Pulled the trigger on a BX23S today...

[Bosifus]

Hi everyone, I've been lurkin around and reading a bunch on the sub compact tractors on the forums here and decided to go with the Kubota BX23S for our couple acres and bought one today at KitsapKubota in Silverdale WA. I have to say that the newer features that Kubota added to this line was what put me over the top on choosing the BX23S in the end. I'm disabled so the new coupling system for the hydros and quick change options ended up being a big factor for me personally. I am really impressed that they are using these kinds of options on a tractor this size without adding a bunch more onto the price. You just don't see them on equipment this size in my experience.
Kubota really makes it a hard to pass up deal when you figure in the 0% financing and additional savings on the multiple implement deal also. I told the Gal that helped us today that this little tractor really sells itself once you figure out what size tractor you need.

So, we ordered up the BX23S with quick change FEL, backhoe with thumb.
Belly mower and rear tiller.
Service manual.

The mower has to travel to get here so we are supposed to have it all delivered next week. Hopefully in time for my Bday, I'm hoping to start tilling in my garden first thing.
Anyway, wanted to stop by and thank you all for your input here, it helped me along quite a bit in my decision making process.

Now that I have all that out of the way I'm wondering what optional must haves should be first on my list? Skid plates have to be a must for brush and general protection? Anyone have any suggestions?

:drink:

 

[void777]

Bosfus:
Bosfus BX23s should be a good selection a friend has one. Congrats and welcome to TBN and post pictures when it comes in.

 

[dragoneggs]

Hey Bosifus! Congrats!!! I bought my BX25D from Kitsap Tractor as well. I love it! Depending on your situation, you may want to add a few things. Wheel spacers, a Piranha Tooth Bar for your bucket, and some protection for your HST fan as you mentioned unless Kubota improved the protection on the 23S. I went with Bro-Tek for the under armor and wheel spacers. Bxpanded for the tooth bar. You may also want some hooks for your bucket... I did that too. Bxpanded has those too if you aren't a welder.

Welcome to BXpanded - Engineered and Built in the USA

Bro-Tek

 

[scaredychicken]

Bosifus -

I can see how we went through a similar process of determining needs, quality, features, convenience of use.

I agree with your purchase - my BX23S is to be ready by early June (that's my timeline, not a delay), can hardly wait.

It did not even occur to me that I might need to order a service manual. Good Point.

A tiller is a future plan for me, as is the thumb.

I will probably me watching for your posts, and for your reactions after the purchase. Have Fun with it.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Hey Bosifus! Congrats!!! I bought my BX25D from Kitsap Tractor as well. I love it! Depending on your situation, you may want to add a few things. Wheel spacers, a Piranha Tooth Bar for your bucket, and some protection for your HST fan as you mentioned unless Kubota improved the protection on the 23S. I went with Bro-Tek for the under armor and wheel spacers. Bxpanded for the tooth bar. You may also want some hooks for your bucket... I did that too. Bxpanded has those too if you aren't a welder.

Welcome to BXpanded - Engineered and Built in the USA

Bro-Tek

Congratulations! You'll enjoy it and it's a small workhorse TRACTOR. Contact your dealer now and tell them to weld the hook on the top of your bucket and they may not even charge you for it. Barlows always adds them for me with no charge.
Be careful crossing hills and try to always be going up hill or down hill instead of cross hills. The BH makes it a bit more tippy as does the FEL. Keep weght on both ends.

 

[mddorange]

:welcome:
To the TBN forum.

Congrats on the new tractor.

Always keep the bucket on the FEL as low to the ground as possible and ALWAYS wear your seatbelt.

 

[Thomas]

:welcome: to TBN Bosfus.
Congrats on your new BX...heck of birthday present. :thumbsup:

 

[Jchonline]

Congrats on the BX23S. What a great little tractor. I have driven it a couple of times on the dealer lot. If I didn't have a much larger property I would have one already!

 

[Johnkn]

Congrats, you need everything in my signature. Good luck

 

[Tractor Dell]

Here is pretty much a repost I did on another thread, but it would apply here also.

I got a BX23S last year and I love that little tractor. It has been able to do anything I wanted it to do, within reason. Sometimes I push it up to and past what it was designed to do, but with some patience and creative thinking, I could still get it done.

