LS MT125 vs BX23S

[check]

All opinions are welcome. I will make a decision by end of this month. All based on good research, advice and all you guys experience. Thank you all

I watched a couple of videos on the features of the new BX23S again, and man oh man, I wish that they had the 23s when I bought my BX25 back in 2008! A sweet ride, to be sure.

 

[Tractor Dell]

I agree.
How big diameter log have you picked up with your grapple. Where did you buy it from?

I bought it from Everything Attachments. They have 2 threads on here above in the general forums about grapples. I have some pics near the end of them. I just got it and was getting used to using it, so my technique was a bit off. I need to keep things closer to the tractor when picking it up. Even with my bad technique, I was able to pick up stumps that almost lifted the rear of the tractor. This is with both the backhoe and wheel weights on. I did bump up the hydraulic pressure to 1950, and that gave me a lot more lifting power. Unless you are planning on lifting things that are really heavy the 23S will probably do the trick. If it can't, then you may want to consider a B model.

I looked at the LS MT125 last night, and the lifting power wasn't that much more. One thing I noticed is when they did the lifting power of the FEL, they didn't say at what height that is. If that is at the ground level, 5 feet or max height. Kubota is pretty open about that. I have attached a PDF that shows the lifting stats and the second page is the lifting curve on a graph. The lower it is, the more power it has. FYI - it is in kilograms, not pounds.

 

[BulldogsPlanes]

Tractor Dell that's great info. The new FEL model number are 344 compared to the 340 that you have on the PDF file. I wander if one could get that same info for the 344 since there are mayor difference between the two. Those are way better numbers than the brochure saysView attachment BX80-ENG.pdf more breakout force but similar otherwise

 

[Tractor Dell]

Tractor Dell that's great info. The new FEL model number are 344 compared to the 340 that you have on the PDF file. I wander if one could get that same info for the 344 since there are mayor difference between the two. Those are way better numbers than the brochure saysView attachment 524707 more breakout force but similar otherwise

According to what I understand from a Messisk's video, the 340 is the model on the BX23S. The 344 is the model that comes on any other 80 series. However, they are the same exact specs. They numbered them differently so Kubota knows which model tractor it came with. The 340S is the SSQA. The 340 is the pin on bucket. Those pages come from the BX23S owners manual.

Here is a pic of a stump I moved today. It is a giant poplar tree stump. It was the max my BX could do, and that is as high as I could lift it. There were a few other stumps (oak trees) that I could not lift, but I clamped onto them with the grapple and drug and pushed them to where I wanted to. If you are patient, you can pretty much do whatever you want.

 

[ThirdMan]

I bought it from Everything Attachments. They have 2 threads on here above in the general forums about grapples. I have some pics near the end of them. I just got it and was getting used to using it, so my technique was a bit off. I need to keep things closer to the tractor when picking it up. Even with my bad technique, I was able to pick up stumps that almost lifted the rear of the tractor. This is with both the backhoe and wheel weights on. I did bump up the hydraulic pressure to 1950, and that gave me a lot more lifting power. Unless you are planning on lifting things that are really heavy the 23S will probably do the trick. If it can't, then you may want to consider a B model.

I looked at the LS MT125 last night, and the lifting power wasn't that much more. One thing I noticed is when they did the lifting power of the FEL, they didn't say at what height that is. If that is at the ground level, 5 feet or max height. Kubota is pretty open about that. I have attached a PDF that shows the lifting stats and the second page is the lifting curve on a graph. The lower it is, the more power it has. FYI - it is in kilograms, not pounds.

The LL1100 loader for the MT125 manual says 1,005 lbs at max height (72") at pivot pins. That is 457kg.

 

[dragoneggs]

Following along... not exactly sure why because my 5 year old BX25D with 400+ hrs has been an awesome workhorse. I work it pretty hard landscaping my sloped property with zero complaints. I added the tach n go front Q/A and some forks last year and that has really expanded its functionality. Yeah, the 23S has some nice features that I don't have but I don't mow and now that I have a Q/A in addition to a lot of little mods like underarmor, LED lighting, chain boxes, wheel spacers and more, I don't have much of a desire to upgrade to newer... thankfully!

 

[Tractor Dell]

The LL1100 loader for the MT125 manual says 1,005 lbs at max height (72") at pivot pins. That is 457kg.
View attachment 524765

Thanks for that. I didn't notice that on the website last night, unless I just plain missed it.

