Why the BX is Popular

TresCrows · Mar 15, 2001

Well, it is true I have been making a lot of BX posts lately and some other guys too. One reason is that in many parts of the country BX sells have been more than all B units combined! Kubota hit a real price/utility point when they developed the BX. It does not cost much more than some high dollar lawn mowers/GT's and yet is not intimadating or out of place on small acerage like larger B series units. To top it all off it is a quality unit. The BX fills a void in the market for a small "real" tractor. Really, if you can be objective and go look at a BX, a 7400/7500 and a 2410 you will notice that the only "real" difference is that the BX has smaller wheels--really--that is the big difference and that difference provides the stable wide stance. Horsepower, torque, pulling ability, ruggedness, weight etc are all really very comparable with the BX being much cheaper. Think of all the guys riding around on their 18th Murray and then they see a BX for the first time flush with cash from the big .com sell off! There will be a lot of BX's out there real soon and with numbers will come new implements, options, respect and unfortuanately when guys get an appeitite for tractors then in a few years some will trade up to a L3010 to mow their 2 acres I fear resale prices might suffer just a bit unless the demand for BX's remains so high as it is now that enough cannot be delievered. Soon JD will intro their sub-compact--I can hear the clash of tiny titans across the greenbelt as they rattle their armor and dual with their FEL's. I can even see BX and mini tractor ralleys--heck--maybe even get together in Daytona and build giant sand castles and ride around with ****** babes hanging off the ROPs. Yep, could happen! Why, it could even be an alien plot, Invasion of the Mini Tractor in Orange. Need to go check the oil in my UFO, see ya. J

Roy · Mar 15, 2001

What I have been trying to find out for some time now is, how many units? In the Kubota
Fiscal 2001 Consolidated Interim Financial Results (http://www.kubota.co.jp/english/c-data/fr/title.htm), the summary notes: In North America, mainstay compact tractors enjoyed brisk sales. The new concept subcompact tractor with 18 and 22 hose-power engines was exceptionally well accepted by consumers enabling the Company to increase its market share.

But what's the actual number, or percentage of units sold? I just checked for the 2001 Annual Report… not out, but it should be soon (it's that time of year for companies).

TresCrows… Is many parts of the country BX sells have been more than all B units combined a dealer statement, speculation, gut feeling, or did you find some other reference?

Roy

Thomas · Mar 15, 2001

Roy,
Hard to believe that the BX has yet to catch on in my area,even the dealer little puzzle also has plenty in stock.

Maybe like one person said its the 3 season we have up here. /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

Thomas..NH /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

Anonymous Poster · Mar 15, 2001

thomas,not true in southestern N.H.when i bougt my BX Mears tractor had a waiting list, Chapell tractor had just got ashipment but they were going fast. I bought mine on a saterday and not knowing it till later,the D8 dozer operator at work bought one on tuesday.he's 72yrs.old now and been on equip.since scool.He said its a working little bugger,he loves it,cuts about 5 acers.3pt tiller 48" the tractor dos'nt know its even working.

cup149 · Mar 15, 2001

Take a look at the differences on this BX from the UK.
http:// [url]www.kubota.co.uk/Tractors/owners/front_large.htm [/url]

MReeter · Mar 15, 2001

Cup,that ole boy must have that BX licenced and street legal with all the mirrors and lights.

TresCrows · Mar 16, 2001

Roy, the statement you questioned was made to me by a regional rep for Kubota. It may have pertained only to his region though I took it as North American sells. It may have been some bravado on his part and pride also. Nonetheless BX sells have really taken off in some areas and it is strong across the board. Just as I mentioned I saw 4 new BX's in my area I found out today a guy who I know in another department bought a BX--we had never spoken, so that is five in the last few weeks I know off and in the last year I have no neighbors, friends or work friends who have bought a B series.--might that be typical. I was also told by the rep some dealers had waiting lists but production is up and that should soon be a thing of the past. Kubota clearly wants to grab as many early sells as possible before competition trys to move into the same market niche. Think about it, realy, is it so shocking that BX's might outsell all the B series combined? Look at the price and what the BX tractor can do and then look at the potential move up market from lawn tractors. Most of these people would never purchase a compact, but the BX is very easily justified though it is a muscular utility tractor it looks like a giant GT and that is comfotable with that market segment and that market segment is potentialy huge! You may think of the BX as to small but to guys using department store lawn tractors and brand name lawn stuff it is a giant leap forward in power and utility. J

Roy · Mar 16, 2001

You can tell it's not a NA 'Bota, it's a convertible model, no ROPS. Where does the canopy go to keep out those English rains? /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

I have my own 'gut' feeling about the BX sales. For suburban areas, within spitting distance of major metropolitan areas, the BX is may be a dealer's biggest sellers; the mini-estate markets. Owner's who didn't need a bigger tractor, but wanted more than a GT to cut the lawn. That is my own case. I looked for years. Couldn't see putting the $$$ for a GT. If I added attachments, I was paying a Compact price. Couldn't rationalize a compact (and I test drove, priced many of 'em during that period) for my needs, to big. Until the BX came out, was in a mental infinite loop. That is why I feel in love day one that I saw the prototype. It fit my nitch-market need.

Now, in truly rural areas, don't see a demand for them.

I happen to live in a very highly diversified area; suburbia meets rural. We have the large commercial farms, one-acre homes, developed clusters (community wells and sewage) with ¼ acre lots, horse farms, several multi-million dollar estates, five acre hobby farms, etc, etc, etc. I happened to ask my dealer recently how sales were last year. He said 2000 was utterly fantastic, demand across the line, but it was their bigger tractors that really sold well (didn't specify a model or a line).

Now, as a tractor owner, I really don't care how many BX's were sold. Same for Kubota in general. As a consumer and tractor aficionado, I want Kubota, JD and NH to all stay viable. Competition spurs innovation, and keeps prices down. (Stopped by both Kubota and NH dealers the other day to shoot the breeze and have a look. The NH guy keeps trying to get me to give up the BX for a TC! Maybe one day. Heck, their sales are doing great too, and I understand why. Like Kubota and JD, good product lines.) Shoot, Kubota didn't give me the tractor for free, so why should I be over hyping BX's per-gratis?

My interest is in market trends. What is selling, and where is it taking business away? This is the investor side of me. Currently, I don't directly own stock with any equipment manufacture. I move my investments very, very slowly for the long term (shortest holding period was 2.5 years). But I keep looking for trends to determine what movements I may be making in the future.

Roy

Roy · Mar 16, 2001

TresCrows; I took too long to compose my last post (too many coffee breaks). I hit the 'post' button, and then I see you added something.

I have to put credibility to your resource, thanks for identifying. If he had said that they were selling more than JD 400's, then I would be skeptical (would sound like salesmanship). But in this case, he is making a statement about 'Bota's verses Bota's. No matter which one sells, he gains. And I am sure that he knows what is putting money into his pocket. If he had a big grin on his face, then it's not that they are stealing from their own pocket (taking away B sales), it's that they have gained a new market share. From the Financial Report, that is what I strongly expect.

Roy

Thomas · Mar 16, 2001

Tim,
The B2410.B2910,L3010 are the most purchase in this area...maybe its do to the stumps and rocks up here. /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

