looking at BX23:heres my uses

[wagonguy]

Signed on here to get info from Kubota owners,been reading thru forums last 2 days.I am looking for a small tractor for loading dirt or sand/mulch, grading gravel,digging holes for planting trees/plant beds,maybe some grass or small brush cutting. Plus moving car engines/car bodies/cars in or out of garage. I'm sure I can find other uses.
Found a bx23(been looking at lots of different tractors and sizes) thought this would be a good first overall small tractor. Have garden tractor but need loader/backhoe capability.
asking price on BX23 w/Fel/BH/deck with 150 hrs is 12,000.if runs good/good cond and tight pins,etc.; this sound like decent deal? This kub stuff is new to me but know some folks that have older ones and love em LMK what you think always like to learn, even at my age.

 

[amigauser]

The BX series is great for homeowner use and the $12,000 price sounds reasonable if the tractor itself is in good condition. If the material moving (mulch, stone, etc.) is around a home, probably not a bad choice. If you are going to be loading say a dump truck, the BX loaders do not reach high enough, they are barely high enough to load a pickup truck bed from the side. The hole digging, mowing and brush cutting would be fine for a BX. The only issue with brush cutting might be the very low ground clearance and the vulnerability of the hydro fan. But you can get a 3rd party skid plate for the BX the resolves at least the fan issue.

How much do the car bodies and engines weigh? The BX series loaders max out at around 500 lbs. If you really need to move car bodies and engines around, I would be looking at a "B" series (they lift 900 lbs) or a "L" series (they lift 1500 lbs plus). If the items are on dollies and you just need to pull the dollie around the BX might work.

I think we need more details.

 

[LBrown59]

If you are going to be loading say a dump truck, the BX loaders do not reach high enough,
* they are barely high enough to load a pickup truck bed from the side.

*Would a flat bed rather than a regular pick up bed help on that.
I'm asking as I'm thinking of going that route?

 

[wagonguy]

What I meant by moving cars/engines is to push or pull them. Now I can pull a full size wagon on flat/SLIGHT grade with my 10 hp Cub.
and to use the 3 point to lift engine off ground just enuff to move it around in/out of garage. Friend has an older b6100 with 3PH and he picks engines up with it all the time.only have to go up 4" or so to slide on a palette.
On truck clearance I measured from ground to top of friends Chevy 1 ton dump - over the back tail gate(in up postion) it is 52-53" about same on sides with boards off. I watched youtube vids of bx23-24's and they looked to me they would get up hig enuff to clear that- am I wrong? thats about 4 1/2 feet height.

 

[BigD23]

What I meant by moving cars/engines is to push or pull them. Now I can pull a full size wagon on flat/SLIGHT grade with my 10 hp Cub.
and to use the 3 point to lift engine off ground just enuff to move it around in/out of garage. Friend has an older b6100 with 3PH and he picks engines up with it all the time.only have to go up 4" or so to slide on a palette.
On truck clearance I measured from ground to top of friends Chevy 1 ton dump - over the back tail gate(in up postion) it is 52-53" about same on sides with boards off. I watched youtube vids of bx23-24's and they looked to me they would get up hig enuff to clear that- am I wrong? thats about 4 1/2 feet height.

I've loaded pickups from the side with my BX23 FEL, no problem...For my personal use the BX23 has been a great tractor...I only have a couple of acres and for my purposes it's done very well...If the tractor you're considering is tight in all aspects, you've tried it and it works good, the price sounds fair...Good luck.

Don

 

[creex]

On the price, 2 weeks ago I bought an exceptionally clean BX23, 132 hours, 60" MMM, FEL (must have pushed mulch, no scratches through paint inside the bucket, BH (had never been in the dirt), new 5-ft scrape and box blades, still had 34 days powertrain warranty, delivered for 13,000 and feel like I got a great deal. Locally a similar setup on a BX22 with 673 hours, HEAVY BH and loader use, mmm, used blades, was asking 12,500 and balked at an 11,500 offer. I would say the 12K is a decent price. For reference, here the best price for a BX25, FEL and BH only, is 15,600.

 

[JoelD]

With mowing deck that price sounds excellent to me. I would think machine new 15-16K, deck is another 2K plus I would think. That puts it around 18K new.

12K for in new condition sounds excellent to me.

As long as it suits your needs I would not hesitate.

Another thought is to bring to local Kubota dealer for a look over, should be able to be done for a couple hundred dollars I would think.

Could also follow-up with Kubota to see if there's been any issues with this particular serial number tractor.

Finally, I would opperate it for a little while to make sure all functions work as they should.

One thing I've heard about is the hydro fans are exposed and can get damaged, would make sure that is not an issue.

Kubota makes great equipment, and the BX's are real nice machines, should last your lifetime.

Joel

 

[JoelD]

bx24 near my house for sale with 100 hours and deck for 16K

BX22 with 230 hours without deck for 12.7K

Again I think the 12K is an excellent price, with that said, with what is going on out there, everything seems to be dropping like a stone.

