Tractor Sizing BX25D ... Is it the machine I need?

[archwoodholding]

Not stopping when you take your foot off the pedal kind of seems counter intuitive for a HST of any brand. Are they doing this for a reason? I rarely used my brake(s) on my L3540 unless I needed to pivot or something or just to set parking brake but I knew right where to find them. I don't think the brake being on the left is going to be what I want and I sure don't like braking with my left foot ... not what I do in my vehicles and I think if I have to try and figure that out when I need the brakes in an emergency etc... it will be too late. Seems everytime I think I made up my mind the manufacturer changes something that sends me back to the drawing board. I already have reservations about the size of the BX25D ... I don't want an expensive toy. From what I'm also hearing, it does an average job mowing but doesn't have a drive over deck and somewhat difficult to put on which is a problem I have with my JD 445 and changing blades etc... I want to be able to pop off the FEL and BH and mow but that sounds like it is a hassle for most. I am sure it would be for me too since I usually mow whenever I have time or a break in the weather. I also don't want to bath in dirt and grass clippings which my JD 445 is all too good at already. If I'm going to dole out this kind of cash the machine needs to impress me with its abilities I don't want a compromise on all these things. I have also given thought to going with a B Tractor but $30,000 plus isn't appealing to me either with FEL, BH, Pallet Forks, and Either Hydraulic Front Blade or Snowblower, and MMM. I know I need a machine to help me continue to maintain my landscaping and moving mulch, topsoil, and of course here in NE Ohio we get our share of snow. The problem I had with my L3540 was that it was heavy and hard to maneuver around obstacles. It literally tore up my yard if the soil was even slightly damp/soft and because of its height and center of gravity, along with its weight (especially on septic/leach field) and the slopes it just wasnt suited to my yard. Storage was also a problem since it wouldnt go in the shed. I guess I'm more confused the more I read instead of the other way around.

 

[russellm]

I just purchased my BX25D a few weeks ago (but wont be having it delivered for several weeks while my place gets built). I did test the rolling stop that johnthomas had mentioned a few months ago. Indeed, it does not stop immediately. The interesting thing though, is reverse does stop immediate and abruptly. i asked the sale person to try and adjust the forward momentum before having it delivered. We'll see if they can make it any better.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Not stopping when you take your foot off the pedal kind of seems counter intuitive for a HST of any brand. Are they doing this for a reason? I rarely used my brake(s) on my L3540 unless I needed to pivot or something or just to set parking brake but I knew right where to find them. I don't think the brake being on the left is going to be what I want and I sure don't like braking with my left foot ... not what I do in my vehicles and I think if I have to try and figure that out when I need the brakes in an emergency etc... it will be too late. Seems everytime I think I made up my mind the manufacturer changes something that sends me back to the drawing board. I already have reservations about the size of the BX25D ... I don't want an expensive toy. From what I'm also hearing, it does an average job mowing but doesn't have a drive over deck and somewhat difficult to put on which is a problem I have with my JD 445 and changing blades etc... I want to be able to pop off the FEL and BH and mow but that sounds like it is a hassle for most. I am sure it would be for me too since I usually mow whenever I have time or a break in the weather. I also don't want to bath in dirt and grass clippings which my JD 445 is all too good at already. If I'm going to dole out this kind of cash the machine needs to impress me with its abilities I don't want a compromise on all these things. I have also given thought to going with a B Tractor but $30,000 plus isn't appealing to me either with FEL, BH, Pallet Forks, and Either Hydraulic Front Blade or Snowblower, and MMM. I know I need a machine to help me continue to maintain my landscaping and moving mulch, topsoil, and of course here in NE Ohio we get our share of snow. The problem I had with my L3540 was that it was heavy and hard to maneuver around obstacles. It literally tore up my yard if the soil was even slightly damp/soft and because of its height and center of gravity, along with its weight (especially on septic/leach field) and the slopes it just wasnt suited to my yard. Storage was also a problem since it wouldnt go in the shed. I guess I'm more confused the more I read instead of the other way around.

The rolling stop or non stop is bad enough but then moving the brake from the right side where it has been on the 15/19/20 other Kubotas to the left (different than used to) compounds the problem. Also never used the brake on any other HST except when getting off the machine. To a person not used to where the brake has been the move probably won't matter. Since it continues to roll the brake is probably better on the left side so one can already be ready to stop it using the brake.
The rolling stop doesn't always act the same. Sometimes in reverse it stops abruptly and some times it keeps rolling even in reverse but not as bad as in forward, sometimes. Since mine was adjusted to the max at the dealer when I returned it, the rolling stop has improved, sometimes and sometimes not. I'm convinced it's a manufacturing/design flaw. :2cents::thumbdown: Wish I had my B2620 FEL BH back and Barlows or someone else had this BX25D-1. Maybe one day that will happen or I'll trade it to a skid steer with bucket and backhoe attachments.

