Attachments for BX23S backhoe

[ejb11235]

I recently purchased a BX23S and have started thinking about the projects I want to use it for, and the implements that could be useful.

Was wondering if anybody had any thoughts regarding the following backhoe implements from BXpanded, including alternate manufacturers.

Factory mount thumb: for picking things up
Ripper: for digging up roots and stumps
6" trenching bucket: primarily for trenching but get the 6" instead of the 4" for potentially less clogging and more utility on other types of digging

Thanks!

 

[85Hokie]

All of those mentioned are fantastic and are built well and work well!

only one small problem.......... their shipments are 8-12 weeks out....

I have 3 items from them.......... all pre covid......... wanted their 6" bucket, but didnt want to wait 3 months.....

built my own.

order now and have for summer.

 

[ejb11235]

All of those mentioned are fantastic and are built well and work well!

only one small problem.......... their shipments are 8-12 weeks out....

I have 3 items from them.......... all pre covid......... wanted their 6" bucket, but didnt want to wait 3 months.....

built my own.

order now and have for summer.

Thank you. Yes, this is why I'm asking in february. Their web site quotes a somewhat more optimistic lead time, but who knows what it will actually be.

 

[The Plunk]

I’m looking to get a 6” bucket too… do you know if you have to buy the adapter for it or can you just pull the factory one off and install the 6”?

 

[85Hokie]

I’m looking to get a 6” bucket too… do you know if you have to buy the adapter for it or can you just pull the factory one off and install the 6”?

unless they changed from the bx25, which I do not think they did

two pins.......... a 12mm and 13 mm wrenches needed - about 5 minutes to change

 

[ejb11235]

I’m looking to get a 6” bucket too… do you know if you have to buy the adapter for it or can you just pull the factory one off and install the 6”?

Are you talking about the "quick change" adapter or some other adapter? I'm only aware of the quick-change adapter. My understanding is that the quick change adapter is made solely to increase the speed of changing implements. I thought about buying one but I decided against it for now. It wouldn't give me any new abilities, I haven't demonstrated a need for it yet, and also likely adds slop and decreases pull-out strength. I may find, of course, that I want to switch between the ripper and the bucket a lot and then I might wish I had the quick-change adapter.

 

[ejb11235]

All of those mentioned are fantastic and are built well and work well!
only one small problem.......... their shipments are 8-12 weeks out....
I have 3 items from them.......... all pre covid......... wanted their 6" bucket, but didnt want to wait 3 months.....
order now and have for summer.

I ordered all three last night, plus the UnderArmor

 

[fried1765]

I recently purchased a BX23S and have started thinking about the projects I want to use it for, and the implements that could be useful.

Was wondering if anybody had any thoughts regarding the following backhoe implements from BXpanded, including alternate manufacturers.

Factory mount thumb: for picking things up
Ripper: for digging up roots and stumps
6" trenching bucket: primarily for trenching but get the 6" instead of the 4" for potentially less clogging and more utility on other types of digging

Thanks!

Hydraulic thumb is by far the best option you could buy, but won't be cheap..
If you get a 6" BH bucket be certain to buy a good quality long handle shovel.
You will need to use it every 3 minutes to clean out the soil stuck in the 6" bucket.

 

[ejb11235]

Hydraulic thumb is by far the best option you could buy, but won't be cheap..
If you get a 6" BH bucket be certain to buy a good quality long handle shovel.
You will need to use it every 3 minutes to clean out the soil stuck in the 6" bucket.

I ordered everything last night. Hydraulic thumb would be cool but not a viable option. It will be interesting to see how much clogging I get with the 6" bucket. I'm guessing it depends a lot on the soil.

 

[pjoh784350]

I recently purchased a BX23S and have started thinking about the projects I want to use it for, and the implements that could be useful.

Was wondering if anybody had any thoughts regarding the following backhoe implements from BXpanded, including alternate manufacturers.

Factory mount thumb: for picking things up
Ripper: for digging up roots and stumps
6" trenching bucket: primarily for trenching but get the 6" instead of the 4" for potentially less clogging and more utility on other types of digging

Thanks!

The under Armour is a great product. I have that and the ripper and also added the quick change adapter. Recently added the receiver kit to move a light trailer around easily. The quick change adapter may seem unnecessary but when using the ripper I seem to change the bucket/ripper quite often. I have super rocky soil in southern NH so it makes it super quick. If only I could do that change without leaving the seat I would be a happy guy!

 

[ejb11235]

The under Armour is a great product. I have that and the ripper and also added the quick change adapter. Recently added the receiver kit to move a light trailer around easily. The quick change adapter may seem unnecessary but when using the ripper I seem to change the bucket/ripper quite often. I have super rocky soil in southern NH so it makes it super quick. If only I could do that change without leaving the seat I would be a happy guy!

That's great to hear! I definitely see the value of the quick change adapter ... my decision not to buy immediately was partly money and partly wanting to see how much time I am spending switching implements. I have glacial till in the Pacific Northwest, so there are a lot of rocks, but I think (hope) the backhoe will be able to deal with them. I got the ripper to deal with roots, and what I don't know is how often I'll be wanting to switch between the ripper for cutting roots and the bucket for digging the dirt out. I kind of want to prove it to myself that I actually need the quick change, rather than just going on a spending spree.

