Mowing BX22 TLB and Mower

gsxr1100 · Apr 3, 2003

Ok guys, I have been out here for about 2 years reading and understanding tractors, loaders, mowers, etc.
I was thinking of getting a BX22 TLB with 54 inch mower but I had some questions:

1) is the loader pretty good? (weight, capacity)
2) Is the backhoe worth the money (for digging, power, agile
etc)
3) Do you need Ballast on rear when using loader
4) Any areas to keep on top of? (grease here, tighten this,
hoses not rubbing here)
5) Is the 4WD good with turf tires?
6) Any issues or problems with anything (since the Bx22 is
new and really a bx2200++)
7) Is the motor easy to work on? (filter, glow plugs)
8) Anything that I might need to keep handy?
9) Lastly, is the 50 hour service deal needed or just a dealer
$$$$ maker? (ie, do they really do anything more then just
fluids/filters?)

nitronut1 · Apr 3, 2003

Here's my two cents..

1) Yes, it'll do 460 lbs (that's the rated spec at full height); trust me when I say it does a lot more at lower heights...
2) Only one answer here - Ohhhh yeahhhh!
3) The backhoe acts as a perfect ballast for the FEL
4) Like any tractor it needs lots of grease; no major issues that I know of or have read here
5) 4WD is very good with turf tires; I just upgraded to bar tires for $360 to work in the spring mud.
6) The only problems I have had were related to a few loose bolts and a bad quick coupler.
7) The motor is very easy to work on. I just did my foirst oil change and it took 15 minutes
8) I would recommend an extra set of filters (fuel, oil and hydro) and related oils
9) My dealer said that it was perfectly fine to do it myself - as long as I kept the receipts and logged the hours in case Kubota needed it somewhere down the road.

I have to tell you that its a great machine - and its size is perfect (for me). You may also want to do a search on BX22 here and differences between the MMM sizes.

Hope this helps.

Gregg

Steven · Apr 3, 2003

I have had no problems with mine mechanicaly and in doing what i wanted it to do. You just need to remember that this is not a full size backhoe and things may take a little more time.
My only comment about this machine is that it will always kick the crap out of a shovel, and my back loves it also. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

drcollie · Apr 3, 2003

1) The loader is excellent and will lift considerably more than it's weighted rate.
2) Backhoe? Absolutely. That's your shovel. I ordered the small bucket and am glad I did. More power in a smaller scoop and perfect for digging 6' pipe drainage ditches for downspout runooffs, etc.
3) YES. ABSOLUTELY. The Backhoe will work to do it, or you can use another attachment on the rear.
4) Grease the loader and the backhoe every 10 hours of use for that item. Very easy to do....all the zerks on the backhoe are all on one side.
5) Yep. Stay out of the serious mud with turf tires, though.
6) Not a one. Just watch your mower deck adjustment or you'll burn up (literally melt) the guide wheels if you let them run on the lawn when mowing.
7) Yep.
8) Not really. Hardest part of owning a BX22 when stepping up from a Garden Tractor is NOT buying all the kewl attachments that can go on the back.
9) 50 hour service is easy if you're handy and have a big catch pan (Really Big) for the Hydro Fluid. My dealer (Byrd Tractor in Manassas) actually gave me all the fluids and the filters when I bought the tractor for the first service. Classy. Tool me about 90 minutes to do it.

BX22. best **** tool I ever bought and now with 0 percent financing how can you go wrong?

-Duane C

Anonymous Poster · Apr 3, 2003

It's an excellent machine if it is sized for the kind of work you plan on doing. This is an "estate" TLB, not a heavy duty machine. It does awesome work.

I don't need to comment on everything on your list but will on three things:

Greasing...like was indicated the FEL and the Hoe have a bunch of grease fittings to keep things happy. The tractor actually only has one...right under the "go" pedal. (My previous tractor, a BX2200, didn't even have that one!)

Secondly, go with the bar tires. Unless you are mowing a swamp, you'll not have a problem with them marking your lawn. But you will have a substantial increase in traction when using the FEL and other implements. I started with the turfs and traded for the bars in about a week after delivery. No question in my mind it was the right decision.

Thirdly, the 60" MMM might be the better mower deck. Due to the extra few inches, it's actually easier to get closer to things and reduce trimming.

gsxr1100 · Apr 4, 2003

Thanks for the help guys. I just wanted to ask a few questions about this great tractor before saying yes or no to buying one. Not to much info on the BX22 as of yet but ....

Oh I know it is only a "estate" tractor but it is one hell-of-a little beast!!!!!!

I will keep you all up to date on it! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Anonymous Poster · Apr 4, 2003

</font><font color="blueclass=small">( Oh I know it is only a "estate" tractor but it is one hell-of-a little beast!!!!!!)</font>

Setting expectations is really important when any of us makes a recommendation on a public forum! And you are correct...it's a mighty machine that just happens to take up less space than its bigger siblings. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif