BX Kubota

Neighbor bought a BX series Kubota with loader and hoe attachment. Not sure of exact hp. He wanted me to use to at his place and asked what I thought.

It was hard for me to say something and not try to offend him. So I came up with, Well you have a garden tractor on steroids with attachments. I wanted to say, you have wimpy hydraulics. The loader wouldn't lift a full bucket of dirt. The hoe was very lame.

BTW, I was helping him with my terramite t5c. Was running circles around his Kubota. His neighbor even got me off to the side and commented how impressed he was with my t5c.

I didn't want to tell him, but I'm glad I don't have what he has.

George

George,

I bought a Kubota 23hp bx, but without loader/hoe.

I like the 4 wheel drive, diff-lock, hydro, diesel.

I am pretty sure running equipment dedicated for such would make me disappointed I the BX. My darling sure does like the mower and snow thrower though.

D.

I have a Kubota B1750HSD (20 HP) hydrostat FWA CUT bought new in 1993. It is an absolutely GREAT lawn tractor but it is not a farm tractor and certainly not an excavator.

FWIW, in the 20+ years that I have owned it, it has needed ABSOLUTELY NOTHING, aside from routine lube oil and filter changes - not so much as a fuse, lamp or fan belt. NOTHING. It has been the most satisfying significant purchase of my life.

Dean

My oldest daughter and her now ex-husband bought a Kubota BX23 (23 HP) w/hydrostatic drive about six or seven years ago.It was a package deal with front end loader and back hoe and naturally they bought a mower deck to go with it. Her husband was one of these people who can tear up an anvil with a rubber hammer, but that little tractor performed like a champ. I have never seen a small tractor do so much work! He dug out probably fifty tree stumps with the back hoe and I have personally loaded the bucket to the extent that the rear wheels would hardly make contact with the ground. If I could afford it, I would go purchase a new one tomorrow.
You didn't specify if your neighbor's unit was new or used. If it is used, it could well be used to the extent that the hydraulics would not work well. If it is new, he needs to let the dealer check it over, 'cause sonethin' ain't right.

What else can your Terramite do? Does the hoe come off? Does it have a 3 pt. hitch? Can you put a mower on it? As a TLB your Terramite is a purpose built machine but the Kubota is a much more versatile machine overall.

Two each his own , I have ran them both and no comparison in ease of operation or what they will do . The Kubota will just out work the terramite.

From you described I would have the hydraulics checked out. Maybe it just needs the suction screen and filter changed?
It should perform better then that.

My Dad bought the exact combo plus a mower deck and the three point hitch to replace our old Power King. I laughed at it until I used it. Handy damn thing. I used it at my house around the house moving river rock and leveling off the septic field. Fits in tight areas and sure beat a shovel. For him it is easy to get on.

I run all Kubota equipment at work, (parks dept) hard to go back to any other color. The Green and Yellow we have spends its time getting repaired.

Hyd system on any bx will not have any power and also slow. unless the rpms are half throttle or more. a t5c might be a bit more rugged but the are built for rental industry. bx is way more versitle.

If someone were to give me a new BX, I would sell it. Then I would have just enough money to buy a used Terramite.

When using the BX hoe, you back up to your work, get off the seat, pick the seat up, turn it around, climb back on. Then if you want to move a few feet, yes get off the hoe, pick up the seat, turn seat around, climb back on, move tractor, get off tractor, pick up seat, turn it around, and climb on the hoe. Now that's versatile and a time saver. A real PITA too. I pull on a lever and spin around without getting off seat.

The BX front bucket can't lift as high and can only lift about a half scoop of dirt.

The BX hoe is tiny and made of thin metal, like the front bucket.

I'll stand on what I said, I can run circles around neighbor's BX. Perhaps they have the hyd pressure turned down. I don't have to run my machine wide open. Lucky if I'm doing half rpms.

I want to hop on tractor, turn the key and go to work. Why would anyone want to take a mower off, put a loader and hoe on before you can use it? Oh yea, versatile!

I leave the 6 ft belly mower on my IH year around.

I leave my 6 ft rear mower on ford all summer. About ready to remove mower, put chains on and a 7 ft snow blade.

I put about 300 hours a year on t5c. Lucky to put 50 hours on each mower.

I guess if you have to get a woman's approval and you can only have one tractor, go for it. Each to their own.

I'll stand on my original post. I can run circles around the BX. Don't believe me, stop by and I'll show you.

I'm sure there are larger Kubotas that can run circles around my T5C. The BX is a garden tractor with attachments. The terramite has it's attachments permentally welded to a solid frame.
George

A Kubota BX that doesn't outperform anything else it's size and HP simply isn't working right.

Well. George, as you said, "To each his own." You stated your opinion of the machine, others stated their opinions as well. If everyone liked the same equipment, a lot of companies would go belly up, and those remaining would be unable to keep up with demand. That's just the way it is.

Mike, I forgot to mention the BX is new. It only has 20 hours on it. Been back to the shop once. I noticed it leaking oil out the hoe's controls.


My t5c is only 20 hp. It's doesn't seem to be a hp issue, it's like the hydraulics are not right. There should be no reason it can't lift a full scoop, but it's like it runs out of pressure. Same with hoe, no poop in the rear scoop.

I would be a very unhappy camper spending that kind of money on something that's only a garden tractor. Yea, each to their own.

George

BX's are handy little toys, though I have no doubt your purpose built machine will easily outdig one.

couple of notes,
those little Kubota motors are made to REV, hard to get used to for us old tractor owners.
When working, bring it up near full throttle and leave it.
HST's are happier and hydraulics work like they were designed to then.
If that machine won't tip itself over or drag itself, under hydraulic pull pressure at full throttle, take it back, it has a problem.

use what ya got, you can dig a pond with a trackhoe, a shovel,
or even a spoon , just takes more time

NoNewParts,
You are right, use what you have. Neighbor wanted a backhoe, so he spends a pant load on a new BX with attachments thinking he is buying a backhoe.

A man who bought 2 Kubotas in the 80, back when they were built like a tractor, clutch and gear box. He said that someone else makes Kubota's attachments. Not sure if he is correct. That said, I have never been a fan of putting a loader on a farm tractor. The hyd has always been undersized. Front end not strong enough. Old tractors didn't have power steering. Have to change seats to operate hoe and change seats to move tractor. That by itself is a deal breaker for me.


So, if you want a hoe, buy a hoe that is built from the ground up as a hoe. It will be stronger and faster.

If you want a garden tractor with attachments buy a Kubota.

FORREST GUMP, "AND THAT'S ALL I HAVE TO SAY ABOUT THAT".

George

George.. Just a note KUBOTA has a plant in Georgia that builds their Loaders and Backhoes. Years ago used other sources but not in the last 20 years.

A Kubota BX that doesn't outperform anything else it's size and HP simply isn't made right.


Research BX23 hp Kubota. The loader can only lift 460 pounds when it's working right. My loader is 20 hp and can lift over 1700 pounds. It can lift the back wheels off the ground.