Buying a Kubota tractor and building a Camp

BX25D Rookie · Oct 4, 2019

I made some improvements to the BX.
LED headlight bulbs.
Bro-Tek skidplates. (both)
BXpanded toothbar.
A set of R1 AG tires mounted on wheels from Amazon.
Replaced the left outer tie rod end. (worn)
Replaced a seeping hydraulic hose on the loader.
I didn't like the method the previous owner used for chaining the rear of the tractor for transport. I made some steel "pegs" that insert into the existing holes in the top plate of the backhoe frame. Works great!
It transfers the chain binder loads onto the thick steel plate instead of the sheet metal box for the backhoe controls.

IMG_20190619_131228444 by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr

IMG_20190619_210715354 by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr

IMG_20190626_133448824 by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr

IMG_20190706_163105975 by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr

IMG_20190718_091636837 by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr

IMG_20190718_091349887 by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr

IMG_20190718_091412665 by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr

IMG_20190723_172240470 by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr

IMG_20190723_174103820 by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr

PA452 · Oct 4, 2019

Nice. Did you add some of those holes to your rear Brotek plate? Mine didn't have those.

When I had my BX23 I always liked to just chain to the side steps of the backhoe.

BX25D Rookie · Oct 4, 2019

As I mentioned in my early posts when I was researching purchasing the BX, I have a piece of rural recreational property about 30 minutes driving time from my house.
Deer and turkey hunting, ATV riding, hiking, etc.

I have always wanted a cabin or building of similar purpose on the rural property.
Now that I'm retired, I have the time for projects.

So after a real estate closing for a new house earlier this year, we pulled the "trigger" on a cabin. We looked extensively at many different options and selected a pre-built unit from a local builder. They delivered on a special trailer and set it up on the item #4 crushed stone pad we constructed.
The inside is almost complete, the kitchen is done, the wood stove is refurbished, the chimney is almost finished, and the electric installation is partially complete. We went with a 200 AMP service, the underground wiring is done and backfilled, circuit breaker box is in, and the meter board is done.

The BIG holdup now is the electric company. They need to install a new pole and a transformer, and timeliness on their part is unheard of.
If they drag their feet any more, the ground will be frozen and the pole & transformer install won't happen until spring. In that case, I will power the cabin with a generator for hunting season.

Anyway, the Kubota BX has proved invaluable for the cabin project.
Cleared brush.
Transplanted blueberry bushes.
Spread and leveled the crushed stone pad.
Dug and backfilled the electric trench.
Dug and backfilled the greywater system.
Dug the outhouse pit.
I've also pulled out several tree stumps here at the house with the little BX.

I have hauled the BX to the rural property many times this summer and have had no issues with the tractor, the new trailer, or the tow vehicle. (Jeep Wrangler Rubicon)
It doesn't go up some of the big hills quite as fast as I would like, but it does do the job without whimpering.
And "Thank You" again for all of you that recommended the double axle trailer with brakes.
It really tows nicely!

We have about five weeks to get it wrapped up by deer season opening day.
Wish us luck!

IMG_20190711_200322180 by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr

IMG_20190712_092833691_HDR by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr

IMG_20190712_135639625_HDR by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr

IMG_20190730_123332714_HDR by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr

IMG_20190730_123214089_HDR by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr

IMG_20190730_123503843 by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr

IMG_20190730_123703166 by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr

IMG_20190730_133317858 by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr

IMG_20190730_162701047_HDR by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr

IMG_20190730_162654958_HDR by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr

BX25D Rookie · Oct 4, 2019

IMG_20190730_162705708_HDR by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr

IMG_20190915_143800744 by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr

IMG_20190915_143817210 by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr

IMG_20190908_165625092_HDR by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr

IMG_20190918_153751620 by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr

IMG_20190918_112518778 by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr

IMG_20190918_175335085_HDR by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr

IMG_20190918_153809523_HDR by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr

IMG_20190921_172833664 by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr

BX25D Rookie · Oct 4, 2019

PA452,
No modifications to the skid plates. The Bro-Tek plates are exactly the way they arrived.
Quite an impressive product BTW!

PaulL · Oct 4, 2019

That's a mighty fine looking cabin. Love that wood burner in the last photo. Trench to the power looked a little shallow - was that regulation depth? Might just be the angle of the photo.

BX25D Rookie · Oct 4, 2019

Trench averages 22" to 24" depth. Per code at my location.

