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

[Tom_H]

The BX is actually a SUBcompact..and although it uses "Cat 1" impliments...they arent the same "Cat 1" as say my own tractor uses. I can buy "std" Cat 1 stuff and use it wiht no problem...within weight restrictions of course...but on the sub CUT's ya cant do that!

All previous BX models were limited Cat. 1. The BX24, however, is listed as full Cat. 1 and capable of being connected to any implement rated as Cat. 1.

 

[Taiser]

Singlecoil, what you've done there is pretty impressive!!!!

Of course I had to give up the BH idea because of $$$...but Ive learned to live without it for this past year. Any "trenching" I need done...for now..I just hire it done ( lots cheaper than the COST of a BH!!) but will get one one of these days...if nothing more than just for the H*** of it...

That's my whole point, I don't need a 60 gallon 7 horse compressor in my garage, or 3hp cabinet saw but I got them . I am sure that I will not have 6000$ worth of backhoe work on my property if I decided to hire someone to do it, but where's the fun in that? I'm sure with it, I will be doing a lot more than I would if I decided to hire it out, and probably have a hoot doing it. The fact that one day I might have to do something with it and instead of calling a machine in and waiting for it to show up can be a pain. I hate waiting for anything. With this, jump on start it up and go to work. Do I really need it? Not really, but it's nicer to have than not . A 2350 is basically the same machine but without the BH. The frame, from what I hear, on the BX24 is re-inforced to support the BH, another plus in my book. It's nice to know that one day if I have to replace my septic field, I can do it myself with this, even if it takes 2 or 3x the amount of time. Last time I had a ditch dug for my sump pump outlet, it cost me 70$ an hour to do, another simple job I could do myself with this setup.

I can easily swing for the BX with backhoe, or a B series without. What I'm worried about was it's capabilities. I'm not too concerned if a job will take X amount of hours and of course it will go faster with a bigger machine (what doesn't?) but you can argue that all night.

I'm just worried that the "cute" tractor will fall apart running steady landscaping for a year or two. Seems like everyone here agrees that although small these things are pretty tough.

Another reason I like it is the large amount of attachments available. I'm planning a roughly 1/2 acre garden and this thing has numerous tillers for example available for it...and they are cheaper than the ones offered for my Cub Cadet garden tractor!!! Again there is a lot to factor in here.

 

[Sully2]

Thanks for clearing that up for me and every other BX owner with full size implements. I had thought there was a possibility that I just imagined the past 2 years and 900 hours of using full size implements ... now I'm sure of it!

Years back I had a B5100..??..or 5200.. ( 2 cylinder..12HP diesel) and the lift arms WOULD NOT spred apart far enough to use Cat 1 impliments..and even today you can see various items..for sale at TSC ( and Im sure other places) that are NARROWER than the 26 inches of a Cat 1 setup.

PLUS the FACT..that with SOME types of impliments...such as a rear blade..the lift arms are TOO SHORT for "standard" Cat 1 blades to be turned around ..while mounted...to PUSH dirt..etc as compared to pulling soil.

Try post hole diggers! A "standard" Cat 1...ya cant LIFT high enough to get the auger out of the ground!! ( smaller rear tires on a BX can prevent that)

Dont believe me for lords sake...just in the truck and go to TSC and MEASURE the impliments...especially if you are looking at "King Kutter" brand...you will see the "BX" sized stuff painted a bright orange...all the "standard stuff" is "yellow"...I know because I asked why the color difference and SLIGHT price difference!

Dont feel bad...there is a LOT of Cat1 Impliments...that even though I can ATTACH THEM... I cant even LIFT..NOR have enough PTO HP to run!!

 

[Sully2]

Taiser: Im with ya..I do understand. And like I said before..a BH is in my planning...for someday..and by that time Im not sure how much Id NEED it...but if I had it..Id sure find something to play with...err..I mean do with it...LOL

"I'm just worried that the "cute" tractor will fall apart running steady landscaping for a year or two. Seems like everyone here agrees that although small these things are pretty tough."

