BX25D. Mod #1 and continued.

[check 6]

Paul:

I have really enjoyed everything you have done and will move my small mods from my BX 25 to my new tractor and add more of your ideas. Yes I finally decided that I needed more hydraulic power then the BX 25 yet did not want to go to a significantly physically larger tractor. So I focused in on the B 2620 as I really did not need a back hoe. Well my good friend and neighbor as well as the owner of the Kubota dealership ( much younger and I have helped him with his woodworking) convinced me that if I was looking at the B 2620 I should spend just a little more and get the 2920 so I am. It will have turf tires, the quick detachable FEL bucket, a pallet fork attachment (which my wife already has plans for) and the larger alternator. I will tap into the 12 volt line and wire a plug and switch for the electric motor for my three point sprayer and a switch for work lights which I will mount underneath my canopy secured to the ROPS. I also will make room on that bracket for a rear view camera. So as of next week I will no longer be one of the BX 25 guys but still in and orange tractor that better suits my needs with some individual mods in large part because of your vision Paul. My thanks and you must have some more up your sleeve.

Jack

 

[WaxMan]

Oh thats nice, really adds a factory touch to the decals.

 

[rbarker]

OK boys and gal This will be my final mod.
http://smg.photobucket.com/user/4shorts/media/Kubota BX25DTLB/Doming/d3_zps0c218a05.jpg.html

]

Well.... Technically this is Wifey's mod so the way I see it you still owe us one. Anyone else agree with my accounting? LOL

Thanks for all the time you put into the pictorials and videos. I certainly have enjoyed them!

Sent from my iPad using TractorByNet

 

[farmgirl19]

Well.... Technically this is Wifey's mod so the way I see it you still owe us one. Anyone else agree with my accounting? LOL

Thanks for all the time you put into the pictorials and videos. I certainly have enjoyed them!

Sent from my iPad using TractorByNet

I see your point, but also know that with more 3 AMs in his mind, 4shorts will amaze us all, once again. Given how much I have enjoyed the thread, I'll wait, if necessary. I will just go through withdrawal, while I wait!

 

[4shorts]

Paul:

I have really enjoyed everything you have done and will move my small mods from my BX 25 to my new tractor and add more of your ideas. Yes I finally decided that I needed more hydraulic power then the BX 25 yet did not want to go to a significantly physically larger tractor. So I focused in on the B 2620 as I really did not need a back hoe. Well my good friend and neighbor as well as the owner of the Kubota dealership ( much younger and I have helped him with his woodworking) convinced me that if I was looking at the B 2620 I should spend just a little more and get the 2920 so I am. It will have turf tires, the quick detachable FEL bucket, a pallet fork attachment (which my wife already has plans for) and the larger alternator. I will tap into the 12 volt line and wire a plug and switch for the electric motor for my three point sprayer and a switch for work lights which I will mount underneath my canopy secured to the ROPS. I also will make room on that bracket for a rear view camera. So as of next week I will no longer be one of the BX 25 guys but still in and orange tractor that better suits my needs with some individual mods in large part because of your vision Paul. My thanks and you must have some more up your sleeve.

Jack

Hey Jack congratulations on your new tractor my friend. I'm sure your going to really enjoy owning it. Hope you post lots of photos of it when you get it and even more photos of the mods you have planned. Maybe I might pick up a tip or two from your mods now :dance1:
Thanks for posting the update.

Oh thats nice, really adds a factory touch to the decals.

They sure look nice in person. Wifey is making great advancements with her graphic hobby which works out great for me. Ya I know, I'm selfish :laughing:

Well.... Technically this is Wifey's mod so the way I see it you still owe us one. Anyone else agree with my accounting? LOL

Thanks for all the time you put into the pictorials and videos. I certainly have enjoyed them!

Sent from my iPad using TractorByNet

I see your point BUT it came from the same family so it counts :laughing:
Your kindly welcome and I thank you very much for your thoughts and all your posts during this thread. I never imagined it would hit the kind of views it has and hopefully other will enjoy it for years to come.
Back in 2006 I fully documented the restoration of a 1965 Honda 305 Dream. It has over 100.000 hits on it and although I don't post on that site much anymore I still get people emailing me about the thread and they all say its helped them restore their own bike so that's very rewarding for me.
Have a great safe summer.

I see your point, but also know that with more 3 AMs in his mind, 4shorts will amaze us all, once again. Given how much I have enjoyed the thread, I'll wait, if necessary. I will just go through withdrawal, while I wait!

