Can a BX23 really dig?

tommu56 · Aug 27, 2005

I am using my 23 at my cabin (up state pa) and hit slate at 3 ft and I found tooth bar worked alot better for larger digs. The tooth catches a rif and just lift then I turn around and snap the peices with hoe if they are too big for loader. I didnt have any problen with the pipes I'v put in I have been able to dig slate right up. One key point don't reach out and pull back to tractor dig right under hoe and pull up tractor dosent walk as mutch this way

malinois · Sep 6, 2005

I agree with Junkman. My wife and I own twenty acres of mountain ground in central PA (Huntingdon county). Our soil is also very rocky. We own a BX23 and have found it to be an impressive piece of equipment for its size. We have dug a trench approximately 110 feet long varying in depth from 10 to 40 inches. When we encountered large rock (larger than the bucket), we opted to dig around and loosen them if they were near the surface or crack them with an electric jack hammer if they were deeper in the trench. Shale on the other hand has been a problem. It has had to slowly be shaved with the bucket or loosened with the jack hammer. It is a very slow process. We have many more excavating / clearing projects to complete and this was the smallest. While I still believe that the BX23 is an excellent machine, we are trading our BX23 in on either a B21 or an L39 to better meet our needs (time issue). Whether a person is happy with their BX23 is based on an owner's needs and expectations. Good luck with your decision! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

LBrown59 · Sep 7, 2005

<font color="blue"> I dug an 85' trench about 30" deep in about 2hrs the first time I used it and I had never run a backhoe before. Now...I'll pick your teeth with that thing,
************** </font>
I know what you mean.

gsxr1100 · Sep 7, 2005

I did about a 100 ft for my gutter drainage. Started about at 2 feet and went to to the max (little over 6 ft).

Then me, being the "bright one" did my complete yard in-ground irrigation sprinklers with my BX22. Talk about looking like the Vietcong tunnels...unreal.
. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I am sure the new BX coming out will be better.

Skidmark25 · Sep 7, 2005

Mike, thinking about doing a sprinkler system myself, should I use the B7610 with the 16" BH bucket or rent a ditch witch for the day??

gsxr1100 · Sep 7, 2005

easy.......rent the pipe puller. You will go nuts with the BH. PLus you do not need to go very deep here. 8 to 12" max

So you are using 1" poly I assume??

Doing the complete sys is very very easy. It is a #2 on my list of ripoffs from installers; right under siding.

Most time is spent with backflow, wiring to valves, or tuning rotors or sprays.. Rest is pretty fast.

You can even pay some sprinkler guys to just pull pipe. Since it is not summer, some guys might be slowing down some. Also the winters (when you blow them out) tends to take there toll on the rotor seals. But you can buy parts, rotors, sprays etc all online pretty cheap. I have like 3 places I go to often.

Skidmark25 · Sep 7, 2005

Thanks Mike, that was my thought as well - it wasn't too difficult.

I can get my brother to help me out, he tells me that if the parts are sold at the big home warehouses like the Depot & Lowes then any idiot and his brother can do it. I just haven't figured out who is the idiot and who is the brother. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

Time will tell. Big brother wants to borrow the B7610 badly but Skidmark doesn't have a trailer big enough to haul it, who is the idiot now?? /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

gsxr1100 · Sep 7, 2005

I would buy Hunter (I-20 or PGP) or Rainbird. Most installers run, not walk, from Toro. These (Toro) are what lowes/Depot sell. Crap in my eyes and many.

Also if using poly pipe I would strongly buy the Blazzing saddles Tee for the funny pipe to rotor/spray etc; Real time saver. Link is below...WELL worth the money...I have about 20 extra since I love them so much.

http://www.blazingproducts.com/products/saddles/

Junkman · Sep 7, 2005

How did you design your system? Is there a site that you can use for layout work???? thanks

gsxr1100 · Sep 8, 2005

junk-it comes down to PSI you have, some PSI drops etc. Let me look on my site. I know I did something.

It is a no brainer here. Once you do it, you will say, is that it? Again, #2 on my scammer list.