BX25D Rookie · Oct 4, 2019

I found the three slabs of pink granite for sale in a guy's front yard here in town.
After a little negotiation, $110 for all three. (but he had to help me load them)
I have fabricated about 18 feet of 1.5" by 1.5" by 1/8" angle iron for holding the granite in place. Including several angle iron parts that will secure the vertical slab of granite to the stairs riser and the rear wall of the cabin. (it's a "C" clamp in the photo)

BX25D Rookie · Oct 4, 2019

Here is a stove photo from April of this year.
I bought the stove (wood stove insert for a masonry fireplace) new in the early 1980's.
Over one thousand dollars that long ago.
It's got a small squirrel cage blower on it, so it's really a wood furnace.
I used it for a few years, then sold the house I bought the stove for.
Then I lent it to a relative, they used it for more than a decade, then it sat unused.
I collected it from the relative in May and refurbished it over the summer.
All new firebricks, a bit of welding, and a fresh coat of paint.
I welded a tractor-trailer wheel onto the bottom of the stove to raise it up for ease of loading it, and to convert it from wood stove insert to freestanding.

5700 by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr

IMG_20190830_134309480_HDR by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr

Quick pic of the new outhouse.

IMG_20181014_113959025_HDR by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr

And here is the LAZY "Project Manager" that is anxiously waiting for the wood heat.

IMG_20190818_092531732 by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr

PaulL · Oct 4, 2019

You've done an excellent job of refurbing that firebox, it's come up a million dollars with that coat of paint. You need a big soup pot to sit on top of it.

In NZ electrical would be >600mm depth. I guess that's 2 foot give or take. That trench didn't look knee deep, but the angle wasn't great for judging depth.

Outhouse looks tidy. Seem to recall I was reading somewhere recently about strategies for keeping down the smell. As more people use composting toilets the tech for doing that is getting better.

That pink granite looks like a bargain. You've really done well in sourcing left over stuff.

bird dogger · Oct 4, 2019

Boy, oh Boy! That looks like a gorgeous piece of property and a nice setup you have there! Super job on it all!! When do we all get to come and visit?

BX25D Rookie · Oct 25, 2019

So a quick update on the cabin project.
The electric company still has no visible progress on the new pole or transformer.
The cabin is now equipped with a large Honda powered generator.
It runs everything in the cabin with the exception of the electric stove.
We have a propane griddle (flat top) for usage until grid power arrives.
In addition, the last two pieces of double wall stove pipe are now installed.
We stayed at the cabin last weekend and worked on projects,
It was nice having heat! Upstairs was a little chilly, and we will be installing six louvered heat vents so the heat downstairs can rise through the second story floor.
(four vents for heat, two vents for cold air returns)

IMG_20191018_203154089_MP by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr

IMG_20191019_133320736 by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr

IMG_20191018_203000681 by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr

IMG_20191018_202947816 by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr

IMG_20191018_202858975 by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr

IMG_20191018_202839758 by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr

IMG_20191018_202823916 by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr

IMG_20191018_202815254 by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr

BX25D Rookie · Oct 25, 2019

We have spent so much money and time getting the cabin ready for hunting season, I have neglected getting a three point hitch snow blower for snow removal here at the house.

So after discussing it with the better half, we will be using the BX front loader bucket for snow removal this coming winter.

I picked up a set of Edge Tamers for the front bucket so I don't destroy my driveway and lawn. They have arrived, but I won't install them until I'm sure I don't have to do any more dirt work at the cabin. It's not difficult to remove the Tooth Bar and install the pair of Edge Tamers.

I was also concerned about not having enough lighting on the BX for doing snow removal at night. I had previously installed LED headlight bulbs for the BX. They are way brighter than the stock Halogen bulbs, but nothing on the sides or rear, or when the front bucket is raised in front of the headlights.

I found some LED light bars on Amazon sold by Yitamotor. (www.yitamotor.com)
They are about 22 inches long, double row of LED chips, with 40 chips per each light bar.
And a set of FOUR of these light bars is $80 with free Amazon Prime shipping.
So I took a chance and ordered a set of four light bars.
Mounting brackets and hardware is included.

As soon as they arrived I took a couple and measured the amperage draw.
They are running 3.06 AMPS per 22" light bar at nominal 14.3 volts.
So 12.24 AMPS for all four light bars.
BX alternator is rated for 40 AMPS.
Acceptable for the job.

In typical imported LED light bar/bulb fashon, the wattage/lumens/candlepower specs are essentially meaningless. The illumination is what it is, and the amperage is low enough the BX alternator can easily deliver it and have enough to spare for the existing electrical draw and keeping the BX battery charged.

I mounted all four light bars on the ROPS, one aimed front, one aimed rear, and one on each side.

I bought wire, switches, fuse holder and other wiring supplies at my local NAPA store but decided to hook them up using the wire taped to the rear of the tractor wiring harness that is switched by the ignition switch. I assume this is for the factory/dealer installed work lights. Anyway, it powers all the light bars. When I have more free time when done with the cabin, I will rewire in a more traditional manner.

IMG_20191022_120820902 by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr

IMG_20191021_192837230 by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr

LED headlights only.

MVIMG_20190619_210726771 by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr

LED headlights and forward facing light bar.

IMG_20191023_190846664 by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr

Rear facing light bar.