Oh the mods posting will stop but my little pea brain haven't lol. Its time for me to sit back and enjoy the posts of others here on TBN. With my mods and trying to get them posted I seldom get time to read up on what others are doing. Now that I'm make the time I might find out my work is ten years behind everyone else's

Wifey and I like to walk the trails. We got a convertible we enjoy in the summer and a GoldWing ( both modded):laughing: so we're taking time for those things.

A big thank you for your interest in my thread and for your posts. I've really enjoyed them and just seeing your avatar always brought a smile to my face. Beagles are just one of many types of dogs on this earth but for me they are on the top of my list. Stay well and enjoy your summer.

Thanks for watching everyone. Have a safe summer :thumbsup:

 

[check 6]

Paul:
Quick question, what size monitor do you have on your rear view camera?

 

[4shorts]

Paul:
Quick question, what size monitor do you have on your rear view camera?

It is a 7" colour LCD.
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/customization/133625-back-up-camera.html

 

[Kubotafan]

If you were to a dollar value on your time have you doubled the value of your tractor yet? I know you don't count that when doing it for yourself but it would be costly for anyone hiring it out. If you enjoy doing it, it can be as relaxing as a hobby.

 

[4shorts]

If you were to a dollar value on your time have you doubled the value of your tractor yet? I know you don't count that when doing it for yourself but it would be costly for anyone hiring it out. If you enjoy doing it, it can be as relaxing as a hobby.

Hard to say but I've worked on the BX mods every chance I had for the first three weeks that it arrived to the shop and none of that time interfered with my day job but it equated into a lot of hours doing both jobs.

You have to consider that a lot of these mods involved R&D and 99% of them are one off's so if I had to duplicate them the rest would be much faster. I would guess that the time I've spent in thus BX thread could easily cover the cost of the complete machine but although it was a lot of work I enjoyed the challenge.

The purpose of this tread was really not about what I could do but what manufactures don't do to build a better machine and also to show others that IF you can think of a mod for your own needs you CAN do it. Yes it will take time, you'll hit hurdles and challenges but it is possible to do it.

If I keep this tractor it will one that I will enjoy using for many years and that's partly because of the mods I've done to it to personalize it.

Now let me ask you folks a question. How many of you thought that this many mods could be done to a small BX like this before this thread started?

- Full three piece skid plate
- Ditch lights
- Reverse alarm
- The Claw
- Mirrors
- Back hoe boom lights
- Chainsaw answer axe holder
- Front Bucket spill guard
- Eyelet on Back hoe bucket
- Bucket hooks
- Rear light guards
- Front removable bumper
- Kubota steering wheel spinner
- Front and rear wheel spacers
- Front fenders
- Custom module lightbar featuring a 20" LED front light with rear tactical light
- Mod change to SMS mount
- Horn
- Kubota fender light added
- Kubota forks added
- Custom trailer hitch called Tow Guard
- Mouldings and graphics added.
- Doming added to graphics.
- Extra storage tubes added.

CHIPPER:

- Full aluminum lower housing added.
- Removable castors added to move unit around.
- Looper holder added.
- Tool box added

Two videos and hundreds of photos.

61.000 hits and its all done. ( almost)

 

[Kzooandy]

4shorts.
I think you're on to something very unique here, and a Kubota after-market modification business, is one that is under supplied.
Take the Jeep followers, and the "adventure bike" (Ktm, BMW) or Harley Riders families. You have done something with your BX that is beyond the capabilities or outside most people's abilities with respect to equipment (steel working equipment), and knowledge of how to put them to work. Don't underestimate your ingenuity or desire to make your systems better. I believe there is a significant market for your products.
That said...it looks like your tenacity for perfection has rewarded you well (looking at your Flickr pics).
I sent you a PM and haven't gotten a reply.
I work full time and have a business on the side, which has rewarded me the luxury of getting the BX25D...ordered it last week. I've lusted for a Kubota for about 20 years, and it has become a reality for me. Hard work has paid off. We paid our home off last year, and I have no guilt about saving myself from hard physical labor by adding the Kubota to the capabilities of the estate. I'm really excited to get it.
Anyway...to the core of the issue, what would you charge me to make "The CLAW" for my BX25D?
I think that would be an invaluable tool. to have on my Swiss Army Kubota. SWK.
Thanks
Kzooandy

 

[Kzooandy]