 

[LBrown59]

I've loaded pickups from the side with my BX23 FEL, no problem...For my personal use the BX23 has been a great tractor...I only have a couple of acres and for my purposes it's done very well...If the tractor you're considering is tight in all aspects, you've tried it and it works good, the price sounds fair...Good luck.

Don

I've been thinking about getting a full size 1 ton SRW 4x4 standard cab with a flat bed rather than a regular pick up bed.
Would that be easier to load with a BX23?

 

[C6rider]

As stated above make sure you check the cooling fan for the trans. Hopefully the guy has all the maintenance records also.
Max lift under level bucket on BX24 is 66.1" ; clearance w/ bucket dumped is 52.4" so you should have no problems there. For bucket weight capacity just multiply model # times 2.2 to get capacity in pounds.
I would think with this economy used prices will be coming down.

 

[LBrown59]

As stated above make sure you check the cooling fan for the trans. Hopefully the guy has all the maintenance records also.
Max lift under level bucket on BX24 is 66.1" ; clearance w/ bucket dumped is 52.4"* so you should have no problems there. For bucket weight capacity just multiply model # times 2.2 to get capacity in pounds.
I would think with this economy used prices will be coming down.

So it would work even better with a flat bed over a reg Pickup bed correct.

 

[BXinNH]

I have loaded my F350 SRW with my BX24 loader. It reaches over the bed side ok, the problem is the forward reach at that height. If I get the loader high enough to dump into the p/u bed, my reach forward of the tractor grill guard is very small requiring me to get VERY close to the truck.

Matt.

 

[JoelD]

If a flatbed were lower then I'd imagine there'd be a little more reach, with the BX being a smaller tractor, I don't think they were really designed for loading trucks.

Joel

 

[wagonguy]

I dont know how often Id need to load into dump truck, since I can get use of one I figured I'd look into clearance issues, just in case. So as I thought some on this, if I had a close clearance, what if I put 2x8's or 2x10's down on ground like 2 stacked close to truck,1 in front to make like a "loading ramp steps" gain3-4-5 inches in height . Run up on planks,dump, run on back. I can rig up a metal strap on both ends to tie em together so dont move apart. Hmmm might work if need be.
My plan to use in park -just mix/move dirt or gravel/mulch with bucket unless I have to go other end of park- I can use my 4x 8 trailer,fill it and toe down to other end with my Cub 107-its hauled a full load before. and then some.
Course now I have to hear back about tractor see if I can make a deal on it from current owner. the hunt continues.........

 

[LBrown59]

If a flatbed were lower then I'd imagine there'd be a little more reach, with the BX being a smaller tractor, I don't think they were really designed for loading trucks.

Joel

With a flat bed you wouldn't have the sides to lift over so that should make quite a bit of difference i'd think.

 

[LBrown59]

I dont know how often Id need to load into dump truck, since I can get use of one I figured I'd look into clearance issues, just in case. So as I thought some on this, if I had a close clearance,
1*what if I put 2x8's or 2x10's down on ground like 2 stacked close to truck,1 in front to make like a "loading ramp steps" gain3-4-5 inches in height . Run up on planks,dump, run on back. I can rig up a metal strap on both ends to tie em together so dont move apart. Hmmm might work if need be.

I thought of that or just use the loader to build a dirt ramp along side the truck.
If all else fails there is the back hoe.

 

[rickster]

*Would a flat bed rather than a regular pick up bed help on that.
I'm asking as I'm thinking of going that route?

Get a 4th tractor! Just a bigger one his time

 

[timswi]

My set up is similar to yours and I have a 2004 BX23 with 150 hrs...Never had a problem. Cuts grass like crazy, moves dirt and gravel well and backhoe sure beats a shovel.

You'll like the size as well...Not too big.

Maintenance is important...Any proof that any has been done?

I am kinda shocked at the resale on these things after reading this thread. Never thought about getting rid of it. I paid 17.5 or so with a 54" MMM...Didn't drop much at all, at least compaired to other stuff...Wow. I feel better.

 

[wagonguy]

Hoping to go see tractor sunday. CO has been busy and not able to be there to show it till then. SO I hope to have info on it soon. WIll post when what I find out when see it. Course still searching ads locally(and not so locally)
I coulda used it for engine moving duties this last week,pulled apart 2 cars and am running out og "floor space" ;engine-wise,gonna start stackin em like cordwood soon.

 

[wagonguy]

Update- CO of tractor I was interested in changed his mind and now wants to keep it till later spring,clean it up, change oil/fluids/service and then "raise price." So I am still looking. Today I drove past a used tractor lot- actually another dealer location that opened up. Their main place is about 15 mles from me,this new lot about 20 miles away-it is their rental and trade-in sales lot.
Have a bx24 and B21 on lot-both from their rental fleet. They did not know hours on the 24 but 21 has < 300. price for Bx24 is 21K,the B21 is 24K. He stated list new was 15 and 29+,respectively on these 2 tractors.
I dunno seems hig based on tractor hunting Ive been doing. am I wrong?