Looking to replace 641 Ford with Kubota

[SharkyJ]

I am new to the Kubota brand so I went by the dealership and took a look at the Kubota lineup. I inherited a ford 641 and it is in good shape but I am sick of working on it each time I use it. I have several attachements which include a 5 ft finish mower, 5 ft bush hog, single bottom plow, cultivators, and other implements. I also have 2 simplicity mowers as well, one is a zero turn the other a 20 hp landlord. I am seriusoly thinking about selling everything but the attachements and buying a single Kubota tractor to work around the house. I have a 15 acre farm and a 8 acre lot around my moms house, with both being mowed for hay. I do however mow about 3 1/2 acres per week total, and would like a front end loader to help with landscaping and general brush removal type work. I have looked at the bx23s due to the backhoe as I could use one clearing about 1000 feet of creek bank at the 15 acre farm, but I am not sure the BX23 would be able to handle the implements I currently own. I left the dealership quite honestly confused due to the amount of choices they are.

JHow well would the bx23 handle the impements . The dealer is suggesting a l2501.

 

[Stmar]

I replaced my two 8Ns with a B2650HSDC. The size and cab were the key factors for my choice, along with the no DPF needed. Depends on how much horsepower you need and footprint. I have a 7' back blade, a 5' brush hog and they both work good with this machine. I went with the FEL and a 6' snow blade with the SSQA, so much easier changing between the two.

 

[85Hokie]

I am new to the Kubota brand so I went by the dealership and took a look at the Kubota lineup. I inherited a ford 641 and it is in good shape but I am sick of working on it each time I use it. I have several attachements which include a 5 ft finish mower, 5 ft bush hog, single bottom plow, cultivators, and other implements. I also have 2 simplicity mowers as well, one is a zero turn the other a 20 hp landlord. I am seriusoly thinking about selling everything but the attachements and buying a single Kubota tractor to work around the house. I have a 15 acre farm and a 8 acre lot around my moms house, with both being mowed for hay. I do however mow about 3 1/2 acres per week total, and would like a front end loader to help with landscaping and general brush removal type work. I have looked at the bx23s due to the backhoe as I could use one clearing about 1000 feet of creek bank at the 15 acre farm, but I am not sure the BX23 would be able to handle the implements I currently own. I left the dealership quite honestly confused due to the amount of choices they are.

JHow well would the bx23 handle the impements . The dealer is suggesting a l2501.

I was in the same boat 5 years ago..... but not quite. I went with the BX25D.
I do not think you will be happy pulling a 5' anything behind the BX series.....
I think you need to look at a B series - or as your dealer suggested, the L series.

I will tell you this, the Diesel engines will have more usable "power" than the old ford gasser, despite the lower HP. AND will used a lot less fuel! That old Ford was making something close to 50hp at engine. The Kubota will make less, but you'll find it to do everything you need. Not sure I would sell alllllll the stuff! Your old stuff was cat 1 and your new kubota will be too.

AS for backhoe - it can be equipped on any series, and expensive option as opposed to renting one - I have the hoe on my BX and it gets about 1/10 of the total hours on the machine.

Go to dealer, sit on and drive one around the lot. Ask more questions - people here have you covered - I promise you that!

 

[SharkyJ]

After looking at the BX series I still have a hard time believing that a tractor that small could pull the same implements as a 8n / 641 size tractor. A single bottom plow just seems like too much for them to pull. I currently dont do a lot of gardening so I mainly mow more than anything, and part of my moms yard is pretty steep and both the zero turn and the landlord want to slide down the hill . So i wondered how well the 4wd on the BX does on hills and if it would be safer to operate than what i currently have.

 

[RCW]

Like Hokie said - doubt you'll be happy with your implements on a BX, except maybe the finish mower.

Is a 641 Cat 1 or Cat 2 3PH? I think Category 1, but you should check.

Your 641 is probably 4,000 lbs + depending on set-up. Stronger 3PH, better HP. A BX is only ~1,300 pounds bare, so limits it's traction and lift capacities of the FEL and 3PH.

