Taking a look at the BX23

[Rolando]

Looking at one more alternative. I had settled on the L3130 with the LA723 loader and a scraper box. I also decided I can't afford the BH. I wondered if having the BH on the BX23 might make up for the smaller size of the '23 in felling trees (being able to tear up roots as opposed to just pulling the trees down with the 3130). I should say that I have very small trees to deal with, mostly under 8 inches and less that 30 feet tall.

Although the loader and bucket don't have as much capacity as the 3130/LA723, I only need to move dirt for the foundation of the house, and I figure it would just take longer to place with the smaller tractor. My consideration is to the size tractor I will end up with at the end of construction of the house and after I have done all the clearing I need. After that it's mowing and minor clean-up. Like a lot of others in the forum, I'm thinking about whether I want to end up with one machine, or get the bigger tractor now and something else later to do the mowing. But I don't know if I would really need that bigger tractor for anything else later. I suppose a situation would be if I wanted to get a bigger property than the 5 acres I have now. But I'm thinking that would have to be a lot of years down the road. Building a house is not something I undertake lightly. The last house I built was nearly 25 years ago!

Is a grapple available for the BX23? I've got a lot of brush I will need to crush and move. They show a small 3 foot grapple on the <font color="green"> AnBo Web Site</font>. I wonder if that could be made to work with the BX23?

What about a pallet fork? I'm gathering from the posts I've read on the BX23 that a skid steer quick attach is not available.

 

[jfdlaw]

Don't know about pallet forks for the BX23, but ATI sells a pin type quick attach for the smaller Kubota loaders that lets you swap out the bucket for other attachments. They sell a pallet fork system that will connect and is light enough to still have some capacity.

ati

I think grapple buckets are going to be too heavy for a BX23. Most grapple buckets I've found are at least 500 pounds, which doesn't leave you much capacity with a BX.

If you find a light grapple buck please let me know. I'm looking for one too.

 

[Junkman]

I am not familiar with the L3130, but I am familiar with the BX22, which is the same as the BX23 in capabilities and mechanics. There is no way that you will ever be able to use pallet forks with the BX since the loader doesn't have the capacity to lift more that its rated 460 pounds, unless the pallet doesn't have much on it. It is a good digging machine and I have pushed over small trees and dug out stumps successfully. It is also a great mowing machine and changing over is easy. You might consider purchasing the BX and renting a machine for the very few times that you will need a larger machine while building the house.
A grapple is not available presently, but I know that there may be one commercially available in a few months. I will post more on this as information becomes available.

 

[qqq]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( There is no way that you will ever be able to use pallet forks with the BX since the loader doesn't have the capacity to lift more that its rated 460 pounds, unless the pallet doesn't have much on it. )</font>
Pallet forks on a bx23 have been done: BX23 FEL lift capability
Jim also did a test, and ended up maxing out at 670 pounds. Your milelage may vary, but this gives you a real world data point to compare to. Its nowhere near an LA723, but you can look at the numbers, and see if its good enough for your application.

 

[JayC]

If you can't get a 3130 TLB right now, and are worried about some things about the BX23, why not take a look at something in between like a B series Kubota? Wouldn't there be a good compromise somewhere with a B?

 

[jim_wilson]

I would second JayC's remark. The reasons you gave for buying a tractor sound a lot like mine when I got my BX23 - a couple of big projects and then just mowing and general maintainence once those were over. I having my BX23 for a while now (75 hours ) I have to say that the one thing I wish that it has was more FEL capacity. I am in the process of excavating down 2-3 feet to put 100+ foot extension on my driveway and I have to say that it would much easier if the FEL had just a little more digging capacity. The backhoe does come in mighty useful and I think if your only two choices were the L series with no backhoe and the BX23 with a backhoe I would probably choose the BX23. However after using my BX23 and reading some of the posts over the last couple of weeks from people who were in similar buying circumstances I would say that maybe you should split the difference and try taking a look at a B7610 with the higher capacity loader and a backhoe. The B7610 is still small enough to be useable as a mowing tractor on a small lot yet the higher capacity on the loader over the BX will make the work go a lot faster - and it will make the tractor more useful if you are going to throw pallet forks or a grapple bucket on it.

 

[Rolando]

I looked at the ATI web site: New Pin-Type Quick Attach, but the closest Kubota loader number they list is "LA211". Is that the same as the BX23 loader, which is "LA210"?

 

[DannyD]

I caught your words on the excavating for the drive. I did this with my 2200 and a bucket for my barn. I was cutting into the hill to about 3 to 4 feet deep and 36 feet back. The one thing that would have made this easier is a toothbar, which I now have. I used the tiller and the bucket at first till I got a face to work on, then just dug away at that, but teeth would have been a big help.

Markham welding made mine, great bar, great price, and good people to deal with

 

[jim_wilson]

I also looked at the ATI quick attach - they list it being for the LA211 (BX2230) and the LA181 (BX1500) - not quite sure what the difference is between between the LA211,LA181 and the LA210 that is on the BX23 but I have looked at all three in person and could not find a bit of difference between them. I am 99% sure the ATI quick attach would work on the LA210. In fact I have been thinking very seriously about getting one. If you get one let me know how it works out.

 

[jim_wilson]

I got an ATI toothbar when I got the tractor - I had some previous experience trying to dig with the FEL on a Terramite (that did not have a toothbar) I rented a few years back and knew that a toothbar would make a big difference. The digging I have been doing is going somewhat slot but I do make progress. Lots of big rocks ( some heavier than the FEL will lift - many that I think are right at the limit), and lots of roots from a couple of big pine trees we took down. The backhoe has proven to be a good decision. I find I can dig much easier with the FEL when I use the backhoe to break up the soil and put it in piles for the FEL. Also getting some of the bigger rocks out of the ground would be impossible with anything but the backhoe. I have to admit on this job I often wish I got a slightly bigger tractor - like a B7610 - but I think once I am done with the big stuff the BX23 will prove to be just right for what I wanted it for.