BX2350 vs BX24 vs 2320 - First Tractor

[stimpee]

Ok, I am in a conundrum and looking for input. I just sent this message to Messick for input, but I will solicit input here too:


I have been on the forum for a few months now, and after much thinking, I think I am ready to make a tractor purchase. I was going back and forth between a ZTR and a sCUT or CUT, but I think I have decided that I "need" the flexibility of the tractor.

Some background: Purchased an 8 acre property in August. It would probably be considered a "gentleman's farm", since it is relatively open grassy land, with very gently rolling hills. We have approx 5 acres in horse pasture right now, A 36x48 "Conestoga" pole barn with 4 stalls, etc with overhangs on the side for horse run-in, and about 3 acres remaining that are "yard" (minus the house and 2 long driveways - ~800' total).

My uses: Cutting the main yard area (we will probably turn 1-1.5 acres of this into more pasture within 6 months), Occasionally knocking down the pastures, dragging the pastures with something to break up horse manure, spraying and seeding (would like to maintain nicely manicured pasture), and other general work to deal with the horses. We are also likely going to put in some more trees, including a whole line of trees along one 300' long or better property line, possibly put in a small "landscape type" decorative pond, fenceposts to increase the fenced in area, snow removal, etc.

I have been to my local Kubota dealer and he "steered" me toward the BX2350 (or BX24 if I wanted the hoe) with a 54 or 60" mower and FEL. I was impressed with the overall design of the tractor, and also the capabilities of the small unit. However I am a bit concerned at the size of the SCUT, especially when you read everything on the forums that say "bigger is better". I have also looked at Deere, and frankly I am far more impressed by the Kubota for overall engineering. There are a few nice features on the Deere 2305 that I would like on the 'Bota (quick attach bucket, etc), but no deal-killers there.

I have also looked at, and would consider the 2320 (or similar) line as a step up from the BX, but frankly don't know if I NEED anything more or bigger.

I am interested in any input anyone can provide. I am very self sufficient for maintenance (oil changes, etc), but am interested in a good dealer relationship for downstream attachment purchases, more significant maintenance and support, warranty, etc.

I also would be interested in opinions on Turfs vs R4s. My lawn is "nice", but is not "society hill" golf course grass, and never will be. I don't want to shred the yard, but would like appropriate traction for FEL work in the fields (which can get muddy in fall/winter/spring), snow, etc.

Options I am seriously considering:

BX2350, R4s, 60" MMM, FEL
BX24, R4, 60MMM
B2320, R4, 60MMM, FEL
BX2320, R4, 60MMM, FEL, BH

Or others that you might recommend!

I appreciate any input anyone has, as well as pricing information on what realistic expectations for purchase price for any of the above options.

Thanks,
Steve

 

[art]

Steve if your yard is basically level and you don't plan on a lot of excavation I'd buy the BX and an extra attachment or two.


I do like the three range hydro on the 2320 for outstanding performance in the middle range for flexibility in most duties.

 

[stimpee]

Steve if your yard is basically level and you don't plan on a lot of excavation I'd buy the BX and an extra attachment or two.


I do like the three range hydro on the 2320 for outstanding performance in the middle range for flexibility in most duties.

Excavation plans currently include:

Planting a bunch of small trees (Leylands and small decorative trees, as well as some fruit trees)
Digging trenches to put in waterers in the horse pastures
Small decorative ponds and other landscaping

Not sure what else.

Your information is slightly contradictory to me though!

It looks like the 2320 with a FEL, Hoe, and MMM will run 3-4k more than the BX though...

 

[offcamber]

I can't say enough good things about the BX24 its amazing what that little machine can do...so if the BH is really what you want consider that with the Mower...

 

[montelatici]

Well, I am going to recommend something different, based on my experience. My place about the same size and type as yours, with now only one horse. (There were 5 at one time)

I replaced an older (1984 Kubota) last year with a BX24. Great tractor, does everything I need to do. And it will easily do the things you need to do. But, after a year of using it for everything, I found that having a dedicated mowing tractor would improve things. I took delivery of a BX1850 with a 54" MMM two days ago. I would suggest that you do the same instead of buying a bigger tractor. With a BX24 without a MMM you can move around better and get into more difficult terrain. With the BX1850 (or similar) you have an excellent mower and I have a freed up 3 pt. hitch for things like post hole digger, plow, disc, etc. Note: removing and re-installing MMMs from Kubotas is a pita. Removing the backhoe to free up the 3 pt. hitch is not much easier, I hear. I don't intend to remove it, so I will never find out.

 

[Tom_H]

Note: removing and re-installing MMMs from Kubotas is a pita. Removing the backhoe to free up the 3 pt. hitch is not much easier, I hear.

I personally find both of these tasks to be a piece of cake. Three minutes on, and three minutes off for either my MMM or my Woods backhoe, and no strenuous effort.

Stimpee: the vast majority of people do not find changing implements to be that difficult. Having smooth pavement, custom built dollies for each implement, and good technique makes it simple and quick for me. Even the majority of people who do not have pavement and dollies do not find changing implements to be overly challenging. No unkindness intended to montelatici, but of the thousands of members on the Kubota forums, there are only two that I know of who have preferred having multiple tractors so they don't have to change implements.

As for tires, I bought ags and turfs. The turfs have been sitting under the house for 7 years. Turfs spin when doing ground engagement work, yet the ags have never damaged my lawn. There are people who prefer all three, turf, ag, R4 industrials. My own preference is for the ags, hands down, and I wish I could sell my turfs.

