BX23's are NOT for mud gripe!

fried1765

Well-known member

Equipment
Kubota L48 TLB, Ford 1920 FEL, Ford 8N, SCAG Liberty Z, Gravely Pro.
Nov 14, 2019
7,842
5,065
113
Eastham, Ma
Google a business called Specialty Repairs Mods. They sell a nice filter guard and other handy items that may appeal to your circumstance. High quality pieces. Good luck.
"specialtyrepairscustommods.com"
 

Speed25

Active member

Equipment
L2501(sold) - BX25D
Apr 23, 2024
135
186
43
NC
Does the BX have enough hydraulic oomph to lift itself out of the muck using all of its appendages? I've watched full-size backhoes pretty much crabwalk out of situations using everything except for the wheels.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

GreensvilleJay

Well-known member

Equipment
BX23-S,57 A-C D-14,58 A-C D-14, 57 A-C D-14,tiller,cults,Millcreek 25G spreader,
Apr 2, 2019
11,334
4,861
113
Greensville,Ontario,Canada
In my case it almost did. The problem was the sucky, mucky bottomless bog I couldn't get going forward before I was going back down.
I lost a 20' section of rebar trying to find bottom.....:oops:
 
  • Wow
  • Haha
Reactions: 2 users

Henro

Well-known member

Equipment
B2910, BX2200, KX41-2V mini Ex., Beer fridge
May 24, 2019
5,767
2,955
113
North of Pittsburgh PA
In my case it almost did. The problem was the sucky, mucky bottomless bog I couldn't get going forward before I was going back down.
I lost a 20' section of rebar trying to find bottom.....:oops:
Suggest next time you push the rebar down vertically...LOL
 
  • Haha
Reactions: 3 users

Ton

Active member

Equipment
BX2380
Aug 26, 2022
58
116
33
MD
I think much of the blame is on the R4 tires. They are terrible in the mud, IMO. But they look like they would be good in the mud so I think sometimes people just assume they will be. Nope. Those shallow/wide cleats get loaded up fast and then it's game over.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

RCW

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
BX2360, FEL, MMM, BX2750D snowblower. 1953 Minneapolis Moline ZAU
Apr 28, 2013
9,084
5,096
113
Chenango County, NY
I think much of the blame is on the R4 tires. They are terrible in the mud, IMO. But they look like they would be good in the mud so I think sometimes people just assume they will be. Nope. Those shallow/wide cleats get loaded up fast and then it's game over.
I get back to @hodge message at post #5....he has good points.

"Kubota was thinking that the owner would know the limitations of their machine, and work within those limits. No matter what they design, or how, someone will think that Kubota doesn't know what they're doing."

I know the limitations of my little BX. I've operated a lot of bigger and older equipment for a long time.

I know the limitations of R4 tires. I absolutely know I need chains in conditions like snow/ice and mud.

A BX has a ground clearance of 8-9".....that's nothing.

We complain about tires, but there's some very vulnerable infrastructure at the bottom of the tractor that concerns me more.

It's not a TigerCat Skidder that can deal with 18" ruts.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: 3 users

D2Cat

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
L305DT, B7100HST, TG1860, TG1860D, L4240
Mar 27, 2014
13,768
5,457
113
40 miles south of Kansas City

Runs With Scissors

Well-known member

Equipment
L2501 TLB , Grappel, Brush Hog, Box Blade, Ballast box, Forks, Tiller, PH digger
Jan 25, 2023
2,396
2,748
113
Michigan
Does the BX have enough hydraulic oomph to lift itself out of the muck using all of its appendages? I've watched full-size backhoes pretty much crabwalk out of situations using everything except for the wheels.

My L with the BH77 can't really "crab walk", but it can lift the ass end up and move it over a little, which has helped me on occasion.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

nbryan

Well-known member

Equipment
B2650 BH77 LA534 54" ssqa Forks B2782B BB1560 Woods M5-4 MaxxHaul 50039
Jan 3, 2019
1,230
763
113
Hadashville, Manitoba, Canada
I use the BH77 on my B2650 to shift around my rear wheels' position in pretty much any direction a few feet at a time fairly easily (now I've practiced a few years lol) by raising the stabilizers up clear of the terrain, make sure the transfer case is in 2x4 not 4x4, and raise the loader boom to lift the bucket clear.
Then a smoooothy and slowly applied combo of boom, dipper, and swing action with the backhoe bucket planted firmly can raise the tractor rear and move it whichever direction needed, and made available by the initial positioning of the backhoe. Put the rear down, reposition the BH bucket, go again.
Got fairly quick at raising the stabs, then the loader off the ground, then pushing myself backwards for trench digging repositioning vs driving the tractor. WAY faster.

Be careful with the swing action while aloft, as more than once I've been real glad I was wearing a solid pair of headphone ear protection when an unintentional bump of the swing control jerked the whole rear end sideways and the headphones (not my ear) hit the ROPS upright along with my shoulder. The joystick action creates it's own reinforcement force application when one's upper body obeys the laws of physics and tried to stay put. Including the hand on the left joystick. Go real slow if you fart around with this technique.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

OrangePower

Active member

Equipment
A cute little rinky dinky 2021 BX23s
Sep 15, 2021
172
58
28
VA
I have a simple solution, don"t play in the mud!

R1 tires will eventually do the same thing. Dozer tracks will do the same thing. Answer, don't fill tires with mud and for sure don't let them freeze.
When I was a kid and played in the mud, my parents were not real happy about it. I am making up for lost time, so, not sure "not" playing in the mud is an option now that I am out of the house and on my own!

On a serious note, a lot of times I dont have a choice as the weekends are the only time I have to work around the house, mud or no mud.


I’d suggest letting things dry up or get a tractor with much more clearances.

When I get a little time, gotta go take a look at the Yanmars to see what they look like.


You thing getting mud off the tires is bad......

Try living with 2 german shepherds that shat 3 times a day...
Had 1 silver German Shepard and would have tumble weeds rolling down the hall by end of week.


The solution is obvious...

Just change your mud!
I am. Planting as much pasture grasses as I can, where I can, lol.


Why would you go into the mud? It’s not a ATV. Must have not read the fine print in the back of the manual. States in tiny letters, “ STAY THE F@#K OUT OF THE MUD!
I gots manly man work to do. I have 4 acres of dirt shaped like a jigsaw puzzle that need to be sculpted into shape, a reg day time job, LOTS of heavy things that need to be moved around on the daily, and, I just love playing on the tractor. A dangerous combination!!

My L sucks in the mud too.

View attachment 139404
THATS not stuck, lol!! If you sink the front top of frame "UNDER" the mud and back tires to the axle all evenly, THATS stuck, lol. After 2 hours of fighting, "I" finally got out by sticking a 6 foot tree under the front bucket, curling the bucket on the tree to raise the front and using the backhoe to raise the back. Once it was raised, I had to move the bucket and backhoe at the same time to curl and scoot the tractor inch by inch out.

I will admit, you have one heck of a heavy piece to dig out compared to mine, scary!!

Avoid the mud when you can. If your situation makes working in the mud necessary, at least take 15 minutes and clean the dang thing a little afterward. Leaving it sit with mud or whatever caked all over isn't doing the tires or the mechanical stuff any favors.
When I first got the tractor, I found out from the above comment what I was in for. I got the tractor in Nov, found my own personal bog hole, learned from that, then when the tractor got so muddy it literally would not move, learned from that. Then the frozen caked mud came along, I thought I learned my lessons since. I have been out of the "mud" so to speak since then. I finally griped about it because I have only been going through small puddles and patches of mud (80% dry around here), but STILL it caked up!!!

I think BEARCATRP is right " STAY THE F@#K OUT OF THE MUD! "...........PERIOD!! Sad.....
 
Last edited:

RCW

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
BX2360, FEL, MMM, BX2750D snowblower. 1953 Minneapolis Moline ZAU
Apr 28, 2013
9,084
5,096
113
Chenango County, NY
When I was a kid and played in the mud, my parents were not real happy about it.
When I get a little time, gotta go take a look at the Yanmars to see what they look like.

I gots manly man work to do. I have 4 acres of dirt shaped like a jigsaw puzzle that need to be sculpted into shape, a reg day time job, LOTS of heavy things that need to be moved around on the daily, and, I just love playing on the tractor.
A dangerous combination!!

I think BEARCATRP is right " STAY THE F@#K OUT OF THE MUD! "...........PERIOD!! Sad.....
It's great you like working with your tractor.

Trust me, not being critical. I really think you bought the wrong tractor for your needs/expectations.

I did the same but have been able to accommodate. Within a year, I realized I should have gotten a "B" series instead of the BX.

I'm not sure even a B would suffice for you. Maybe an LX?

As a kid I "played" in cow manure. If I didn't, I got my a$$ kicked :oops: , as we had 100 cows, heifers and calves to tend to.

I could back an antique Minneapolis Moline tractor and manure spreader down our barn floors to clean gutters. Then go spread manure on the fields. I was 6 or 7 at the time.

40-50 years ago, nearly all John Deere compact tractors were Yanmar. Don't know the status of Yanmar today, but I'd be cautious.

I wish you the best but do think a BX doesn't sound like a good match for you.;)
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

Mrlunchbox

Active member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
2023 BX2380 loader/mower. Land Pride snow pusher, Kapteyn pallet forks
Nov 21, 2020
344
153
43
Southern Worcester County, MA
Sounds like operator error to me... Operated many different machines of varying sizes in some pretty sketchy situations. Yet to be stuck to the point of not getting out. As folks keep saying. Know the limitations of their machine...
 

OrangePower

Active member

Equipment
A cute little rinky dinky 2021 BX23s
Sep 15, 2021
172
58
28
VA
ohn Deere compact tractors were Yanmar. Don't know the status of Yanmar today, but I'd be cautious.

I wish you the best but do think a BX doesn't sound like a good match for you.;)
You cant be any more critical than the many jokers here, im good :) .

I looked at them all, and, with juggling all the options available, the BX was the only one I could afford. Having a 2 year warrantee gave me piece of mind I could get the tasks done with minimal repair headaches and on time. I was thinking about a used bigger tractor but getting a personal loan was becoming a pain and I was scared off about possible down time. Now my main stuff is done, I am looking at used and getting ready to sell the BX. I can afford/accept some down time now.
 

Bearcatrp

Well-known member

Equipment
BX1880 with loader, mower and 3 point
Mar 28, 2023
605
326
63
Minnesota
Nothing wrong with the BX as long as you understand its limits. Do I wish I went to a larger tractor? Hell yeah. We all wish for the next big tractor. But my BX as saved my bacon many times getting this done the same day instead of a few days. My old ass cant move hundreds of pounds of anything anymore. I'll keep mine until things change in this country and can afford a larger tractor. Already researching in the event I can bump up. Looking at the B or maybe even a LX. Not for a few years though. OrangePower, good luck on your sale. Let us know how it goes. I could trade up but know they will ass rape me on the trade so will have to be private sale. BTW, is there a website for used tractors and what they are worth like RV trader has? Thanks.
 

OrangePower

Active member

Equipment
A cute little rinky dinky 2021 BX23s
Sep 15, 2021
172
58
28
VA
Nothing wrong with the BX as long as you understand its limits.

Well, like I said, the BX was all I could afford, so, I was about to find out its limits. I now nick name her my 80%'er. As I also mentioned, I move around a lot of heavy stuff. Probably the heaviest it v-8 engines. The BX can "barley", and I mean barley lift a V8 350 engine. I have to bounce the trailer to get the bucket or backhoe to raise enough to get it off the trailer. The BX can "hold" it after that but thats it. Whatever tractor can give me 300lb more lift is going to be me. I was looking at the B2601 but I could not for the life of me see the $10k difference. Now that I know what a BX can do, a B2601 def does not have $10k worth of anything more I need, even if it does have more lift.

Facebook marketplace (and I hate putting them out there but it is what it is) has a plethora of tractors on it. B2601's run anywhere from $21k and up used. Saw a really nice one and was thinking about buying it, but then came to my senses. What the hell am I gonna do with 2 tractors? Im gonna have to wait it out till I sell mine next summer, if not sooner :(
 

OrangePower

Active member

Equipment
A cute little rinky dinky 2021 BX23s
Sep 15, 2021
172
58
28
VA
hat looks very interesting!! Sadly, what the BX can do is on its limits. Starts to get a little tipsy as is. Need something a little bigger with more ass to handle the higher lift load.

Do appreciate the link, thanks.