Looking at BX23 and others
- Thread starter jfhall
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- kubota bx23
toy1
Silver Member
- Joined
- Feb 26, 2002
- Messages
- 188
- Location
- Goshen, CT.
- Tractor
- kobota KX 080-3,R630, KX121-3, L48, L4630, bx23, cat257, M9000,(3) RTV1100,jd450h, ASV100 ,zd331,
For what it is worth BX23 is a fine little machine, if you have the time you can accomplish most of your objectives with the BX. Before you purchase your machine make sure you feel comfortable with your dealer, he will become more important as you use your machine more and more. Second look at the resale value of the machines you are considering and is their a used tractor market in your area. The last item is to pick a unit and start using it. If you analysis to much you get paralysis. the disease is paralysis by analysis.
Junkman, I have to disagree. If you're offering a tractor opinion based on experience, that's useful, but when your "experience" is limited to watching your wife sit on the thing, that opinion is not helpful. Instead, all we start hearing is my tractor is better than yours, blah, blah, blah.
I certainly appreciate all comments, and am not trying to start a battle, I just want to give everybody an opportunity to comment on the matter. It's a bunch of money and I want to make the right choice and get the most bang for my buck. It's my first tractor purchase so I'm doing the research now, and it's tough not to over analyze the situation. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
I still would love to hear additional comments from both Kubota and Kioti users and even some BX23 accomplishments so I can hear what it's capable of.
Thanks everyone for your time and keep the posts coming!
I still would love to hear additional comments from both Kubota and Kioti users and even some BX23 accomplishments so I can hear what it's capable of.
Thanks everyone for your time and keep the posts coming!
No Battles here. When I was shopping, I priced 5 tractors, JD 4110 and 4115, Kubota BX22 and B7500, and Kioti CK20. The Deeres were too expensive for me (although this varies from area to area). I liked the B7500, but it was $4,000.00 more than the BX22 for a TLB with a MMM. The Kioti TLB with MMM was also $4,000.00 more than the BX22. Also, the Kioti has the same size engine as the BX22, but weighs 500 lbs. more, so that was also a concern. Furthermore, there at least 5 Kubota dealers within 20 minutes of either my home or work. The closest Kioti dealer is about a 60 minunte drive away. Finally, storage space was a concern, so the smaller the better, without compromising too much performance. I've dug trenches, tore up stumps and trees, planted trees, mowed a bunch and shovelled snow with my BX22 and it always comes back for more.
dwenham
Member
JFHALL,
I recently purchased a BX22, maybe the last one, and have been delighted and surprised with its' capabilities! I have been ghosting along these boards for a month or so and wonder at all the "bigger is better" commentary. My previous tractor for 23 years was a Yanmar YM155D, which was maybe 1/2 the size, weight and just over 1/2 the horsepower of my new Kubota, and there was no task I set it to that it could not accomplish. It was slow going at times, but compared to what I was used to (hand tools) it was lightning fast and very easy.
The most important "tractor factor" is that it be balanced in terms of weight and power, which the BX23 certainly is. Your 1/5 mile drive will be manicured after maybe 2 hours with a box scraper & whatever tractor you pull it with, sure a larger tractor might do it 1/2 an hour quicker, but is that important to you? I just enjoy the time I spend with this very balanced unit & would have just as much fun if it were a Kioti or New Holland or Massey or Cadet or whatever...
Having already dug a small pond and dug out and replaced a section of irrigation pipe, I can tell you the machine is more capable than I will be for some time to come, so rest easy with whatever machine you choose and get your seat in it!
Dave
I recently purchased a BX22, maybe the last one, and have been delighted and surprised with its' capabilities! I have been ghosting along these boards for a month or so and wonder at all the "bigger is better" commentary. My previous tractor for 23 years was a Yanmar YM155D, which was maybe 1/2 the size, weight and just over 1/2 the horsepower of my new Kubota, and there was no task I set it to that it could not accomplish. It was slow going at times, but compared to what I was used to (hand tools) it was lightning fast and very easy.
The most important "tractor factor" is that it be balanced in terms of weight and power, which the BX23 certainly is. Your 1/5 mile drive will be manicured after maybe 2 hours with a box scraper & whatever tractor you pull it with, sure a larger tractor might do it 1/2 an hour quicker, but is that important to you? I just enjoy the time I spend with this very balanced unit & would have just as much fun if it were a Kioti or New Holland or Massey or Cadet or whatever...
Having already dug a small pond and dug out and replaced a section of irrigation pipe, I can tell you the machine is more capable than I will be for some time to come, so rest easy with whatever machine you choose and get your seat in it!
Dave
Jim_Becker
Gold Member
- Joined
- Jul 11, 2003
- Messages
- 263
- Location
- Bucks County PA
- Tractor
- Kubota BX-22 (Formerly BX-2200 owner 130 hrs)
Dave brings up an important point about the BX...it's a "can do" platform as long as you understand and accept that some work will take longer and that there are upper limits. The good news is that if you get an occasional job that is too big for the BX, you can just rent a larger machine. In the mean time, you're paying a BX price for a BX machine, which for many of us is just the right size for 99% of what we do or want to do. All tractor purchases should be judged in that way...buy what best suits your needs on a regular basis and throw out that last one percent since there are other and better ways to handle it cost effectively.
