MT125 vs BX23S

BulldogsPlanes · Oct 11, 2017

I am in the market for a subcompact that will be the best for the money.

After a lot of research I narrowed it down to two contenders the LS MT125 $15,900 vs Kubota BX23S $17,900 in Atlanta GA.
Both have front loaders and backhoes. No other attachments

MT125 pro's
More lift, hydraulics, HP, price

BX23S pro's
Easy disconnects, resale value, dealership, quick detached bucket

I'm interested in all your opinions and guidance. I'm new to the forum and to tractors.

radioman · Oct 12, 2017

i had to google the ls you comparing... ok it looks like a clone with thier ls skin of the bx.
let me tell you something -- the pros you are listing - i can poke holes in that. the more lift capacity, i don't think you want to lift more weight, its the smallest real tractor you can buy and i dont think you want to lift too much more as it could break something. the BX you can bump up the hydraulic power if needed with shims and its all you need. the more hp is moot. with the bx you can spin out the tires when pulling/pushing something so more hp will not help. the tractors are hydro powered so getting that few extra horses will not be felt through the transmission at all. a geared tractor yes, but hydro , no.

the best guidance i can give you is actually go to the dealers and try them both and see how it feels and the service/dealer is more important then the salesman.

ThirdMan · Oct 12, 2017

Yes, go see the tractors in person. The best information online for the MT125 is in the forums here and over at Tony Lay's youtube channel.

rider7767 · Oct 12, 2017

Please see the Backhoe removal video I just posted on the thread above yours. The Backhoe comes off easy. I would be worried about the clamps on the Kubota. More moving parts means more chance of breaking. Also, I just payed $15900 last week for the MT125 with Loader, Backhoe, and MMM. Lean on the dealer with that knowledge. I am putting together the video for Loader removal tonight. The LS MT125 have the large Hydraulic connectors which makes it easy to disconnect hoses on the loader and backhoe. I do like the quick connect lines on the Kubota loader; however we are talking 1 min difference on disconnect. I also think the Kubota quick disconnect on the loader is more difficult to fix when these fitting start to leak, and they will. The LS MT125 will be 5 min fixes. Food for thought. Check out my videos. There is not much out there on the LS MT125, So I am trying to fix that.

BulldogsPlanes · Oct 12, 2017

Great info rider7767. I have watched all your YouTube videos on the MT 125 . Thank you for sharing. 15,900 ask your dealer how much for a second one I'll drive up and get it seriously.

rider7767 · Oct 12, 2017

BulldogsPlanes said:
Great info rider7767. I have watched all your YouTube videos on the MT 125 . Thank you for sharing. 15,900 ask your dealer how much for a second one I'll drive up and get it seriously.

They will delivery!

BulldogsPlanes · Oct 13, 2017

Today I spoke with the LS salesman and the LS N.C. assembly plant customer service, both in separate conversations told me that if I mount a different FL bucket it voids the warranty.

This all came about since I noticed the LS 2025 has a same size bucket with skid steer quick disconnect.
It's an option that I want, to be able to swap to a grapple and other attachments.
sounds crazy

rider7767 · Oct 13, 2017

BulldogsPlanes said:
Today I spoke with the LS salesman and the LS N.C. assembly plant customer service, both in separate conversations told me that if I mount a different FL bucket it voids the warranty.

This all came about since I noticed the LS 2025 has a same size bucket with skid steer quick disconnect.
It's an option that I want, to be able to swap to a grapple and other attachments.
sounds crazy

I understand that, but how would they know. I don't think any of the SCUT are really big enough for quick attachment buckets. The Kubota will only lift about 400 lbs to the highest point. When you add a 200lbs forklift attachment it then would have much less, because the load is out in front. I bought a set of Bolt on forks and they weigh about 50 lbs. They work really well, and I don't loose much lift capacity. If you need the Quick Attachments, I think this tractor and all SCUTs are to small. It is just my two cents.

BulldogsPlanes · Oct 13, 2017

I see some of the bx23s with grapples. And the owners love it. Subcompact maneuver way better and go through gates easier.

To me if the specs for the mt125 scut are better than the bx23s it should handdle it with no problems. I would think.

BulldogsPlanes · Oct 13, 2017

Now if can get such a good deal like you. I may be willing to hide my grapple when MTC is due. :thumbsup:

But local Atlanta LS dealers are not budging on price, it looks like I'm going to have to buy out of state maybe by you if its even possible.

rider7767 · Oct 13, 2017

BulldogsPlanes said:
I see some of the bx23s with grapples. And the owners love it. Subcompact maneuver way better and go through gates easier.

