Although I don't own a backhoe model of the BX, I have coveted one for years, even though I already have a much larger BH setup. The reason is its small size and ability to get into tight spaces would be very useful. The small size can also be a significant limitation, however. That's because with a backhoe, jockeying the tractor around takes a lot of time and the smaller the backhoe, the more often you have to re-position it. For instance, if you're digging a trench, instead of having to move the tractor every 6 to 10 feet as is done with larger equipment, you'll be shifting it every couple of feet. If your 10% spent on digging is a series of comparatively small projects, the little BX would probably do nicely. If you have big stumps and long trenches, or you need to break roots and dig hard ground, something bigger would most likely be more suitable.
Tractor Sizing BX25D ... Is it the machine I need?
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Although I don't own a backhoe model of the BX, I have coveted one for years, even though I already have a much larger BH setup. The reason is its small size and ability to get into tight spaces would be very useful. The small size can also be a significant limitation, however. That's because with a backhoe, jockeying the tractor around takes a lot of time and the smaller the backhoe, the more often you have to re-position it. For instance, if you're digging a trench, instead of having to move the tractor every 6 to 10 feet as is done with larger equipment, you'll be shifting it every couple of feet. If your 10% spent on digging is a series of comparatively small projects, the little BX would probably do nicely. If you have big stumps and long trenches, or you need to break roots and dig hard ground, something bigger would most likely be more suitable.
dragoneggs
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BX no toy or your garden variety lawn tractor. Listen to JT. My only divergence with his thoughts are that the lack of an abrupt stop is not an issue with me. I like the fact that the break pedal was moved to the left foot allowing the best in power/brake control. Just my opinion. If you want a fine cut lawn and need to precision mow (tight spaces) then a zero turn is in your future. Otherwise the BX I am sure will treat you well. I decided on a Z turn for mowing because I didn't want a MMM or a rear mower that I had to constantly change out because I use my BX as a tractor and I have tight spaces. Not knowing your full needs, but seeing as you are managing a couple acres... I would think you would be happy with what the BX can do. It is a workhorse, lifts a full bucket of gravel no issues, and maneuvers better than any other bigger tractor. Amazing what tight spaces you can work in, how efficient on fuel and the amount of accessories, support and oh yeah... cult following it has... there is a reason why 
check
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BX no toy or your garden variety lawn tractor. Listen to JT. My only divergence with his thoughts are that the lack of an abrupt stop is not an issue with me. I like the fact that the break pedal was moved to the left foot allowing the best in power/brake control. Just my opinion. If you want a fine cut lawn and need to precision mow (tight spaces) then a zero turn is in your future. Otherwise the BX I am sure will treat you well. I decided on a Z turn for mowing because I didn't want a MMM or a rear mower that I had to constantly change out because I use my BX as a tractor and I have tight spaces. Not knowing your full needs, but seeing as you are managing a couple acres... I would think you would be happy with what the BX can do. It is a workhorse, lifts a full bucket of gravel no issues, and maneuvers better than any other bigger tractor. Amazing what tight spaces you can work in, how efficient on fuel and the amount of accessories, support and oh yeah... cult following it has... there is a reason why
"Cult following" is certainly the right term. We BX25ers are crazy about our machines, and also a very happy bunch! And I agree about getting a separate lawn mowing device. Around our neighborhood there are lots of lawn tractors that people virtually give away. My cottage neighbor is giving me a nice 42 inch twin blade Craftsman, once he fixes it up a bit. And it in turn was given to him. So, as I have said elsewhere, it is not worth the hassle and the money to get a mmm for my BX25.
Gcorron
Silver Member
Yup, cult following, I'm a convert! That little thing is unholy powerful FOR IT'S SIZE. It is NOT a full size excavator, and yes, it may take you a few minutes, but if you're not putting in Septic systems commercially, it'll do anything you ask of it.
Of course, you don't have to use it just the way it would APPEAR you would use it:
Kind of useful around here anyways!
