New BX23S :D

[cscpianoman]

I have been looking at tractors for far too long and finally broke down and purchased! Delivery is this coming week. I was toying between the B2301 and BX23S and finally decided on the smaller of the two. It was an extremely tough call - I loved the power of the B, but couldn't quite get passed the increased size. My son is going to be using it and the lower center of gravity will help him.

For those who will be web-searching and over-researching here is what lead me to my decision:

I have 1.25 acres of mostly flat land. I know it is small but it is in need of extensive work. Prior to this I was using a Husqvarna Lawn Mower and a 1-stage snow blower for the driveway. I have poor hips that are starting to give and both machines just didn't cut it anymore. The driveway is quite large at about 250-300 feet. Everything is overgrown and I need I was planning on using a backhoe mostly for fun, but also for trenching and helping to take out brush and in particular junipers (evil things). This will mostly be a mower in the summer and a snow-plow in the winter. I wanted to use the FEL for mulch/gravel and snow removal. I wanted to try the FEL before getting a blade, but if using the FEL is too much of a pain for snow will definitely get a blade vs blower. We will see.

Because I was anticipating more ground work than not I was trying to choose between the BX and B. The B definitely has more power and lifting capability, but is taller/longer. It definitely has better ground clearance. But because this is primarily a mower and FEL for mulch/dirt/snow, the ground engagement didn't seem so excessive to warrant the B. So BX it is. Having said that, if I get into this and the BX doesn't feel like enough I will upgrade to the B.

I had a choice between the Kubota and a local dealer with Massey or LS. There is a Yanmar and JD, but they are quite a distance away. I loved the feel of the Kubota vs the others. The layout just worked and felt more refined, particularly compared to the Massey. With the Massey it felt I was hovering over the steering wheel and it would kill my back if mowing for over an hour. LS felt the same way. The Kubota dealer also felt more capable with repairs and warranty work.

I am excited. Of course, pictures will be coming!!

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

Congrats on the new tractor! We will be waiting for the pics. You won't be disappointed, these subcompact tractors are real workhorses.

 

[cscpianoman]

Tractor arrived yesterday and wasted no time getting to work. Here are pictures!

 

[cscpianoman]

My initial thoughts:

I got mine from Adam's Tractor in Spokane, WA and good job to them. The sale was great, hopefully never have to see the service desk, but good experience all around.

Dang this thing is nice - especially compared to the lawn tractor I graduated from. The mower deck is really quite good and with a tweak or two will be even better! The tractor is definitely more maneuverable than my lawn tractor and getting around the yard is nothing. Truly helps to have 4WD and power steering. It even absorbs the rough spots better. I have tried mowing with the loader/BH and without. Certainly easier to maneuver without, but not bad with them attached either. Having counterbalance is a must or you would be bouncing all over the place.

The seating station is amazing - controls are right where you expect them to be and it is comfortable to sit in. Shifting the seat takes a time or two to rotate to get it, but super easy after a couple tries. I've taken off the FL and BH and the mechanism is very good. Again, it takes a time or two and driving around a bit makes you appreciate the nuances of the machine and what to watch out for. The tractor does roll a little, but if you expect this and watch you can easily anticipate and just use the brake.

The back hoe is awesome. I realize it is not a full on excavator and does have some limitations. It has sufficient power, but as many will say this is not designed to rip a tree out by the roots, but if you spend time loosening the soil on either side, it will get the job done. Definitely get the thumb!

I haven't had much chance to use the front loader yet. I did get the third function and really did not add that much more expense.

Negatives thus far:
Not really any I could point to just yet
I want to get a mulching kit. It is expensive, but I hate raking the windrows.
I need to get a new utility trailer to haul the extra weight.
Um, it doesn't make french fries?........

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

Congrats on the tractor! Welcome to the SCUT club! Great little workhorses, as you have already found out. Looks like it made quick work out of that large shrub! I can't believe how how I did the work before I got my SCUT... oh yeah... A lot of back breaking manual labor!

 

[cscpianoman]

It was fun. I got lucky on this one and had it out in about 15 minutes. Sadly a sprinkler line was below it.....

 

[AxleHub]

Can,

I was a little confused when you said you plan to get the mulching kit. I always saw the BX offerings for decks had the mulcher capability a part of the deck not as an add-on. ???? In other words they had a deck without and a deck with and they were different numbers and different baffling. The mulcher version could be used for mulching or regular - with side discharge. But a mulching kit ????

 

[IchabodCrayne]

Can,

I was a little confused when you said you plan to get the mulching kit. I always saw the BX offerings for decks had the mulcher capability a part of the deck not as an add-on. ???? In other words they had a deck without and a deck with and they were different numbers and different baffling. The mulcher version could be used for mulching or regular - with side discharge. But a mulching kit ????

Same deck for both.kit usually includes mulching blades which are different and a closure/cover for discharge opening.

 

[cscpianoman]

What Ichabod said

 

[AxleHub]

Unless its happened in just the last year - the BX products had a choice of decks that included the mulching capability. that had to have been cheaper than buying a regular deck and then getting a mulching kit for it (it would have been more blades and 2 different part numbers etc.. Would seem ordering the deck with mulching at original purchase would have been quite a bit less and would have been installed too.

Everyone sure there was no difference in built in baffling or the height of mulching deck compared to the regular deck ?

(and yes, I understand Kubota does not make a dedicated mulching deck for the BX product). Both the regular deck or the mulching deck versions for Kubota BX each had the typical side mounted exhaust chute. To my knowledge - the only dedicated mulching deck out there for scut use is the one like I have from Massey - and that is a 6 blade unit and has no side chute at all (54 inch size).