Thomas..NH /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

TresCrows · Mar 16, 2001

Roy, I started this thread because like you I am interested in trends and like you I was curious about how sales were going for the BX. I suspect some of the Rep guys talk was excitement and bravado. Really it does not matter if the unit we select is the most popular as long as it is the most popular with the guy--you-me--whoever--that bought it! It is funny how we got two posts from two guys in New Hampshire and one says they cannot get BX's fast enough and the other says B series are more popular because of rocks. This may well have to do with exactly what you said--rural vs suburbon vs urban etc. In rural traditional farm areas you would expect sales of traditional larger tractors to be in the lead but what I was getting at was the aging Baby Boomer/ex yuppie/suburbon /gadget freak sales. All those small one to five acre plots that are springing up everywhere are a definite trend in housing and the kinds of tractors these folks will be buying will not be the same kind Farmer Bob will be interested in. It is curious about this site, many of the guys if not most are real tractor enthusiast and enjoy owning their units as much for pride and emotional value as much or more than real need. The untapped market that will garner many BX sales will not be folks who hang out on tractor lists but instead graying Boomers and young Techies with money to spend and who pass by the tractor dealer by accident one day after coffee at the Bistro. Think of it this way, the guy who buys a B2910 to mow five acres and maintain a small field is a hobbiest and enjoys owning a powerful capable machine for the pure fun of it and for the work it can do as well and he probably owns a large powerful pickup truck or 4X4 for the same reason or maybe he actually uses it partly for a living as well. Think about all those people storming the lots for PT Cruisers and that new little Nissan 4X4 sport utility etc. will be looking at a BX not a 2910 for their two acres. What set me on the war path originally was the assertion that the BX is not a "real" tractor--well--to you and me it is and clearly it is compared to it's other small stablemates when looked at objectively and Kubota certainly says it is a tractor--a new class of tractor. Hey, my BX is not Skeeeerd of rocks, Bam Bam shows NO FEAR! In fact 15 tons of gravel just got dumped in my drive and 4 tons of rock are on their way as we speak and Bam Bam is revved up! Rocks--humph. J

Roy · Mar 16, 2001

TresCrows; Don't let "not a real tractor" assertions get to you. Majority of the regulars on this site are non-confrontational. There are always some people this who need to feel superior: the GT owner who snubs the LT 's as not real, a subcompact owner who snubs the GT's as not real, the compact owner who snubs the subcompact, etc. I'm sure some of the farmers in my area fall over laughing when they see my 'toy'. Can't do anything about such attitudes. Fact is, by definition, they are all tractors, from LT's up to mega-machines. There is always a bigger fish in the pond.

Roy

Monte · Mar 27, 2001

>for a living as well. Think about all those people storming the lots for PT Cruisers >and that new little Nissan 4X4 sport utility etc. will be looking at a BX not a 2910 >for their two acres. What set me on the war path originally was the assertion >that the BX is not a "real" tractor--well--to you and me it is and clearly it is >compared to it's other small stablemates

That's me!! Only I have 9+ hilly acres, 4 llamas, a fishing pond and Honda Del Sol (not a PT Cruiser/w3tcompact/icons/mad.gif). Our Nissan Crew Cab is plenty for pulling a trailor full of llamas and the BX-1800 is plenty for bush-hogging pastures, plowing snow (at least central Ohio snow), mowing, tilling the garden, etc.

As the original poster pointed out, I didn't need the tractor I really wanted. But this BX is more than I thought I was buying -- and all I really need. My neighbor has 400 acres of corn... I won't try to sell him my BX!!

Monte

huckflynn · Apr 6, 2001

Roy,

I care how many BX's are sold. As it stands right now, finding implements for the BX series <at good prices> is slim pick'ens -- but from what I read in a different post (King Kutter introducing a BX line) things are looking up. That's good news for all BX owners. Go BX! -- I have a long term investment in your success!

(I'm just catching up on all these posts after a winter of hibernation and snowblowing)

Huck

Roy · Apr 6, 2001

Huck; In that respect, you are correct. The bigger the subcompact population (I say subcompact, rather than BX, to allow for other brands, down the road), the more equipment mfg's will cater to that population. But, at the same time, I look at all the compact equipment that we can, and do, use. Outside a backhoe, I don't know what is not available for us today. Wouldn't count on them necessarily being cheaper, though. We will see.

Roy

TresCrows · Apr 6, 2001

Yes, it is I, the infamous Trescrows. Implements that I would like to see--something along the lines of a PTO powered Vertiseeder. With 16.7 PTO horses it ought to be able to pull a unit in the 48 inch width--unfortuantely no succh animal exist. Yes, there are some huge overseeders out there, weigh more than a BX or 2410 for that matter and cost as much as a Yugo with probably equal engineering. Good day. J

Eagle · Apr 8, 2001

cup,
I took a look at the link you had. How do you obtain a subscription to that magazine?
Eagle

cup149 · Apr 9, 2001

Eagle,
I found that on the Kubota United Kingdom website. It appears that you can only get it there when you buy a tractor. the entire issue is at
http://www.kubota.co.uk/Tractors/products/productshome.htm
Edited by cup149 on 04/09/01 01:04 PM (server time).