Well, as the O.P., I got the model number wrong. I thought they'd follow the BX2660 with pretty much the same tractor coupled to a backhoe. I thought they'd use the 3200 rpm version of the D1005 block and call it a BX26 based on the hp. I didn't think they'd transition from BX24 to a BX25 with such minor changes. I was hoping they'd implement more of the ideas that had been mentioned in this thread.
Describe the Ultimate BX
- Thread starter Tom_H
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MessickFarmEqu
Super Member
Tom_H said:
There is the simple issue of cost. If you implemented many of the things that are mentioned here you'd be right up to the price of a B2320.
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MessickFarmEqu said:
Do any of the SCUT have reversible rims? I wouldn't think it would be to costly and add much stability to those with hillside property.
AndyinIowa
Silver Member
As an engineer AND marketing person, I have to ask everyone who has responded to this post:
How much is each feature worth in $$ to you? Just because competitors offer a feature doesn't automatically make it free for Kubota to add.
I went through a few of the lists on here, and can easily see a BX tractor running $3000-7000 more base price to accomodate the feature lists. Features cost a lot more than you'd expect.
Great example: Reversible rims. Sounds cheap, right? Well, lets not forget a few other issues:
1. Need to qualify the axles to meet life requirements in the worse case condition (BX25, rims wide, fully ballasted, etc...). May need larger rear axle casting to accomodate the new bearings for higher moment loads.
2. Gonna need to redesign the mower decks for clearance on wider tires.
3. May need a thicker rim to handle the increased stresses.
4. Since the crown of the tire is now closer to the edge of the fender, we need to redesign the fender, gosh darn it.
5. Oh, and now all the owners of existing BX's machines are buying the reversible rims, and screaming for warranty because their axles break, the tires rub the mower deck, and when they put chains on the tires the chains rub the fenders.
Welcome to the world of engineers.... Sorry if this sounds like a rant, but I've been through this too many times. Kubota makes pretty darn good machines. not 100% of the features we'd like, but the 80/20 rule seems to equal success for Kubota!
AndyinIowa
How much is each feature worth in $$ to you? Just because competitors offer a feature doesn't automatically make it free for Kubota to add.
I went through a few of the lists on here, and can easily see a BX tractor running $3000-7000 more base price to accomodate the feature lists. Features cost a lot more than you'd expect.
Great example: Reversible rims. Sounds cheap, right? Well, lets not forget a few other issues:
1. Need to qualify the axles to meet life requirements in the worse case condition (BX25, rims wide, fully ballasted, etc...). May need larger rear axle casting to accomodate the new bearings for higher moment loads.
2. Gonna need to redesign the mower decks for clearance on wider tires.
3. May need a thicker rim to handle the increased stresses.
4. Since the crown of the tire is now closer to the edge of the fender, we need to redesign the fender, gosh darn it.
5. Oh, and now all the owners of existing BX's machines are buying the reversible rims, and screaming for warranty because their axles break, the tires rub the mower deck, and when they put chains on the tires the chains rub the fenders.
Welcome to the world of engineers.... Sorry if this sounds like a rant, but I've been through this too many times. Kubota makes pretty darn good machines. not 100% of the features we'd like, but the 80/20 rule seems to equal success for Kubota!
AndyinIowa
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Reversible Rims...
Since Kubota sells spacers to widen the stance, it would seem they are comfortable with the axles, housings and fender placement to accommodate...
I think Tom H, the original poster, has actually provided a service to the BX engineering team by posing this question to thousands of loyal BX owners/operators...
Business today is becoming even more competitive and manufacturers that build products with the consumer in mind will always have an edge...
Since Kubota sells spacers to widen the stance, it would seem they are comfortable with the axles, housings and fender placement to accommodate...
I think Tom H, the original poster, has actually provided a service to the BX engineering team by posing this question to thousands of loyal BX owners/operators...
Business today is becoming even more competitive and manufacturers that build products with the consumer in mind will always have an edge...
MessickFarmEqu
Super Member
ultrarunner said:
Kubota does not sell spacers, someone else is building them.
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MessickFarmEqu
Super Member
I think the B's maybe the only machine that spacers are available.
The points that Andy and Neil make about so many extras driving up price are valid. As the OP in this thread, I knew there was no way Kubota was going to rush to study it and incorporate every idea we tossed into the arena. Still, Andy, there is no reason we can't all have fun discussing things we'd enjoy seeing on a BX.
Some of the suggestions in this thread would require modification of the tractor itself, but a number of the things on our list are things that can be options without changing the design of the tractor. For a company as big as Kubota, many of these things would not be cost effective at the level of demand. Luckily, though, we do have little aftermarket businesses whose level of production can match the level of demand. There are aftermarket wheel spacers available for the BX. Seems like it maybe Larry at MowerAxle who makes these; I know I've seen photos of BX wheel spacers on TBN. Some of the other little aftermarket products include Larry's mower axle wheel stands for MMMs, Richard's skid plates, ripper, and thumb at Bro-tek, Wallenstein's thumb, American Solutions' grapple and tilt meter, top 'n tilt offered by at least 3 firms, canopies, ROPS mounted lighting, Tiny Tach, bolt and weld on bucket hooks, and many others that don't come to mind at this moment. Andy, one benefit of a thread like this one is that it can give new ideas to the small entepreneurs about new products that might succeed in the small-niche aftermarket area. You're an engineer, come on and join us in having some fun. Which, of all the ideas in this thread, do you think could be an entepreneurial success in a small demand aftermarket?
Some of the suggestions in this thread would require modification of the tractor itself, but a number of the things on our list are things that can be options without changing the design of the tractor. For a company as big as Kubota, many of these things would not be cost effective at the level of demand. Luckily, though, we do have little aftermarket businesses whose level of production can match the level of demand. There are aftermarket wheel spacers available for the BX. Seems like it maybe Larry at MowerAxle who makes these; I know I've seen photos of BX wheel spacers on TBN. Some of the other little aftermarket products include Larry's mower axle wheel stands for MMMs, Richard's skid plates, ripper, and thumb at Bro-tek, Wallenstein's thumb, American Solutions' grapple and tilt meter, top 'n tilt offered by at least 3 firms, canopies, ROPS mounted lighting, Tiny Tach, bolt and weld on bucket hooks, and many others that don't come to mind at this moment. Andy, one benefit of a thread like this one is that it can give new ideas to the small entepreneurs about new products that might succeed in the small-niche aftermarket area. You're an engineer, come on and join us in having some fun. Which, of all the ideas in this thread, do you think could be an entepreneurial success in a small demand aftermarket?
