The right Kubota for Me

[nnicklas]

I am a newbie to compact tractors so pardon any stupid questions. I have been drooling over the Kubota BX22TLB. I only have an acre of land and am wondering if the BX22 is too much tractor for that size lot. I do have a wooded area I would like to clear, grade and replant. I currently have a Craftsman 25hp to do my plowing and mowing, etc but a sleeve hitch is a pain in the butt and I have a disc gang I can't pull because I keep getting stuck. All comments are welcome.

 

[Kelvin]

A couple of comments:

(1) You don't mention finish mowing tasks. I believe that the BX22 has a mid-mower option. The BX will do a great job for you as long as you don't have obstacles that interfere with the ROPS.

(2) If you will be using the BX to mow, the BX's 60" mid-mower will significantly reduce the mowing time compared to your Craftsman. Cutting a 2 hour task in half could justify the tractor for me; cutting a 30 minute task in half probably wouldn't (you'd have to make sure the FEL and/or backhoe had additional justifications...).

(3) How much do you plan to use the backhoe after you clear the 1 acre? It may be more cost effective to purchase a BX2200 with FEL (no backhoe) and pay someone to clear the land or rent some heavy duty machinery if you want to do it yourself.

(4) It is very rare that anyone on this board comments about needing to "downsize". Nearly everyone wants a larger tractor but couldn't justify it financially.

(5) If you want to do a lot of plowing and other such tasks, you should investigate the AG tire option for maximum traction.

Kelvin

 

[TresCrows]

One acre of land I used to think was fairly large such as my older home was nearly an acre. Now with 6 or so I find the work is not 6 times as much but has taken a huge leap. Now I don't consider 1 acre to be much at all. I think the BX22TLB would be more tractor than you could keep gainfully employed on your acerage---but---part of the justification is that YOU WANT it and You want it BAD! You will not be able to make the math work but quatifying your feelings is a different story---or you could buy more land /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif . J

 

[Rick Jay]

I don't think it's too much tractor at all, of course I've got a B2910 with loader and backhoe on an expansive 2/3 acre. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif My tractor has to be in the running for one of the most "under-utilitized" tractors out there. I've only got about 55 hours on her after almost 2 years.

However, much of what I've been able to do in those few hours would not have gotten done without it (or I would have had to pay someone else to do it...not something I like to do.)

My property is rock-ridden hard pan clay soil...very difficult to dig. Shovels don't work, I used to use a pick-axe. Not any more...the backhoe on the Kubota has no problem digging anywhere I want.

The 2 feet plus snow falls we had the winter before last...well, I can honestly say I never had more fun clearing the driveway.

Last year, as fate would have it, I developed a strange back infection that still has me sore and achey most days. I've used the loader to help move the window air conditioner out of storage in the garage to the deck to be installed in the window. It makes a GREAT wheelbarrow...and really saves what's left of my back!

I use a small 13 hp Honda tractor for cutting the grass and light snow plowing. If you're satisfied with the way your Craftsman cuts your lawn, keep that tractor for lawnmowing and use the BX22 for everthing else.

In retrospect, if the BX22 were available 2 years ago, I would have been very tempted to buy it instead of the B2910. It would fit in better with the scale of my property. However, I've been able to get the B2910 anywhere I needed it to go, so in that sense, it's not too large for my use.

If you want the BX22 and can afford it...get it...you won't be sorry. I still make my Kubota payments every month with a smile on my face....even if it has just sat in the garage since the last payment. I know it'll be there when I need it, and I really enjoy that feeling.

Good Luck,

~Rick

 

[rdricks]

Go for it!! I am using a BX2200 on .5 acre - yes it is a bit much but I am sure having fun!!

 

[steveky]

Hi there, I understand how you feel, I just bought a L3010 HST and I know I didn't need it, had a 1982 L245DT Kubota with low hours and did everything I needed to do. I just had to have a new one though. I don't know if you've factored in all angles to your purchase though. I didn't realize how much time I would spend in the shop washing and waxing and just drooling over my new machine. So you may want to think about it from that perspective too... Good luck with your decision, you can't go wrong with a Kubota...

Steveky

 

[Fzahrt]

Rick,
Wow, I was beginning to feel isolated from thinking a B2910 was too much for my property (all of 1.5 Acres here) until your post. Since the price really isn't that much more over the B7500/B2410 I've been looking at, and the B2910 is darn near the same size (tad bigger, I know..) after walking back and forth between them today, I think I'm going after the B2910 now. Credit's all approved and I'd just rather have a bigger tractor personally. Thanks again for your post.

Regards,
Frank

 

[seattle]

As you can see there is no "right answer". A lot of the "right answer" really depends on personal feelings and gut instinct after you really look at all the options.

For one acre a BX22 is a lot of tractor since it will really do a lot of work. I personally would rent a larger machine to clear the woods and save my tractor for the normal work. If you think about that then you may want to go with the BX2200 and save yourself money on the backhoe. You can always rent a backhoe.

The BX22 is designed for a mid-mount I'm told so it should be easier to remove and attach then is the case with some larger tractors. If mowing is the main job this may be a consideration.

Good luck!

 

[Rick Jay]

Frank,

Go for it!!! I felt the same way you did about the price differential...especially after you price in a loader and backhoe. I'm very satisfied and would most likely do the same thing again. But that BX22 is just so "cute", it would have really complicated the decision making process for me had it been available back then.

Good Luck,

Rick

 

[Buster57]

I have an L3010 for 3 acres so the BX22TLB seems about right to me.
It really depends why you want the tractor?
I bought mine so I could drive around in circles and mow any field that the owner gives me permission to mow. I also will never have to manually move rock again!
And I like to polish the Kubota.It looks better now then it did when it was delivered.
Stress relief via a 5 mile run and then a long ride on the L3010 is perfect!
I am sure you can find similar applications when you buy theBX22!
Go for it!