Bx23 (new) or B7100HSD?

[dieselchaser]

Hello, Looking for a Kubota with both FEL and a Backhoe. If I were to buy new, I believe the BX23 would do the job. Have a need to some trenching for Conduit and Drain Tile around the small farmstead I have which is pushing me in that direction. Recently found a 1999 B7100 HSD with a Woods FEL and 54" Kubota Belly mower with 350hrs on it. Appears to be in perfect shape. Asking price is $7500. #1, is this a fair price? #2 I see that a 3pt Backhooe can be had for Approzx $4k, will this 16hp be suffiecient to handle a backhoe reasonably well? I'd imagine running a posthole digger should be no problem. That would put me into it for about 11,500 vs 15,500 plus tax for the Bx23.

Any thoughts/advice would be appreciated.

 

[TroyR57]

Well I just went with a New BX 23, due to the 0% for three years. So if you have cash for the 7100, why not use just part of it for down payment on BX 23. But also don't know how much land you have, so hard to tell. As most will tell you here, we need more info. But have fun looking and deciding.

 

[dieselchaser]

Thanks Troy. I like the greater clearance and larger tires that the B7100 has vs the BX23. The BX23 just seems like it'd get hung up more. It just seems to be a larger overall tractor, even though it has less HP. The 36mo 0% financing is attractive however. If the 16 HP was enough to power a 3pt backhoe I guess I feel I'd go that way, and saving 5k plus I'd have 54" belly mower (that's a $1300 option with the BX23). The Hoes I've seen on ebay say anywhere from 15 to 30 hp is needed to power them.
In addition to drain tile work that I need doing they'll be a fair amount of Post hole digging for new fencing that I need and a small pole barn that needs building. It will be working on about 10 acres that is a mix of Woods/brush, lawn and pastuer. The $7500 for the tractor, loader and belly mower seemed to be fair.

 

[andrewimbrogno]

I have a b6100 and must say it is a workhorse. It seems like ur leaning towards the b7100. I'm sure its up to pretty much anything you want it to do. One thing you might want to consider with the loader on it is that it does not have power steering. So you will require some strength to turn the wheel. If clearance is an issue than i say go with the b7100. The bx23 is still one really nice machine though

 

[TroyR57]

Yes, I would go along with that, now that I know the rest of the story.

 

[Egon]

I have a B7100 HST with loader, 60 in" belly mower, 44 " tiller and 5 foot rear blade with 2300 hours on it.

For it's size its an impressive machine only lacking power steering. The HP difference would really come into play with rotary equipment.

I've been offered a trade in allowance of $9500.000 on a year old 250 hour Kubota B7800 with loader. The total price difference including taxes was $14,000. Unfortunetly my meagre finances allowed me no more than to dream. This is in Canadian dollars.

From my view point the power steering would be the decision maker as I think The B7100 will work better in varied terain.

Decisions - Decisions

Egon

 

[jpr62902]

I wouldn't worry about the B7100's HP. The BX22\23 powerplant is the same engine Kubota used in the B1700 (17 HP), a successor to the 7100. The HP increase was generated by ramping up the RPM's.

My concern would be with the 3 pt. BH. Maybe Egon can help me here, but I believe the B7100 is a traditionally styled tractor where the transmission and bell housing make up the "body" of the tractor, versus Kubota's modern tractors, which have a ladder frame. 3 pt BH's can generate enough stress on these older style tractors to literally tear them in half. Perhaps the new Woods BH for sub CUT's with a subframe would be a be better fit? I don't know if it would work on the B7100, though.

 

[andrewimbrogno]

jpr brings up an excellent point. I would be concerned about attaching a bh to the 3ph. There really is no tractor frame, its just the transmission, differential and hydraulic system all tied into one piece, which means if anything needs to be done to these components you need to 'split the tractor in half'. With a bh on the 3ph i would be extremely concerned that it might do this, i dont think my b6100 would handle a bh on my 3ph

 

[teach]