4shorts.
I think you're on to something very unique here, and a Kubota after-market modification business, is one that is under supplied.
Take the Jeep followers, and the "adventure bike" (Ktm, BMW) or Harley Riders families. You have done something with your BX that is beyond the capabilities or outside most people's abilities with respect to equipment (steel working equipment), and knowledge of how to put them to work. Don't underestimate your ingenuity or desire to make your systems better. I believe there is a significant market for your products.
That said...it looks like your tenacity for perfection has rewarded you well (looking at your Flickr pics).
I sent you a PM and haven't gotten a reply.
I work full time and have a business on the side, which has rewarded me the luxury of getting the BX25D...ordered it last week. I've lusted for a Kubota for about 20 years, and it has become a reality for me. Hard work has paid off. We paid our home off last year, and I have no guilt about saving myself from hard physical labor by adding the Kubota to the capabilities of the estate. I'm really excited to get it.
Anyway...to the core of the issue, what would you charge me to make "The CLAW" for my BX25D?
I think that would be an invaluable tool. to have on my Swiss Army Kubota. SWK.
Thanks
Kzooandy

 

[4shorts]

4shorts.
I think you're on to something very unique here, and a Kubota after-market modification business, is one that is under supplied.
Take the Jeep followers, and the "adventure bike" (Ktm, BMW) or Harley Riders families. You have done something with your BX that is beyond the capabilities or outside most people's abilities with respect to equipment (steel working equipment), and knowledge of how to put them to work. Don't underestimate your ingenuity or desire to make your systems better. I believe there is a significant market for your products.
That said...it looks like your tenacity for perfection has rewarded you well (looking at your Flickr pics).
I sent you a PM and haven't gotten a reply.
I work full time and have a business on the side, which has rewarded me the luxury of getting the BX25D...ordered it last week. I've lusted for a Kubota for about 20 years, and it has become a reality for me. Hard work has paid off. We paid our home off last year, and I have no guilt about saving myself from hard physical labor by adding the Kubota to the capabilities of the estate. I'm really excited to get it.
Anyway...to the core of the issue, what would you charge me to make "The CLAW" for my BX25D?
I think that would be an invaluable tool. to have on my Swiss Army Kubota. SWK.
Thanks
Kzooandy

Thank you very much for your comments and first of all I'd like to apologize for not responding to your PM. I usually respond to all comments, PM. Emails, YouTube comments and forum comments but to be honest it's just become a bit overwhelming lately with it all plus the fact I'm running our business and working on our property in the evenings and weekends so all of this equates to just not enough time in the day to deal with it all. That's basically the reason I decided to not post anymore mods on any of the forums for awhile so I hope you accept my apology and understand the reason I didn't respond to your PM. My wife thinks I need a publicist :laughing:

When I started this thread it was my intention to do so only to show others what I was doing and to show what could be done with bare steel and a little imagination. I do realize there's a good market for this stuff but I don't have the luxury of time to build any of it at this time plus as in the case of the "Claw" I've been using it now for a few weeks and before I start selling them I need to make sure they are up to my standards and if there's a weak ling in the system I can deal with it before I start selling them. It may be late fall or early winter before I'm ready to start production of them. Just the other day and good friend of mine and a local guy and a regular poster on here by the name of Belarus Bulldog asked me to build him a set of rear guards for his BX and I told him it would be later on before I could get at them.

Congratulations on your new BX. It sounds as if it is well deserved. If you enjoy it just half as much as I enjoy mine your in for a real treat. :thumbsup:

 

[Kzooandy]

4Shorts,
Thanks for the reply, and I understand about the test, prototype phase and I can wait a year or so, don't need it rigth away, just really like them.
Didn't mean to sound jerky about the PM and no apology needed. I'm on a couple forums, and sometimes the "indicator" that you get something in the Inbox is so small (on the screen) I miss it, so again not trying to ebully or anything.

I'm busy too, in addition to everything else I'm restoring a STOW brand cement mixer....lol.... who restores a cement mixer?
Picked it up off Craigslist, and chisseled and needle scaled 12 years worth of barnacles off of it. I never intended to go this crazy with it, but I hate doing things half-#@$.
Anyway, I think I have about two weeks for my delivery of the BX....way too long The cement mixer will keep my "spare time" filled up until it gets here. BUT....after reading this thread, I'm seriously thinking of some mods....on the mixer....

Keep up the good work and let us all know when you go commercial.

 

[ultrarunner]

I know on a few things I made for restoring my antique cars... the time involved to make a full business would never pay... mostly, I just helped fellow club members...

 

[rbarker]

When I started this thread it was my intention to do so only to show others what I was doing and to show what could be done with bare steel and a little imagination.

And a pant load of fancy metalworking tools plus superhuman ability to use them.... ;-)

Sent from my iPad using TractorByNet

 

[check 6]

One of the small mods I made to my BX 25 (not a 25 D) was to change out the steering wheel to the one that comes on the BX 25D it is not only a better made wheel but it is deeper dished so it is closer and you can have the seat back for more leg room. That said I have now traded in my BX 25 on a "B" series, but I did save my week old new steering wheel and if anyone wants one for a BX let me know.

 

[4shorts]

4Shorts,
Thanks for the reply, and I understand about the test, prototype phase and I can wait a year or so, don't need it rigth away, just really like them.
Didn't mean to sound jerky about the PM and no apology needed. I'm on a couple forums, and sometimes the "indicator" that you get something in the Inbox is so small (on the screen) I miss it, so again not trying to ebully or anything.

I'm busy too, in addition to everything else I'm restoring a STOW brand cement mixer....lol.... who restores a cement mixer?
Picked it up off Craigslist, and chisseled and needle scaled 12 years worth of barnacles off of it. I never intended to go this crazy with it, but I hate doing things half-#@$.
Anyway, I think I have about two weeks for my delivery of the BX....way too long The cement mixer will keep my "spare time" filled up until it gets here. BUT....after reading this thread, I'm seriously thinking of some mods....on the mixer....

Keep up the good work and let us all know when you go commercial.

Well that's some nice job your doing on that mixer. I actually did one like that about ten years ago. I used an air hammer to get the old cement out and it sounded like 20 woodpeckers on steroids :laughing: Just yesterday I used the "Claw" and so far it's exceeded all my expectations. One thing It really do need and that a quick attachment for the backhoe boom and I'm doing that mod after this next one I'm just starting at. If you mod that mixer I want to see it
Now I'll share a little job I'm doing that the BX really helped me with. A few years ago there was a fatal accident in the area where a couple of young guys struck a couple of big rocks and flipped their car over and ended up cracking off a big flag pole.
I was asked to remove the pole and it was basically bent in half. I had it here for a few years and was ready to throw it out when I decided to salvage what I could of it so I made a light pole out of it. I built a base for it. Cut out the damaged sections and tig welded it back together.

Yesterday I used the "Claw" to bury the wiring underground and basically used it to dig the hole to put the tube in. It came in very handy.
Thanks for your understanding. I got to head back to work. It's going to be a midnight job tonight ;(

I know on a few things I made for restoring my antique cars... the time involved to make a full business would never pay... mostly, I just helped fellow club members...

So true. The only way it could work for me is getting some CNC tooling in and I'm working on that.

And a pant load of fancy metalworking tools plus superhuman ability to use them.... ;-)


Sent from my iPad using TractorByNet

Well in my case it's just a few metal working tools and me

Well there's an update on the Quick hitch I bought. I'm not posting a mod so don't come after me for posting again. I'm just posting this for educational aspect of it.
I dropped into the local Kubota dealership today to pick up the ballast box I had ordered for the BX. Yes I bought it because there's no challenge in building a ballast box and it would cost me twice as much for me to build it with the added features I'd want on it and will end up putting on this one.
Anyway I got to really looking at the Land Pride Quick Hitch they had there on the floor and comparing it to the SpeeCo I have and there's a Hugh difference. The latching system on the Land Pride seemed nicer and more positive locking. The fit and finish of the LP was miles ahead of the Chinese Speeco. The design of the Speeco looked homemade compared to the LP so guess what? I came home with the Land Pride QC. I snapped a few photo's for you seeing I wasted all your time reading this stuff.

 

[4shorts]

Pics of Speeco and Land Pride Quick Hitch

 

[Scooby074]

The land pride must have really impressed you! I take it the Speeco wasnt up to your standards?

How was it price wise compared to the imatch ($340)?

 

[4shorts]

The land pride must have really impressed you! I take it the Speeco wasnt up to your standards?

How was it price wise compared to the imatch ($340)?

I really liked the "fit and finish" compared to the Speeco. I liked the lower pin set up as well. Much more beefier. As I said above, the LP didn't look home made. That being said. The Speeco worked well but I liked the latches much better on the LP. The retail on the LP was $495 but the boys cut me a pretty good deal so I had to take it. I buy a lot of stuff from them and they are good to me. There's no where on the Rock to even see an imatch so I couldn't make a comparison of pricing here.

Oh. Incidentally someone asked me way back in this thread if I checked the hydraulic pressure on the BX25D and at the time I didn't so yesterday I did and it was dead on the the pressure high side of 1850 psi so no shims were needed.