But as Hokie said, a B or small L series HST would fit right in, and you'll be amazed what you can get done with a smaller machine, that is a pleasure to drive besides!

My BX is part mountain goat - pretty steep stuff, and does it easy. Doubt a B is much different.

I think you should test drive a couple different models/sizes. Seems a BX would feel tiny to you after the 641.

 

[Pburchett]

You will have to get a L3901 or a L4901. The L3901 has the same rated Hp but it weighs less so it will do less with ground engaging equipment. The L4901 weighs almost the same but has a few more Hp, but not much. Now is old Hp and new Hp the same??? I don't think so. If you want a Kubota that is equivalent to your ford go with the L4901 or be disappointed.

 

[scottwolfe]

This website has several Kubotas for sale and you can fill out your info to contact the sellers for questions. I found my Kubota here

https://www.machinio.com/?location=&page=2&search=kubota#results

 

[SharkyJ]

I have been looking for used ones, and it looks like new with the cheap financing is the way to go.

 

[SharkyJ]

I have been doing a lot of research lately, and I have 2 simplicity mowers, both of them are in the shop right now getting repaired. I am strongly considering the BX because I am wanting to replace the simplicity mowers with a single machine. I dont really do a lot of tractor work with the 641, mainly using the boom pole on the back to lift objects and a scraper blade on a rare occasion. My father used to use the 641 to mow with a 5ft finish mower but on the hillside in front of the house he nearly rolled it a few times so he quit using the finish mower and bought the simplicity mowers. So I guess I need a mower more than a tractor and the smaller tractor would fit on my tilt bed 12 single axle trailer easily.

I was wondering since my trailer has 3500 lb axles would a bx23s be too heavy?

 

[85Hokie]

I was wondering since my trailer has 3500 lb axles would a bx23s be too heavy?

is that axles ...as in 2 of that at 3500 each? or ONE axle at 3500??

the bx23s with FEL and HOE attached is gonna get close to 2800 lbs, depending on tires filled or not and anything else you have on it!

 

[SharkyJ]

Yes it is a single axle trailer.

 

[Benhameen]

My story is almost exactly the same as yours. I bought the L3800 and haven't looked back, it's perfect for my needs.

You would have to figured out what the equivalent tractor is now. Mine is 38hp.

In my opinion the HST, FEL and a quick hitch is a must.

 

[Kubota BX 1860]

I have a 641 and a BX 2370. As others have said, you can't pull a five foot anything behind a BX but you'll be amazed at what these tractors can do. If want it for just mowing you may find the BX will fit your needs. If you want to pull the five foot bush hog follow the dealer's recommendation and get the L, although it'll be a lot more money (none of these are cheap, though). The B is in between the two.

My 641 is in full retirement, kept now just as hobby tractor. My grandfather bought it new in 1961, and I'm 65. I love the old Ford, but these new Kubotas are slick. They are real workaholics. Good luck.

 

[Dchemphill1]

I had a 641 Ford with a loader. I got tired of fixing things and bought a Kubota L3901. Love it. Diesel is much better. 4x4 is great and awesome in mud and snow. Loaded tires a must to add weight. I use a 3 point sprayer and pull a 5 ft brush mower. Just got a quick attach pallet fork and bale spear to move things around. Have a guy that makes smaller round bales for me so I can lift and move them. Great tractor!

 

[Cathy Liebchen]

I have been doing a lot of research lately, and I have 2 simplicity mowers, both of them are in the shop right now getting repaired. I am strongly considering the BX because I am wanting to replace the simplicity mowers with a single machine. I dont really do a lot of tractor work with the 641, mainly using the boom pole on the back to lift objects and a scraper blade on a rare occasion. My father used to use the 641 to mow with a 5ft finish mower but on the hillside in front of the house he nearly rolled it a few times so he quit using the finish mower and bought the simplicity mowers. So I guess I need a mower more than a tractor and the smaller tractor would fit on my tilt bed 12 single axle trailer easily.

I was wondering since my trailer has 3500 lb axles would a bx23s be too heavy?

Transporting any tractor larger than a riding lawnmower requires a tandem axle trailer