should I get a BX?

[cajunInExile]

I've got about 1.5 acres of flat grass that I cut now with a 42" mower in about 90 minutes every 2 weeks or so, and another 2 acres that is mostly 10-15% grade, but with 500' of bank along the road that is steeper than that. Some of that will need to bush hogged for a while until its tamed. I usually only do that once a month. That 2 acres is taking me a couple of hours to mow what I can with the 42", and then another few hours of weed eating , but I'm falling behind and I can't (or won't) keep that up forever.

In addition, there's a lot of landscaping and planting to do, ditches to maintain, trees and firewood to deal with on the rest of the property (3 acres or so) that is wooded, but cleared underneath the canopy.

A ZTR would be perfect for the 1.5 flat grass, but I don't think it would solve my problem on the hill.

I'm looking at the BX 25 with a 60" MMM because I'll bet I could get it into some tight spots and still be able to use the backhoe to dig planting holes in the rocky ground, but I'm worried about how much time I would spend taking on off the implements and how hard that might be.

If you are just mowing with the MMM..
- do you always take the BH off?
- do you always take the FEL off?
- just the bucket, or the hydraulics too?

How hard is it to get the BH on and off? and the FEL?

I could see where I go months without using either one, but I would still be mowing, and it seems like a waste of fuel to carry those around, unless you need them for ballast.

 

[asylum575]

I've had my BX24 for 10 months. It has 65 hours of backhoe and FEL work. I have yet to take the MMM off. Haven't really had an issue with clearance yet. I took off the BH in about 5 minutes. And that was because one of the pins was stuck. A tap of a hammer fixed that. I put the BH back on last week. Honestly, took about two minutes. You spend more time fighting with
3PH implements than removing/installing the BH.


It's a great package.

 

[txkevin]

BX 24 here. I am still very new to my machine and removing the part. I have never removed the FEL. BH came off very easily. I just got a BXPanded dolly and It should be even easier.

Overall, conventional wisdom is that you can leave the MMM on if you are not doing really rough stuff. If you are just moving a dirt pile, carrying some stuff in the FEL or digging a hole with the BH, it does not seem necessary to remove anything. However I removed my MMM when I was clearing some scattered stone from my home construction. I ran over several and it was hitting my MMM a good bit. Book says no MMM with BH because there is a presure relieve valve or something but it can be bypassed by removing a Hydrolic line when the BH is not in use. Takes 2 seconds to hook up.
MMM is a little more time consuming to remove but not terrible unless you have mobility issues.

Overall a sturdy little machine with a huge amount of utility. It can carry quite a load and dig a hole with ease. It pulls my 60" landscape rake easily as I discovered this weekend.

Check on youtube and look up Kubota BX or BXpanded and watch how hard it is to remove the FEL and BH. When you know how to do it, its very fast.
Also many threads on here such as " BX Capabilities" can give you some pictures of what you can accomplish with these guys. lots of utility, lots of flexibility and it fits nicely into your garage. For the right application it is a great small tractor.

 

[txkevin]

I could see where I go months without using either one, but I would still be mowing, and it seems like a waste of fuel to carry those around, unless you need them for ballast.

One other thing... You will find stuff to use the FEL for. It will become your extra back, and your wheel barrel etc. The BX lasts a little over 10 hours on 1 - 5 gallon tank of diesel so fuel economy will not really be a concern.
For any activity other than mowing, you will need the FEL or Weights and the BH or 3-pt implement to offset the other end.

 

[bx24d]

First, you won't be disappointed with the BX25 and, in a short while, you will wonder why you waited so long. Your other questions seem like an ad for BXpanded. I don't routinely take off the FEL and you may not have to either to mow (unless you've got really tight spots). As far as the backhoe, get the dolly and you'll not dread taking it off for mowing. Take off the MMM only for "heavy" TLB work and, if you're into a project that takes a few weeks with the TLB, mow with your 42" riding lawn mower. You'll love the BX25.

 

[KeithInSpace]

You are absoutely 100% the type of situation that is perfect for a BX.

To answer your question, yes, you should remove both the FEL and BH to mow. Not that you MUST, but it can be an uncomfortable ride and make the machine a little unwieldy, especially in turns.

Bear in mind two things: The FEL comes off in about 45 seconds. And there is a YouTube video out there with someone unloading the BH onto a BXpanded dolly in about 45 seconds. I have the Woods BH and it takes a little longer...about 3 minutes. And that is without the ultra-cool BXpanded dolly.

