Kubota BX: An Awesome, Affordable Garden Tractor

[WI_Hedgehog]

I was not a Kubota owner when this video was released, and haven't heard it mentioned so thought I'd share.

From experience, the BX is more powerful and capable than I imagined a sub-compact tractor to be, other than the Front End Loader that seems a bit lacking. I personally prefer a "tiny tractor" to fit where I need to store it and between all the tight areas it needs to squeeze through, so for me it has gotten the job done, although an LX Series like the LX3520 Narrow would be more appropriate for my needs if space were not such a concern (and money were that much more plentiful).

The Kubota Tractor We Never Recommend

<p>The Kubota Tractor We (Almost) Never Recommend. But that might be changing. There is a stripped-down version of the Kubota BX1880 that might be the perfect fit for some as the lawn tractor market disappears.</p>

www.messicks.com

 

[Speed25]

That pretty much tells the story of how I ended up in a BX. I was looking at a replacement for my riding mower that was heavier duty for plugging and some other things. Heavier transaxles, locking rear, etc were all requirements for my steep hills. Down the rabbit hole I went, mostly finding Deere x7xx mowers to be closest to what I needed. I figured out that a real garden tractor was stupidly expensive and happened to stumble across an incredible deal on a BX. I realized I'd used my L2501 for most everything I needed a "big" tractor for (sub 2-acre property), so I promptly sold that and picked up the "goldilocks" BX. Couldn't be happier, and saved a lot of money over buying a Deere garden tractor.

 

[Trailrated]

I've had 2 of them. They have their place, but I won't own another one, except if it was a designated mower only.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

My BX23S will never mow a lawn, it's a TLB !!! L has been off ONCE in 6 years, the B, never.... heck neighbours would 'disown me', and I wouldn't get free ,free range eggs, homemade strudels, bins of steel or Costco chickens !!!!

 

[Mitjam]

For what size of tractor it was I loved mine. I just wanted a factory cab and a little more pto hp. Hence why I have the lx3520. I think a lot of people buy one, and upgrade to something bigger but also I know a couple ppl that have them and say they wouldn’t want anything bigger it fits them and their tasks. I do hate how ppl harp on saying it’s an oversized garden tractor why would you buy that. If it helps you complete your tasks and your happy with it, that’s all that matters enjoy the seat time and happy tractoring.

 

[John T]

I guess it depends on your purpose for owning it.

I use the BX23s for just about everything. Take the loader/BH off weekly to cut the grass with the 60" MMM
takes literally 5 minutes.

I've dug a pond, dug trenches for electrical and drainage... plow the driveway with a SSQA plow.
recently added a grapple for firewood.

It's a great little tractor.... but I kind of agree, It really is a glorified garden tractor.
(an expensive one)

 

[DustyRusty]

I started with a 2003 Kubota BX22, and after more than a decade, I purchased a barely used BX23S during Covid deep savings. The seller met me at the Kubota dealership and we exchanged the $$$ and I had made arrangements for the dealer to install a cab on the tractor. While talking to the sales manager I asked about a snowblower, and he had a used one in stock, so I bought that also. I thought I was finished buying and had everything I needed, but I added a grapple, forks, and a snow plow to the collection over time. Thinking I was through but in reality, I wasn't, because I added a quick hitch to the 3-point, then a weight bucket, BXpanded loader and backhoe dolly, and the list goes on. Seems like the things that you can do with a BX tractor are endless. For my needs it is perfect. I am not saying that there haven't been times I wish I had a larger tractor, however, they are not that often.

 

[pjoh784350]

The title seems to be a bit misleading. Messicks is saying they didn't recommend the BX as a "lawn tractor", which I agree with. I have a separate lawn tractor for mowing and the BX for other work. I have been very happy with the BX on my 3 acres, and it is perfect size for my needs.

 

[Bearcatrp]

I have no regrets buying my 1880. Does everything I need it to do. A garden tractor can’t even come close to what my 1880 can do. I sold my cub cadet garden tractor as I can cut grass, move piles of dirt, lift above 600 lbs and more. Have run into a few times I wished I could lift more but has been only a few times. For now its working out for my needs.

 

[hagrid]

sniffs at bait...

 

[GrassLakeRon]

We talked about this topic when Messicks producted, "The Death of the Garden Tractor". The BX just took over for that segment of the market. I was a "dyed in the wool" fan of the garden tractor.... I loved my Simplicity Legacy...... When it died I bought my Kubota, and the rest is history. Never going back.

 

[Shawn T. W]

I call my SCUT both a "Overgrown Lawnmower" and a "Swiss Army Knife Tractor"

Mine is the same size as the BX, there are so many things that can be done with it that could also be done with a bigger tractor, only faster, but ... If too much weight is a problem ... Then the SCUT is the better solution! How much weight can you trailer? Or how much space do you have to store it? All makes the SCUT a player.

I can't lift a full pallet of the wood heating pellets (2,000 Lbs!) at once, but I can break it down and still move the entire load to the rear walkout basement door ...

I do have a separate lawnmower ... A Z-turn ... And do plan on buying a Utility Tractor for mowing my fields (why I joined to research the Orange tractors!) ... The SCUTS tiny tires make for a rough ride, the Utility has a longer wheel base, and much larger diameter tires, and can power a much larger flail mower ...

 

[GrassLakeRon]

Just as a reference point, in 1999 I payed $5990 for my Simplicity Legacy with a 48" deck. In 2024 dollars that is $11,343. Close to a Bx1880 price with a deck ($13,900 on the Kubota USA website)

 

[nerwin]

I love watching Biffs Equipment on YouTube and his BX. I'm amazed the amount of work he does and the stumps he manages to dig up with that little tractor. All the thing he does with that BX I probably can't with my L2501

They have their place for sure, great little tractor that can do big tractor things sometimes. I would love one just for mowing. But I have a zero turn that I use, however I am getting sick of it sucking on hills.