Rimmer
Silver Member
Well, I have a BX23 with over 90 hours on it, and have been very impressed with what it can do. In addition to FEL and BH work, I use it to mow (rotary cutter), till, dig post holes (both for posts and for planting small trees), haul a spray rig around the property (20 a.), and maintain my gravel driveway with a box blade (28 tons of rock spread this Spring).
The BH is a teriffic and well engineered tool, and I was amazed at how quickly I was able to come up to speed with regard to basic operation.
Now, about stumps -- I've tried my hand at removing a couple, and frankly, that is one task that I have not mastered! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif The BX23 BH has plenty of power for its intended purpose, but if you have visions of ripping stumps out with one mighty pull, forget it! One serious limitation is that while one end of the BH is hooked into an almost immovable object, the other end is hooked to a 2600 lb. tractor (including weight of the backhoe) -- guess which one moves first? As has already been stated, you can dig them out, but that involves a lot of digging, cutting of roots, digging some more, etc. In that regard, the Kioti, being heavier, might do better, but probably another 500 lbs. won't help that much. I can't really comment with any authority, though, as I have only seen the Kioti through the window of my truck while passing the dealer at 45 mph. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
One approach that has been discussed here on TBN is to size your tractor for the majority of your work, and hire the rest out. Will you be removing stumps for the next 20 years, or is this a one-time job for someone with a bulldozer or larger backhoe?
The BH is a teriffic and well engineered tool, and I was amazed at how quickly I was able to come up to speed with regard to basic operation.
Now, about stumps -- I've tried my hand at removing a couple, and frankly, that is one task that I have not mastered! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif The BX23 BH has plenty of power for its intended purpose, but if you have visions of ripping stumps out with one mighty pull, forget it! One serious limitation is that while one end of the BH is hooked into an almost immovable object, the other end is hooked to a 2600 lb. tractor (including weight of the backhoe) -- guess which one moves first? As has already been stated, you can dig them out, but that involves a lot of digging, cutting of roots, digging some more, etc. In that regard, the Kioti, being heavier, might do better, but probably another 500 lbs. won't help that much. I can't really comment with any authority, though, as I have only seen the Kioti through the window of my truck while passing the dealer at 45 mph. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
One approach that has been discussed here on TBN is to size your tractor for the majority of your work, and hire the rest out. Will you be removing stumps for the next 20 years, or is this a one-time job for someone with a bulldozer or larger backhoe?
UncleAl
Silver Member
When I started looking for my tractor about a year ago, I considered NH's, Kioti, Kubota. Good dealerships for each closeby. One dealership sold both brands of orange. I really liked the Kioti, but at the time, Kubota had better financing that made the Kubo choice easier. As you know, you have to consider a bunch of factors before you put your money down. I think either machine would work out fine. One thing you'll find here at TBN: brand loyalty is strong and leads to occasional friction. It's almost comical at times. I've gotten many a good laugh at some of the arguments, but I always come back again, as I learn something useful every time I log in. I guess we all second guess ourselves somewhat after the purchase and try to rationalize our insecurities by arguing "what color is the best", blah, blah, blah.
I've dug out several stumps this size (12"). It can be done, but be prepared for a good game of hide and seek: dig awhile, pull/push awhile, look for that one root that won't let you pull it out, dig some more, etc. Will the BX cut through a 4-6" root? No way, but my ax will, once I find and uncover the root. I doubt if the small Kioti would dig through it, either. In the end, very gratifying feeling once you get the stump loose and pulled out of the hole. One thing to remember, if you leave 2-3 feet of the trunk in place (don't cut it off at the ground), you can push/pull on the trunk and get more leverage.
The "99%" advice is sound, get what fills your needs most of the time, hire out the rest. Would a bigger tractor make digging stuff out easier? Absolutely. But what about the damage to the yard from the extra weight when I mow, not to mention the loss of maneuverability, higher fuel consumption, higher purchase price, etc? For my needs (and budget), the BX is precisely what I need.
I've dug out several stumps this size (12"). It can be done, but be prepared for a good game of hide and seek: dig awhile, pull/push awhile, look for that one root that won't let you pull it out, dig some more, etc. Will the BX cut through a 4-6" root? No way, but my ax will, once I find and uncover the root. I doubt if the small Kioti would dig through it, either. In the end, very gratifying feeling once you get the stump loose and pulled out of the hole. One thing to remember, if you leave 2-3 feet of the trunk in place (don't cut it off at the ground), you can push/pull on the trunk and get more leverage.
The "99%" advice is sound, get what fills your needs most of the time, hire out the rest. Would a bigger tractor make digging stuff out easier? Absolutely. But what about the damage to the yard from the extra weight when I mow, not to mention the loss of maneuverability, higher fuel consumption, higher purchase price, etc? For my needs (and budget), the BX is precisely what I need.
Rimmer
Silver Member
Well said, Uncle Al!
I should mention that on one of the stumps that I gave up on, I finally just cut off all of the shallow roots, then dug a knee-deep hole next to the stump, used the chain saw to cut it off about four inches below ground level, and covered it back up.
Poor man's stump grinder! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
The stump in now in the middle of a flower bed with a bird bath sitting over it, so no further problems are anticipated!!!
I should mention that on one of the stumps that I gave up on, I finally just cut off all of the shallow roots, then dug a knee-deep hole next to the stump, used the chain saw to cut it off about four inches below ground level, and covered it back up.
Poor man's stump grinder! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
The stump in now in the middle of a flower bed with a bird bath sitting over it, so no further problems are anticipated!!!
