BX23S / BX25 Back hoe capabilities

[General Lee]

Can anyone share their insights on the new BX23S backhoe capabilities? I'm strongly considering the BX23S. I don't really need tractor capabilities, more interested in the BH. I need to decide if the BH will meet some of my needs. Some stump digging, various landscape projects from time to time, etc. Just looking for some jobs you guys have been able to accomplish with the little thing. I really appreciate it. Trying to decide by tomorrow, Lol.

 

[ThirdMan]

If you are not interested in pulling implements or using the FEL much it seems you should be looking at renting or buying a mini excavator.

 

[General Lee]

If you are not interested in pulling implements or using the FEL much it seems you should be looking at renting or buying a mini excavator.

Not an option, thanks.

 

[TemporaryKubotaOwnerMark]

I have the BX25D.

Stumps? Depends on the size of the stump, and how long you have. You won't be ripping them out of the ground. You'll dig and dig and dig around them, and you'll be cutting any big roots. Took me most of a day to get one small cedar stump out. Maybe 12" across at the cut. If the roots are already rotted, yeah, it could do that. An oak? Fuggedaboudit.

I have a bunch more to do, and I'll be grinding them out.


It does great on digging trenches. I've put in a few hundred feet of french drain with it, have more planned, plus some utility trenches.

It's handy at ripping out brush, too.

 

[Code54]

May need a bit more info to give you the best info. I have a BX25 and it is good little machine. I use it for light work and light landscaping and it does a great job. It does very little damage to the lawn and fits in places larger machines won't. I have taken out a several stumps - up to around 20-24" - not huge but all hardwoods. It will do it, just takes time, maybe 2 + hrs in some cases more, just depends.
If you have may stumps or a lot of dirt to move, rent a full size backhoe or a Mini Ex. I have a mini ex and it is to the BX what the BX is to a shovel. I did some landscaping behind my shop recently - dug out to but a rock retaining wall in. No idea the volume of dirt I moved but I filled my 12k 12' dump trailer 9 or 10 times. Took a full day on the mini to dig, smooth and dress the area, on the BX I would be there a month due to the size and not have a 360 rotation (worked on a hill reaching down to scoop and having to fill the trailer on the high side. - 36" ditching bucket)

 

[General Lee]

Geez, all day to dig around a 12'' stump? I understand I have to dig around a stump to loosen it up and probably cut some trouble roots, I'm fine with that. Can always loosen it up and pull it with my bigger tractor. But all day for a stump? I must be underestimating 2000 pound digging force. But this is the feed back I'm looking for. Thank you.

 

[General Lee]

May need a bit more info to give you the best info.

This BX23S would be replacing my BX1870. I want it for the small BH. If I get the 23S I will also be mowing with it as the 1870 was primarily for mowing. I haven't used the loader on the 1870 since new. I have a larger tractor for heavier loader, grading or snow removal work. Just would like the BH for small to medium stump removal and whatever else comes along in the future. I'm ok with it taking longer for some jobs, just curious how strong it is and its capabilities.

 

[sidecarist]

I've found stump removal to be highly variable. Soil type and moisture are important factors. I have heavy clay soil and a substantially larger tractor. In dry conditions even small stumps 44-6in can be a struggle, in we conditions I can sometimes peel them right out.

Of all my implements the backhoe is the least predictable as far as performance. Some projects go great some are a struggle.

YMMV

 

[BX23S-1]

Folk`s, dont underestimate the BX23S, its a VERY amazing tractor. I own a BX23S, i dug out 4 huge stumps last weekend and this past weekend. I have the optional 16in hoe scoop. I live next to a huge creek, very gravely, not much clay surprisingly. The smallest stump i started digging was 2ft diameter, largest was 3-1/2ft in diameter. It took me only about 2 to 2-1/2hrs each to dig out around them.

After my digging was accomplished, i then wrapped a log chain as tight as i could, completely around the lower base`s of the stumps. (get your chain as low as possible) Then i put a 25ft long log chain over the top of the centers of the stump(s) and hooked it to the chain around the base, the BX rolled them right up out of the holes with no problem. I did dig a small ramp into the ground with the hoe to aid in rolling the stumps up out of the holes. When you hook your top chain on, go over past the top of the stump away from the tractor... use the chain as a camming action to roll the stump towards the tractor during pulling.

Just some advice, knock off as much dirt from the stumps as possible before pulling them up out of the hole, thats half the weight that your working against if you dont. If you dont dig the hole to large, you can reach out and use the bucket to rock the stump to wiggle it loose. Once its loose, its ready to be pulled & rolled up out of the hole.