To me if the specs for the mt125 scut are better than the bx23s it should handdle it with no problems. I would think.

I think it would handle it better than the BX23S. I also don't think Kubota would not warranty a loader that has been pushed beyond its advertised specs.

BulldogsPlanes · Oct 13, 2017

Kubota owns land pride now, they make a grapplers, 3rd function etc. for the bx23s. the bx23s comes stock with the quick disconnect. It should not void anything in my opinion the epuipment picks it up or not no matter what attachments you use with in logical common sense. Forks are more detrimental and it's common practice.

Again this is info I'm finding out as I go, to help with my decision and future readers with theirs.

At this point the only way I buy the LS is if I can get your great deal of an attachment worth over 2k in value or 2k off. Other wise the local Kubota said they would drop their price to 17,500 no mower deck but has quick disconnect stock. That's only a difference of 1,600 from my local LS Atlanta dealers who only offer it at 15,900 no MMM.

I'm going to buy one of the two by end of this month.

Thank you guy's for all the info and help in my decision.

rider7767 · Oct 13, 2017

BulldogsPlanes said:
Kubota owns land pride now, they make a grapplers, 3rd function etc. for the bx23s. the bx23s comes stock with the quick disconnect. It should not void anything in my opinion the epuipment picks it up or not no matter what attachments you use with in logical common sense. Forks are more detrimental and it's common practice.

Again this is info I'm finding out as I go, to help with my decision and future readers with theirs.

At this point the only way I buy the LS is if I can get your great deal of an attachment worth over 2k in value or 2k off. Other wise the local Kubota said they would drop their price to 17,500 no mower deck but has quick disconnect stock. That's only a difference of 1,600 from my local LS Atlanta dealers who only offer it at 15,900 no MMM.

I'm going to buy one of the two by end of this month.

Thank you guy's for all the info and help in my decision.

I wish you well. I think you will be happy with either one.

Senderofan · Oct 15, 2017

BulldogsPlanes said:
Now if can get such a good deal like you. I may be willing to hide my grapple when MTC is due. :thumbsup:

But local Atlanta LS dealers are not budging on price, it looks like I'm going to have to buy out of state maybe by you if its even possible.

PM sent.

BulldogsPlanes · Nov 2, 2017

I ended up buying a used LS XJ2025h TLB 240hrs with many extras example a factory quick disconnect, a grapple, 3rd function hydraulics, pallet forks, box blade, tooth bar, brush bar, backhoe thumb and backhoe scraper bucket. all for a fair price of 14.5 k

rider7767 · Nov 2, 2017

BulldogsPlanes said:
I ended up buying a used LS XJ2025h TLB 240hrs with many extras example a factory quick disconnect, a grapple, 3rd function hydraulics, pallet forks, box blade, tooth bar, brush bar, backhoe thumb and backhoe scraper bucket. all for a fair price of 14.5 k

Sounds like you did good. Enjoy.

ThirdMan · Nov 3, 2017

BulldogsPlanes said:
I ended up buying a used LS XJ2025h TLB 240hrs with many extras example a factory quick disconnect, a grapple, 3rd function hydraulics, pallet forks, box blade, tooth bar, brush bar, backhoe thumb and backhoe scraper bucket. all for a fair price of 14.5 k

I would have taken that deal! Get some pictures to share here when you take possession.

mslisaj · Nov 4, 2017

I just purchased the MT125 after an extensive search and look at all the other tractor dealers in my area. The bottom line for me were the spec's and price. I have two friends that have the BX23 Kabota's and they absolutely love them. Both have had no trouble with them either. So I was getting a lot of pressure. But I found a LS dealer that was $3500 less then the cash price of the Kabota locally and they would ship & deliver the tractor to my front gate I about fell out of my chair. The price of the LS machine is extremely attractive but so are the spec's. I'm thinking that if you don't abuse the machines, maintain then well they all should last a lifetime. I have a 18 year old JD Sabre Mower that I push snow with and cut my lawn in the summer. This machine is always moving and I have had almost no trouble with it. But I maintain it like new. I won't put chains on it as I don't want to load the transmission that much. When the tires spin I look at it like a fuse. I'll treat this LS tractor the same and I know it will outlast me.
Just my two cents worth. :thumbsup: