Would We Still Buy A Kubota BX in 2024?

When we were first starting our homestead, we thought the Kubota BX was the best tractor for us and it served us well for 5 years before we upgraded. But knowing what we know now, would we still buy one if we were starting our homestead in 2024?
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[@southkrautsbbq436]

9:48 "Buy the dealer, not the tractor" is the best advice to remember. And counts for every piece of equipment 👍🏻

[@TheMindfulHomestead]

100%. I’ll keep telling that to folks until I turn blue if I have too. It’s the most important part of any equipment buying experience.

[@TimHeim-c2y]

I bought a used Kubota BX2660 about five years ago. I don't have a farm, don't plan on having a farm and it's just enough on two acres here in CT. I've cut and moved tress, spread 10 yards of mulch every year, spread 16 tons of stone, spread many yards of top soil and have to say, is amazing! It's already paid for itself and more. I think when someone's looking for a tractor they have to look at their current situation and where their current and future expectations might go. It sounds like you were planning on expanding into bigger and better farming back then and probably should have gotten bigger. BUT....... things happen for a reason and seems to have worked out for you. Love the BX and if your getting older, as I am (55), this will help you do projects you would have had to pay someone to do, done. No matter what you buy, do your research, price shop, read the reviews and enjoy your next tractor! Every man should own one!

[@DouglasWhalen-w5g]

I found your channel in the past with a Kabota BX search. I have been subscribed for a few years now. I have the BX with the front snowblower and like the ease of removing snow and summer bucket use for gardening and firewood transportation on my property. Storing it in the garage is also a plus. Thanks for sharing.

[@kirkhiggins3044]

Dealer over tractor is why I bought my BX2380. The dealer here was highly recommended by several people over JD or Yanmar, which were my other local choices.

[@JSG1776]

I went with a JD 1025R because of the dealer support in my area.

[@HamiltonvilleFarm]

Good video Jack.

[@LittleMountainLife]

This guy makes sense... But seriously, the tractor offerings have changed so much over the years. Glad you have a great supportive dealer with TYM.

[@mrpips000]

I have a BX23S and a TYM T494 w/ backhoe. They each serve their purpose and I like having both.

[@David-vd9up]

It's funny you mentioned Al Lumnah. I subscribe to his channel as well. He was the reason I went with a TYM. I don't have a large homestead and I am retired so I did not need or want a larger tractor. I went with what was a Branson model (2515R) when TYM bought out Branson. I really like the tractor and it meets my needs. I'm enjoying your channel and It's nice that you and the Lumnahs are just one state over so your geography is very similar western Maine. All the best to you and your family! Dave

[@graemetracybradshaw9871]

There's plenty of us that have made the exact same mistake for the same reasons..I think I would say, work out what you think will do the job and go one or two sizes bigger..

[@alextavares849]

When I moved into my new home in NH, I knew I needed a tractor. I too was looking into a small compact tractor till I talked to my neighbor. He told me buy the biggest tractor you can afford because if you buy small you will wish you got a bigger tractor from Day one. So I ended up buying a used trade in JD4600. And funny thing was it was from the same place you bought your kabota. I went there to look at a used lx and saw the jd. The salesman said they just got it. And it had a cab with heat the the kabota I was going to buy didn't. Best thing I did. Makes cleaning the snow during storms much more enjoyable in a dry heated cab. Enjoy your new tractor!

[@MrSpinnerbug]

Thanks for being objective and honest. I own a Kubota BX and couldn’t afford a larger one then and would look at other larger ones today…same reasons you cited.

[@melissasmess2773]

A compact tractor was my price limit, I needed ground clearance. The Yanmar SA-424 is a little beast, class leading lift capacity, clearance and warranty. Unfortunately there is no dealer close but I got what I wanted. Kubota's with a thousand hours cost thousands more than I paid for mine new. Yanmar makes their cast iron engines and transmissions, John Deere' uses Yanmar engines. Take care, be safe!

[@jean-yvesdurocher8467]

Excellent video. I went through the same path as you did to the T. My bx 25 tlb did everything i needed for landscaping and a bit more. I did stones wall, planted lilacs, pation work... it is small and it goes everywhere. After 450 h: oil chage, regular maintenance and a flat tire. It is super reliable and with one 5 gal of diesel you can run for quite a while. After 3 years...i got an l3901. No cab. Many places around the house i cant go with the l3901...too big. But with 150acr and now starting a snall maple syrup operstion. Bx was the right tool for logging!!! Conclusion : landscaping tractor vs. farm tractor vs bush tractor. If i winn the lotery, i will get one of each!!!

[@odf8782]

A good dealer and What is in my price range is the 2 major factors. I went out when I first started my hobby farm and did exactly what you did. Bought a tractor that everyone said was the best without research. My little BX1880 was the smallest Kubota made and it was in my price range but like you, I found out that I need something bigger. I was really lucky that I bought it through a awesome dealer because they came through big time last April when the motor decided to throw a connecting rod. It was a matter of days and they had the old motor out and a new one installed. They even did some upgrades free of charge.

