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

   / Landscaping tasks, looking at a BX24, will it be enough? Pictures included! #191  
I sure wish I could have said that!!!!
 
   / Landscaping tasks, looking at a BX24, will it be enough? Pictures included! #192  
I apologize if it sounded as though I was saying that most contributors don't know what they're talking about. That was not my intent at all. Also, I agree that farming applications have little or nothing to do with what's being discussed here. My point is that we have few professional construction equipment operators, farmers, landscapers or others that actually work extensively with a variety of machines, contributing to this thread. I'm sure several of the posts are from individuals that have never actually done a project similar to the one being discussed nor spent any appreciable amount of time in the seat of more than one (if any) of the machines being discussed. Further, I understand that people offer advice based on their personal experience with their own machines. That can be a very limited exposure in a very limited application. For instance not all users have Backhoes. Stump removal with a FEL is pure torture. Comparatively it's pretty easy with a hoe. Some people have back blades, tooth bars, on and on.

If a particular machine suits your needs perfectly that's wonderful. I've found that that is almost never the case. The best we can hope for is the best compromise for our application, budget, etc. I encourage all to please be careful in their well intentioned efforts to guide another member in his purchase. If you've done it, say so! If you tried it and couldn't do it, say so. If you have experience on a variety of machines and can offer objective information and comparisons, say so! If your basing a statement on something you've read on this forum or any other source say so!
 
   / Landscaping tasks, looking at a BX24, will it be enough? Pictures included! #193  
Again as Timber said... you (Harry C, HomeBrew2) are STILL making some REAL out there assumptions. In some ways FAR more than even what has been juxtaposed here. I think you're bothered by the fact that you may also own a BX and you think some of us here are somehow critisizing that. NOT TRUE AND I"LL SAY IT AGAIN!

THE BX SERIES IS AN AWESOME WORKHORSE SUB COMPACT but...

In MY OPINION it would be better to have the next frame up with position control and a little more umph for the tasks described by Taiser (8 acres and trails to blaze), and once again...

THAT'S JUST MY OPINION.. NO NEED TO BE DEFENSIVE or FLAME. I've had both classifications and I wish I had just bought right the first time. I didn't know about TBN at the time and wish I did.

Happy New Year to ALL!:)
 
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   / Landscaping tasks, looking at a BX24, will it be enough? Pictures included! #194  
THE BX SERIES IS AN AWESOME WORKHORSE SUB COMPACT

I'll second that ! :D
 
   / Landscaping tasks, looking at a BX24, will it be enough? Pictures included! #195  
Guys, you've missed my point entirely. I really did not intend to flame anyone or anything. I'm just a little concerned with some of the things that have been said on this forum and I suggest that strong opinions be substantiated or qualified.

I've spent over 10,000 hours in the seat of construction equipment of all sizes and descriptions. Probably 6,000 of those hours were spent on rubber tired backhoe/loaders. I've long since passed the point where "tractors" are pets and I'm certainly not bothered by an insult to a machine..???. The BX was fun the first couple of days, much because of its size and exploring its capabilities, mostly watching my 19 year old son. After that, operating it is work and it is a tool.

I have a very good understanding of return on investment and of productivity gains compared to capital costs. I have no particular allegiance to Kubotas in general nor BX 24s specifically. I feel no need to defend my choice of the machine that suited the work I needed to do on my property. The size of the BX 24 suited my applications best. I bought the Kubota brand primarily because of the economics. (price, resale) Although my wife would tell you I bought it because it's orange. I'm originally from Tennessee and she insists there's no way I could own an Alabama Red or Florida Blue ANYTHING!. When my needs for the backhoe are over, I may well sell the 24 and get the smallest thing I can find that offers an FEL. It may or may not be a Kubota. I have one acre with serious landscaping and an additional 2 or so that I mow about once a month.

Taiser started the thread asking if a BX-24 can do what he needs done. The list includes removing 3 inch stumps, hauling dirt and caring for 8 acres. Budget was a serious concern. His statement that he could buy the BX 24 (with the BH) or a larger machine without the BH started a storm of opinions. The following was just one of the latest of those submitted:

No more suger coating. For 8 acres and substantial clearing and landscaping the BX series is NOT gonna be right for your situation. I think you are hoping for a lawn mower with superpowers. With 8 acres and some dreams of actually landscaping it the BX series will leave you wanting far more.

I personally would not rely on a sub cut for 8 acres.

My question: No more sugar coating! Have you personally tried such projects with a BX 24? Have you ever operated a BX 24? Do you have a BH? Do you have personal experience that the BX 24 or BH equipped sub cut of any brand is not capable of these projects? Help the man with some objective info! Tell him what worked and what didn't!

I absolutely do not mean to pick on anyone! This just happened to be the latest example of advice that hit this thread. The same questions should be asked of everyone that has offered an opinion.

