BX 2230 vs BX 23

PondFish · Mar 5, 2005

I'm considering buying a BX model but I've got some questions regarding the differences between the BX 23 and 2230. I was also looking at a used BX 23.

I was quoted a price of $13,500 w/o tax) for a new 2230, 60" deck and LA211 FEL. I like the backhoe option (or the idea of it) on the BX 23 but I was told the BX 23 didn't come from the factory with the mid mount PTO so dropping a mower deck below it would take some reconfiguring it. I was told it could be done but it didn't come from the factor that way.

I'm wondering if it would be better to stick with the BX 2230 then add on the backhoe or try for the BX 23 and and see about putting a deck under it.

Does anyone here have a BX 23 and also use the mid mount mowing deck?

Thanks!

NY_Yankees_Fan · Mar 5, 2005

Pond,

The 60" MMM deck is made to fit the BX23, it is an option, about $1800 BUT will fit and work fine. The BX23 DOES come with a mid PTO standard. I would visit another Kubota dealer who knows what they are talking about.

Search BX22 or BX23 and you will find much info on this topic.

PondFish · Mar 5, 2005

Thanks - He may just be trying to move his old inventory. He didn't actually have a BX 23 to show. There was a few 2230 with FEL and a Woods BH sold as a package.

So the only real difference between the 23 and the 2230 is the 23 comes with the FEL and BH as a standard option?

I'm new to this.. I get more questions after looking at the brochures. This site has been great - thanks again.

NY_Yankees_Fan · Mar 5, 2005

Pond,

The BX23 has has about 300 lbs more weight because of the extra steel on the frame for the backhoe. Other then that they are the same tractor. Now what would happen from a warrenty point of view if you bend the frame on the BX2230 with a Wood hoe? What will Kubota say and will they pay to fix it??? These are questions you need to ask and consider.

Happy reading /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Volfandt · Mar 5, 2005

NY Yankee is right. The BX23 is basically the same tractor as the BX2230 except w/more steel added to beef up the frame for the backhoe. The seat confguration is different also because the BX23's seat pivots to the rear for BH operation. Same engne, HST, sheet metal, contols, same FEL same MMM's etc. I have the 60" MMM on my BX23 but many also go w/the 54" too.

The BX23 comes std w/the BH & FEL as a package. All BX attachments are available as options for the BX23.

The BX23's BH, the BT600, can not be adapted to the BX2230 as it doesn't have the beefed up rear frame for it. The Woods BH is an option for the BX2230 but you'll have much more $$$'s invested in adding it then outrght purchasng the BX23! Plus the BT600 is a Kubota BH engineered specifically for the BX23 tractor, not a universal add-on.

The BX23/2230 has a rear & mid PTO's and they can be engaged independantly or simultanously. One use of running both PTO's simultaniously would be when powering the MMM and rear bagger.

As for ths dealer you spoke with. I'd steer clear of him because if he said the BX23 didn't have a mid PTO then he was either lieing or doesn't know his equipment. And in either case I wouldn't trust hm to service my tractor either!

Go to Kubota.com and check it out.

Volfandt

jim_wilson · Mar 5, 2005

The main differences that I know of between the BX2230 and BX23 are:

- BX23 comes standard with the backhoe attachment - there is no factory Kubota backhoe for the BX2230 - but you can add the Woods
- the frame on the BX23 is beefed up to the tune of about 300 pounds to handle the backhoe - if you look under the floorpan of the BX23 and compare it to the BX2230 you can see some of this reinforcement.
- the BX23 has the hydraulic outlets on the back of the tractor to power the backhoe - a few people have also used these outlets to power top and tilt on the 3pt or other hydraulics on the back of the tractor.
- the BX23 comes with neat looking grillguard that doesnt come standard on the BX2230
- the BX23 seat swivels so you can use it with the backhoe.
- the BX23 has a taller ROPS that folds so you are protected when operating the backhoe. If you add the Woods backhoe to the BX2230 you are stuck inside a the 2230 ROPS which can be confining.
- the FEL on the BX23 has a different part number - but I believe this is simply because the mounts for the BX23 FEL tie into the frame reinforcement for the backhoe - other than that the FEL's are the same.

DannyD · Mar 5, 2005

The 2 are the same, save the backhoe and the extra steel for the backhoe. It is a frame mount, not 3 pt hitch. I traded my 2200, last year model of the 2230, on my bx 23. The only reason I traded MMM for MMM is the warranty and there was no difference in cost for me......nice dealer. Point being, they are exactly the same, and they mount the same.

Junkman · Mar 5, 2005

The other posters are not completely wrong nor are they completely right. The BX23 has a different frame than the BX1830/2230 tractors. It BX22/23 is a completely redesigned frame unit as compared to the BX1800/1830/2200/2230 tractors. The last I heard, the BX23 was still using the older 3 cylinder BX engine whereas the BX2230 is using a new design engine. You can add a block heater to the BX23, but you have to use a in line radiator hose heater on the BX1830/2230. The rest of the tractor is the same for the BX series, except for the BX1500. If you can justify the BX23 price wise, it is the best investment you can make. Many people here have traded up from BX1500/1800/2200, etc to the BX22/23 models just because they found a need for the backhoe that they didn't originally think that they would need. I have no bones to pick with the Woods backhoe, but I wouldn't purchase a Woods to add to a new BX model at purchase time. I would rather have the full Kubota model rather than a add on model. Trade in or resale value will be higher on a complete BX23 than it would be for a BX2230 with the Woods back hoe. Enjoy your new tractor, no matter what you get...... just remember to post pictures....

