Landscaping tasks, looking at a BX24, will it be enough? Pictures included!

[Danilo]

This is a really long thread and admittedly I haven't read the entire thing. So what I am about to say may have already been mentioned. But has anyone brought up the idea of a Kubota B21 (TLB Series)? I would think it would be perfect for a landscape job of this size. Downside would be no mower though. But to be honest, if it were me, I'd get a B2630 (B Series). I don't think I've ever read here of anyone getting too large a tractor and regretting it. But I have read on many occassions of people regretting not getting a larger tractor. As always, it's easy for TBN members to spend other people's money though. I don't know, get what you think would do a good job and not be frustrating to use. You don't want to get a tractor to just "get by". I know you said you have plenty of time. But don't get something that is going to be frustrating due to its limited capabilities. Do it right the first time. It's cheaper to spend a little more money initially than to save money initially and have to do it all again. From what I've read BX owners are very loyal to their machines. There are a multitude of BX owners on this forum. On the other hand though, I can't help but think that sometimes the machine's capabilities may be slightly exageratted on this forum. Some posters may be worse than others. Perhaps it's "high hopes". Remember the ant and the rubber tree plant? Don't get me wrong, I really admire the BX series. I'd like to have one myself someday. Oh geez, I hope I haven't offended too many. I may have my TBN membership card revoked.

One can not get offended by one who does not understand the power of the BX24 machine. Have you seen the pic's posted here? Maybe you should take one home for a trial run. I'd bet you end up keeping it.

 

[Glowplug]

One can not get offended by one who does not understand the power of the BX24 machine. Have you seen the pic's posted here? Maybe you should take one home for a trial run. I'd bet you end up keeping it.

Yes.
Perhaps.

Like I said, I'm not knocking the BX series or the BX24 specifically. I think it's a great little tractor. I admire it greatly. I want one some day. All I am saying is be careful in choosing your tractor. Don't exclude a larger tractor due to price alone. If you spend x amount of dollars and get the BX24 with a backhoe and become frustrated into misery it would've been better to spend a little more than x amount of dollars and actually enjoy getting the work done. I'm not saying that would definitely happen either. Just something to think about.

Another thing that has not been mentioned here is the 3-pt hitch control system. The BX24 has quarter-inching valve and the B2630 has position control valve. Something to seriously, seriously consider when planning a lot of grading work.

 

[Harry c]

Too big is as serious as too small. Accurately evaluate what you need then buy that! I would have a great deal of trouble using a significantly larger tractor due to lack of clearances and space. I could get by with a smaller tractor most of the time. It's all a compromise! I would have loved to have had a 580 Case for part of my project, but for most of the time it would have been extremely cumbersome. Now that the need for a longer reach backhoe is past, the 580 Case would be useless! By the way, I have done several thousand hours in the seat of a 580 and it's still my favorite machine in the world. It's just not my favorite machine to have in my garage or in my yard. The 580 can't mow the lawn, and I'd have had a really tough time convincing the DW that she could use it and haul her mulch to the flower beds all by herself.

Keep in mind, all the suggested "larger" tractors are barely larger. What's a hundred or two hundred pounds difference in lift capacity? How often is it significant? How many times is it more than a minor inconvenience to make two trips instead of one? There just "AIN'T MUCH DIFFERENCE" in the real world capabilities of the BX and the B. They're both tiny tractors! If you're talking BX and M yep, there's a difference. If you've got the bucks, and the room, and the desire, for Pete's sake, BUY BIG!
I know there will be specs and stuff flying everywhere after this but real world, if you can do it with a 26 hp B, you can almost certainly do it with a 24 hp BX. Probably about as quickly.

Buy what fits most of the time. You can work around the 10% of the time that the machine is not the optimal size.

 

[HomeBrew2]

Harry_c,
Great words and, especially great deeds with your puny BX. Glad the '24 is working out as well for you as the '23 has for me and several other members of this forum.
Of course your words will fall on many deaf ears. From my tiny 2 years on this board, your time would be much better spent on compiling a list of the things that a BX CAN'T DO.
The only real thing that the concensus admits a BX can do is mow. Everything else is deemed "one in every crowd", or some such.
My take is there are some folks that were endowed at birth and many others that weren't, and those of us that were, don't need a tract with big wheels to compensate for the birth deficiency.
Cheers!

 

[kwolfe]

I love it when you guys chime. I moved, spread and graded about 30+ tons of topsoil this past weekend with my bx1500 "grass cutter". Yes, I can't drive straight into the pile and simply lift the loader straight up. It takes a little practice, however that little machine is a mule. With the right operator, it does everything I ask of it. I only wish I had the 23 or 24.

I saw a post previously of a guy who dug a foundation for his son's house with a bx2230. His son manned a CAD loader (one of those tow behind jobs) and he when into the hole, dug and removed all of the earth.

