeping up with demand?

One more thing: something I've considered to make myself feel better about not getting a BH is if I get the BX2680 is I could get a third party BH like a woods or wood max. I've read several posts on here where people have done that or installed later the factory BH on a 1025R or even just traded in for a FILB. I think a third party BH seems reasonable compared to the latter two options if I ever change my mind about getting a BH. Does that make sense?

 

[robertm]

I've tried 4 out of 5 tractors I've owned to get Deere to pony up. Last time, they supposedly "had a bounty out on orange" I was told. Yep! Better this time... only $3200 more than my Kubota. Here in N. Illinois, they just don't deal. I was so set on a 1025R I could taste it before I bought my current BX2670. Frankly, though, so much of the Deere seemed cheap to me. Not preschool toy cheap.... more like thinner, smaller, less robust than the Bota. Maybe it was me. I liked the QD deck on the green one, the loader control position, etc, but frankly, mountains will need to move before I see the 1025R have any leg up on the new BX 80 Series. Orange went for blood with the loader on/off this time. The Green MMM might be a bit easier, but it's a marginal bump because of Botas ramps. That detail means squat to me because I take them off 100% until I need them, and I think the Orange deck is more robust.
Drive them both. It's your sweat that's earned it. Only you need to be happy. I agree with the pooky do grille guard of the 80-Series, but I like that it stays with the tractor. I don't think it does with the Green... it goes with the loader. The valves on the Green are not regenerative, so you need to stop raising to curl or dump. Botas you do not. Try curling into a pile of mulch sometime without it. You'll see what I mean. Sorry, that would break it for me.

 

[dragoneggs]

Yes a B series or JD 2 series would be nice too, but I figure what I can't do with a BX I've got my 5083E for backup.

That's not fair! Backup? That's the reverse pedal in my book.