 

[chucky79]

didn't you say in a previous thread we both commented on that you tested the other bx25d's at barlows and they acted the same or similar? Did you contact Kubota about this issue and possible recall/help with getting more aggressive action taken or the tractor replaced?

 

[Grandad4]

didn't you say in a previous thread we both commented on that you tested the other bx25d's at barlows and they acted the same or similar? Did you contact Kubota about this issue and possible recall/help with getting more aggressive action taken or the tractor replaced?

Seem they have been fiddling with the abrupt stop issue through multiple models of the BX. One of the earlier generations, I think it was the xx50 series, was fairly notorious for its abrupt stops. Haven't really heard much about it for quite a while, until this discussion.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

didn't you say in a previous thread we both commented on that you tested the other bx25d's at barlows and they acted the same or similar? Did you contact Kubota about this issue and possible recall/help with getting more aggressive action taken or the tractor replaced?

The other ones also did/do it per Steve Barlow and others on this site and No I have not contacted Kubota

Seem they have been fiddling with the abrupt stop issue through multiple models of the BX. One of the earlier generations, I think it was the xx50 series, was fairly notorious for its abrupt stops. Haven't really heard much about it for quite a while, until this discussion.

I also owned a BX2350 and traded it to a BX2660 solely because of the abrupt stop in reverse issue and Kubota gave me an extra $500 for the BX2350 because of the issue. The 60 series soon replaced the 50 series and the 60 series never had the issue. The current BX is the 70 series and not sure how many models have the current non stopping issue like the BX25D-1.

 

[Code54]

I don't feel it is a design flaw or major problem, think it maybe because so many people complained about the abrupt stop on past models. The brake on the left takes me a minute because I am often jumping between two different Kubota tractors - the BX has the left brake and my MX has a clutch pedal there. Sometimes I hit the clutch to "set" the parking brake when I am switching between them quickly.... Im sure it is funny to watch!
I just look at it as a difference in the machines and none of it really bothers me

 

[Gcorron]

Put me in the 'meh, who cares' category about not stopping instantly when you remove your foot from the pedal. Most of the time, mine does, but there are instances when it takes a foot, or two, to stop.

It is intuitive to me that if I want any machine, or vehicle, to stop, when I remove my foot from the accelerator, I'd better hit the brake. I don't treat the tractor any differently. I've operated all manner of equipment, driven vehicles up to, and including tractor trailers and assure you, when I want to make certain it is going to stop, I'm looking for the brake.

Mine is on the right, but different equipment is different, and you get used to it.

The FEL takes me a good 90 seconds to remove. The backhoe takes me a bit longer, in the neighborhood of 4-5 minutes, neither is difficult.

My MMM takes about 10 minutes to install, and I hate doing it because of my arthritis. If I didn't have to stop and cuss because of the pain, it would be a bit less. Taking it off is about a 2 minute job at best.

There are some really good YouTube videos on each of these, just search BX-25 loader/backhoe/MMM and they pop right up.

Oh, and I think it does an awesome job cutting the grass, but I do not live on a golf course!

Just had to ring in.

George

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

I don't feel it is a design flaw or major problem, think it maybe because so many people complained about the abrupt stop on past models. This issue was years ago on the BX..50 series and the BX..60 series which has been the production model for years has just been replaced with the 70 series
The brake on the left takes me a minute because I am often jumping between two different Kubota tractors - the BX has the left brake and my MX has a clutch pedal there. Sometimes I hit the clutch to "set" the parking brake when I am switching between them quickly.... Im sure it is funny to watch!
I just look at it as a difference in the machines and none of it really bothers me