Will_C · Mar 6, 2005

Do you want a backhoe or not? While Junkman has pointed out the differences betwenn the 2230 and the 23, the only reason to pick one or the other is based on the backhoe question. I will agree that if you do want a backhoe, go ahead and get the 23. The Woods unit is a very nicely designed piece of equipment. There are several things about it that I like better than the Kubota backhoe, but you don't have the extra frame of the 23. I know if I wanted a backhoe, I would certainly trade my BX 2200 on a new BX 23.
Will

gsxr1100 · Mar 6, 2005

I agree. It comes down to, do you want the BH for xxxx dollars or not.

SCB · Mar 7, 2005

One more thing that is different. The BX23 does not have cruise control. Not an issue for me, but to some it may be.

Scrounger · Mar 7, 2005

The extra frame and weight on the BX23 is bolted on. If you conpare it to the Woods frame you will see that they are virtual clones. I would have no issues about putting a Woods BH on new or later. Its a very nice piece of equipment and the design considerations to seem to be top notch. I will let you know for sure in a few month since I bought a 2230 with a Woods FEL and BH.

art · Mar 7, 2005

You can't find a cheaper or better built backhoe then the BX23 package.

Junkman · Mar 7, 2005

( ............. I will let you know for sure in a few month since I bought a 2230 with a Woods FEL and BH. )

Did you get a better deal by buying the Woods BH and the BX2230 vs. the BX23? What was the reasoning behind this combination? Could you please post some pictures of the mechanism that holds it to the tractor and how easy it is to remove and reinstall? What was the installed price for the backhoe itself? thanks Junk.

Scrounger · Mar 8, 2005

Junkman I'll post some pics once I get the tractor delivered. You can see the install manual and pictures of the bottom frame on the woods website.

Here's the link to the pdf for the install manual:

http://tinyurl.com/3wtte

NY_Yankees_Fan · Mar 8, 2005

Matt,

I looked at the manual and I do not see anything about extra steel Kubota adds to the frame on the BX23, did I miss it? If not, does the lack of extra frame support concern you? Why would Kubota add the extra steel to beef up the frame and Woods did not? What about warranty concerns if you have a problem? who do you go to for a bent frame? What did the set up cost you vs. just buying a BX23?

bandit67 · Mar 8, 2005

I agree that if you know you want a backhoe, go for the BX23. However, you do have the option to purchase a BX2230 and buy the Woods backhoe a few years down the road, when you may need it, or want it, more, if you aren't sure about the backhoe now.

I have seen the parts lists for the Woods backhoe, and have crawled underneath my neighbor's BX22, and I see the same steel subframe reinforcing on both the BX22/23 and the Woods unit. Yes, warranty concerns are an issue, so in general, the BX23 is a better option. But I honestly don't believe that the Woods setup on a 2230 is going to be any weaker than the BX23 setup. I agree with some others that there are some features that are nicer on one, and some features nicer on the other.

Keep in mind that many guys that buy larger machines don't buy the Kubota backhoe, but go with an aftermarket unit in the interest of cost savings. In this case, the Woods setup is either the same price, or even a little more, so the cost factor may make the BX23 the better option. But I think a lot more is made of breaking the tractor - I don't see any valid arguments so far that the 4 point steel Kubota subframe is that much more superior than the 4 point steel Woods subframe, so that doesn't seem to be a valid argument. I didn't see any steel on the BX22 that isn't in the Woods installation/parts manual.

In my opinion, the valid arguments are the warranty issues and the cost - and that makes the BX23 the best option in most cases. But there are circumstances where the Woods backhoe may be a better option for others - owners of older BX2200's, or owners of other brand subcompacts.

And to the original poster, I too recommend finding another Kubota dealer - the one you're talking to either lied about the mid PTO, or doesn't know what he's talking about.

Junkman · Mar 8, 2005

( I agree that if you know you want a backhoe, go for the BX23. However, you do have the option to purchase a BX2230 and buy the Woods backhoe a few years down the road, when you may need it, or want it, more, if you aren't sure about the backhoe now. )

He is purchasing a new BX2230 and having the Woods backhoe added prior to delivery to him. This is the part that I don't understand. Is it a cost saving or what is the reason behind the purchase not to buy the BX23????? The only advantage that I see in the Woods specification sheet is the 15" bucket.

Scrounger · Mar 8, 2005

Tom

In the Woods install manual you can see the full length frame that they add to the BX to support the BH and strength the entire frame. The FEL attaches to that and the frame. After seeing the why the Woods attaches I think its as strong if not stronger an attachment than the Kubota. The extra heft on the BX23 is basically the same points the Woods frame adds tot he BX2230. Kubota doesn't add it to the tractor its already present on the 23.

I went for the Woods loader too since it was a bit stronger and had a few features that I liked more than the Kubota.

The Woods loader was less than the Kubota loader and the BH runs about $4500 or so. I think all said and done, you can buy the 2230 with Woods gear for a few grand less than the BX23.

The BX23 is killer, but I dont think its any better than the 2230 with the Woods equipment on it.

I'm not worried about the warranty issue at all. For a few reasons, I think the install of the Woods is excellent and I dont see it causing issues with theBX at all. Woods would warranty the hoe and Kubota the tractor. If a dispute did happen, they would have to prove that the installation caused the failure of the Kubota part. Hard to do and I doubt they would feel the Woods BH would cause any issues.

Junkman · Mar 8, 2005

Two valid reasons. Do you know how much the loader and backhoe each cost individually? Seems like a good combination if you can get more lift with the loader and the larger bucket on the backhoe for less money than a BX23.