 

[58Ford]

I am a few hours south of you and can confirm the Glacial Till from the Missoula Floods! I may change my tag here to “Rocky”!
Currently only at 20 Hrs on my new BX and have used the BH to pull some stumps already. One of them had a 120# boulder buried in the middle of the root ball. My wish list is similar to your order - under armor and thumb. I was looking at the ripper too but haven’t felt the need just yet. You will have to let us know how the trenching bucket works out, again haven’t seen the need yet - regular bucket works fine so far.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

Only 'extra' backhoe implement I have is a homemade 'towtruck' adapter. Mounts in the thumb holes,hangs on the bucket, allows me to retrieve/tow dead riding mowers. Bodged it one after noon, in a hurry from scrap to get a neighbours rider home cause I can't push them anymore, especially with TWO flat tires ! I loop chain around front axle of rider then to the grab hook of the adapter,lift dipperstick up a bit and on my way...

 

[ejb11235]

I am a few hours south of you and can confirm the Glacial Till from the Missoula Floods! I may change my tag here to “Rocky”!
Currently only at 20 Hrs on my new BX and have used the BH to pull some stumps already. One of them had a 120# boulder buried in the middle of the root ball. My wish list is similar to your order - under armor and thumb. I was looking at the ripper too but haven’t felt the need just yet. You will have to let us know how the trenching bucket works out, again haven’t seen the need yet - regular bucket works fine so far.

I will report on the ripper as soon as I get a chance to use it. One of my top projects is pulling some stumps, and I don't want to abuse my tractor. So the ripper seemed like a good thing to have right off the bat. I don't know if I'll be doing any actual trenching soon, but of course I'll have to mount it and test it out.

Yesterday I got a "partial shipment" email from bxtended, but they didn't say which parts of my order got shipped.

 

[chriscozi]

I will report on the ripper as soon as I get a chance to use it. One of my top projects is pulling some stumps, and I don't want to abuse my tractor. So the ripper seemed like a good thing to have right off the bat. I don't know if I'll be doing any actual trenching soon, but of course I'll have to mount it and test it out.

Yesterday I got a "partial shipment" email from bxtended, but they didn't say which parts of my order got shipped.

Have the ripper, the quick switch and the under armour for more than a year (200+hrs)
All great products. As stated previous - when you go to dig, hit rocks and roots, quick switch to the ripper then switch back to bucket. Really nice.
I've also used the ripper to dig narrow trenches for plastic utility (electric, water, etc.) pipes.
It's gotten a good workout here.

The armour really gets handy when you are excavating - way better than the mid mount mower.
Just a note to make sure you mount it correctly and carefully.
It once slid toward the passenger side and interfered with the pedal linkage. Only took a few minutes to fix but was 'exciting' in a not good way.

 

[ejb11235]

Have the ripper, the quick switch and the under armour for more than a year (200+hrs)
All great products. As stated previous - when you go to dig, hit rocks and roots, quick switch to the ripper then switch back to bucket. Really nice.
I've also used the ripper to dig narrow trenches for plastic utility (electric, water, etc.) pipes.
It's gotten a good workout here.

The armour really gets handy when you are excavating - way better than the mid mount mower.
Just a note to make sure you mount it correctly and carefully.
It once slid toward the passenger side and interfered with the pedal linkage. Only took a few minutes to fix but was 'exciting' in a not good way.

This is really helpful. The warning about the armor is really helpful..."excitement" and "pedal linkage" are not words I want to see in the same sentence, and certainly not experience.

It hadn't occurred to me to use the ripper as a mini-trencher ... can you get in deep enough or does it bottom out? I might be putting in some irrigation lines and it would be nice to be able to bury them a bit.

It's also sounding like I should plan on purchasing the quick switch adapter. I'm going to give it a day or two but I might very well just go ahead and order it. The case may be even more compelling given that I ordered a thumb ... doesn't the thumb share a pivot pin with the bucket? So that likely makes changing implements more cumbersome because you have to align the holes on the dipper stick, the bucket, and the thumb. Am I correct?

Thanks again!

 

[ejb11235]

Have the ripper, the quick switch and the under armour for more than a year (200+hrs)
All great products. As stated previous - when you go to dig, hit rocks and roots, quick switch to the ripper then switch back to bucket. Really nice.
I've also used the ripper to dig narrow trenches for plastic utility (electric, water, etc.) pipes.
It's gotten a good workout here.

Well you convinced me ... I just placed an order for the quick change. I was going to wait, but with the long lead time and world events, it seems like I should get in the queue. I'd hate to realize that I could really use it and then have it be months out.

 

[ejb11235]

FYI -- I received the 6" trencher bucket last week. They shipped it a couple of days after my order, even though the web site is showing a 4-6 week lead time. I won't get to use it for a while, but it looks nicely made. This being first implement, my initial inclination after unboxing was to protect the paint. So I semi-ceremoniously threw it into the gravel.

 

[ejb11235]

I just had a great interaction with BXpanded customer support. I received a shipping notice e-mail with a FEDEX tracking number when I had selected and paid for UPS. So I called customer support within 30 minutes of receiving the e-mail. The woman went out to the shipping department and literally pulled the package from the FEDEX truck so they could reship with UPS. BTW, I asked her about lead times and she said they are catching up from last year's steel shortage. She hasn't seen any changes yet from the current world events.

 

[pjoh784350]

I just had a great interaction with BXpanded customer support. I received a shipping notice e-mail with a FEDEX tracking number when I had selected and paid for UPS. So I called customer support within 30 minutes of receiving the e-mail. The woman went out to the shipping department and literally pulled the package from the FEDEX truck so they could reship with UPS. BTW, I asked her about lead times and she said they are catching up from last year's steel shortage. She hasn't seen any changes yet from the current world events.

BXpanded customer service and products are top notch. Isn't it great that there are still "home grown" businesses out there that understand that business is an A to Z proposition? I'm sure you will be thrilled with your products.