Talk me out of A BX23s

[MoMower]

Do non orange/green brands have a drive over mower deck?

Massey does.

My GC1723e, was $22k, TLB, 60” drive over MMM and SSQA pallet forks. (2019)

That replaced a 2014 GC 1710 that was at 560 hrs and had served flawlessly. That one was $20k. TLB and 54” deck.

If you have a MF around, give them a look.

The LS posted above appears attractive as well.

 

[CJinNH]

Question is - If money was no object which would you get? I would happily pay extra for quality and the little extras. I love my Mercedes, it's 9 years old and solid as day one- I want the mercedes of tractors, because in 10 years It will be the same, I'm not completely educated in tractors, but I know Kubota makes a decent product. I'm fortunate to have a great career, so I can afford whichever I want. That is why I'm curious if I should look elsewhere or why I should.

 

[MoMower]

I would probably stick with MF. I’m not a fan of Kubotas treadle pedal nor Deere’s proprietary quick attach system. YMMV

Edit: I have not seen any evidence of quality deficiency, in any one tractor brand Vs. another. They all have good and bad reviews and customer experiences. I think it really comes down to the right ergonomics for you, and dealer support.

 

[charlesluches]

Check out the new Holland 25 also.

 

[plowhog]

The backhoe would be useful for some landscaping and other projects- if I don't buy it with the tractor, I'll never buy it and will kick myself for not getting it.

When shopping for my first tractor, more than a few members advised to not get a backhoe. Their suggestion was just hire out any backhoe work. I bought a MF GC1710 with backhoe and am glad I did.

I've used it to pick up and transport large rocks (using added thumb), dig a trench for electrical line between buildings, yank out 50 year old juniper bushes, dig a trench for irrigation water, dig a trench to add irrigation sprinklers, and so much more. I also own a Ditch Witch trencher for the really long piping runs, but I've found the extra utility of the backhoe is very valuable for me. I just ordered the "root ripper" from Bxpanded as there are some larger trees I want to remove. So for me, there has been no shortage of projects where the backhoe was very valuable to have.

 

[Slackdaddy]

Best advice ever,
Buy the tractor to do tractor things, and a mower to do mower things.

I live on 20 wooded acres with about 1 acre to mow around the house, gravel drive to maintain.
Bought a Kioti CK20S because of it's heavy weight and lift capacity. (FEL, pallet forks, tiller,Woods BH) I needed a small tractor to finish our landscaping, hardscaping, building coops, sheds, garages. moving pallets of firewood, pallets of stone, grading drive, etc.

I looked at the lighter machines that had belly mowers (my little KIOTI weighs more than 2200#) and decided I needed a "Tractor" to do the heavier tractor things,
So we bought a Gravely Zero Turn to handle the mowing.

I would get a Zero Turn to mow with. Faster and more maneuverable....no change over. .

 

[paulfun9]

Question is - If money was no object which would you get? I would happily pay extra for quality and the little extras. I love my Mercedes, it's 9 years old and solid as day one- I want the mercedes of tractors, because in 10 years It will be the same, I'm not completely educated in tractors, but I know Kubota makes a decent product. I'm fortunate to have a great career, so I can afford whichever I want. That is why I'm curious if I should look elsewhere or why I should.

Our Mercedes was the worst car we ever owned! 9 years isn’t even the beginning for most tractors talk to me in 30 years and we will discuss this quality thing again!

 

[Carl_NH]

I live on the NH coast - 11 acre, about 4 acres of gardens and lawns. About 6 acres of trees lot of wet areas (high water table with lots of ledge), all relatively flat, driveway is only about 175 ft long, I don't mind a rear blower so I can use the FEL as well. The backhoe would be useful for some landscaping and other projects- if I don't buy it with the tractor, I'll never buy it and will kick myself for not getting it.

I'm also on the NH coast 6 AC, 250' driveway, lots of ledge, and rocks grow here as you know! The BH is indispensable with a thumb, for rocks, wood cutting and more. Also after the 2015/16 snow season 9' of snow in 45 days I bought a rear 5' snow blower instead of using the 6' scraper blade. Well for the last 4 years I've used the snow blower twice, just the scraper blade on the back and the FEL.

Also good advice on getting a dedicated lawn mower - you can get a decent zero turn starting around $4K - like the Simplicity 48" with a fabricated deck - vs $2K or so for the MM mower. Especially when you are using the BH in rough ground around rocks a MM mower could be in the way or get damaged.

Check out the Kioti's in North Hampton on Rt 1 - they have a small TLB similar to the BX and sell a line of zero turn mowers too and the guys are decent to deal with. I like the Kubota but as others have said look at all your options.

 

[CJinNH]

Tractors are another story, I know this. But for cars, I've owned many, I know every brand can have lemons.

I'm getting quotes on a red tractor as well, I did like my 1428, just a tad too large

 

[CJinNH]

I got my "drop dead price" from Chappell Tractor of $25,900.00 delivered, thesis for a BX23s with rear snowblower, FEL, backhoe with thumb, and drive over mower. I wrote to my local MF dealer and heard nothing back... I thought people needed business. I reached out to the next closest MF dealer, hoping to get some feedback. I also reached out to MB tractor for another Kubota comparison price.