I don't have the BX24 - JD2305 answer

Dyer retired · May 31, 2008

My neighbor is looking at the Kubota BX24 and the John Deere 2305 at our nearby dealer (the dealer sells both brands.) His question is: Should he be concerned about the amount of plastic on both of these models? The Kubota is about $1,500 less than the 2305 and both have all the features he's looking for, but he's concerned about the plastic. He will be parking whichever tractor he gets inside and out of sun, so fading won't be a problem. To move to the B series Kubota adds roughly another $4,000.00 to the price.... for a tractor with more metal panels. He's signed on as a new member to TBN, but has not been approved yet, so can't seem to post anything yet....therefore, the question from me.

There have probably been several posts regarding this comparison, but is there a feature of one tractor over the other that he should be looking at? For instance, we noticed that the seat swivels on the Kubota around to the backhoe easier than the John Deere (the salesman had a hard time with the Deere,) but maybe that's just something you would quickly get used to? I'm posting this under the Kubota forum because I am partial to the brand. Thanks in advance. Dyer, retired

ChuckinNH · May 31, 2008

John, I've looked at both, and like both. I think that the intended use of the tractor should matter more than the plastic, or lack of it. It seems that Kubota has a better handle on it's use now, though there is actually a third solution. The new BX2660 is metal, and only costs several hundred more than a BX2350. Though Kubota doesn't supply a backhoe option, I'm sure a Woods BH6000 would work fine, as it does on the BX 2350. I would look to the B models only if more backhoe capacity, ground clearance, and 3pt capability were important.

Kubota to JD? It seems to me that the backhoe, mmm, and front mounted implements have fewer conflicts on the Kubota, and I like the quarter inching valve over no incremental control on the JD. Loader functions are smoother on the Kubota, but take more RPM, and the bucket is smaller with only a single center cylinder. The JD is wider, which should make it more stable, but folks I know say the loader is a bit big for the tractor, and it actually feels less stable in use........ can't comment on that.

You have quite a bit of experience with what a BX can do, so your input on that size compared to a B for his use should be good! Either are good tractors, but I really don't see the extra money for the Deere myself..... especially compared to the new BX2660, or integrated BX24. Look at the pivot mounts, etc. on both backhoes....

Dyer retired · May 31, 2008

ChuckinNH said:
John, I've looked at both, and like both. I think that the intended use of the tractor should matter more than the plastic, or lack of it. It seems that Kubota has a better handle on it's use now, though there is actually a third solution. The new BX2660 is metal, and only costs several hundred more than a BX2350. Though Kubota doesn't supply a backhoe option, I'm sure a Woods BH6000 would work fine, as it does on the BX 2350. I would look to the B models only if more backhoe capacity, ground clearance, and 3pt capability were important.

Kubota to JD? It seems to me that the backhoe, mmm, and front mounted implements have fewer conflicts on the Kubota, and I like the quarter inching valve over no incremental control on the JD. Loader functions are smoother on the Kubota, but take more RPM, and the bucket is smaller with only a single center cylinder. The JD is wider, which should make it more stable, but folks I know say the loader is a bit big for the tractor, and it actually feels less stable in use........ can't comment on that.

You have quite a bit of experience with what a BX can do, so your input on that size compared to a B for his use should be good! Either are good tractors, but I really don't see the extra money for the Deere myself..... especially compared to the new BX2660, or integrated BX24. Look at the pivot mounts, etc. on both backhoes....

Chuck,

Thanks for the very helpful, as always, response. This neighbor is the one that cleared my driveway for me last winter after my operation and he now has the fever. He's owned a John Deere in the past, but also likes the Kubota. Your information will be a big help, since it's hard to notice all the "feel" and "application" type things from just sitting on them at the dealer. Another neighbor just came home last week with a B2630, bucket, backhoe, and the whole neighborhood is jealous...very nice machine. If my friend gets a new Kubota, we'll have nearly 6 houses in a row with Kubota's in the yard.

I could have used a backhoe this last week. I've been cutting dead trees from the ice storm of '98 and yarding them out with the BX1800. I only have a back blade, but I've been using that to pull brush out to where I can load it to....not the most efficient method, but it's working. I told my neighbor that I find new uses for that little tractor every day and have not regretted one minute of spending the money on it.

My friend will be on TBN soon, just waiting for administrative permission. He's reading the posts in the meantime and e-mailing me to say thanks for the info.!

Are you getting summer over there yet? John

crabjoe · Jun 1, 2008

They both have plastic, which I don't like, but the Deere 2305's 3point hitch is a limited Cat 1 setup. The BX24 is a full cat 1 hitch.

If these were the only 2 tractors I was looking at, I'd go with the BX24.

I recently purchased my 1st tractor. I took the Deere off my list because of the hitch. I was then looking at the BX24 and the Kioti CK20. Looked at the TYM too. I eventually took the BX24 off the list becasue I wanted more then 500lbs of loader lift capacity. I ended up with the Kioti.

If size was more of a concern, then lift capacity, I'd go with the Kubota BX24. That tractor packs a lot of punch in such a small package. The thing is no bigger then my Craftsman riding mower; when the BH and FEL are taken off.