There are 3 things I got for mine right off the bat, and you should consider them.
1) 2 inch wheel spacers for the rear wheels. I got mine from Brotek. You will really feel the difference in how stable it makes you feel when on a hill. If you have any hills, you probably want to get some.
2) Some kind of armor for the underneath of the tractor for when you have the mower off. If you take the mower off, you will have some easily damaged things down there and if you get any kinds of sticks or whatever up in there, you won't like the outcome. I got BXpanded Under Armor for mine, as I don't have the MMM, so I just leave it on.
3) Definitely get the 3rd function valve added when you get it. I didn't at first, and had to pay extra to get it added later. If you have any kind of wooded area, definitely look at a grapple. I have a 55" Wicked Root Rake Grapple from Everything Attachements. It is on my tractor more than the bucket. I use it to carry everything from brush to branches to trees. Once you get comfortable it with, you will be moving things you didn't think you could move, and you never get out of your seat to do it.

Oh one more thing. I got some wheel weights for the rear wheels. It also adds to the stability of the tractor. Get some of them, or get the tires filled. I went with the weights as they are not that hard to remove, and if I got a hole in the tire, I wouldn't have to worry about all the fluid leaking out.

The BX23S is a great little tractor, and I am sure you will like it.

 

[Bosifus]

Thanks for the welcome and the pointers. I totally forgot about hooks, thanks for the reminder. Called the dealer this morning about them. I have a cutting edge being installed for the bucket as well I forgot to mention.

Does that Bro Tek rear belly plate allow for a MMM to be installed and used with it on? It looks like it does but just wanted to make sure. --I just went and read the description and it looks like it does.

Yeah, a heck of a Bday present I would say. Although my wife was pretty enthused about it which is a big plus.
Hey off hand have any of you checked the line pressures for the hydros on these little tractors? I'm waiting on the shop manual too and curious.

 

[dragoneggs]

Hey off hand have any of you checked the line pressures for the hydros on these little tractors? I'm waiting on the shop manual too and curious.

Yes, although I don't recall mine. I remember it being a little below spec and I have the kit to bump it up a little, just haven't gotten to it.

Another handy BXpanded.com product is their pressure test and adjustment kit.
Hydraulic Pressure Testers

 

[Bosifus]

Well, we had the tractor delivered today and after looking everything over I found the backhoe has a hydro leak on an elbow coming out of the valve body that I can't just tighten up and be done with it due to the location. Bummer but I'm sure Kitsap Kubota will get it sorted out for me. Meanwhile, she sits.

 

[Code54]

Congrats - we have had a BX25 for about 3 years and it has been a valuable piece of equipment that has served us well. Im sure they can get your line tightened up but if you want to snap a photo Im sure some of us maybe able to give you a hint or two if you don't want to wait from them.
ENJOY!

 

[YLee Kioti]

Congrats, welcome and happy Bday!...

Nothing like spending time with the shop manual and playing with the tractor!
Good times ahead indeed.

 

[Bosifus]

Well, I decided to head back out there and make sure every line connector for the backhoe was snugged up good and tight then gave it a good wipe down and I think I got her sorted out now. At least I hope so. Now, I'm gonna need to go over the whole thing for piece of mind but I better get used to doing that anyway. Here's to hoping I saved the dealer a trip out here.

 

[dalola]

Congrat's on your new rig! Like most of us that have one, you'll wonder how you got along without it!

+1 on the under shield, but only if you plan on doing trashy terrain work without the mmm.
If you plan on an assortment of 3 pt implements, ditch the wretched turnbuckles, and buy a set of telescopic stabilizers... they are really handy.

Otherwise, get some seat time, then evaluate what else you might need. Enjoy & work safe!

 

[SusanDuffy]

I live in Bremerton Washington and am considering a BX23S. What did you think of the Silverdale dealer, have they treated you well? How is your tractor performing on this Kitsap County hard clay soil?

 

[dragoneggs]

I live in Bremerton Washington and am considering a BX23S. What did you think of the Silverdale dealer, have they treated you well? How is your tractor performing on this Kitsap County hard clay soil?

Welcome Susan! I purchased my BX25D at Kitsap Tractor in Silverdale. They are okay. Not great but I have not had any issues with them. I have had one warranty service and it went fine. Purchased all of my parts/fluids from them for my DIY maintenance. No issues. I have heard that some folk don't like dealing with them but they are by far the closest to me so I haven't ventured further to compare dealers.

You will love your BX. If you are going to be 'digging' with your bucket, you definitely want to add a Piranha Tooth Bar by BXpanded.com.

Good luck!

 

[SusanDuffy]

Thank you for the feedback. We did go there yesterday and a young lady, Mallory was very helpful. Now we are thinking about the B2601. Ugg! More money. I’m going to look up and see what a Pranha tooth bar is. Thank you for the advice.