I understand Taiser is now looking at larger tractors. I think that's absolutely great! If indeed, that is what he needs to meet his needs. Or if it's just what he wants. After all what he wants is the most important criteria! I just hope he's not stretching his budget (I AM NOT SAYING HE'S DOING IT NEEDLESSLY! THAT IS NOT MY CALL!) based on any erroneous information from any source. I am not just referring to this forum. I am not referring to an individual! Keep in mind these machines can cost more than 1/2 the average family's annual income and the difference in one size and the next is BIG. I think those that offer advice should be as objective as possible.

Forums like this are intended to foster cooperation and friendship. It is often difficult to compose a post on even a mildly controversial topic without someone taking it as a personal affront. It happens often here it seems. If I've contributed to that in any way, that was not my intent and I sincerely apologize to anyone I may have offended. There was certainly no malicious intent. I have gotten considerable good information from this forum and I certainly appreciate the help.
 
   / Landscaping tasks, looking at a BX24, will it be enough? Pictures included! #196  
Harry,

As a matter of fact I have rented the 23 on three occasions. In one situation I was trenching for electrical for some lot lights at one of my commercial locations prior to paving. That was a specific task that required a small bucket size and the cost difference between that and a small excavator was enough for me to choose the BX. It was fine for the job and I was happy with the results. That being said it was not rented for the same criteria as Taisers.

It's funny that I pegged you as a BX owner but you glossed over that observation. Mabye I know a little more than HarryC thinks. In any event I respect your comments and understand your logic even if I don't fully agree.

At that point we can respectfully agree to disagree :)
 
   / Landscaping tasks, looking at a BX24, will it be enough? Pictures included! #197  
Harry c said:
My question: No more sugar coating! Have you personally tried such projects with a BX 24? Have you ever operated a BX 24? Do you have a BH? Do you have personal experience that the BX 24 or BH equipped sub cut of any brand is not capable of these projects? Help the man with some objective info! Tell him what worked and what didn't!
Have "I" personally used a BX for this type of work..Nope! But when the saleman drives 22 miles prior to sale..to look over what Im "attempting" to do and tells me straight out..."Aint gonna happen" What is a novice to think? Especially when the man COULD HAVE sold me a BX ( FEL and BH) for MORE $$ than my B3030 ( FEL alone) cost me!

When I see my farmer buddy using his BH here..on what he and I refer to as his "***** tractor" (A Jinma) thats LARGER in size and weight than my own B3030..and he STRUGGLES with some of the root balls of the trees Im clearing our ( eventually...:)...) then should "I" tell someone that..SURE..that BX will do it!!! Maybe it could?? But if it cant...he's pee'd away a lot of "dinero" on a grass cutter and nothing more! Well...a powered wheelbarrow..lets not forget that part.

No trees and roots and maybe..?..old overgrown hedges to grub out? Then go for a BX and be happy as a clam. They are good...mighty handy for sure...but have limitations as do all pieces of equipment!
 
   / Landscaping tasks, looking at a BX24, will it be enough? Pictures included! #198  
No more suger coating. For 8 acres and substantial clearing and landscaping the BX series is NOT gonna be right for your situation. I think you are hoping for a lawn mower with superpowers. With 8 acres and some dreams of actually landscaping it the BX series will leave you wanting far more.

I personally would not rely on a sub cut for 8 acres


For reasons of full disclosure and so that I don't mislead anyone I will state now that I have never owned a BX, nor do I intend to :D I did purchase a DX24 (similar in size/horsepower) from our case dealer after long consideration between the DX24 and the BX23. My dealer sells both colors. Here's my experience.

I bought the DX24 instead of the BX mainly because of the larger tires & higher ground clearance. I just couldn't help thinking that the tires on the BX would be swallowed up easily by even a small ditch. I bought the DX for maintanance of my 12 acres. Here's what I found. The DX did absolutely everything I asked it to do and everything I expected it too do. The only problem is that I found many more uses than I originally planned.

Advantages
- small enough to fit into the tight places on my property.
- loader lifted even more than the rated capacity.
- 260 hours and not one single problem.
- rugged, built well, handled all of my abuse without problems.

Disadvantages
- small enough to fit into the tight places on my property.
- when using my woods post hole digger and 12" auger, the auger would either not dig as deep as I would have liked, or after adjusting it to dig deeper, would only lift about 3" above level ground, causing clearance issues when driving.
- a full heaping load of damp dirt was at the maximum load for the FEL.
- digging into a pile of packed or natural dirt required to take small bites or use a scraping method.
- the 60" MMM was rear discharge but in all actuallity is really a mulcher and would bog the engine in tall thick grass.
- when grading dirt with my 6' heavy duty blade it was not uncommon for the tractor to pull sideways due to its light weight, even with the FEL and bucket attached.
- Not quite enough power to pull snow with the rear blade in second, had to use first (sloooow)

In the end, the DX24 did everything it was intended to do by the manufacturer and a whole lot more. It did everything I needed it to do, although sometimes very slowly. I soon realized that I was expecting it to work miracles, somewhat based on the many post I read in the Kubota forum about the BX and its capabilites. I even read a few posts about owners digging a pond with thier bx.:rolleyes: At this point I realized that my DX would continue to function well, but over time I was really asking it too do too much and would end up with repairs and a shortenend tractor life.