Makes a bit of sense since the Kubota has a 1.57" bore and 12.8" inch stroke, and the LS has a 1.8" bore, and 13.4" stroke. Bore allows more force for the same pressure.

I will be honest that there are times I wish I had more lift, but then I think that I am getting the jobs done I need, and once I get my woods cleaned up, I really won't be using it for much, other than a motorized wheelbarrow, and keeping the weeds in the woods beat back. Also, when I have issues picking things up, like those oak stumps I talked about, I would need a bigger tractor, not just a few more pounds of lift. Maybe even a B2350, but that would be overkill after I get the heavy work done.

Dragoneggs, I also got the wheel spacers, under armor, heavy hitch and LED lights. It is like my pet project. Once I finish one thing, my wife asks me what I am going to be doing to it next.

 

[dragoneggs]

Thanks for that. I didn't notice that on the website last night, unless I just plain missed it.

Makes a bit of sense since the Kubota has a 1.57" bore and 12.8" inch stroke, and the LS has a 1.8" bore, and 13.4" stroke. Bore allows more force for the same pressure.

I will be honest that there are times I wish I had more lift, but then I think that I am getting the jobs done I need, and once I get my woods cleaned up, I really won't be using it for much, other than a motorized wheelbarrow, and keeping the weeds in the woods beat back. Also, when I have issues picking things up, like those oak stumps I talked about, I would need a bigger tractor, not just a few more pounds of lift. Maybe even a B2350, but that would be overkill after I get the heavy work done.

Dragoneggs, I also got the wheel spacers, under armor, heavy hitch and LED lights. It is like my pet project. Once I finish one thing, my wife asks me what I am going to be doing to it next.

To be honest, I think more lift on the BX would be dangerous as it would be way out of balance. I keep my BH on when doing heavy lifting. I max mine out often with landscape blocks and pallets loaded with pavers, etc. If you really need a lot more lift I suggest ALOT heavier machine. I have lots of tight spaces so the BX is a perfect fit for me.

Dell, if you need another mod... install ammo boxes on your FEL towers to hold chains and misc tools. I posted a thread on my mod if you are interested. I love it.

 

[BulldogsPlanes]

The LL1100 loader for the MT125 manual says 1,005 lbs at max height (72") at pivot pins. That is 457kg.
View attachment 524765

On the LS MT125 I found that brochure differs from tech info. 886 vs 1005 I'm confused

 

[Tractor Dell]

On the LS MT125 I found that brochure differs from tech info. 886 vs 1005 I'm confused

Bulldog, those were the numbers I was looking at too. At least I know that I wasn't seeing things.

 

[dalola]

I was in a similar situation earlier in the summer. I only shopped dealers within an hour from me, so that list included KB, JD, LS, & Mahindra. I liked all the dealers, but the Mahindra dealer, so they dropped off. All the tractors were solid, with the refinement level as the separating factor for me. I first went in with a "price is no object" mind-set to see what I felt was the best rig. Once I had established that, then I would consider price & negotiation to try and get what I wanted.

When the dust settled, I really like the BX2380 the best. It felt more polished and well thought out, and I found it more enjoyable to operate. Initially, however, it was also the most expensive. My next choice was the JD 1023E, which was initially about $800 cheaper than the BX. And finally the LS MT125. A very robust machine, but really lacked the refinement of the other two, IMO. (the engine oil drain plug is just one documented example..) It was also the cheapest price (all were tractor w/FEL only).

At the current prices I had, I was leaning towards the JD, but decided to try a few more KB dealers to try and get a better price on the rig I really wanted. That paid off, as I was able to score a 2380 for $200 less than the JD, and $200 more than the LS. It was an easy choice at this point....I was able to get what I felt was the best rig, for a crazy good price.

I will say tho, I would have been happy with any of the three, all seemed like very solid, capable machines, and based on quoted prices, one may indeed be a better "value" pending actual transaction price. But again, when they were all within $400 at decision time, the choice was easy for me, as I liked the BX that much better. As I approach the 30 hour mark, I have no regrets....I'm more impressed every time I use it!

Good luck on your search, and let us know which rig you end up with.

 

[BulldogsPlanes]

How much did you pay for 2380

 

[dalola]

How much did you pay for 2380

$12800 before OH tax, tractor & FEL (pinned bucket).

