Kubota BX25D, a seeming market and price leader, but not for me

[plowhog]

I have never owned any tractor. But I need a SCUT for 2.5 recently purchased mostly level acres of pasture, plus some digging and landscape projects. I looked at the John Deere 1025, Kubota BX25D, Kioti, and Massey Ferguson 1710/1720. I researched the Mahindra Max25 but never saw one.

After great research and contemplation, I determined the BX25D is the hands down obvious choice. Price, dealer availability, performance, etc. But, it's not for me. I simply don't like the treadle, and the hydraulic cycle times seem slow. But, and I admit this is totally unscientific, this tractor feels to me like a riding mower on steroids, or a toy tractor. I admit and confess it is an excellent performer and I have read VOLUMES of testimonials from happy owners.

I'm pulling the trigger on a Massey Ferguson, either a 1710 or 1720. I like the dual hydraulic rams at the loader, float feature for digging, and to me it just looks like a cleaner design. Whereas the Kubota bucket and loader are orange, the Massey's are black and it provides a nice contrast. I totally understand that paint color does nothing for performance, but in the end the Massey, to me, looks like a real tractor, but smaller. The Kubota doesn't.

I read a long thread of a customer who had a bad transmission in a Massey-- and had to fight the dealer for months for a repair. I hope mine is a better experience. So, I'm going to proceed counter to what the obvious choice would be. The BX25D is the logical choice-- with legions of satisfied customers-- but I prefer the Massey.

 

[4570Man]

From what I have seen in videos the BX cycle times are no worse than anything else. Are you running PTO rated RPMs or at least 2,000? If the BX feels like a toy then you are not going to be happy with the MF. The Kubota weighs 100 pounds more and the loader lifts 100 pounds more. The Kubota and its single cylinder also has more break out force. A $5 can of paint can fix the bucket color issue.

 

[dragoneggs]

Good luck to you... I have to say though your reasoning is bizarre! :confused3: One thing... did you consider resale value? Buying on looks???

 

[paulfun9]

If specs are close I would probably forget about color but the single HST pedal is a deal breaker for me!

 

[plowhog]

To prevent an excessively long original post, I didn't fully explain every reason why I did not choose the Kubota. But, first and foremost, I hate the toe/heel arrangement where I have to pick my foot up, find the rear pedal, and press on it to go in reverse. From my seating position I can't even see the heel pedal, so I was sort-of stabbing for it during a tractor test drive. My foot is not long enough to have the toe and heel on pedals at the same time. The HST method on the John Deere and Massey both seem easier and more intuitive to me. I know I can fit and adapt to whatever I buy, so it's not like the Kubota is unusable. I did so through all sorts of training adaptation in airplanes receiving instrument, commercial, multi-engine, and seaplane ratings. But, some of those planes flew well and were easier to handle and operate than others. That's my hangup with the Kubota, as a new operator, its operation feels awkward to me. I spoke to a mechanic who told me he uses his toes to pull back on the upper pedal to go in reverse, not use the heel pedal. I don't think I'd do that but people other than me obviously feel this is a poor ergonomic choice.

Determined to buy one or the other, I checked a California Kubota dealer yesterday that is reasonably close to me. I made four phone calls about 9:30 - 10am. All went to voice mail. As instructed, I dialed ## for sales. I got voice mail for the service department. I drove to the dealership and looked at a BX25D. The parts person apologized that the sales person was not in yet, but he would be in "real shortly." I left a specific list of BX25D options and attachments I wanted a quote on, along with my phone number. No phone call. Really? To be fair, my local dealer in the Nevada area was very knowledgeable and friendly. (I was mostly hoping to shop at a different dealership just to elicit other opinions.)

I intend to do all my own oil changes and service, unless it is work I cannot do. So, my risk is if something breaks-- I don't have a Kubota dealer right down the street to perform a major repair. So in that respect I am gambling a little. And as far as resale, we closed escrow on a retirement property a few weeks ago, and my time horizon is 10-15 years. So I don't envision trading or moving up.

I described the handful of needs I have for a tractor, such as mowing, digging trenches, landscaping, etc., and asked the Massey dealer what a GC1710 could do better than a Kubota. His response: "nothing!" He said both will do the job and meet my needs. Choose either one. If that's true, then it comes down to the machine I like most and am most comfortable on. It would be easier on me if that machine was the Kubota, but it is not. I feel there *is* some gamble in buying machinery from a company with a lesser dealer network than "top tier" like Deere or Kubota.

btw I haven't tried to negotiate price but did ask for quotes. The Massey is a little cheaper than the Kubota. But I would not buy this equipment on price, so although everyone likes to save money I would buy the one I feel best fits me unless there was a gross difference in price, which there is not.

 

[Garandman]

//it comes down to the machine I like most and am most comfortable on.//

There you have it.

Buying a small tractor isn't like buying a pickup truck, where apparently you have to swear a blood oath to the brand and defend it against all enemies, foreign and domestic. Just kidding, sort of.....

There are only two dealers in New England, and one of them has picked up Yanmar, so it wasn't a real option for me.

 

[tractorshopper]

I think you'll be happy with your choice. I love my tractor. I'm amazed at what it can do. I have been clearing my property line most recently with my grapple by rooting out any trees and privet that are in my way and I can't believe the stuff I've been able to root out with this little BX. I'm clearing an area I've never even been able to walk due to all the thick and hearty privet.

I had an L3800 and while it would have even handled more, this BX certainly has exceeded my expectations in almost every way possible. My current only complaint is that I don't like the design of the check chains on the lower arms on the BX. My L was much more robust. I have broken one of the linkages on the BX while using my box blade where a weld failed at the nut. The nut has no scarring from the weld, so it tells me it was a bad weld to begin with.

As far as the treadle, I think I would like the dual pedals better, but frankly, I move back and forth without even thinking about it.

 

[plowhog]

David, thanks for the positive reply. When the Massey dealer told me his machine would do nothing more than the BX-25D would do, that built a lot of credibility in my eyes. His point was that any of the SCUT machines should handle my needs. I do believe that anything I buy will be a great new piece of equipment, hopefully avoiding any breakdowns or service needs except routine maintenance.

I got a great quote on a Massey today. Now I need to decide on the 1710 vs 1720. I understand the 1720 has a better seat and they rev the engine a bit higher to squeeze out another 2hp. Not sure if those are important enough to pay more $$$ but I will check it out pronto.

 

[Steppenwolfe]

At the end of the day, all that matters, is that YOU are happy on your tractor. Good luck, and enjoy that Massey.

 

[SCWOOD]

Don't put your whole foot on the pedal. Try, put heel on floor toes on pedal for forward then heel on pedal for reverse with toes on floor.