[@RichlyRootedHomestead]

Similar situation, money is tight and needed a tractor. Ended up going through a couple of dealers and ended up with a bx-2380. All offered 0% interest, but the Kubota was slightly cheaper with everything I needed, and it all came down to the maintenance options offered. The John Deere support is absolutely abysmal. My FIL's little JD lawn tractor has been in the shop more times that he has used it, and each time its in there for weeks to even months. Seeing what you could do with your tractor really sold me on it, and I am happy with my purchase!

[@Lackieestatesfarm]

My situation is similar to yours. Bought a brand new 2680 with cab and loader to replace our aged bx2200. We had 2 horses that lived at a neighbours place. 4 years later, we bought the neighbours place and now raise a small herd of cattle there and our needs evolved. A new tractor was cost prohibitive, and our BX does so many small jobs around the yard, and our local kubota dealer has been great to deal with. Our solution was to keep our 2680 for yard/garden work and small jobs. But, we bought a 1976 ford 4600 with a loader to do the large tasks. Paid cash for it. We do large work like moving round bales, plowing and planting ground to start to grow our own feed. Then great to keep the bx for small things, yet have a large paid for tractor for the farm chores

[@ProductiveRecreation]

A good dealer is absolutely most important when it comes to support down the road. Spot on there. And if the best dealer sells orange or green ones, the price is worth it. With respect to getting the right tractor the first time - that requires some conscientious thought about what you want to do with it now, and what your goals are in the future on your property. The latter can be hard because you may not know them yet, or your plans may change. Some people say buy the biggest tractor you can afford… but for some tasks bigger isn’t better. However, it’s often not a bad idea to go up one size from the tractor that will currently do all you want. Tractor owners always find the limit of their machine with some task or other, and probably push that limit. I certainly have (carefully).

[@davidshay4773]

TYM has come a long ways in the last few years. I have bought two Kioties great tractors ,no problems , but I do like the TYM’S

[@stevehoover16]

Awesome information thank you

[@charlesperry1051]

A good friend of mine is a long time tractor mechanic for a local dealer. They carry Kubota and Massey Ferguson. For subcompact tractors he recommended MF. More bang for the buck. That is what I bought. There are times when I wish I had a bigger tractor, but for the most part I like my decision.

[@ryanbaer6661]

i feel your pain with a bx. love the bx but definitely not big enough

[@1958johndeere620]

The BX is only if you want to mow, or need a small footprint due to space restrictions. If you need a chore tractor but no mowing and it doesn't have to fit in tight areas, than get a bigger rig.

[@bufkinmanor]

Wish I woulda went larger than the bx. Of course now it’s paid off and there are many other things I’d rather buy 😊. Though it is frustrating when I’m moving mountains with a spoon

[@crookedrowfarm6100]

Love the hat!

[@bobmedic3214]

Did you learn that you need rear ballast with a loader no matter what tractor you go with?

[@TheMindfulHomestead]

If by ballast you mean loaded tires (which the Kubota had) then yes. New TYM lifts 2000lb just fine with only the tires loaded.

[@bobmedic3214]

@@TheMindfulHomesteadloaded tires on the BX isn’t enough. A weight box or a hitch with case weights as well. As from the video, it was enough to lift the log but when you got off, you removed your weight of ballast.

[@TheMindfulHomestead]

@@bobmedic3214 I’m well aware. I wasn’t taking shots at the quality of the Kubota in the short (that just happened to go viral). Just that it was small, and for tasks like that, I don’t want to have to take the time to toss an implement on the back just to spend 30 minutes or so bucking up firewood. Way easier to own a larger tractor that I can make sure to have ballast on for really big jobs, and not have ballast on when I’m doing work like this (with relatively smaller logs).

[@bobmedic3214]

@@TheMindfulHomesteadAbsolutely, right tool for the job. Comparing the two tractors is not a fair comparison. They are in two different size classes. I have a BX2680 and an L35 TLB. Both great machines but they have their purpose. The TLB can lift more and run bigger implements. The BX can get into smaller areas and drive on ground that the larger tractor would leave ruts.

[@BS.-.-]

0% financing means nothing when the financed price is higher than the cash out the door price..they all do this too.

[@TheMindfulHomestead]

Not the dealer we used. Negotiated price in cash, then dropped the “We’ll finance instead”. Price was unchanged.

[@KINDIRBUDS]

Should have went with a STANDARD L SERIES back then. You get what ya pay for in the end.

[@donscottvansandt4139]

My neighbor bought a Kubota 4 years ago. 30 hp . Don't think I'm going with Kubota because of constant breakdowns. The cooling system for the hydronic system is not adequate. Plus it runs in the same system as the transmission! Constantly blowing seals and hoses because it just gets too hot too quickly. And makes me wonder what damage it's doing to the transmission and steering system. Plus add the cost ! I'd rather spend my money on a old 8 or 9 n Ford! Lol at least they're dependable. 75 years old and they're still in operation all over the place!

[@jean-yvesdurocher8467]

I had 2 kubotas so far bx25 (400+h) and an l3901 (250h): zero problem so far, oil change and regular maintenance.