Of course, you don't have to use it just the way it would APPEAR you would use it:
Kind of useful around here anyways!
Lilguy
Silver Member
Rented one yesterday at Home Depot, will look to get a B series with more heft.
Code54
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Just curious what you didnt care for? I had a smaller B and felt the machines were fairly close, if you can use a slightly bigger machine I personally found the L series to be a nicer capacity jump from the BX. Its all in the room you have and what you are comfortable in spending. Glad you rented one and tested it out for your needs and enjoy the search, its part of the fun!
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ultrarunner
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I'm so glad you were able to test a BX25 to help decide...
I really love my BX... that said I had to talk my brother out of buying one because he has a lot more property and some really rough terrain/demanding work.
He seriously considered the B... and then found the L was just the ticket... in his case the Dealer made him one heck of a deal on an L3800
One thing to point out is many of us BX owners have found the hydro pressure to be on the low side of spec... I shimmed mine to the high side of spec and the difference in how much the loader would pick up was immediately noticeable...
Lilguy
Silver Member
I have a 30 year old L2250 that I looked at putting a 3 pt BH on, but put that to rest quickly. I know I'll catch heat but the BX really is a lawn tractor. Had the feel of my pre Kubota Simplicity's. Smaller/industrial
tires made for a rougher ride then either my B8200 or L. The rear stabilizer feet need to be bigger and I would add more weight if I had one to slow down its tendency to walk around when digging. This rental had 475 hours on it and was much noisier/rattled more then my old tractors. A point my wife raised also.
I don't have a golf course yard and there are a lot of trees and buried rocks o I'll go bigger for my application. Need a balance between digging and mowing, bought the geared L with MMM and soon after bought the Hydrostatic 8200,To much shifting on my crowded lot. The Ls FEL has paid for the tractor in time saved. JMHO.
tires made for a rougher ride then either my B8200 or L. The rear stabilizer feet need to be bigger and I would add more weight if I had one to slow down its tendency to walk around when digging. This rental had 475 hours on it and was much noisier/rattled more then my old tractors. A point my wife raised also.
I don't have a golf course yard and there are a lot of trees and buried rocks o I'll go bigger for my application. Need a balance between digging and mowing, bought the geared L with MMM and soon after bought the Hydrostatic 8200,To much shifting on my crowded lot. The Ls FEL has paid for the tractor in time saved. JMHO.
mikeharold
Bronze Member
Can you explain how to do this or post a link to ans instructional? I'm thinking of pulling the trigger on a BX25 today and would like to do this when I get it if it increases the lift capacity. Thanks.
ultrarunner
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If you are buying it new... have the dealer verify pressure before delivery.
I have a BX23 and Kubota sells a shim pack for a few dollars to adjust pressure and I bought a hydraulic pressure gauge from one of the TBN advertisers and added a quick connect to verify...
With the gauge and quick connect it is less than a minute to check... I'm about 20 psi under max now and very happy with performance.
The shims adjust tension of the pressure relief spring... adding one of the small washers increases spring tension which bumps up system hydro pressure...
Don't know if the BX25 is the same set up as my BX23
I have a BX23 and Kubota sells a shim pack for a few dollars to adjust pressure and I bought a hydraulic pressure gauge from one of the TBN advertisers and added a quick connect to verify...
With the gauge and quick connect it is less than a minute to check... I'm about 20 psi under max now and very happy with performance.
The shims adjust tension of the pressure relief spring... adding one of the small washers increases spring tension which bumps up system hydro pressure...
Don't know if the BX25 is the same set up as my BX23
Poopdeck Pappy
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I always find it funny when people call the BX a lawn tractor and then believe they bought a REAL tractor that weighs 2,500 or 3,000 pounds and has a whopping 30-40hp.
People driving real ag tractors, who earn their living with their tractors, would consider all CUTs and SCUTs to be lawn tractors or cute little toys. It's all a matter of perspective, but there's no need to demean other peoples tractor choices.
