BX22 vs BX23

ALittleNursery · Aug 3, 2005

My wife has decided to buy a BX23 and a Power-Trac PT-425 to start up a growing nursery on our 10 acres and a small job landscaping business. The BX23 will be used mainly for BH work, to dig holes for larger trees and to help haul mulch and such. The PT will be doing the soil conditioning and augering the smaller holes.

When I called one of our dealers today to get a firm price on the BX23 and attachments he said that he has a BX22 that he can give us a 'great' deal on. Both are new machines.

My question is this: How does the BX22 stack up to the BX23?

The only real difference, other than cosmetic it seems, between the two is that the BX22 has 18HP while the BX23 has 22HP. According to our sales guy, who has been very up front in the past, he thinks that with our intended use for the tractor that we would not notice the HP difference. For those who have used them does this sound right?

Are there any other differences that might favor one or the other?

Thanks for all the great discussions. We have both found TBN to be invaluable in our research.

Junkman · Aug 3, 2005

Both tractors are 22 HP. The BX22, the front mount hydraulic valve comes off with the loader, and the BX23, it stays on the tractor when the loader is removed. The BX22 standard loader valve is not usable with other attachments, and the upgraded valve is necessary for use with a snowblower, etc. The upgraded valve comes standard on the BX23. Performance is the same with both machines. The BX23 has some seat safety switch's that the BX22 doesn't. If you are only going to use it as a loader backhoe and nothing else, then the BX22 would be a better choice if the dollar difference is there. In my estimation, it would have to be a substantial amount of savings to make it worthwhile. As much as $2000 in my opinion. The BX23 has been out for over a year now, so I would be skeptical as to why they still have a BX22 on the lot. Also, make sure to get the 12" hoe bucket, since the 10" is standard. Also, you will want the upgraded alternator. A block heater is an absolute if you are in a cold climate. You might want to consider filling out your profile so others can also better advise you with future questions. Junk....

ALittleNursery · Aug 4, 2005

Thanks Junkman. The issue with the loader valves on the BX22 could be an problem if we get the front mount snow blade or snow blower.

As for the engines now I am really confused.

Stopped by the dealer on the way to work this morning and looked at both units. The BX22 engine data plate states output is 15.5 kW (20.6 hp) and the BX23 engine data plate shows 18.5 kW (24.6 hp). Same displacement and nearly identical model numbers.

This matches the 4 hp difference I was quoted.

Now looking at the Kubota prior model web page it shows the BX22 has having a NET HP of 22, the same as the BX23. That is the first time I have seen NET HP greater than GROSS HP. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

It seems to me that at that low of HP 4 more ponies would make a difference.

Still waiting for the pricing for both units. May not be an issue if the BX22 is not at least $2500 or so less than the BX23.

Junkman · Aug 4, 2005

There could be a upgraded engine in the newer BX23 tractors and the change hasn't been published yet. I know that when the original BX23 came out, it still used the same engine as the original BX22. When the 1830/2230 were introduced, they were sporting a new engine design vs the original BX1800/2200. The engine used in the BX1830 / 2230 can not have a block heater installed in the engine block. It must go in the radiator hose. This would be a question to ask about the BX23.

bandit67 · Aug 5, 2005

I have a Case Subcompact that is 24 hp. The BX22 and BX23 are listed as 22 hp, per Kubota, but I've never looked at the engine data plates on both machines. I use my neighbor's BX22 regularly for the backhoe, and overall, the machine doesn't seem to be 6 hp less than my machine, but more like the 2hp that Kubota states.

I can say that here at a mile above sea level, which has a significant impact on engine performance compared to sea level (based on my experience), that the BX22 seems to have plenty of power to do what it has been designed to do. That means that it should be even more powerful down at your altitude.

I think the issue for you should come down to whether you want the front hydraulic joystick to stay with the machine with the loader off (BX23) or if it will not be an issue if it comes off the machine when the loader comes off (BX22).

gsxr1100 · Aug 5, 2005

I agree. Either you like the joystick to stay or not. I love my BX22.

Volfandt · Aug 5, 2005

Just checked the engine plate on my BX23 which was manuf sometime in the fall of 04. It's a D905 and it indicates 18.5KW which according to my handy dandy pocket ref would translate to 24.8085 hp. (18.5*1.342)

Course the BX23 owners manual that came with it indicates the D905 engine produces 16.4KW which translates to 21.994hp.

I know back in the day when I wrenched on auto's that we were told to follow the specs listed on the engine compartment sticker as it would reflect the latest mods, etc.

Hummmm, wonder if Kubota has upped the hp a skosh or if it's just a problem with translations...... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

If you're going to use front mounted hydro controlled implements then I'd recommend to go with the latest and greatest but, if the BX22 prices substantially lower then I'd consider how often I was going to run a front blade, sweeper etc...

Good luck
Volfandt

Junkman · Aug 5, 2005

Owning a BX22, I can say that the loader valve is a royal pain in the ear. You have to remove the loader including the controls, and then remove the hydraulic lines to the loader. Back the tractor away from the loader. Then pull the pin that holds the loader tilt cylinder from the right hand stanchion, and pull the upper pin that connects the stanchion to the top loader arm. Then carry that stanchion/loader valve assembly back to the tractor and install it back onto the loader saddle and insert the retaining pin that was removed to remove the loader. Hook up the loader control valve to the tractor, and then, and only then can you move onto installing the front mounted accessory. I haven't been able to get this done in less than 15 minutes no matter how many times that I have done it. Putting the control valve stanchion back onto the loader before reinstalling the loader to the tractor is also a hassle. If I had a buyer for my BX22 loader and valve assembly, I wouldn't hesitate to purchase the newer design. I have seen that some people have made a modification to the BX22 valve stanchion to keep it on the tractor, but to date, I haven't seen enough pictures to see exactly how it was done and all that needs to be modified. I am tempted to do this myself, but don't have the ambition to re-invent the wheel. I know that there are certain pitfalls that one can fall into that will take time and $$$ to correct if it isn't throughly thought out properly. I just have to push myself enough to do this one day. Until then, I will just continue to fight with Kubota's poor design /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif..... Junk....

Stef · Aug 6, 2005

Volfandt, I'm a bit disoriented here. I just looked at my B3030 engine and it's written 26.5 kW... When I look at the spec of a B3030 it says: 22.4 kW (30 hp). The translation from 22.4 to 30 has been done by Kubota and if I tranlate 26.5 kW (with this factor 1.34102209) it gives me 35.54hp. Hummm... is this a new way to do business? I'll start a new post with that subject.

ALittleNursery · Aug 6, 2005

The engine data plate list the GROSS HP/kW that the engine produces. The tractor data sheet list NET hp available at the wheels. Since there are losses in the drive line 24.6 GROSS and 22 NET for the BX23 sounds right. Same for the B3030 numbers listed above.

That is what has me puzzled by the BX22. It claims to have a NET HP of 22 (same as the BX23) and yet the engine only produces 20.6 HP GROSS according to its data plate. It is against the laws of physics for the NET HP to be greater than the GROSS HP.

The only explanation I can think of is that Kubota upped the max RPM from the original engine spec to boost the HP. The only way to confirm that would be to check the listed RPM on the engine and compare that to the owners manual.