BTW, I hate the plastic on all these tractors. Thank God Kioti is all steel.

asylum575 · Jun 1, 2008

Crabjoe,
When I was shopping, my two finalists were the BX24 and CK20 also. I really liked the Kioti, but went with the BX24 because of it's size and my property( about 1 1/2 acres). Now that I've had the BX24 for 6 months, I can say I made the right choice.
The CK 20 is a great value, but to match it up against a BX24 isn't fair. It should be compared to a B series, probably B7510. This comparison would go to Kioti, providing your not looking for a MMM that comes off easy.

stimpee · Jun 1, 2008

Let me ask a more general question:

"What is your friend/neighbor's property like, and what does he want to use the tractor for?"

With that answered, I am certain that we will all be happy to help him spend his money.

I went thru the decision process myself in March (and for the 12 months prior to that!). As an engineer, looking at things with my own skewed geek perspective, I made the Kubota vs Deere decison rather quickly, since in my opinion the kubota's were overall a better engineered machine (although the Deere's did keep my interest and attention up to the final decision point).

Then my decision came down to size and capability. I started with the bx2350, then considered the bx24, then moved to the bxx20 series and even made a deal on one (2920). I then changed again and ended up bringing home what is in my sig line. No regrets. Except perhaps wondering if i went big enough (8 acre "gentleman's" type horse farm - read that as minimal rough areas, lots of grass, no heavy woods). And perhaps the lingering desire for a backhoe, but that one is impossible to justify to myself, and more importantly to SWMBO/CFO. I just need to start collecting more attachments. QA pallet forks and a chain harrow are on the short list, then perhaps a bushhog for the pastures and a spreader, and then....

More info please!!

Steve

Dyer retired · Jun 1, 2008

stimpee said:
Let me ask a more general question:

"What is your friend/neighbor's property like, and what does he want to use the tractor for?"

With that answered, I am certain that we will all be happy to help him spend his money.

More info please!!

Steve

Steve,

His yard is probably close to 2 acres with a nice yard, but lots of dense woods. We had an ice storm here in 1998 and many of the trees killed during that time are either falling down or threatening to fall. Murphy's law dictates that the trees about to fall with either fall on his hot tub room, the house roof generally, or on top of the power lines coming into the house, so those trees need to be pulled out. He would then like to pull the stumps and clean all that area up.

He is also intending on getting a snowblower for the rear of the machine. We had enough snow this winter that the snow coming off his metal roof piled up so quickly that his 24" walk behind could not keep up and even the snowblower would not have worked well if the snow packing from falling off the roof was left for more than a day, so a bucket would have been great.

I keep telling my friend that I bought my BX1800 for mowing the lawn and for the front mounted snowblower. I have since found 10,000 uses for that little tractor and suspect that he will too. People made fun of me buying the size tractor I did (everyone thought it was overkill) for the money I paid, as they trailered their $14,000 worth of snowmobiles in the $4,000 trailer 200 miles North to the big snow, where they paid $100.00 a night at a motel, so they could ride from restaurant to restaurant along the way feeding the local economy substantially......all the time knowing that they could only do this for about 3 good months a year if all goes well. That tractor gets used year round for a lot less money, I am home sleeping in my own bed, and am doing productive work around my house. The truth is, I get far more enjoyment out of working with the tractor, working on the tractor, building improvements to the tractor, etc. than I ever paid for it.

I'm with you on spending my neighbor's money, ha! Bird, down in Texas, told someone once that the right tractor for that person is the tractor that he decides to get, so I'm leaving that decision to him, but it's fun watching the process as he narrows down his picks.

Dyer, still retired

jaybrad · Jun 2, 2008

I am the neighbor of Dyer, retired - and have finally had my TBN membership activated so I can jump in personally

He's already provided the background information (thanks!), and I appreciate the replies to what seems to be a common question on this forum.

I'm really like the size of these CUTs, but bothered by all the plastic on the new models. We are fortunate to have a good dealer nearby who sells both orange and green tractors, so I have been there a couple times, talked with them, studied the units, and sat on both (haven't started them up).

Now I'm reading some and wondering more about the MF2310 (or the new 2410), but haven't read much about them.

Any input on their metal/plastic content, issues, and price?

I'll be making some calls later today to see what the local MF dealer(s) have in stock, but also interested in what folks on this forum have experienced?

Thanks,
Jay

ChuckinNH · Jun 2, 2008

The Massey 2310 is all metal, but the 2410 has some plastic components. These tractors don't have as many aftermarked items available like skid plates, etc. as the Kubota's but are very worthy competitors if the price is right. I think right now there is a $600 rebate on the 2310 with 0% for 60 month financing. The backhoe has more reach, and both the backhoe, and loader are smoother at low rpm. The engine is larger too than the Kubota engine. I like the gages better on the Massey, but don't care for the mower deck adjustment mechanism, and general ergonomics as well. Take a look, pivot the seat around, etc. on both. You will be well served with any of these choices for what they are designed for. Stumps were mentioned, and I would want something larger for dealing with anything over 8" or so. Roots are very tough! A "ripper" tooth that replaces the backhoe bucket is available for the Kubota at least, and I would look into that for stumps.

Actually, for work that is mostly in the woods, I would choose something with more clearance, and a more protected belly, like a Kubota B series, Kioti Ck20, JD 2320, Mahindra 2015, etc. There is more of a gap in the Massey line, and I think the backhoe for the 1528 is a bit weak for the weight of the tractor.

Good luck, and have fun in your search!

Dyer retired · Jun 2, 2008

Chuck,

I know Jay will appreciate your thoughtful and researched input. Those are the kinds of comparisons that he was looking for. Unfortunately, the poor guy still has to work and can only think about tractors part time, ha! John