I had a B2320 geared tractor and hated it because it did not react like all of the other Kubotas I owned which now numbers around 20. The B2320 geared kept going when I released the foot pedal until I remembered to push in the clutch and even then it still kept going until I pushed down the brake pedal..........Oops, that's what you've been doing already for years with your geared tractor so I doubt using the brake to stop is an issue for you. If all you'd owned were Kubota HSTs that always stop when the foot pedal has been released then you'd see the issue.
I've never used the brake to stop a Kubota HST (about 15 or so different Kubota HSTs) in the past 12 years but always have used the brake to stop the over 170 cars/trucks I've owned since 1964. Course boats, go carts, bicycles, wagons, scooters, etc each have their own method of stopping and I've adapted to each of them without wanting/expecting them all to be the same. Kubota HSTs stop when the foot pedal is released.......all of them except the BX25D-1. Now, which one is wrong? One model or the other hundreds? The smarter than me hydraulic guys here say the operational function of the HST requires it to stop when the pedal reaches center plus I can't imagine any time it would ever be a good thing for an HST to keep rolling instead of stopping when the pedal is released. It usually isn't a big deal, usually. But if one does close work with a heavy load and expects consistant operation of a mechanical device and it reacts differently from time to time, most people believe there is a mechanical problem.
I obviously am a Kubota supporter and believe in their products proven with my wallet along with my mouth but the BX25D-1 that continues to keep rolling after the hydraulic floor transmission control pedal is released to return to center is wrong.
I met with 4 or 5 of Kubotas engineers from Japan a few years ago at Barlows (Have a Kubota hat only available in Japan to prove it which they gave me ) and answered their questions. Seemed to be a great bunch of guys but they flubbed this one like they did years and years ago with the BX..50 series which they corrected their problem years and years ago with the BX..60 series which has been in production for years and years until the new BX..70 series has been released.
Sorry guys but Kubota flubbed this one, the BX25D-1.:2cents::confused3::thumbdown:

 

[Code54]

I had a B2320 geared tractor and hated it because it did not react like all of the other Kubotas I owned which now numbers around 20. The B2320 geared kept going when I released the foot pedal until I remembered to push in the clutch and even then it still kept going until I pushed down the brake pedal..........Oops, that's what you've been doing already for years with your geared tractor so I doubt using the brake to stop is an issue for you. If all you'd owned were Kubota HSTs that always stop when the foot pedal has been released then you'd see the issue.
:

I have to respectfully disagree - my past and current Kubota's were/are all hydros so I understand the Kubota Hydro system. Even now when I am jumping from our BX to do something with the MX, I rarely have a senior moment where I may reach for a level that is not on the machine I am on currently, or go and hit the wrong pedal. The thing is when I do it is MY fault, not the machines. It is my lack of attention and thought that causes it and it really reminds me to not be complacent and to always pay attention to what I am doing.
Every machine is different and just because it does not conform to the past models standards I would not say it is defective or a design flaw. My MX will toss you on the steering wheel in reverse if you hit the hydro pedal too hard when in medium range with the RPMs up - is that a defect? My BX won't do that? No, it is not, it is a different machine with different characteristics. I do find it interesting that you mentioned in other posts that you got rid of a past BX because it stopped too fast and complained about that, and now you feel they don't stop fast enough? These are small machines, that are really well made (as with most all the manufactures machines for that matter) and they all have quirks and work slightly different. If you know a machine drifts, use the brake, that is what it is there for. It is obviously not a problem for most people, but if someone is concerned and it is a deciding factor in their purchase I strongly recommend they try it out with a rental or dealer test drive and see if they find it to be a real problem for them.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

I do find it interesting that you mentioned in other posts that you got rid of a past BX because it stopped too fast and complained about that, and now you feel they don't stop fast enough?

That was over 6 years ago that I owned a BX2350 which stopped abruptly in reverse and thousands of other Kubota owners also complained. Kubota even gave me a $500 adjustment since it was wrong and I did trade it for another BX2660 which was the next series of BXs Kubota manufactured which did not stop that way. I'm just as adamant that this BX25D-1 is wrong because it does not stop when the pedal is released, it keeps rolling. Does your other HST keep rolling when you release the floor pedal?
Why compare these two complaints like they are back to back machines instead of a machine from 6 years ago and I've owned several more HST Kubotas in between these two machines with no similar complaint. I owned a defective model which Kubota admitted was defective and now I can't recognize another defect? What's the correlation there?
People feeling something is acceptable for them still doesn't make it right, it just makes it acceptable for them. If your BX25 keeps rolling when you let off the pedal then it is wrong (because it is the only model of Kubota Hyd that does it) even though you may like it better that way for your purposes but it's still wrong for a hyd transmission in a Kubota tractor to keep rolling when the pedal is released.
I've owned Bs and an L and RTV and a BX2200, BX1500 (2 of them), BX2350, BX2660, BX25 and another BX25D-1. That's 7 BXs and only one of them keeps rolling after releasing the foot pedal plus the L stopped and the three Kubota Fs I've owned and the B2620 and the B7800 and the B3200 all stopped when the foot pedal was/is released. They all operate/operated a bit different and each has a different quirk or two that are part of being tractors and not truck or cars but there are wrongs that are not just quirks and the current BX25D-1 HST that keeps rolling after the foot pedal is released is wrong even though you and I own one, if your also rolls on after you release the foot pedal. Time will tell that Kubota agrees that it's wrong when they fix it and the new BX25Ds will stop like all other Kubota HSTs when the foot pedal is released.

