Yet another subcompact thread.. Small backhoe, BX vs Rural King

[MESSMAKER]

RK sells implements and have for a while. Selling tractors makes sense but can they hang for the long term. Bobcat had the perfect setup and could not make money. I am not sure RK can either.

 

[CincyFlyer]

Guess I expected a little more class and etiquette from Messick's. Showing a little tarnish on that sterling reputation. Dealer bashing by a dealer, Hypocrisy on display...?..

I saw no "dealer bashing", only an opinion on what it likely to happen (as it did with, say, Cabela's tractors.)

 

[Btown]

Well, thanks for nothing!! So, I contacted the local MF dealer, a 1720 he can do at pretty much parity with the RK, right around 17K. The 2 used options I'm looking at are a 2014 BX25D at 14,500 and a 2011 BX24 at 13,900. The Kubota and JD dealers are both close to 20K on the respective models (new, of course), so those are pretty much out of the running. I could probably talk both used sellers down a little, maybe 14K even for the 2014? But 3K isn't that big a difference, especially if I could own a RK or MF for a few years and sell it for ~3-5K under what I paid for it.. Seems these things don't depreciate that much, and I wouldn't be rolling a lot of hours on it, it would be almost a purpose built backhoe/FEL for me, my bigger tractor is perfect for all my other implements, I'd be surprised if I do 100hrs a year regularly on this machine.

I'll see what I can find out. The FEL capacity of the RK is really exceptional compared to the competition, beyond that, everything else looks pretty "even" JD/Kubota/MF/etc.



Exactly my fear. And yes, parts will still be around, but the value of the machine might (probably will) drop like crazy because it's an "orphan". And that's my biggest concern, I'm hoping I can do 80% of what I need with this BH and the other 20% I'll rent a mini-ex. If I find that I can only to 20% of what I need with the little BH and wind up with a mini-ex for a month or 2 a year in rental, I'm gonna sell this and buy a mini-ex, and I'd like to avoid taking a big depreciation hit.

Bobcat tractor prices are good and Cabelas still look strong too. As long as TYM is around and if the tractor is in good shape it will have good value. Maybe not Kubota or Deere value.

 

[ThirdMan]

947 is the pivot pin.. which is a bogus marketing number because you don't lift there. If you had a load this heavy, you'd be sorely disappointed because the tractor would not lift it. It's usually about a 30% reduction to bucket center.. the more honest number that Kubota uses. I actually did a video on how loader specifications are manipulated.

I have watched your video and am still not convinced. Kubota publishes both lift capacity at pin and at 500mm forward for the BX23S. Lets compare that to the Mahindra eMax 25S.
eMax 25S: lift at pins 900 lbs to 75.3" high and with a reach of 24.9".
BX23S: left at pins 739 lbs to 71.0" high with a reach of 25.4".

161 lbs may not seem like that much, but it is about 20% more. On these small machines that can matter a great deal. If the eMax 25S can lift a heavier load higher at the pins, I don't believe that they are playing games by shortening the boom or being dishonest by not reporting 500mm forward from the pins. I wish all the manufacturers would report both numbers on the spec sheets, but can live with the pins as an easy to compare number. Kubota doesn't list breakout force at the pins which makes it hard to compare to all the other sheets I have seen which list it at the pins.
Dump clearance can be gamed by using a shorter bucket or not having much dump angle. The eMAX 25S only dumps to 38° which seems not that great compared to the BX23S 45°.

 

[MMfrompa]

"Mike Here" From Outdoors With The Morgans, I agree with Neil on one point, spec sheets can be confusing and sometimes may not be comparing apples to apples. I try my best to only say things in my videos that I'm sure of, the only way to do that is have real world experience when comparing brands. For example I have been using the RK 24 and I love it, its a little tank and lifts an incredible amount for it's size. (also love the auto throttle) however I would never say in a video that it lifts more than a BX, how could I? I have no seat time at all on a BX so I would only be guessing. However when it comes to the RK 37 lift capacity I can absolutely tell you it will lift and carry WAY more (and comfortably) than the 3901, That information isn't based on a spec sheet or an opinion I have run both and know it to be true. In this video Im picking and carrying a large red oak and keep in mind thats a 6' grapple on the 37 that weighs almost 500lbs. I can say after running the Kubota and The RK that they are both great tractors, but if someone is comparing the two and lift capacity is important to them the RK 37 is the one you want no question. Once again, not my opinion it will just lift and carry a lot more.

 

[RK Tractor Guy]

We are hopeful that our competitors remain skeptical and that tractor buyers see an opportunity to get a quality tractor and save money. That’s all we’d like to say on this thread.

 

[ultrarunner]

Nothing really more to say...

Time will decide and every manufacturer started somewhere...

A solid reputation earned is the best advertising... good value and good support goes a long way.

 

[Overtaxed]

Well, this decision sort of made itself. Wound up with a JD 2720 w/BH. Found a used one that was just too good a deal to pass up, it's a little bigger than what I'd been looking at as a new model, but still small enough that I can get it into places my Kioti cannot (or should not) go. I wish the RK was in stock, I would have really liked to see what I thought of it, seems like a good machine. All the subcompacts have the swivel seat arrangement, and, to be frank, I see that driving me nuts eventually. Especially since I can conscript my wife to drive while I use the BK on a 2 seat model. The downside is that the BH is cramped on the 2720, more so than the other subcompacts because there are 2 seats. That's a sacrifice that I'm willing to make to have it easy to change back and forth or have 2 people to use to the tractor at once. It's like a tiny excavator that drives itself (assuming my wife doesn't get bored and walk away while I'm trenching).

Now I just need to find someone to clean out my barn of shovels because, let me tell you, I just spent a lot of money to make sure that I never have to pick up a shovel again!

 

[majorwager]

Overtaxed
A few points:
Hope you enjoy new tractor, confindent your wife will be your desired co-pilot., it's an attractive shade of green.
RK will be here, the Next time you wade into the tractor market, a nice shade of Red.
Are you willing to share purchase details?
Will you be sharing operating photos?

All the best to you.....but know the job does not exist, that doesn't require a little hand shovelling, perhaps delegated to the wife??, NOT likely !!!

 

[Diggin It]

Now I just need to find someone to clean out my barn of shovels because, let me tell you, I just spent a lot of money to make sure that I never have to pick up a shovel again!

I'd keep a couple handy. You might need them to dig the clumps out of the bucket. ;-)