If you get the BX, you won't be dissapointed. And you won't give a second thought to "converting" your tractor. I leave the MMM mounted unless I absolutely must removed to suit a job, so you're talking about 4 minutes to go from an earth moving machine to a lawn mowing machine...pretty easy.

As Mr. BX24d stated, you'll be amazed by how fast you can finish projects. I spoke to a friend a week ago and he was complaining about the backbreaking work he had done over the weekend...took him 2 solid days to move and spread 3 CY of mulch. I laughed. Didn't mean to, but he picked up on it..."Why are you laughing?" he says, a little miffed. "Well, it would take me about 2 hours to do that, and that's if I stop and watch the game for 45 minutes in between."

I normally get mulch delivered in 20 yard chunks and it takes me about 4 to 6 hours to spread all that, depending on my level of dedication. And I feel like a million bucks afterward...I haven't done anything but drive around a bit and shuffle some mulch around with a rake to smooth it out.

THAT is what the BX does, and much, much more.

 

[LBrown59]

I'm looking at the BX 25 with a 60" MMM because I'll bet I could get it into some tight spots and still be able to use the backhoe to dig planting holes in the rocky ground,
1*but I'm worried about how much time I would spend taking on off the implements and how hard that might be.
2* it seems like a waste of fuel to carry those around, unless you need them for ballast.

1*I have never had the loader or BH off my BX23 so I don't have to spend any time doing that.
2*These tractors are such fuel miser that's not even a factor.
My Fuel Guy delivered me 60 gallons of Red diesel on 6/6/08.
That was over three and one half months ago.
I still have about 17 gallons of it left.
This fuel wasn't just for the BX23 with the loader and BH but it also supplied my 2 BX 1500s.
It has taken all 3 BXs over 3 and one half months to use the fuel down to the 17 gallons.

 

[NuBota]

When mowing the hills, you will prefer removing the FEL and BH to lower COG. Plus is improves the ride.

Can never remember how % grade equates to degree of slope, but I have nothing but hills - most 15 -20 degrees - some over 25. One of these last ones I have yet to tackle with the BX because there is nowhere level to turn. I mow this with a 42" lawn tractor horizontal - outrigger style. I never touch a slope greater than 15 degrees horizontal with the BX - all vertical.

That said - the MMM has only seen about 5 hrs of use. I have had so many projects in my first 95 hours, I am tired of switching. When in full TLB mode, I left the MMM on at first - till it became a clearance issue. Dropping FEL and BH was not the issue - that is easy. Now BH is replaced by a rear blade last 30-40 hrs. With a 3pt implement attached, you pretty much need to remove the MMM. And as others have said, those are more PITA than the BH. I just got Pat's Easy Change, so I expect that to help tremendously.

I look forward to the day I use the BX as my primary mower. It's not inconvenience of switching though. It's just when I fire it up, I can't bring myself to "just mow" - wanna go tear something up. I just make the kids mow with the LT so I can go play in the dirt....

 

[LBrown59]

1* I am tired of switching .
2*Now BH is replaced by a rear blade.

1*I'm not because i don't switch due to having a BX1500 with a tiller on the back and a blade on the front plus another BX1500 with a MMM.
This way I just leave the FEL BH & MMM on the BX23.
2*I put a front blade on one of the BX 1500s instead of removing the BX23 BH .

 

[slewisma]

Most everything I would've said has been said. One thing I'd add though is that the BH and FEL are not light weight and, in my opinion, should be removed for mowing to reduce the weight of the machine on the lawn. Not a big deal for your rough 2 acres but if the 1.5 is in nice shape, you don't want all that extra weight compacting the soil every time you mow.

And yes, the BH and FEL come off pretty fast. The BXpanded dolly is well worth the money to make the BH even easier and faster plus maneuverable while dismounted.

 

[Matt_Jr]

BX25?

 

[LBrown59]

BX25
?

Yep it replaces the BX24 me thinks..

 

[cajunInExile]

Thanks for all the replies, and the videos on YouTube were a big help. I'll have to research "Pat's Quick Change" for the MMM.

Another question about mowing, If you are mowing in 2WD with turf tires, I'm assuming the back axle is not locked, and you aren't tearing up the grass in tight turns.

I've got a 4WD Arctic Cat Prowler that is not so kind to the lawn if you forget you are in 4WD and you start making tight turns on the grass. I just wanted to make sure that wasn't the case with these tractors.

Is there a Diff Lock Rear Switch? Diff Lock Front-to-Back?