 

[radioman]

Well, I bought my bx24 for mowing and tilling with 2 acres. I'm happy with it after 6 years I think. Love the fact I can switch loader,bh on and off in no time at all. I used a plow for snow clearing where we get a lot of snow and I could never be happier. A snowblower would be great if I had a cab in this windy place, but a plow is better for me where I live. Your mileage may vary. When I switched my mower blades from standard to gator blades this summer, it cuts really much better and it moves more grass out of the chute so I have to keep plastic chute up to disperse more evenly. A bx is sized perfectly for 2 to 5 acres IMHO. I can't imagine using a l series on 2 acres as its too big. I think that once you have the bx on 2. Acres you will see its sized right.

 

[ultrarunner]

Are Gator blades a brand of blade?

 

[Code54]

Oregon makes a blade called a GATOR BLADE -
http://www.oregonproducts.com/pdfs/universal_blades.pdf

There is a video on this site (bottom of home page) for Blount Manufacturing (Oregon) that shows how blades are made
The Gator Mulcher - The best mower replacement blade

I have heard a lot of positive reviews on them in the past but have never used used them.

 

[ultrarunner]

Thanks... a better blade is something I will look into... noticed a big difference when I started buying the heavy-duty blades from my Craftsman mower... they simply last a long time... the standard-duty would easily bend on the back 40.

 

[Code54]

Your welcome! If you get a set sometime let us know what you think.

 

[Lilguy]

Soooo, anyone buy one and trade it in because of its limitations. I have a 30 year old L2250/FEL and a B8200 HST/MMM. A hitch mnt BH on the 2250 is not a good idea in my book. The BX25 seems like a great combo but the BH is something new to me and don't want to wish I'd gone bigger after purchase. 90% mowing 10% earth moving. What's been everyone's experience with the BH? I drove an hour to rent one last week and when I got there the manager shows up and says a tires flat and it ain't going anywhere:irked:. So a waisted day instead of
gaining an educational experience. My local guy has 2 new ones right out of the factory, that I'm going to check for roll on issue but they look beefy enough. Stump and field drain pipe removal and replacement. It is a lawn tractor because the engine/trans/rear end are not one continuos assembly as are my old units. Units mounted to a frame instead.Thanks all.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

It is a lawn tractor because the engine/trans/rear end are not one continuos assembly as are my old units. Units mounted to a frame instead.Thanks all.

It is NOT a lawn tractor which you would know if you owned/used one. If any lawn tractor were operated side by side with the BX25 it would be ludicrous to say the BX25 is a lawn tractor. Totally different animals (machine category). I've owned two and your theory/criteria of what determines a lawn tractor is flawed. It is a SCUT sub compact utility tractor just like the B series is a CUT compact utility tractor and the L series is a tractor which is all defined by the tractor industry and not an individuals flawed one point definition.
Moving on. The BH will dig great in dirt. Has the power and the heft to the machine. It will stutter digging big rocks and stumps which is normal due to it's weight and HP. A bigger heavier higher HP model will dig stronger and carry heavier loads and have better traction. Most Kubotas have more HP than traction. The BX25 can eventually get the stump and rock digging jobs done but it will take more time than a bigger, heavier more HP tractor which cost considerably more money. Let your wallet determine the value of your time.

 

[bcp]

It is a lawn tractor because the engine/trans/rear end are not one continuos assembly as are my old units. Units mounted to a frame instead.

Lawn tractor:

 

[Code54]

Honestly the way it is assembled really works. Whatever you want to call it.....
You very rarely (can't say I think I ever have) heard of any problems with the BX's breaking in ｽ, or having major structural issues. I use mine to remove stumps (see below - this one took a bit over an hour) , dig ditches, buried 150' of 4" line 4' deep without issue. It is not as fast as a Mini Ex or full size how but it does a real good job especially for the size.