Kubota bx2370

BXman98 · Oct 30, 2014

I have a kubota bx 2370 and I have a mid mount mower with it and I'm gonna be getting the LA243 FEL for it. I have a 250lb rear blade for it. I am wondering about how much or if I am gonna need anymore weight off of the back end of the tractor for ballast. Any suggestions?

dragoneggs · Oct 30, 2014

I think my 6ft Rankin back blade weighs about the same (250lb). It seems to be plenty enough for my FEL work... sand, crushed gravel, dirt and a full bucket and I don't have a MMM so you should be in better shape. Just keep the bucket low moving on hills. I will say I notice a difference with my back hoe on though.

RaydaKub · Oct 30, 2014

For a lot of use, that should be enough. I use a 275lb weight bar on mine, although I also loaded the tires. The weight bar is nice because it only adds about 6 inches length for tight quarters. But if you are really going to be doing heavy work, you might want something that is even heavier. Part of the point of ballast is not only to keep your rear end planted (well, ok, your tractor's rear end), but also to offset some of the weight on the front axle. The loaded tires don't do that, but stuff hanging off the back will, and the further back and/or heavier it is, the easier it is on the front axle. That's where Dragon's backhoe is really handy.

bp fick · Oct 30, 2014

It's enough, but it will also be awkward. Just got to remember it's on there. In wide open space? Not a problem. In tighter quarters, it is just one more thing to remember during operating.

dragoneggs · Oct 30, 2014

RaydaKub said:
For a lot of use, that should be enough. I use a 275lb weight bar on mine, although I also loaded the tires. The weight bar is nice because it only adds about 6 inches length for tight quarters. But if you are really going to be doing heavy work, you might want something that is even heavier. Part of the point of ballast is not only to keep your rear end planted (well, ok, your tractor's rear end), but also to offset some of the weight on the front axle. The loaded tires don't do that, but stuff hanging off the back will, and the further back and/or heavier it is, the easier it is on the front axle. That's where Dragon's backhoe is really handy.

And to Ray's point, I think your 250# back blade is probably significantly more effective because its CG is further aft than his weight bar based on what I am hearing. I always keep something on my 3pt if BH isn't installed because I do so much FEL work. Mowing is a different story but I don't use mine for that. For mowing you may want nothing on the front or back for weight and maneuverability reasons. I can see a QA for your FEL in your future

if you mow in tight spaces.

RaydaKub · Oct 30, 2014

dragoneggs said:
And to Ray's point, I think your 250# back blade is probably significantly more effective because its CG is further aft than his weight bar based on what I am hearing. I always keep something on my 3pt if BH isn't installed because I do so much FEL work. Mowing is a different story but I don't use mine for that. For mowing you may want nothing on the front or back for weight and maneuverability reasons. I can see a QA for your FEL in your future if you mow in tight spaces.

Right on the money, Dragon. 250 lbs back about 4 feet will be more effective ballast than 275 right on the 3ph pins. But if space is an issue, or what you are doing is really heavy, consider 400-500 lbs in a ballast box or box blade; either is generally heavier than a back blade and more compact.

Pepsiboy · Oct 31, 2014

BXman98 said:
I have a kubota bx 2370 and I have a mid mount mower with it and I'm gonna be getting the LA243 FEL for it. I have a 250lb rear blade for it. I am wondering about how much or if I am gonna need anymore weight off of the back end of the tractor for ballast. Any suggestions?

BXman,

I have a BX2350 with LA243 FEL and 48" rear tiller. With the tiller on I can FILL the bucket with dirt or rock and not have a problem. In fact, I have lifted single rocks that I estimate weighed over 550 lbs. It was very tough for the loader to lift them, but it could do it. Attached are some pictures of the finished Rock Project I did with my BX.
View attachment 396800 View attachment 396801 View attachment 396803 View attachment 396805

For reference, the chain link fence is 5' tall. I think that you will do just fine with your set up. :2cents: :cool2:

Dave

Grandad4 · Nov 1, 2014

Not much to add to what others have said. Only this... the BX tractors themselves, and other subcompacts likewise, are quite stable on slopes and uneven ground. But they can become notoriously tippy with a heavily loaded bucket raised high because of their narrow stance. When you're using the FEL on uneven ground, the more weight you can put in back to keep the back end firmly planted, the better. I use ballast in the rear tires, a 350 lb box blade and my own not insignificant posterior for that purpose. You also will want to make sure the tires are aired up enough that the downhill tires don't sag and begin a tip over.

BXman98 · Nov 12, 2014

I just cam home tonight with the bx with the brand new front end loader on it and it barely fit onto the trailer and I can't wait to start doing some real work with the tractor. I have to wait until I get home from school to do anything with it. But I will let you all know how it goes!

BXman98 · Nov 13, 2014

Got the tractor home last night from the dealer!! Had a bit of a hard time figuring out how to put it on the trailer, tried putting it on backwards, tried driving it on. We had to put the bucket on our 10' trailer with the bucket up over the front rail, it worked but when we were taking some hard right hand turns we had to really watch out and check to make sure that we weren't gonna hit the bucket. When I went to a different dealer that had BX's I turned them on and tested out the loader, at how fast the loader lifted off of the ground at idle, to me it was really slow. yesterday when I started up our BX which has a little over 150 hours on it, I lifted the loader at idle and it was surprisingly faster then the ones at the dealer. When we got to the dealer as well, we pulled up next to our tractor and keep in mind that all that we bought was the Front End Loader, and the loader was on it and so when a new grill guard. They told us that when they order an FEL for tractors, the loaders come with a grill guard included in the price of the loader. I was happy about that! I see many scoops with that bucket in its future!!!