PREDICTIONS: Kubota 2006

_RaT_ · Jul 23, 2004

Only problem I see withthat is my local JD/Kubota dealer says the majority of the problems they have are getting to be electrical in nature.

Take a look at the loader arm on the Bobcat Toolcat. A single loader arm, very beefy and if you are one that has issues with visibility, it could be the ultimate solution. I just don't find visibilty on my L3830 even remotely and issue.

I guess it's all moot in my case as I have no plans to consider an upgrade in the near or distant future. Rat...

Yankee · Jul 23, 2004

"I'm not a big fan of plastic. Durable yes, unrepairable too."

Not so, at least in the nice, thick plastics used in body parts such as by New Holland. It can be cut, spliced, welded, etc. It would require new equipment and skills at the dealerships. Minor repairs are as easy as with steel, if not easier. Major repairs - it's just as easy to replace the part, whether it's steel or plastic.

"Who here would like the bidirectional for using mowers, snowblowers, backhoes, sweepers etc.? "

I think it would be easier to add a skid-steer quick-tach for most attachments than make the tractor bi-directional.

bandit67 · Jul 23, 2004

( I would expect curved loader arms and hoods with time. Its the market trend, on small tractors it makes no difference. On larger ones it does. )

I disagree with your comment about the "no difference" on small tractors. After testing subcompact tractors (Kubota BX2230 & BX23, NH TZ24DA) on the same dealer lot, I chose the machine with the curved loader arms. It appeared to make a very big difference, much more of a difference than I expected, as I was pretty set on Kubota.

And after borrowing my neighbor's BX22 last weekend to do some backhoe work, I was really missing using my machine with the curved loader arms when I was using the BX's loader. Not only does the BX hood seem much longer (and blocks more of the bucket) than my Case, but the dog-leg arms block even some more view of the bucket - I found myself looking forward to getting back onto my machine, and had it not been for having to switch back and forth so often between the backhoe and the FEL, I would have parked the BX to use my Case for the FEL portion of the work.

Had the BX's been available with the curved loader arms and sloped hood, I would have probably been able to overlook the limits of the 3ph, and would have purchased the Kubota. So I think it will be a big benefit for Kubota when they finally make the change, including in the Sub CUT line.

ByronBob · Jul 23, 2004

I am going to steal a few thoughts with my own also in here

1) Eliminate the BX1830 it's useless for the cost difference to a 2230

2) Offer a 48" or 60" MMM so you don't need to question 6" vs 12. Either big or small. Again the 54" is almost useless

3) CD player with speakers (wishful thinking)

4) Loader/BH in a gas model for cost savings. Something like a 20hp gas model like the BX23 for 10-12K??

5) Lights on the ROPS standard /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

6) 24 Hour Kubota hotline

7) Redesign of the BX series so they all can have a BH it would eliminate the 23 altogether and give you 2 choices in engine size. Either 15 or 23.

8) More ground clearence on the BX model. Even a few inches would really be nice.

Don't know too much about the bigger machines so I've deferred to the other experts here

MessickFarmEqu · Jul 23, 2004

( could you post a picture of the Kubota BX cab? Who is it manufactured by? Do you know if they have a cab in the works for the BX22/23???? thanks )

I'll post pictures tonight. I have them at home. Its made by Jodale-Perry. Its a very, very nice cab. Much like the L-series factory cabs.

KNotMe · Jul 24, 2004

Bandit67

Exactly how does the loader arms on the BX block your view? Feel free to post diagrams and pictures.

Tom_H · Jul 24, 2004

( Factory Cabs for low-end CUTs and perhaps a SUBCUT cab.)

Put an air conditioner and HEPA air filter in that cab /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif!! It'd be worth the price of the tractor to me. I said this on Junkman's new ideas thread. It gets up to 111 degrees here (actually 114 about 10 yr. ago). When I cut Russian Star Thistle with the rough cutter the pulverized poisonus debris clouds the air. I have respirator type air filter & goggles on with salty sweat pouring through my eyes to the point I can't see anything. I've lived in Vermont and have Nordic ski-backpacked across the Rockies in January; the nuisance of living with coldness is not a big thing for me. There are ways to dress for negative 30 and survive without a heated cab. Having an air conditioned air filtered cab is at the top of my Santa list, GIMEE, GIMEE, GIMEE /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

slowzuki · Jul 24, 2004

It would require new equipment and skills at the dealerships

I'm talking me, at home, with a ten year old tractor, out of warrantee and the replacement panel is 500$. Do I want to be able to weld it up and get it painted or do I want it to stay looking like garbage?

A friend has a 5 year old New Holland with both fenders all broken off (its an ag tractor) and it costs a fortune to have the parts replaced.

Another friend has a 40 year old ford that has had many panels beat back into shape.

DannyD · Jul 24, 2004

Because the dud that is 3 weeks out has no clue.

My dealer is getting on my bad side real quick. It is OK to deliver my tractor when I have bought it, it is OK for the delivery person to leave the link arms at the showroom, then he hinted at me coming to get them, finally UPS brought them. It is OK that my brakes dont hold, and he can not find the time to get out here and fix them, just park differently, bring it in for 50 hours service and we will fix it then. I have to trailer it up there also, it is 75 miles one way. It is OK that the balls in the link arms are too tight. I put the Pats on, my tiller on and they still wont move freely, he will fix that when I bring it in for 50 hour service also.

This is my second and may well be my LAST purchase from him. I will not expect to be in front, but I am going to check with the local guy about doing the service on it, and if I give him the recommended services, if he would do the warranty stuff also. He may tell me where to get off and that is OK too.

As for my dealer, me and him going to have a little POW WOW! When I talked to the owners Dad today, he was ready to send someone, then kind of backed out also. He surely does not want a known brake problem to cause a serious accident, and now that he knows about it.........

Anyway, I agree with you Junkman, they need to fix it!

Yankee · Jul 26, 2004

"I'm talking me, at home, with a ten year old tractor, out of warrantee and the replacement panel is 500$. Do I want to be able to weld it up and get it painted or do I want it to stay looking like garbage?"

Plastic welding equipment is cheap. It doesn't cost any more to re-paint plastic than metal. If the plastic shatters, you've got to replace the part, and that's one advantage steel has - it won't shatter.

"A friend has a 5 year old New Holland with both fenders all broken off (its an ag tractor) and it costs a fortune to have the parts replaced."

I don't think ag tractor use is a good application for plastic. Even so, this situation sounds pretty extreme. A lot of ag tractors go through their lives without that taking the kind of hit(s) that would do that, never mind multiple times and on both sides. Your friend could probably find a steel fender to adapt to the tractor without too much trouble. Sounds like he'll still be fixing them afterwards.