And that also worried me at the time...and then I see people posting abut their PLASTIC FENDERS breaking..etc...the plastic air cleaner "can" breaking off..etc.. Around here even the dealer look at the BX series as "grass cutters" with attachments. Resale is a joke! Here you flat lose your everyloving *** when ya come back in 2 years to trade for a larger machine and that was another reason I went NEW....every used tractor of the B size ( NH..or Kubota..etc) with 250-300 hrs on it was only slightly less than a new Kubota..so what the heck..I went new!

 

[Singlecoil]

WOW! Really nice job(s)!!! You haven't had that BX for more than just a few months have you?

Thanks! I got the tractor in March and put about 45 hours on it working on the yard project.

 

[Sully2]

All previous BX models were limited Cat. 1. The BX24, however, is listed as full Cat. 1 and capable of being connected to any implement rated as Cat. 1.

AHHHHHH there is the answer then! I thank you sir..someone finally came up with it! Limited and full...it DOES make a difference!

 

[HomeBrew2]

... Try post hole diggers! A "standard" Cat 1...ya cant LIFT high enough to get the auger out of the ground!! ( smaller rear tires on a BX can prevent that) ...

BTDT dude, Bush Hog Model 2101 Post Hole Digger, full Cat 1. My neighbor owns it and uses a 48" bit with a carbon copy of my BX23 (bought 2 weeks apart). He even drills on sidehills. I use a 42" bit only because that was all I could get around here with a Pengo head and rock picker teeth.
Cheers!

 

[Henro]

Hi,

I have read this thread over a span of a few days so if I duplicate what has already been said...

To cut to the chase, I have a BX2200 and a B2910. The B2910 (B3030 size) is MUCH more tractor than my BX. Sorry, but true. The B pulls my box blade in situations that would laugh at the BX trying to do the same. The B2910 is not that much bigger than the BX, all things considered. But...yes... it IS larger...still fits between trees pretty well though. The max with is set by the 54" bucket on the loader. Rear tires are 53" wide at the outside I think.

If I had to have only one, it would be the B2910. It finished mowed with a RFM as well as my BX does with the MMM, in my opinion. I assume that the larger tractor with a MMM would be a very satisfactory mower too. [edit: I have a yard, not a "lawn" ]

For doing real work, the B2910 is an order of magnitude better than the BX. The backhoe is stronger and has more reach. I can't really compare the backhoes as I don't have one on the smaller tractor.

I am on only four acres. If I had more I would have more need for the B3030 size tractor. I like having more loader capacity ( about double in lift capacity), more ground clearance along with less things to worry about down under (bx has a plastic fan and oil filter exposed to hazards) and probably other things that are not coming to mind at the moment (other than the 3PH size, which is a REAL issue, in my opinion, as far as my BX2200 goes anyway.)

A BX is not at B, a B is not an L (for the most part) and L is not an M...fact of life.

Consider your needs carefully, and remember it is cheaper to do it right the first time, than to do it over the second time...

I love my BX, but when it comes to feelings, my B2910 is my TRACTOR, while my BX is my BX.

Hope this makes a little sense...

 

[Sully2]

Henro: THATS the point I was so poorly trying to make...and you ...having both "sizes" said it mucho better! I could have financed more $$ when I bought my B3030..to get a BH at the same time...but I knew I didnt NEED IT...I wanted it!! My payments over the 4 years I financed with Kubota dont amount to jack squat a month...so I could have financed a little more and gotten it at time of purchase ( I spend more on smokes every 2 weeks than the monthly tractor payment!!) And as soon as the tractor is paid off..then I'll get the BH..."cause I want it"...

A BX is not a B..and a B is not an L...its as simple as that!

 

[Sully2]

BTDT dude, Bush Hog Model 2101 Post Hole Digger, full Cat 1. My neighbor owns it and uses a 48" bit with a carbon copy of my BX23 (bought 2 weeks apart). He even drills on sidehills. I use a 42" bit only because that was all I could get around here with a Pengo head and rock picker teeth.
Cheers!

Well..very interesting..and the reason I said that is because with a std Cat1 PHD with a 48 inch auger.."I" can BARELY get it to clear the ground..and Im MIGHTY SURE the rear tires and lift arms on my B3030 are higher up in the air than a BX 23 is!!!