I traded it for my DX33 I own now. Nothing close in size but definately the tractor I should have purchased in the first place. I now can remove snow with my 8' blade (6' + 1' extensions) in second gear, can drive into a solid pile of dirt and lift the bucket out easily without have to take small bites or scraping the face of the pile. I mow with my 72" mmm without any power issues. My auger now will dig a nearly 4' hole and still raise without any ground clearance issues. I have added pallet forks and can move heavy pallets with ease. All without even coming close to stressing the tractor and have had very little situations where size was an issue.

If I had bought the DX33 in the first place I would have saved alot of hard earned money.

jk
 
   / Landscaping tasks, looking at a BX24, will it be enough? Pictures included! #199  
jk96 said:
For reasons of full disclosure and so that I don't mislead anyone I will state now that I have never owned a BX, nor do I intend to :D I did purchase a DX24 (similar in size/horsepower) from our case dealer after long consideration between the DX24 and the BX23. My dealer sells both colors. Here's my experience.

I bought the DX24 instead of the BX mainly because of the larger tires & higher ground clearance. I just couldn't help thinking that the tires on the BX would be swallowed up easily by even a small ditch. I bought the DX for maintanance of my 12 acres. Here's what I found. The DX did absolutely everything I asked it to do and everything I expected it too do. The only problem is that I found many more uses than I originally planned.

Advantages
- small enough to fit into the tight places on my property.
- loader lifted even more than the rated capacity.
- 260 hours and not one single problem.
- rugged, built well, handled all of my abuse without problems.

Disadvantages
- small enough to fit into the tight places on my property.
- when using my woods post hole digger and 12" auger, the auger would either not dig as deep as I would have liked, or after adjusting it to dig deeper, would only lift about 3" above level ground, causing clearance issues when driving.
- a full heaping load of damp dirt was at the maximum load for the FEL.
- digging into a pile of packed or natural dirt required to take small bites or use a scraping method.
- the 60" MMM was rear discharge but in all actuallity is really a mulcher and would bog the engine in tall thick grass.
- when grading dirt with my 6' heavy duty blade it was not uncommon for the tractor to pull sideways due to its light weight, even with the FEL and bucket attached.
- Not quite enough power to pull snow with the rear blade in second, had to use first (sloooow)

In the end, the DX24 did everything it was intended to do by the manufacturer and a whole lot more. It did everything I needed it to do, although sometimes very slowly. I soon realized that I was expecting it to work miracles, somewhat based on the many post I read in the Kubota forum about the BX and its capabilites. I even read a few posts about owners digging a pond with thier bx.:rolleyes: At this point I realized that my DX would continue to function well, but over time I was really asking it too do too much and would end up with repairs and a shortenend tractor life.

I traded it for my DX33 I own now. Nothing close in size but definately the tractor I should have purchased in the first place. I now can remove snow with my 8' blade (6' + 1' extensions) in second gear, can drive into a solid pile of dirt and lift the bucket out easily without have to take small bites or scraping the face of the pile. I mow with my 72" mmm without any power issues. My auger now will dig a nearly 4' hole and still raise without any ground clearance issues. I have added pallet forks and can move heavy pallets with ease. All without even coming close to stressing the tractor and have had very little situations where size was an issue.

If I had bought the DX33 in the first place I would have saved alot of hard earned money.

jk
How much more was your last purchase from what you got initially? I think some will find your post helpful (buy the most tractor you can afford now) so you don't have to re-do your purchase later.
 
   / Landscaping tasks, looking at a BX24, will it be enough? Pictures included! #200  
No trees and roots and maybe..?..old overgrown hedges to grub out? Then go for a BX and be happy as a clam.
Well dang, I might as well put all those stumps and old overgrown hedges back since my little BX23 ain't supposed to to have dug them out ...

- the 60" MMM was rear discharge but in all actuallity is really a mulcher and would bog the engine in tall thick grass.
I finish mow 4 acres every week during the mowing season and have never bogged my little 22hp 60" SD MMM down. Last spring I let the back 2 acres grow to well over 4' then it started to fall over as the fellow what cut it for hay couldn't get to it. Well, I attacked it w/the little orange tractor that could and it only took two passes to get it down to 4". I now finish mow all 4 acres bog free....

I even read a few posts about owners digging a pond with thier bx.
You mean like this?




.
 

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