Diesel.,
Funny that you brought up your question comparing the BX23 and a B7100. I own an older B7100, standard shift, 16hp (1983) with nearly every attachment for the 3pt hitch that will fit on it except a backhoe, and loader, but including a front mounted snowblower. This little machine is power house! I run a 42" brushhog, plowed out of the blizzard of '05 with a scraper blade, skid out fairly large oak trees, etc. However, I have spent the last two days on a brand new borrowed (I have very nice friends!) BX23 digging with the backhoe and using the bucket to get out small stumps, pull stone, and install a flagstone walk. I must say there are many things that LOVE about this BX 23. #1-the backhoe is pretty strong for its size, as is the loader, I am impressed with the size stones that I have picked up. #2-power steering!, #3-a comfortable seat, WITH SPRINGS!!!, #4-did I say power steering yet?, #5- hydrostatic drive.
Dislikes--#1, clearance in the woods or ANY unlevel ground is an issue. #2, power up hills is sluggish (even compared to my old B7100), #3, it doesn't belong to me.
If money is not an issue (wouldn't that be nice?) I would go with a B7510, similiar versatility to the BX23, enhanced clearance. It seems like the perfect mix of capabilities.
Good luck whichever tractor you go with!
Teach

 

[dieselchaser]

First of all Thanks to each of you for the input you've given! This is definitely a great site and place to gather info. I hear a couple things loud and clear...gotta have the power stearing if you want the FEL, try to stick with the subframe BH if possible, go for the Hydro if you can and take advantage of the 0% financing if new!
Now I know this is the Kubota site, but just to be sure I was looking at the right machine for me, I checked out the local Kioti dealer today. They have a TLB package for the CK20HST that is about 10% more than the BX23. The tractor is physically bigger however, more like the B7510. The FEL has twice the lift capacity of the Kubota BX23 and the BH has 50% more digging force. They also offer the same 36mo 0%. The BX is already more than I should spend, and would certainly meet my needs, but for 10% more it seems like a no-brainer to go with the Kioti. I havent really found anything bad about these tractors, but wonder what the Kubota guys think? Is that kinda like asking Army fans what they think of Navy this year?

 

[SCB]

<font color="blue"> Is that kinda like asking Army fans what they think of Navy this year? </font>


Not at all!!! Most on this board realize that each situation for each person is different. Any tractor is better than a shovel and wheelbarrow. Your comparison of the BX23 and the ck20 are apples to oranges as you stated. So if the 10% more that you will pay is in your pricerange and you like the machine , I say go for it. Many people on this board have Kioti tractors and will tell you they are a quality machine. I haven't operated one myself, but would not hesitate to buy one if it met my needs and budget. You caould also post in the general buying forum to get some more responses about the differences in machines.

 

[Jinma354]

I'd recommend the BX23. Its a very well thought out unit. If the BX23 won't do the job in my opinion your going to need quite a bit bigger machine. Just a little bigger usually won't do the job either. The BX23 will do the job! Plus it comes with a pretty good warranty.

 

[frank_f15]

Welcome to the forum /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif and by all means if you think the KIOTI i right for you then go with it. From everything i heard and guys i have talked to they are a fine machine.

 

[dieselchaser]

Just out of curiosity I checked EBAY and found only 1 Kioti for sale and maybe 350+ Kubota's. Not sure what that tells me exactly other than its hard to find used Kioti's. I wonder if Kubota has sold 350 times as many tractors as Kioti? Kioti has only been selling them for the past 17 years in the US, I think Kubota has been at it longer and seems to have more dealers.

 

[Boone]

I suggest looking around for a used B7500 HST with the 302A loader. This is a very impressive machine and they do make a backhoe for it. It also has a seperate power steering pump and the increased ground clearance. In past few years, I've seen some very good prices on this model used.

 

[Av8r3400]

My neighbor has a B7100 with a Woods FEL and 3pt BH. He has put thousands of hours on the unit including several sizable excavating projects with the Hoe. He is a retired guy, so speed/productivity is not an issue, so I would have to say within reason the 3pt hoe will be functional for you. Compared to my BX2230, his FEL is stronger (More hydro pump I think) and has more ground clearance in the woods, but my BX seems to be much more "user friendly" especially power steering with the FEL. His may lift more, but mine will maneuver better/quicker with the load.

BTW the 3pt hoe is PTO-pump powered.

 

[RoPie]

I bought my 7100 from a friend who was upgrading to a BX23 and have had the opportunity to use both while building my house. While there is a horsepower difference, I couldn't really notice it when jumping from one machine to another. For FEL work, both machines will spin the wheels before losing power while scooping up loads of material, and I think the 7100 FEL actually lifts heavier loads. Also, the lack of power steering on the 7100 is not that significant when moving with a full bucket of dirt. Turning the wheel when stopped is a different story though. I planned to upgrade to a BX23 or 2230 someday myself when finances allow, but after putting the hours on the 7100 I'm having a hard time justifying getting rid of it now...
Also, my owner's manual states that the 7100 will power a 6 ft backhoe, so I'm sure that putting one on will not tear it in half.
But a shiny new BX sure does look purty.....