 

[Volfandt]

Gotta agree w/ Tom_H, swapping implements on my BX23 is so easy that it's not unusual for me to swap implements several times in a single day.
I understand Kubota changed the FEL/BH mountings alittle on the newer BX24 and "50" series w/the FEL actually being easier and the BH being about the same. They are still a simple tooless operation.
I can mount/dismount my FEL in approx 2 minutes with out using any tools and the BH takes about 5 minutes also without needing any tools.
The MMM takes 15 to 20 minutes but it stays mounted for the entire mowing season and rarely needs dismounting.
Perhaps it's just practice but I find that I have no problems swapping implements around and don't consider doing so a chore......
I went in the opposite direction as some in that my BX23 consolidated 2 different machines into one.
I do have 2 other 41 yr old L&G tractors but use them spareingly. One has a sicklemower that I use to mow a long bank and around the edges of a small pond and the other only gets to finish mow around the mailbox (beats using a weed eater) and pulls a cart and aerator around. They are more for joy than work

As to the OP's original question, if I didn't need the BH I would recommend the B2320. You get the suspended mower of the BX, 3 range tranny and alittle more 3PH & FEL capacity.
Good luck

 

[montelatici]

"No unkindness intended to montelatici, but of the thousands of members on the Kubota forums, there are only two that I know of who have preferred having multiple tractors so they don't have to change implements"

I seriously doubt that only two members out of the thousands find removing and re-installing BX24 B/H, FEL and MMM a PITA and doubly dubious that only 2 members would prefer to have a dedicated mower. As one gets older it becomes even more difficult to remove and reinstall these non-three point hitch attachments. Nor does everyone have a large concrete floor area to move or store "custom built" dollies.

You are extremely talented to be able to remove or re-install the OEM BX24 B/H in 2-3 minutes and to be able to describe it as a piece of cake. It takes me far more than 2-3 minutes to read and digest the information on the five pages in the manual (pages 95, 96, 97, 98 and 99) dedicated to the task.

Furthermore, working the backhoe and FEL with the mower attached is not ideal as the mower gets in the way. The BX24 manual goes as far as instructing users not to use the backhoe with the MMM attached, page 47 of the BX24 manual states "Do not attach nor operate the mower with the backhoe still in place". Page 1. of the RCK-xxxxx mower manual is less sanguine about the FEL but states "When operating the loader in rough terrain, remove the mower...."

 

[Blackbird_BX]

I've 11+ acres, mostly woods and my BX24 has done everything I've asked of it without complaint. When I was originally researching a new tractor a backhoe wasn't on my radar, but after learning of the uses beyond excavating, I found the extra money for the hoe and a thumb. I've moved logs much larger than I expected it could handle.

The mower deck is a bit of a pain to mount and unmount until you get the hang of it. Same for the FEL and BH, but they're not as bad. I can now get the BH on and off in about 5 minutes after doing it a couple times. The biggest pain there is having to remove the 3PH to mount the BH.

 

[stimpee]

One of the key things to note here, is that I cannot, or will not, end up buying 2 separate pieces of equipment anytime in the near future. If that were the case, I would buy a really nice ZTR, and then buy a tractor or TLB and go on my merry way. But that is not in the cards. My finances are still somewhat reeling from buying the property in the first place. The only reason I am looking to buy anything right now is that I have made my own bed, and have to lie in it. I NEED something to take care of this property. The grass doesn't care whether my wallet is puckered, and I don't think the horses plan to stop eating or poopin' just because I would like to recover for a year or so before I buy something!

That being said, I have all but talked myself out of the hoe, since the 4-6k extra (depending on the size and type of tractor I end up with) can pay for a LOT of rentals or even getting a pro in on a project basis. I have also talked to other people that have indicated that I can probably do a pretty good job planting small trees, etc using a PHD, and when I go to put in the underground plumbing for my in-field waterers, I am better off using a ditch witch/trencher since it is faster and cleaner than a Hoe.

As I think more about my uses, Mowing and taking care of the horses, etc are high on the list, so again, the mower, and bucket are important implements. I want a rear blade to use in concert with the bucket for snow removal.

However I also have thought more, and one of my primary uses will be pasture maintenance. It is very important to my wife and I to keep the pastures in nice condition, and manicured, for good grass growth for the horses. That means a 3pt sprayer for application of the appropriate horse-safe weed control products, probably broadcast spreader for overseeding, etc, as well as a drag/chain harrow for regular breaking up of manure, and also to help with the overseeding process. I will end up having 6-6.5 acres in pasture before the end of the summer, so being able to do this task quickly and efficiently will be very important to me.

With that said, I am starting to very seriously consider the 2320/2620/2920 series. When I start looking at them, some of the feature of the B2630/B3030 series start looking good, but I really like the size of the XX20's, and the extra 3-4k for the xx30's is continuing to push me well beyond my original intentions for what to spend. The lack of position control on the XX20 may not be optimal, but with the quarter inching valve it appears to be quite manageable for my uses. The lack of being able to run the mid PTO without running the rear may also be a limitation at some point, but I can't anticipate any need for MYSELF where that will ever be an issue. Worst case I take the rear implement off, and have to take 2 passes to get the job done if I need separate control. By the way, the xx20 series also has a drive-over mowing deck, which provides the option for relatively straightforward deck installation/removal. The FEL looks pretty darned easy to attach/detach as well.

So with all that said, I am still interested in any sage advice!!

Steve