Hi everyone,
I have been lurking on this site for quite a while, reading and using the search feature in an attempt to answer most of my questions before I buy. I am very close to buying a BX23 as it meets just about everything I want but what's stopping me is the loader capabilities as the specifications list only 460 pounds? Is this true or is it a conservative rating? I have also looked at the B21 but don't want to go much bigger in physical size than that. Also does anyone make 4 in 1 (Clamshell) bucket for either. Thanks in advance.
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Hi everyone,
I have been lurking on this site for quite a while, reading and using the search feature in an attempt to answer most of my questions before I buy. I am very close to buying a BX23 as it meets just about everything I want but what's stopping me is the loader capabilities as the specifications list only 460 pounds? Is this true or is it a conservative rating? I have also looked at the B21 but don't want to go much bigger in physical size than that. Also does anyone make 4 in 1 (Clamshell) bucket for either. Thanks in advance.
Glenn )</font>
Somebody tested it once and got over 600 lbs out of it and ATI Corp makes a 4in1 bucket that might work for it.
A B21 isn't really comaparable to the bx23. The b21 is a dedicated TLB and is more for commercial use.
The B21 and a BX23 are TOTALLY different machines. The B21 is a small commercial machine and the BX23 is quite small in comparison. I would suggest that you keep researching and look at what Kubota will offer in '05. One of the new 3030s with a BH sounds like it might work for you.
Please provide more details on your short term and long term tractor needs.
My BX22 FEL will easily lift a heaping load of wet pea gravel. My guess is that weighs around or over 600 lbs. Make sure there's ballast on the tractor (I just use the BH). Without ballast, 600 lbs. in the FEL can make the BX a little unstable.
A clam shell or 4 in 1 bucket adds an additional weight penalty to an already small capacity. The extra hardware will knock off another 100 or 150 lbs off the capacity.
If you really need a 4-in-1 bucket you might consider a larger tractor and its larger bucket. Shop the 4-in-1 buckets first and see what they will fit and their weight. ATI Corp. advertises here on TBN (the header on the "attachments" section), they have some information on 4-in-1 buckets and grapples.