I'd like to understand the 2WD/4WD/Locking options.

 

[txkevin]

BX25?

BX 25 is the newest model. Price increases about $2k over the BX 24 including the now "optional" 3 pt hitch.

For the extra 2K you get...

- buckets that move at idle instead of kicking your idle up just a bit
- metal hood, fenders etc. Bx 24 had some plastic parts on it. Tractor purists seem to hate this unless you deal with a lot of salt.
- And the biggest fix, they removed the "jerk" that is found in the BX 24 when stopping in reverse. It is controlable with technique but it is certainly there. This can be annoying.

Other than that, there is no performance or power difference that I am aware of.

BX 24s should be about $15K plus tax and add about $2k for the new 25's.

 

[txkevin]

Another question about mowing, If you are mowing in 2WD with turf tires, I'm assuming the back axle is not locked, and you aren't tearing up the grass in tight turns.

I'd like to understand the 2WD/4WD/Locking options.

Be aware that I believe the BX has potential to "run away" on steep hills in 2wd. I have always been advised to mow .. especially on hills in 4 wd which gives better stopping control for some reason.

 

[Volfandt]

The BX's have semi-slip rearends meaning that on tight turns the inside wheel "slips" while the drive torque is shifted to the outside wheel. Same type planetary gears as found in an automobile.
There is a separate rear wheel "locker" pedal. It locks both rear drive wheels together when depressed, as in positive traction. *do not depress this with the wheels spinning*

There is also a separate "4 wheel drive" lever which engages power to the front wheels. In all actuality, you probably only end up with 3 wheel drive ( one rear and two fronts) unless the rear locker pedal is then depressed.
There is "some" slip in the front differentials when engaged but not much as the BX will not turn as sharply in 4WD and damage could occur to the turf on sharp turns in 4wd.

I generally mow in 2wd high and I have turf tires. This gives me max speed and the ability to nearly turn on a dime without damaging my turf. When I encounter soft mud I'll give the locker 1st shot and if that doesn't get me out then I go to 4wd. I've yet to get stuck, but have come MIGHTY close

 

[KeithInSpace]

I've done a little different than Mr. Volfandt when faced with a low-traction situation...I normally engage 4WD in those situations and let the rear wheels do what they may, but it is TOTALLY situational. Example: I have a particular location in my grass where I'm mowing around something, it is very steep, and is always wet. In 4WD I don't tear up anything...it's great. But I've never engaged 4WD to get me out of a situation in which I was already stuck in 2WD...I'm ALREADY in 4WD and never miss a beat.

As far as going down slopes with a loaded FEL, I am careful to recognize those situations and engage 4WD because she CAN get away from you. Sometimes, I ferry around my dirt/mulch and only engage 4WD when I approach the offending slope. Other times, when a particular slope is invariably in the way, I'll leave it in 4WD and be careful not to make sharp turns to not put undue stress on the front axle drivetrain.

I have never gotten stuck or been threatened to be stuck. I was in some bogs in backwoods North Carolina once and swore I'd be in trouble...not that I wasn't worried (mostly because I didn't have a "recovery" plan as the terrain was inaccessible by assist vehicle) but it never threatened to get stuck even when up to the axles in muck. Simply amazing.

You have to do something silly to mess up your grass when using the turf tires, no matter how hard you turn or what you're carrying.

 

[sw03]

Most everything I would've said has been said. One thing I'd add though is that the BH and FEL are not light weight and, in my opinion, should be removed for mowing to reduce the weight of the machine on the lawn. Not a big deal for your rough 2 acres but if the 1.5 is in nice shape, you don't want all that extra weight compacting the soil every time you mow.

And yes, the BH and FEL come off pretty fast. The BXpanded dolly is well worth the money to make the BH even easier and faster plus maneuverable while dismounted.

1) I agree, THe FEL and BH SHOULD come off for mowing; if you want a nice cut.

2) BXpanded is nice but overprice in my book. For years on this forum, like 4+ years, you can make one for 50+% less then theres.

 

[Matt_Jr]

Wow! That bx25 sure sounds nice. Is 2 years too soon for an upgrade? How come I can't find this thing on kubota's site?

 

[txkevin]

1)
2) BXpanded is nice but overprice in my book. For years on this forum, like 4+ years, you can make one for 50+% less then theres.

That is typically how I feel when I go to a craft show. I walk around saying " Are you kidding, I could make one of those in a few hours for half the price"... Then I never quite get around to it....