looking for advice

[check 6]

Several months ago I purchased a Kubota BX 2360 tractor. I have been very happy with it, and have used the front loader for moving dirt and the chain hooks on the loader to help neighbors pull small dead trees and fence posts. When I bought it I choose a box blade for the rear to provide counter balance for a load in the front loader ( did not want a rock box). However I have learned that the little bit of grading that I do is easier with the front bucket as I can better see what I am doing. So, I'm working with my dealer fro a more useful rear implement that not only provides balance fora loaded front bucket but is useful in its on right. Kind of leaning towards a back hoe ( my wife would rather I not use a hand shovel because of a back issue)

The issue gets more complex as adding a back hoe to the 2360 would utilize the three point hitch in the rear a better option would be to trade the 2360 on a BX 2500 as the back hoe is stronger as it is built into the tractor frame. My BX 2360 has only 12 hours on it and is stored inside all the time. My dealer will give me a fair trade but it will still be a significant upgrade.

Now, looking for comments, I do not use the tractor for mowing as I have a Kubota ZD1800.

Looking for comments especially from people that have the 2500 and or have upgraded their 2360. Also suggestions on other rear implements. I have considered a post hole digger but a lightweight one would not work in our Texas clay. Thanks in advance

 

[leonz]

Several months ago I purchased a Kubota BX 2360 tractor. I have been very happy with it, and have used the front loader for moving dirt and the chain hooks on the loader to help neighbors pull small dead trees and fence posts. When I bought it I choose a box blade for the rear to provide counter balance for a load in the front loader ( did not want a rock box). However I have learned that the little bit of grading that I do is easier with the front bucket as I can better see what I am doing. So, I'm working with my dealer fro a more useful rear implement that not only provides balance fora loaded front bucket but is useful in its on right. Kind of leaning towards a back hoe ( my wife would rather I not use a hand shovel because of a back issue)

The issue gets more complex as adding a back hoe to the 2360 would utilize the three point hitch in the rear a better option would be to trade the 2360 on a BX 2500 as the back hoe is stronger as it is built into the tractor frame. My BX 2360 has only 12 hours on it and is stored inside all the time. My dealer will give me a fair trade but it will still be a significant upgrade.

what to do with a BX2360

If you use a tree transplanting auger with a wide tapered cut the clay will be no match for it, you can buy several sizes of tree transplanting augers.

Now, looking for comments, I do not use the tractor for mowing as I have a Kubota ZD1800.

Looking for comments especially from people that have the 2500 and or have upgraded their 2360. Also suggestions on other rear implements. I have considered a post hole digger but a lightweight one would not work in our Texas clay. Thanks in advance

 

[Grandad4]

You should know that Woods makes a very nice add-on backhoe for the BX series. It's on a par with the factory backhoe on the BX25, but made for folks like you (and me) who didn't get the factory one and want to add one later. Does not use the 3 pt hitch... has a subframe, etc. like the factory version. There have been a number of folks here on TBN that have had good success adding the Woods product to their BX tractors. Your Kubota dealer may not handle Woods equipment (since Kubota has some kind of marketing agreement with a competitor, Landpride), so you'd probably have to find it at another place.

As noted, I likewise did not get a Kubota BX backhoe, just bought the tractor and FEL, and have regretted it ever since. I still haven't bought the Woods backhoe, but it certainly has tempted me!

You will have to decide whether it makes financial sense for you to keep your present tractor and add a Woods backhoe to it, or trade your virtually new unit for a BX25.

Oh, and I'd encourage you to not give up on that box blade. Its use is a bit tricky, but it can do a useful job with practice. Although we have larger equipment, we have many situations where the small size of the BX gets into places not othewise reachable.

 

[BeezFun]

I cut up a weight lifting bar and welded draw pins on the end, I use that for ballast and it was free. Picked up weight plates at garage sales over the years for nothing, people usually are happy to get rid of them for nothing. It's small, sits in the corner when I don't need it, and is easy to put on as much or little weight as you want. In the summer my bush hog is enough weight, but that's kind of big and clunky to have on if you're using FEL very much.

I'd so much like a backhoe that I'd encourage you to go that way if you've got the money. I rent a B21 when I need a backhoe, it's only a couple hundred a day which isn't bad, but I can only afford to do that if I have a whole days work lined up. Usually I just have some piddly job that would only take a half hour.

 

[check 6]

Interestingly when I looked up dealers for Woods equipment my local Kubota dealer's name came up. I have bought a lot from him and we are going to talk several options tomorrow. Keep those comments coming they all help in the decision process. thanks

 

[oldnslo]

Devil's Avocate time:

A couple of items to consider.

Are you working in tight quarters where having the ability to remove the rear weight would be a bonus? I suspect removing and installing the BH would be more of a challenge that the box blade.

Do you have height limitations where the back hoe could be a problem?

Reason for these questions is to help you look at some other possible potential issues.

Roy

 

[ChuckinNH]

Now is the perfect time to review your needs, and experience. The Woods backhoe is an option, but you will find the ROPS a bit low, or I would anyway. The BX25 is more money, and a better backhoe option because of it's intergration with the tractor, but if you don't mow with the BX at all, this is a great time to look into how well that size is serving your needs. I had a BX22, and loved the backhoe, and still miss it often, but I just needed a tractor that was better in my woods for working on my trails, etc. Now I just "need" to have a backhoe again.

 

[keyman1808]

I have never used the 3pt on my bx24. But the bh comes off real easy and quick. It goes back on just as fast. Less than 5 minutes each way.

 

[CompactTractorFan]

If you really want a backhoe (BH), I would trade up to the BX25. We had originally wanted to get a BX2660 and maybe get an aftermarket backhoe in the future, but after we weighed the options, we decided to get the factory backhoe up front and go with the BX25...

As far as removing the BH, I think my 3-point carryall takes longer to hitch up and remove then the backhoe...IMO

:thumbsup:

 

[BXpanded]

If you really want a backhoe (BH), I would trade up to the BX25. We had originally wanted to get a BX2660 and maybe get an aftermarket backhoe in the future, but after we weighed the options, we decided to get the factory backhoe up front and go with the BX25...

As far as removing the BH, I think my 3-point carryall takes longer to hitch up and remove then the backhoe...IMO

:thumbsup:

Shoot! It takes me longer to take off my boots than to take off my Backhoe!!!:laughing::laughing:

‪FAST Kubota
BX 24 Backhoe Removal on BXpanded Dolly‬‏ - YouTube