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Congrats! I've been very pleased with mine too. They are perfect for small acreages.

BX1500 FEL
Kubota Tractors
Replies 7 Post by jarndt

Try a tow-behind leaf sweaper. You can even use it while mowing. Those units are cheap, but can be frustrating to use due to light-duty construction and easy clogging. BUT... as long as you're only interested in compost material and not a spotless lawn, it would be a very cost effective alternative. They are ground wheel driven, so plan on adding weight with cinder blocks to help it work better.

New BX2230 Owner
Kubota Tractors
Replies 14 Post by jarndt

Ahha! That explains it. I am familiar with the Curtis cab. I did not know Kubota sourced theirs from Curtis.

BX Canopy
Kubota Tractors
Replies 6 Post by jarndt

The key to using a backhoe without causing damage is simply to use it the way it was designed to be used. This is especially true with a small BH as on the B, BX, or similar sized machine. A BH is designed to operate in a straight line. You can push loose material from side to side, but you shouldn't force it sideways against a hard surface. You're more likely to "rack" the digging arm or damage a joint than you are to twist the tractor's frame.

Opinion sought Is a sub frame mount BH hard on the 2910
Kubota Tractors
Replies 8 Post by jarndt

I'm not familiar with that particular model, but the your description sounds like an FST, which does require the use of a clutch.

L2550 clutch problem
Kubota Tractors
Replies 13 Post by jarndt

I am very familiar with both FST and HST tractors, but not so much with the GST. Never driven one. The kubota website says it is "clutchless". Is it a hydraulic clutch then? How does it work from the operator's perspective? Just a curious question.

L3130 FST versus HST
Kubota Tractors
Replies 31 Post by jarndt

My neighbor has an M5700 (a shade smaller than the M6800). It is a wonderful machine. He is an older guy and has had many different machines. He likes this one the best. I can't speak for the other makes, but you won't be dissappointed with a Kubota.

New Kubota
Kubota Tractors
Replies 5 Post by jarndt

Drainage, rain? A few weeks ago we had a storm blow thru that dumped 2 inches of rain in less than 30 minutes. It was more than any of the natural drains could handle. My neighbors driveway ended up in my backyard. Part of mine ended up in the ditch along the road. Another neighbor of mine lost 13 trees. Most were over 80' tall and they didn't break off... they all uprooted.

Box Blade and or Grader blade
Kubota Tractors
Replies 32 Post by jarndt

To tend 40 acres, $10K is going to be tight. I would look for a quality used machine. That way you can get the size and features you want, without paying the new price. Anything new for under $10K would be a waste of money, not going to be a big enough machine. Depending on how much of that area you will be bush hogging, you would need to look at a 40hp machine for starters. A neighbor of mine uses a Kubota M5700 to bushhog 16 acres, among other tasks.

What Tractor to Buy for 40 acres
Kubota Tractors
Replies 8 Post by jarndt

Ground pressure between R4's and turfs are about equal. They will BOTH tear up a lawn with EQUAL efficency if allowed to spin. Both will create depressions if the ground is wet. However, the R4's will keep you moving in the muck much better than the turfs, and they clean easier.

R4s or turfs
Kubota Tractors
Replies 13 Post by jarndt

There is a lot of debate on this topic. Do a search for UTD and you'll get an "earfull". IMHO, don't cheap out, just get the Kubota fluid. It is recommended by the mfr for a reason and in the grand scheme it really doesn't cost much more. You don't have to show up in person at dealership to get it either. Just have them ship some to your address.

What hydraulic oil for replacement
Kubota Tractors
Replies 19 Post by jarndt

Seems kinda silly too, seeing as how it practically takes a 55 gal. drum of Super UTD to refill the dang thing!

vanishing transmission fluid Bx23
Kubota Tractors
Replies 8 Post by jarndt

Not a repair manual, but has detailed parts lists and excellent diagrams.

Repair manual for BX
Kubota Tractors
Replies 3 Post by jarndt

The BX owners manual has a section on tire ballasting. Without having it right in front of me, I'd like to say that with all four tires filled, it only adds 100lbs-150lbs or so to the whole machine. Not much compared to the 1500lb tracter with mowing deck plus a 207lb (in my case) driver. I can't imagine 150 extra pounds distributed fairly evenly causing additional problems with turf disturbance.

slope indicator for Kubota
Kubota Tractors
Replies 38 Post by jarndt

I will defend the BX1500. I think it would be fine for your use, especially for the $$$ savings. The extra engine HP of the 1830/2230 will allow you to run marginally larger implements, but rememeber, the 1830/2230 are still sub-CUTs. They are nearly the same physical size. I have never run out of power with my 1500. The benefits of an 1830/2230 are: more PTO HP (implement size is still limited), cruise control (limited usefulness for residential duty), larger fuel tank (higher fuel consumption from the 3 cyl). The wheelbase of the 1830/2230 is longer, but the hydraulic flow and lift capacity at the 3-point is the same as the 1500. The three point will easily lift the front of the tractor off the ground at idle. I will concede the smoother 3 cyl engine... at idle. The 2-banger practically wants to jump off the frame at idle, but is silky smooth from 1/4 throttle on up.

Which Kubota
Kubota Tractors
Replies 10 Post by jarndt

A neighbor of mine has a small horse farm. About 180 acres, 16 of which closely maintained. He makes good use of an M5700 cab model with FEL for bush hogging, fence post installation, hay bale moving, clearing, grading, snow plowing, and other general use. He, of course, has a separate machine for lawn mowing. For $20K you are going to have budget issues. You could probably get by with a large L-series model at the expense of productivity. If you think you could get by without 4WD, a basic M-series machine might come back into the picture.

Size Question for the Group
Kubota Tractors
Replies 6 Post by jarndt

I replaced the turfs on my BX with bar tires (smaller application, I know). The bar tires on the BX series look more like industrials than ags due to the width vs. height ratio and the interlocking center bars (IMHO). I agree with a previous statement that they perform well as long as it isn't too wet. I'll second the notion that turfs will tear up a wet lawn nearly as easily as bar tires if they are allowed to slip. Bars are far superior when things get sloppy though, as long as you're not concerned about ripping the heck outta the ground.

Industrial Tires
Kubota Tractors
Replies 9 Post by jarndt

This is a general question mainly for you dealers out there, but anyone else with experience. I love my BX1500, but I am interested to find out what common problems have been encountered now that the model has been out for a while. So far, the only thing I've had happen was a broken air cleaner canister bracket. No biggy. Dealer said it was a known problem. What other issues have you seen?

A question for dealers
Kubota Tractors
Replies 1 Post by jarndt

It takes me about 3 minutes to disconnect the MMM on my BX and about twice that to reinstall it. Very easy after a little practice. I take it on and off pretty much any time I am using a rear implement, just to avoid a high center situation if things get sloppy. I've left it on a few times while using a dirt scoop which seems to help counterbalancing. I have never taken the blades off myself though, had the dealer sharpen them during the 50 hour service.

Trade
Kubota Tractors
Replies 7 Post by jarndt

Realistically, masking off and painting the entire affected panel is probably easier than trying to "patch paint" a small section. It will look much better even if the paint is a near perfect match. Just spend a little time with surface prep and masking.

TOUCH UP PAINT
Kubota Tractors
Replies 5 Post by jarndt