Implements for my Kubota BX2370 and how I store them

[jgvicke]

I just got a BX2370 this year (my first tractor) and have done a lot of work setting up fixtures to roll them easily around my garage. I will be adding links to videos with the different parts and how they attach and detach over the next season. Stay tuned for updates.

First recommended attachment, Mark Hodge's telescoping stabilizers. For anyone who has had to deal with the stock turnbuckles when wedged between the tractor and an implement, these things make it so much faster and easier. Not only do they work great, but they are very reasonably priced at $180 for the pair (including shipping). Contact Mark at markhdg@gmail.com if you are interested in a pair.
https://youtu.be/lPjXpXZpaNA

I attached a pic of the 2 color options that Mark can provide. I asked if he can match the paint on the 3 Point Kubota hitch, and this is what he said:
"The grey paint is lighter than the Kubota Blue. I've used Kubota Blue in the past, but I wasn't very happy with the quality of the paint or the curing time."

I went with the orange since it matches the tractor better than the grey.

 

[jgvicke]

Re: Impliments for my Kubota BX2370 and how I store them

Attached is a picture of the first turnbuckle replaced with Hodge's stabilizer. To replace the turn buckles, there is a pin at either end held on with a clevis and split pin.

Hodges instructions for install (and it really is this simple):
"Install the new stabilizers with new clevis pins at the lift arms, and grade 8 bolts at the pivot plate. I use bolts at the plate because under severe load, the shock to the plate could spread the brackets open. Tighten the two bolts and install the clevis and pins, and you are done."

It took longer to get the split pins off than to install both of the replacement arms and take the video above.

 

[jgvicke]

The trailer hitch attachment shown in the pictures above is one from Titan Attachments, ordered from Amazon here:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00M1X6F9Y?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s02

They could have done a better job shipping it, but it came in undamaged with all the needed hardware. The bottom pins screw into threaded holes with lock washers, and the pin holes lined up perfectly horizontal. The bottom pins had nice quality clips as well.

I didn't really care for the pin they had at the top, so I am using the one that came with the tractor and top arm. The included one didn't have any problems other than it was much longer than it needed to be (and is not the one shown in the picture). Everything else in the pictures is pretty representative.

 

[jgvicke]

For the FEL, I have the stock one that comes with the BX2370 (the LA243). I made a dolly for it using three movers dollies from Harber Freight on sale ($8 each). I used some spare 1x4 and 2x4 material to strap them together and make a catch bar for the feet to sit on. I use the lip of the dollies to catch the front of the bucket.

Once the FEL is disconnected from the tractor, it rolls easily anywhere in the garage. It also means I don't have to move the tractor to hook up the FEL, I just roll it up to the tractor and start hooking it up. I can also store the front bumper on this dolly when I have the snow blower on the tractor.

I will take a video next time I do this process and post a link here as well. Pictures attached below.

 

[jgvicke]

The Kubota bagger for the BX series is the only implement so far that I have not been impressed with the design for attach/detach. All of the other implements work really well for quick attach/detach, not so with the bagger. Since the bagger requires the 3 point lower arms be attached to static mounts (not the hydraulics) there is not a good way to lift the bagger up onto a dolly.

My solution was to take out the 3 feet, and drill holes lower down the pipes to give a new pin position. The original holes are still there for if I want to drop it directly on the ground, or I can use the new holes and drop it onto my dolly (picture attached).

This combined with the new telescopic stabilizer should make the next round of attachment much easier. In the spring I will take a video and post the link here.

 

[jgvicke]

Next up is the tiller. Purchased from Land Pride, model RTA1250. This thing made a huge difference in the soil quality in our garden this year. Got out a ton of rocks that had been about 6" under ground. I just couldn't get that deep with a walk behind tiller. The attached pic of the new rock garden is all the rocks we pulled out this year with the tiller. That is about 2' x 10' x 4" deep (and there was nothing there to start with)!

Again, dolly made from movers dollies from Harbor Freight ($8 each) with some 1x4's to hold them in shape. The tiller was heavy enough I had to brace the bottom of the dollies with some 2x2's to keep them from bending (the tiller rests right between the wheels instead of over them). I will probably do a bit more to strengthen it this year while the tiller is off of it.

Check back for videos in the spring.

 

[jgvicke]

Up next, the MMM. This is the finish mower from Kubota, model RCK54P23BX. This one was a bit more of a challenge. I wanted it to be easy to roll around the garage. I didn't want to leave it flat (since it takes up a lot of space), but storing it completely vertical would have been very top heavy and likely to tip over.

My solution was to build a dolly (again based off the $8 Harbor Freight specials) that would hold it at a slant, so the center of mass was well balanced, and gave me some space under for the other parts of the mower.

Currently I am using the FEL to lift the deck onto the dolly, but I would like to have a hoist installed in my garage that would be used to put this on the dolly, as well as other uses. I haven't decided it it is worth going that far, since it isn't to hard to use the FEL for this purpose.

 

[cerlawson]

A nice group of tools and some good efforts to be able to store them. Now let's see some shots of using them (the tools that is). I didn't see any signs of wear yet. You need some hooks on that loader to get more use from it.

 

[jgvicke]

The FEL has mostly been for moving things around (Firewood mostly) which doesn't really ding it up. Just have to sweep out the bark before putting it away. I have used it to haul some bigger things around using ratchet straps (another $5 special at Harbor Freight) and the hooks on them hold perfect on the top of the bucket. I have used the straps to pull some bushes out of the landscaped beds in front of the house that were dead.

We used the MMM and bagger a lot this year, but didn't really take any video of that (not very exciting).

I plan on taking a lot of video this year of how I do attach and detach operations with the various pieces. I am also hoping to get some cool video of the snow blower in action (that is if we get any snow with this weirdly warm winter). I will also do some video of the tiller when we turn under the garden in the spring.

Let me know if there is anything in particular you would like to see and I will try to get some video of it!

 

[SLIMSHADIE]

jg I like your ingenuity, I did alot of similar dollies, unfortunatley my HF dollies were all warped and/or split wood so I bought mine from Menards, 2x $. Made a dollie for the rear boxblade,rear blade, both 25gal sprayers, front blade, and front snowblower. Obviously the Menards wood was better, at least in my area and I feel the wheels too. I also used 1x4 and on some of them and/or 7/8" plywood. My MMM I bought the moweraxle.com wheels for my 60" deck, its not tippy at all, but yes $100. Once I installed the wheels, I could flip it up by myself but it def was heavy. I did buy the bxpanded dollie for my backhoe, worth every pennie, debating the FEL dollie.
Didn't know Hodges stabilizeres came in Kubota Orange, otherwise would of asked for it. If your doing any digging get he Bxpanded Piranha toothbar, awesome mod. Keep the pics coming

 

[Cottonwood]

I built a cart for my wood chipper. One of my rare better ideas. I used scrap 2x6 lumber. (Germans tend to over engineer). I bought family small coaster wheels to mount under the frame. I find that solid steel ones roll the easiest by far. Park the tractor, and roll the thing in place. Works slick.

 

[183King]

Jgvicke, love all of your set ups nice job! I just bought a bx1500 and I also have the PTO bagger, my question is where did you get the clear plastic flexible pipe that goes from the mowing deck to the bagger? I have been doing some looking online but a lot of the places you have to buy 50-100'. Thanks!

 

[jgvicke]

The clear plastic is what came with my bagger. I suspect that is one of the changes they made to the later models to let you see if the shoot is clogged up.

John Vickers

 

[jgvicke]

Got a bit more snow yesterday to exercise the snow blower. You can check it out here:
https://youtu.be/QXQQUTiZx6g

John Vickers

 

[jgvicke]

Now that winter is coming to a close, I needed to switch from the Snowblower to the FEL. Took some videos of the switch that showcases the dollies I made for the implements.

Snowblower can be seen here:
https://youtu.be/0dKyLecngbI

FEL can be seen here:
https://youtu.be/ME060NAF_vw

Let me know what you think!

John Vickers

 

[rlcotter]

Hi John.

Great job on the set up that you have there. I just received my BX2370 in January and I would like to use your plans for the dolly.

Thank you for posting your set up. It sure helps us rookies!!

Cheers.

Les.

 

[jgvicke]

I didn't have plans for them, just kind of built what felt right. Which dolly are you interested in? I will take some measurements and pictures to help you build your own.

John Vickers

 

[rlcotter]

Hi John.

I would really appreciate anything you can send me on the loader dolly. I have looked at your pictures; trying to figure out what rough lengths you have.

So whatever you can send me would be helpful.

Than you very much John.

Les.

 

[CountryBumkin]

Re: Impliments for my Kubota BX2370 and how I store them

Attached is a picture of the first turnbuckle replaced with Hodge's stabilizer. To replace the turn buckles, there is a pin at either end held on with a clevis and split pin.

Hodges instructions for install (and it really is this simple):
"Install the new stabilizers with new clevis pins at the lift arms, and grade 8 bolts at the pivot plate. I use bolts at the plate because under severe load, the shock to the plate could spread the brackets open. Tighten the two bolts and install the clevis and pins, and you are done."

It took longer to get the split pins off than to install both of the replacement arms and take the video above.

A little off subject - but, I see in your photo that your 3-point has adjustable Lifting Rods on the right and left side. My 2015 BX has a solid Rod on the left side and the adjustable is on the Right. Did you buy an adjustable Rod for the left or did it come like that?

 

[jgvicke]

Les,

I have attached some photos with a tape measure so you can see relative size. As I said I threw these together without plans, literally cutting pieces without a tape measure and screwing it together where I thought would work.

If you want to try to make something more exact, I would round off numbers to whole inches since it would still work fine.

I started with 3 of the harbor freight dollies that I got on sale. Here is a current link:
http://www.harborfreight.com/30-in-x-19-in-1000-lb-capacity-hardwood-dolly-61897.html

Normally $16 each, but you can catch them on sale every now and then for $7 each. I purchased a total of 12 at that price and have used them to make all of my dollies for the tractor.

Used some 1x4 scrap material to tie them together so they move as a single unit, and some 2x3 material to support the kick stand in the back. Originally I didn't have the kick stand cross piece, but the kick stand was really tearing up the wood on the dolly (it just barely fit anyway) so I used the 2x3 material to make a wider foot rest. The uprights are more 1x4 and are just used as a guide to make sure the feet land on the 2x3's.

Let me know if you have more questions on the concept.

John Vickers