IMG_20191023_190914931 by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr

Left side facing light bar. (I didn't take a photo of the right side)

IMG_20191023_190957480 by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr

BX25D Rookie · Dec 4, 2019

Finally!!! Grid Power.
I ended up locating the email address of the CEO/President of the power company.
And I let him know exactly how I felt about the power company along with the timeliness of the people working for him.
Things moved along rather rapidly after that.

IMG_20191204_130449815__exported_1196_1575487296888 by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr

IMG_20191204_125606142 by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr

IMG_20191204_130301198 by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr

Little Orange · Dec 4, 2019

Email right to the top works and gird power is so great but keep the genny handy. Your BX25D will be your friend for a long time on that good looking property, there is always something it can do with smarts.

DustyRusty · Dec 4, 2019

BX25D Rookie said:
We have spent so much money and time getting the cabin ready for hunting season, I have neglected getting a three point hitch snow blower for snow removal here at the house.

So after discussing it with the better half, we will be using the BX front loader bucket for snow removal this coming winter.

I picked up a set of Edge Tamers for the front bucket so I don't destroy my driveway and lawn. They have arrived, but I won't install them until I'm sure I don't have to do any more dirt work at the cabin. It's not difficult to remove the Tooth Bar and install the pair of Edge Tamers.

I was also concerned about not having enough lighting on the BX for doing snow removal at night. I had previously installed LED headlight bulbs for the BX. They are way brighter than the stock Halogen bulbs, but nothing on the sides or rear, or when the front bucket is raised in front of the headlights.

I found some LED light bars on Amazon sold by Yitamotor. (www.yitamotor.com)
They are about 22 inches long, double row of LED chips, with 40 chips per each light bar.
And a set of FOUR of these light bars is $80 with free Amazon Prime shipping.
So I took a chance and ordered a set of four light bars.
Mounting brackets and hardware is included.

As soon as they arrived I took a couple and measured the amperage draw.
They are running 3.06 AMPS per 22" light bar at nominal 14.3 volts.
So 12.24 AMPS for all four light bars.
BX alternator is rated for 40 AMPS.
Acceptable for the job.

In typical imported LED light bar/bulb fashon, the wattage/lumens/candlepower specs are essentially meaningless. The illumination is what it is, and the amperage is low enough the BX alternator can easily deliver it and have enough to spare for the existing electrical draw and keeping the BX battery charged.

I mounted all four light bars on the ROPS, one aimed front, one aimed rear, and one on each side.

I bought wire, switches, fuse holder and other wiring supplies at my local NAPA store but decided to hook them up using the wire taped to the rear of the tractor wiring harness that is switched by the ignition switch. I assume this is for the factory/dealer installed work lights. Anyway, it powers all the light bars. When I have more free time when done with the cabin, I will rewire in a more traditional manner.

IMG_20191022_120820902 by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr

IMG_20191021_192837230 by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr

LED headlights only.
MVIMG_20190619_210726771 by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr

LED headlights and forward facing light bar.
IMG_20191023_190846664 by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr

Rear facing light bar.
IMG_20191023_190914931 by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr

Left side facing light bar. (I didn't take a photo of the right side)
IMG_20191023_190957480 by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr

I've seen air fields with less lighting! I'll bet that the space station is wondering what is going on in your neighborhood!!

BX25D Rookie · May 11, 2020

So... we have had the BX for a year now. It's done a lot of work.
I used the front bucket for snow removal this past winter here at the house.
And those Edge Tamers? Outstanding item for around $100.
No blacktop driveway damage, and only a few minor gouges in the turf.
The LED lighting was outstanding for nighttime snow removal.

The cabin is usable now, we will be installing a few sticks of electric baseboard heat.
For those moments that heat is needed, but the wood stove is too much heat.
We spent quite a bit of time at the cabin this winter, very enjoyable.
Which reminds me, I need to start getting some firewood processed for the upcoming fall/winter.

We installed a new septic leach field here at the house last week.
Using the HDPE ARC 18 gravel less system. We found some rocks in the yard larger than a wheelbarrow. I called in a buddy with a Bobcat excavator. I guess the BX would have eventually got the job done, but the Bobcat excavator did the trenching in less than half a day. The BX would have taken several days, or longer.

We are very happy with the BX purchase!

i7win7 · May 11, 2020

BX25D Rookie do you have a rear blade? I ordered a B2650 with a front blade, not impressed, replaced round skid shoes with the other style, not much better. I think it needs caster wheels, the skids dig into the gravel drive.

I've used a rear blade for 40 years and don't really use the front any more, might be useful spreading dirt or gravel??
For heavy snowfall - reverse blade and plow in reverse.

BX25D Rookie · May 11, 2020

i7win7,
Sorry, no rear blade or experience with one.
My machine has the front loader bucket and backhoe.
I have a tooth bar on the front bucket for digging dirt and clearing brush.
In the winter I take the tooth bar off and install the edge tamers so I don't wreck my blacktop driveway and lawn. I have a 4' rotary cutter for the back of my machine but I haven't removed the backhoe yet. I've been busy using the backhoe.