AHNC
Gold Member
Several years ago when I bought my 2660 I was convinced that I did not need a backhoe. I figured that if I needed one I could hire it out or rent one. I bought the 2660 and it has been great for the MMM, tiller, box blade, ratchet rake, brush bull jobs. My daughter ran across a guy who was in a rush to pull out of the area and I ended up with a 240 hr BX23 for $3500. It is a great machine. No it does not have enormous power, but for everything I have needed over the past couple years during the construction it has proven to be the ideal piece of equipment for me to get into the ground. Also comparing the 23 to the 2660 I almost prefer to run the 23. It is so much smoother than the 2660. Net/net, if buying today I would definitely buy the backhoe and would buy a BX. I sometimes play the, " I could sell both and buy a....B", but then I come around and decide to stand pat.
Gcorron
Silver Member
"A 240 hour BX-23 for $3,500" he wasn't in a rush to get out of town, he was being chased by the PO-leese! If he asked you to hide an old gun or knife for him, get rid of it! If it was a box of 'something his dear sainted mother gave him' ya might wanna bury that with that backhoe!!
I got the BX-25 because I trashed my back, and it ain't gonna get better. The backhoe stays off the tractor most of the time, but when I need it, no substitute would do, cause I ain't picking and shoveling!
Years ago we used to run Terramites for tiny projects, or when you had to use them in a mall or something. I was always impressed with what that little guy could do, but the first day I got that 25, I knew it would eat a Terramites lunch.
Sure would miss it if it weren't around, just last weekend I used it to remove a 30' hedge right up against the house.
I got the BX-25 because I trashed my back, and it ain't gonna get better. The backhoe stays off the tractor most of the time, but when I need it, no substitute would do, cause I ain't picking and shoveling!
Years ago we used to run Terramites for tiny projects, or when you had to use them in a mall or something. I was always impressed with what that little guy could do, but the first day I got that 25, I knew it would eat a Terramites lunch.
Sure would miss it if it weren't around, just last weekend I used it to remove a 30' hedge right up against the house.
ultrarunner
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That's an amazing price... makes me wonder if it wasn't sold by someone that has no knowledge.
If I could have one tractor... my BX23 would be the one I keep... I've done so much with it and never an issue and I don't count flat tires... which are now foamed filled.
I had many 20 yard loads of dirt and gravel dropped at my home... the contractor that was doing a job in the area was amazed everytime he had another load I was ready... also used it to excavate a basement plus all around right hand for many projects from retaining walls, drainage, etc...
dragoneggs
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One thing that I really, really love about my BH is working on sloped ground and leveling it. It is pretty much impossible to cut a level 'road' across a slope with a FEL bucket. I have a piranha tooth bar that is an amazing digger but you dig at the same tilt/incline as your tractor. Using your BH you can cut into the slope and 'throw' dirt sideways. One technique I absolutely love now is to use your stabilizers to level your tractor and then use the BH to loosen the dirt. Then you you cup your BH bucket so it is flat on the ground a little under your loose dirt and swing your boom sideways... thus leveling the ground. I hope this makes sense and I am sure pro excavator guys are laughing as this must be common knowledge to them. But I will say this has been a great technique for me with my little BX. This thing is an awesome little workhorse. Can't go wrong with a BH!!! Take it off and put other three point implements on when you are not using it. Make/buy a dolly for the BH so you can maneuver it around when you remove it.
ultrarunner
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I've put in a lot of trails using the same method... backhoe first and then turn around to use the loader... I have the Markam Tooth Bar which I bought about 2 months after I bought the BX...
Experience working the ground here has taught me there are ideal conditions that can boost productivity... usually a few days to a week after a good rain... the hot months of summer often are rain free and the ground turns to cement!
Experience working the ground here has taught me there are ideal conditions that can boost productivity... usually a few days to a week after a good rain... the hot months of summer often are rain free and the ground turns to cement!
dragoneggs
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Austria??? Did you recently add a locale to your Bio or did I just miss that?