 

[BulldogsPlanes]

That's a good deal. The best so far I got quoted KB BX23S TLB 17,500. Today I Got new quote for LS mt125 TLB 14,900 delivered.

 

[bspeedy]

The Kubota will more than make up for the extra money spent at resale time. I have a buddy who has been trying to sell a used LS tractor in perfect condition for about 2 months now for a very reasonable price. No takers. I'd go with Kubota, but I am extremely biased as I've owned several Kubs and never an LS tractor.

 

[dalola]

That's a good deal. The best so far I got quoted KB BX23S TLB 17,500. Today I Got new quote for LS mt125 TLB 14,900 delivered.

Those are both good prices, certainly worth considering.

 

[GreenMtnVT]

Hi guys. I'm new here and I'm enjoying these threads quite a bit. I'm looking to buy a subcompact sometime in the next couple months and I had narrowed it down to a new LS MT125 or a BX2380, each with the front end loader and belly mower. I don't need a backhoe for my property so that's not something I plan to ever purchase. As far as I can tell just by looking at the specs and internet research, both machines are well made and would be more than suitable for my needs. The LS looks like it would have a little more lift than the BX and would cost less. The best price I was quoted was $15k for the LS, which is a fine price as far as I'm concerned. The big issue is that there's only one LS dealer in my state and their sales staff wasn't so good. Additionally, they're about an hour and fifteen minutes from my house. The next closest dealer, who quoted me the 15k price, is about 4 hours away. And just as you guys mentioned, the resale on an LS isn't going to be as good.

Despite probably paying a bit more for a BX2380, I'm moving in that direction. I have two Kubota dealers within about half an hour drive so getting parts and service will be a lot easier than with the LS. I also think the new features on the BX2380 are really great. The quick detach bucket, tilt steering, deluxe seat, position of the loader control, drive over deck, and new FEL detach features are more than enough to swing me in favor of Kubota.

 

[BulldogsPlanes]

Hi guys. I'm new here and I'm enjoying these threads quite a bit. I'm looking to buy a subcompact sometime in the next couple months and I had narrowed it down to a new LS MT125 or a BX2380, each with the front end loader and belly mower. I don't need a backhoe for my property so that's not something I plan to ever purchase. As far as I can tell just by looking at the specs and internet research, both machines are well made and would be more than suitable for my needs. The LS looks like it would have a little more lift than the BX and would cost less. The best price I was quoted was $15k for the LS, which is a fine price as far as I'm concerned. The big issue is that there's only one LS dealer in my state and their sales staff wasn't so good. Additionally, they're about an hour and fifteen minutes from my house. The next closest dealer, who quoted me the 15k price, is about 4 hours away. And just as you guys mentioned, the resale on an LS isn't going to be as good.

Despite probably paying a bit more for a BX2380, I'm moving in that direction. I have two Kubota dealers within about half an hour drive so getting parts and service will be a lot easier than with the LS. I also think the new features on the BX2380 are really great. The quick detach bucket, tilt steering, deluxe seat, position of the loader control, drive over deck, and new FEL detach features are more than enough to swing me in favor of Kubota.

First
check out Bruno's Cabot Arkansas. "Negotiate" I got a quote for 14,900 TLB. Some other member bought one for 15,900 TLB+MMM.
Second
It's rumored that November 1 there are going to be additional insensitive from LS corporate
3RD
LS tractors is for someone who does his own maintenance, knows how to research parts and willing to have the tractor for a long time.
4th
Resale value vs time. EXP
Value your getting a good price up front, if you look at the used market nothing comes close.
Time it may take longer to resale due product recognition.

My opinions

As for me I'm leaning towards LS delivered to my home ATL + no tax

If you are not mechanically inclined or like walk-in into a dealer and are interested in comforts my local Kubota quoted me bx23s 17,5 + 6%tax and he may go lower depending on the Kubota corporate discount rolling out for November.

PS I have noticed that this type of tractors resale better and faster with a backhoe and MMM

These are my opinions

 

[BulldogsPlanes]

I ended up buying a used LS XJ2025h TLB 240hrs with many extras example a factory quick disconnect, a grapple, 3rd function hydraulics, pallet forks, box blade, tooth bar, brush bar, backhoe thumb and backhoe scraper bucket. all for a fair price of 14.5 k

 

[dragoneggs]

Good for you, Bulldog! Pics of your adventures going forward!