One thing to keep in mind, you can start rolling the stump up from the hole with your BX, then have a helper shovel some dirt under the stump as your working on pulling it out of the hole. Reason you want to do that is, if the chain slips off (and it usually does) the stump wont roll back down from where you started from. It will save you the time you already spent if it slips off the chains. If your helper keeps dirt under the stump when you pull it with the BX, it is less likely to go back down into the hole you dug. Make sure your helper is clear from the stump during pulling. It wouldn`t be very nice of you to bury your helper... then again, if you dont like the person, that`d be an excellent time to get rid of him/her...lol.

The best advice i can give you on how to take stumps out, work smarter not harder. Dont dig a hole bigger than you actually need, thats unnecessary work and added time you dont need to waste. Make sure you have 3 large logging chains... you`ll use 2 for pulling the stump out, the 3rd chain is just to pull a stuck chain free. And for liability reasons, get the hole filled back in as quick as you can. People are sue happy today.

 

[BX23S-1]

This BX23S would be replacing my BX1870. I want it for the small BH. If I get the 23S I will also be mowing with it as the 1870 was primarily for mowing. I haven't used the loader on the 1870 since new. I have a larger tractor for heavier loader, grading or snow removal work. Just would like the BH for small to medium stump removal and whatever else comes along in the future. I'm ok with it taking longer for some jobs, just curious how strong it is and its capabilities.

GenLee,
you will be VERY impressed with the BX23S. The BX1870 isn`t near the machine that the BX23S is. Buy it..! You wont be sorry.
It is a VERY strong tractor... i was very surprised on what a powerhouse it is for its size. I got the quick-attach FEL on mine.
Its capabilities will amaze you.

 

[General Lee]

GenLee,
you will be VERY impressed with the BX23S. The BX1870 isn`t near the machine that the BX23S is. Buy it..! You wont be sorry.
It is a VERY strong tractor... i was very surprised on what a powerhouse it is for its size. I got the quick-attach FEL on mine.
Its capabilities will amaze you.

Thank you. I'm leaning towards getting it. Decision has to be made by tomorrow to get the current incentives.

I'm curious how many here use the BH w/ the MMM attached? I'm assuming on level clear ground it shouldn't be a problem except losing some ground clearance. AND is it a "MUST" to have the loader attached when doing BH work? for stability reasons? This will be primarily mowing this summer and trying to get a feel how much I'll have to be removing the Loader, BH and MMM depending on the job.

I don't want the loader or BH on while mowing. Lets say I need the BH for a quick job....does MMM have to come off and Loader need to be on?

 

[BX23S-1]

Geez, all day to dig around a 12'' stump? I understand I have to dig around a stump to loosen it up and probably cut some trouble roots, I'm fine with that. Can always loosen it up and pull it with my bigger tractor. But all day for a stump? I must be underestimating 2000 pound digging force. But this is the feed back I'm looking for. Thank you.

Must of been alotta standing around and looking at it...lol.
It only took me 2 to 2-1/2hrs to dig just one out that was 2+ft in diameter.

 

[BX23S-1]

Thank you. I'm leaning towards getting it. Decision has to be made by tomorrow to get the current incentives.

I'm curious how many here use the BH w/ the MMM attached? I'm assuming on level clear ground it shouldn't be a problem except losing some ground clearance. AND is it a "MUST" to have the loader attached when doing BH work? for stability reasons? This will be primarily mowing this summer and trying to get a feel how much I'll have to be removing the Loader, BH and MMM depending on the job.

I don't want the loader or BH on while mowing. Lets say I need the BH for a quick job....does MMM have to come off and Loader need to be on?

GenLee,
that BX23S can have ALL 3 implements on the tractor at the same time.
Yes, ground clearance is limited with the MMM on it, but i know you know that already.
And yes, if you have the BH on it, do the smart thing, put the FEL on it for stability.

 

[BX23S-1]

You are going to be very impressed with how fast you can take the FEL & BH on/off this BX23S tractor.

 

[BX23S-1]

The only thing i find disappointing with the BX23S is, is how fast you can dig with the BH... mainly because you`re gonna get tired of getting on an off the tractor & flipping the seat back an forth...lol. Make sure your steering wheel is fully tilted forward so the seat will clear it when flipping back an forth from BH to tractor position. And KEEP YOUR FINGERS CLEAR OF THE SEAT when locking it back into position both ways. And watch out for the little rear fender tool box, the seat CAN hit it if your not watching for it.