 

[Glowplug]

I saw a post previously of a guy who dug a foundation for his son's house with a bx2230. His son manned a CAD loader (one of those tow behind jobs) and he when into the hole, dug and removed all of the earth.

Sounds like the loader did all the real work and the BX2230 was just an overpriced shovel.

Kidding. Sorry, just had to get the "BX Boys" agitated!

 

[Sully2]

Well..? I've never heard of the PLASTIC FENDERS on a B model cracking and coming apart?

I havent heard of the HST overheating because the fan that cooled it went "haywire" ( for various reasons)

And as far as "whats a couple of hundred pounds in lift capability"..?? It just means that when I get a skid load of fertilizer of bagged lime..I dont have to UNLOAD IT !!

Physical weight on the ground. Saying that "If you can do it with a B2630..you can do it with a BX24. "Horse Manure" too! I guess If I were using a Grand L 3430 at 3300 lbs...I can do it with my B3030 that weighs 2300!! The 700 pounds difference between a BX23 and a B2630 can mean a LOT when your trying to push trees over..let alone the size and better grip with the larger tires of a B model.

Read the descriptive uses for a BX model.
1) Home Mowing
2) Gardening
3) LIGHT Material Handeling
4) Towing

Get serious guys..a "big" ( speaking relatively now) tractor the BX ISNT...but ya need to compare it with the same sort of SCUT's from other brands...NOT larger tractors of ANY brand!

 

[Glowplug]

Get serious guys..a "big" ( speaking relatively now) tractor the BX ISNT...but ya need to compare it with the same sort of SCUT's from other brands...NOT larger tractors of ANY brand!

Well, the originator of this thread was wondering specifically if a BX24 would be enough tractor to handle his tasks at hand. That's why the comparisons began with different tractor classes from the same brand as opposed to comparing the same tractor class from different brands.

 

[Sully2]

Well, the originator of this thread was wondering specifically if a BX24 would be enough tractor to handle his tasks at hand. That's why the comparisons began with different tractor classes from the same brand as opposed to comparing the same tractor class from different brands.

I realize that AND it might very well do him A-OK..he'll just have to wait and see. I know a gentleman that own a landscaping operation ( he did some work for me..and when I saw the bill..I decided to do my own work..lol) that has 2 of the BX models One has a backhoe..the other doesnt. And they do him just fine...but he still stops by when he is in the area and we BS about my B3030...lol.

Hauling rocks..timbers..etc..new topsoil freshly dumped and mulch also..they work wonders ( he doesnt do mowing so he doesnt have any MMM on them) Carrying LARGE potted schrubs from the truck to the planting spot...terrific...but he doesnt ever need to shove any trees over like Ive had to do here.

Each model of each series is designed to certain tasks..and those tasks certainly do overlap...and thats where the discussion comes up.

My own is about the LAST thing Id want as a mower...unless I had a HUGE lawn..and if I did...have one THAT large..Id forget the tractor and just hire it cut!!....

 

[Harry c]

Dear Sully,
If you're going to rip and shred, perhaps you should actually attempt to read the post!
I suggested that too large a tractor can be as inconvenient as too small a tractor depending on the use and needs. I advised that the purchaser accurately determine his needs and buy what realistically will work best for him. Neither too large nor too small. I did not suggest he buy either a BX 24 or a B 2630 I simply suggested he look at his needs and buy appropriately.

I did run into an occasion where my BX could not lift a cube of bricks. You mention a skid of bagged fertilizer or lime. I don't lift many cubes of bricks (the B couldn't have lifted 'em either by the way) and I'm not sure how often Mr. Taiser will be off loading skids of lime. I'm certainly not going to buy a larger tractor just to unload bricks just in case I might decide to build another sidewalk! If the B will lift a skid of lime and that's an important and frequent task,he should certainly buy the B. As for tractor capabilities they're both tiny tractors. Like I said, "If you can do it with a 26 hp B, you can almost certainly do it with a 24 hp BX." (By the way, If you're going to quote me in your post, I'd appreciate it if you'd at least do it accurately!) It will take longer in some cases, especially if you have lots of Lime to unload and the pallets happen to weigh just the right amount so a BX can't lift them but a B can. If its pushin' over all your trees and you're not willing to "work around the 10% of the time that the machine is not the optimal size", perhaps you should consider upgrading to a Cat D-7. I'm sure you've run into at least one tree the Mighty B couldn't handle.

Like I said, real world, what percentage of the time are you pushing or lifting as much as your tractor will handle? I'm willing to move 4 bags of fertilizer once a year to avoid the extra cost and inconvenience of the larger tractor. I wanted the smaller machine due to my intended usage. Maybe a smaller tractor won't meet your needs. That's why they make different sizes.