New BX24

[richardbro]

Well, after lurking for a while and researching whats' out there, I bought the BX24 and a bunch of toys to go with it. Thanks to everyone here - the numerous comments and discussions were invaluable in reassuring me as to the quality of this machine.
Everyone around here drives "big" blue tractors and I will certainly look at those when buying equipment for haying, but for putzing around the yard the orange one came out ahead in terms of backhoe and nearness of the dealer. Price-wise, this thing was expensive (in CAN$) - that may be a function of the smaller market here and my desire to not cut the grass again with my electric lawn mower; so the deal was done with much serious barginning.

As a background, we are a city couple with two young pre-teen girls who have taken an interest in horses. We've also taken an interest in organic farming and are looking forward to the day of quiting our high-tech jobs and working on the land. We recently bought an older house on 120 acres just outside the city (ottawa region), so the BX will serve mostly for cutting the grass, digging drainage ditches (the land is a bit low and the water table a bit high), and clearing out the neglected brush. This fall/winter I hope to start a 10-box stable and finish it next year spring/summer to start collecting horses by the fall. Eventually I would like to start doing my own hay (a local beef farmer gets about 250 4-foot bales per year from this land now).

I took delivery on Friday and got a very quick demo. The delivery included the BX with mower, Kubota tiller, 48" rotory cutter, and a greenline PHD with 9" auger. Again, a hearty thanks to folks here for educating me on these things - I don't even service my own cars but with the knowledge I found here I think I can handle the 50 hour service when it comes up. (I do service my own mountain bikes so maybe that might come in handy).

I spent Friday night reading the manuels and Saturday I did a bit of work. I have some questions and observations that I'll leave to the end...What I did Saturday:
- removed the backhoe (scary).
- removed the FEL (confusing).
- mowed the lawn!
- removed the mower.
- installed the 3PH (again, confusing).
- re-attached the FEL (easy).
- opened up a bottle of wine and relaxed...

My first gripes and comments:
- The install manuels are lacking a bit. I think descriptions of the 3PH, BH de-install, etc. could have been expanded quite a bit more with better photos and text with noone complaining. These BX units are sold mostly (I think) to yuppy-types like myself who have never been near the rear end of a tractor. A bit more babying would have been appreciated.
- The BX is a noisy and smellly bugger! I guess thats the nature of the diesel beast.
- Engaging the PTO gives a nice jolt to the tractor even at lowest trottle. A bit rough for someone used to driving Hondas...
- I've got a few slopes here and thanks to folks here (again) I knew enough to drive up backwards at times - scary.
- The manner in which the attachments are held on with removable pins is pretty neat. Those quick dettach hydrolics are pretty nifty too.

I included a few obligitory pictures - none of me nice the family was out at the time of delivery - thats the sales guy unloading it.

 

[MOPAULY]

The tractor is noisy but not smelly. Unless you are not used to the scent of diesel. Once you get used to it, you'll have the FEL and BH off and on in less then 5 minutes.

PTO is what it is, just the way it engages I suppose. And I think you need to have a paved driveway before you are a yuppie

 

[Singlecoil]

I love the last picture of the tractor with the mower but without either the backhoe or FEL. One of these days (after I turn an acre of trees into a lawn) my BX24 is going to look just like that!

Lucky for you, you are in Canada and in the same country as Bro-Tek. I am expecting the thumb, ripper tooth, and trenching attachment (for the ripper tooth) in a week or so. I have 20 acres and some areas that need trenching, as well as sprinklers for the new lawn. Pics will be forthcoming.

 

[RayCo]

Congratulations on your new machine! These are some great tractors. I've put 49 hours on mine in the 2 months I've had it, and I'm still jumping up and down and crying like a school girl when I think about the thing.

It is a bit loud, but I guess you get used to it. Before my Kubota, I spent most of my time on some tractors that had two mufflers that were rotted away to about the amount of metal that makes a dime. I HAD to wear earplugs when I operated them. So, the Kubota's actually quite a silent tractor where I'm coming from.

Make sure you're also aware of the rollover possibilty from side-to-side! I noticed that your daughter has the seatbelt on with the ROPS down in that picture. Granted, the tractor's not going to roll over in the garage or anything, but make it a rule of thumb that ROPS up = seat belt on and ROPS down = seatbelt off. Ideally, have the ROPS up and the seatbelt on at every single possible time. These things can tip over! Try to keep a thread going in your mind that if it starts to fall, do not try to stop the fall with your hand. That won't work.

I hope to see some future pictures of the projects you do with this new investment!

 

[Singlecoil]

Try to keep a thread going in your mind that if it starts to fall, do not try to stop the fall with your hand. That won't work.

Or your leg either

 

[Dog Lover]

Congratulations on your new BX. You did a great job on the first day. I think you will soon learn what this small machine can do and be very happy. Your perception of a large investment will soon dissapate as it has the power of more powerful and expensive units. I have yet to take my BH or FEL off and may never. It is so useful for me, why take it off other than the challenge.

Your daughter looks pleased. With this little work hourse your pending projects will become a reality for sure. As Ray said, be sure to wear the seatbelt and have the ROPS up ALWAYS. Pics look great.

 

[richardbro]

The ROPS goes down in order to get the tractor in the garage. Ido wear the belt when using outside.

 

[richardbro]

Lucky for you, you are in Canada and in the same country as Bro-Tek. I am expecting the thumb, ripper tooth, and trenching attachment (for the ripper tooth) in a week or so. .

I will be picking up the skid plates and thumb soon. Can't quite figure out what to use the ripper tooth for - I intend to use the backhoe for trenching

 

[Grrrr]

I love that last picture too with just the MMM.

Like the mother of all lawn tractors

Looks like you are going to have lots of work for it on 120 acres

Have fun and keep the roll bar up and seat belt on

 

[Renob]

Nice tractor! It will do a lot of work for you.



Always lower the backhoe to the ground when removed. Then relieve pressure in the valve by moving levers around with engine off before disconnect. This will insure no built up hydraulic pressure in lines that can hinder reattachment of lines. This goes to loader as well. Hopefully you will not have a problem with reattachment. If you do, there is a way to relieve pressure. Cross that bridge when you get there.

Good luck. It will be a fun learning experience!