 

[General Lee]

The only thing i find disappointing with the BX23S is, is how fast you can dig with the BH... mainly because you`re gonna get tired of getting on an off the tractor & flipping the seat back an forth...lol. Make sure your steering wheel is fully tilted forward so the seat will clear it when flipping back an forth from BH to tractor position. And KEEP YOUR FINGERS CLEAR OF THE SEAT when locking it back into position both ways. And watch out for the little rear fender tool box, the seat CAN hit it if your not watching for it.

I saw a video of a guy using a board (like a 2x4) to turn around and reach the forward peddle, to move the tractor some to re position to dig. Eliminates getting off the tractor for minor movements.

 

[BX23S-1]

I saw a video of a guy using a board (like a 2x4) to turn around and reach the forward peddle, to move the tractor some to re position to dig. Eliminates getting off the tractor for minor movements.

BAAAAAAAAA HAHAHAHAHAAAAA, thats a great idea....lol lol lol, i`ll be trying that trick myself...!!!...lol
To bad kubota didnt put a temp drive lever in the BH position just for that reason alone. Liability reasons i guess.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

It's a Sub Compact Utility Tractor just like your BX1870. The BH on the SCUT is good for home landscaping as is the FEL. The SCUT isn't as good for mowing as are the F and Zero turn mowers and shouldn't be. It's a SCUT and the BX23/24/25/23S are the Swiss Army knife of tractors. It does a bunch of different things but none of them as good as the jobs dedicated machines nor should it.
Digging stumps with a BX?? BH is a task that is doable but very time consuming and as already has been pointed out a stump in sand can be removed much quicker than a stump in clay and size and type root structure/tap root/feeder roots all make a difference. Anyone comparing sizes of tree stump alone in time it took has no clue as to tree structure and soil makeup. I've spent hours on a 12" stump and under hours on 24" stumps so no way to compare them but the BX?? will always be slower than a B or L or B21/26 heavier stronger hydraulics machine which cost more.
I'm an old supporter of BXs but they are what they are. I'd much rather have a BX23s than a BX18?? because of the BH but it costs more and twice on the BX series I felt it was worth paying the difference but it didn't match the BH on my B nor did the BX cost as much or weigh as much as the B.
Love what you got and compare what you have actual experience with in similiar situations but book reading/sales brochures don't match actual on the ground personal experience. Some times it's best to not try and compare but to tell ones actual experience with clear description of working conditions and how many helpers it took to do the job. I almost always work alone and it makes a big difference vs having helpers which is OK as long as it's told so everyone can understand and then make their own decision and not take everything someone else does different so personal. :2cents:

 

[Tractor Dell]

The only thing i find disappointing with the BX23S is, is how fast you can dig with the BH... mainly because you`re gonna get tired of getting on an off the tractor & flipping the seat back an forth...lol. Make sure your steering wheel is fully tilted forward so the seat will clear it when flipping back an forth from BH to tractor position. And KEEP YOUR FINGERS CLEAR OF THE SEAT when locking it back into position both ways. And watch out for the little rear fender tool box, the seat CAN hit it if your not watching for it.

This really is the most annoying thing about the tractor, but I knew that going in. The BX23S is a good little tractor. I am clearing some woods and I am digging out stumps every weekend. Some come out easy, some make me say some not so nice words to them. It all depends on the tree and what it is growing in. If you are patient and take your time, you can get them. You will need an axe or chainsaw for the larger roots, unless you want to dig a very big hole. As long as you know you don't expect to just reach out and rip them out of the ground, you will find the 23S to be up to the task. My thoughts....

 

[radioman]

having a bx24 for many years--- i find that its really no trouble to drop the bh and fel to do mowing. i do leave my mmm on at times when using the bh -- most of the time i dont need the clearance underneath or deck sticking out the side - but thats the beauty of the bx -- its has " implements" not a attached mower deck, permanent mounted bh .etc . you can just go by whats your needs are that day and decide - do i leave it on or drop it.
in a single day i have tilled with BX with MMM, dropped tiller - mowed the lawn, hooked up the FEL picked up grass clippings with it and dumped in compost, hooked up a BH for a small stump, left mmm on and then disconnected everything (fel,BH,mmm) and attached post hole digger for a job next day and loaded the trailer . gonna push 50 soon.. np !

i wouldnt sweat the details buddy -- if you want a bx with BH - go for it. even if you finish everything you wanted the BH for - it will still be useful once awhile for the rest of your life as long the tractor is still running. no rental fees to deal with and no racing renting clock, dropping it off all clean or dealing with deposit and stuff.