A tiny $25,000 backhoe-is it worth it?

I test the Tiniest backhoe I have seen. Its Kubota's bx 23s lawn tractor/ backhoe. I test loading, digging in packed soil, backhoe, grading & a small grapple attachment that is NOT part of the machine.

[toddvillano]

I love watching all your video's, love all the different content. Just a suggestion I am a home owner so some of these terms I don't know TLB and PTO if you don't mind just telling us what they mean that would be great. It's no big thing to stop the video and look it up but it stops the flow. Thanks Keep it rolling in 2021.

[D]

I`ve got the exact same Kubota BX23s. I bought it brand new when they came out with this model in 2017. I couldn`t have bought a better tractor for what this tractor does.
I also run the R4 tires on it just like what you have here, year round. I have the 60" belly mower for mine, and it does NOT tear up the yard during mowing at all.
I`ll let you know, i came from being a solid John Deere owner for the past 40yrs, and John Deere couldn`t even come close in the dollar per dollar vs Kubota.
Our BX23s does EVERYTHING on our property. I have ZERO regrets buying it. We have had ZERO problems with it either. Best $22, 000 we ever spent.
The dealership even loaded the rear tires with liquid ballast for us for free. They gave us the 60" mower deck for free WITH the tractor. ZERO regrets!
In fact, we still love this tractor as much today as the day we bought it brand new in 2017. And ohhh yes, we dig out ALOT of HUGE tree stumps too.

[AStanton]

I've owned one of these for over 10 years. The thing has been bullet-proof. It's a real game changer for hauling and digging around tight areas. The thing that impresses me most about this machine is its ease at starting. I run a bigger Kubota in the winter. When I reinstall the battery in this machine, after a 4 month winter nap, it pops right over in about 2 seconds!,

[christopherlankard]

We bought one for large mulch installs and small jobs where the track loader is overkill. It's much more turf friendly. Has its limits but beats a wheel barrow or digging by hand.

[MichaelLandscaping]

This is how we started. Could only afford one piece of equipment. Looking back it's insane the amount of work we did with just the little TLB. I still have a soft spot in my heart for this tractor, it still goes out to the job site every now and again. We've put over 800 hours on it in 5 years.

[vchism]

Been using the same machine with the backhoe/front loader attachment for over 3 years in my brother-in-laws plumbing company. Excellent machine for digging water and sewer lines, pits for reroutes, etc...and fits through many residential gates. Also does great work grading with the front bucket.

[CumminsWelder]

I own this exact tractor and honestly being a 6ft3 215lb guy it is a tad small but that's not a bad thing as I've had to do some jobs where a larger machine just would not have fit. But owning only 2.5 acres of property that need substantial amounts of work this thing has SAVED my back. I wish I would have gone bigger but at the same time I cant complain because of the amount of work it has done for me!

[josimon]

I've got the exact same machine and this video is about as accurate as it could be, the seat swivel design is awful but I've learned to live with it. For the average homeowner on a couple acres it's as handy as a shirt pocket and it'll do more than most people would ever need. Thanks for the content.

[dylanbrown]

I have the big brother to this machine (bx2650) and I’ve had it for 6 years now we started our business with it. That being said we have had problems with pressure release valves on the backhoe part of the machine these valves are $800 each at the dealer and the dealer said it’s most likely due to the fact that the machine is working at its maximum potential most of the time trying to do what I needed it to do. I would recommend to anyone with a farm or sawmill but I would not recommend for any commercial use what so ever! Best off with a skid steer and mini ex. Also thanks Stan for your videos I’m a young business owner and I learn so much from your videos!

[guyelluzzi]

The Kubota BX is really geared towards the homeowner looking for a "one machine for all" solution, or maybe a small landscaping or construction outfit. They can be fitted with turf, ag, or industrial tires and numerous attachments and accessories. It doesn't really excel at any one thing, but it can do many things pretty well, sort of the "Swiss Army Knife" of small tractors.

[tonyioannoni]

I have driven about everything out there, big loaders, tractors and I just love my little Kubota.... I actually bought one Kubota BX24D TLB, it's exactly the same thing you tried, but a bit older, and I dont have the quick attach bucket in the front, but on my bucket I have a cutting edge, that would have destroyed that class 5 material no problem and no need to rip it, to get on the seat when it's oriented for the backhoe, you have pedals to climb on, it easy by the back, for the winter, I remove the backhoe and install a 54 inches snow blower on the 3 point hitch, connected to the PTO, the snow has no chance, I have the same tires, they are pretty good on grass, dirt and ice and snow, but you need to go easy on the grass for some maneuvers, and you won't damage the grass, but they have also available "turf" tires, and they will not damage the grass at all, it has 23 HP, I tested the front loader and it lifts 800 pounds on my stock version, the diesel engine is pretty economical and sturdy, it is so small it goes anywhere...

[nathanhowell]

The tires don’t rip up the grass like a skid loader but they aren’t as gentle as a lawnmower

[imnottellingyoumyname]

It's so nice seeing realistic vehicles, equipment, instruction, and advice in work areas and simulations! Really great videos!

[kevindumais]

I got the B2301 in the spring and got so much more done this year. I have the fork attatchment for it and tested it to it's limits. Very well built tractor. This thing saved my back big time.

[westviewlandscapeservicesw]

This was the first piece of equipment we ever bought as a business, the tires are not too hard on grass if driven gently. This little TLB changed the game for us when we bought it but we only kept it around for two years before we out grew it and replaced it with skid steers and mini ex’s. We did a lot of over capacity and sketchy work with this machine. People make perfect counter weights!

[zack]

I know a few people that have it for their farms, they are a real tool and not a toy. Great for small work around farm or large home properties

[febbral]

Stanley, I own the Kubota Bx25d, 2013 model year, I added the wheel expanders from expand it, much more stable with wider footprint. Those tires haven`t caused any damage to lawn as long as your doing constantly run over grass. I have a front mounted snow blower for winter use of snow blowing, chains on front and rear wheels tires, with 4 wheel drive, very stable in ice and snow.

[montiebrasseur]

I am sure glad I found your YouTube site for some reason I am fascinated watching the skill involved in moving dirt thank you Montie Brasseur

[jonathanmagic]

Own a BX23s for 4 yrs and absolutely love it, good allrounder. The seat is reversal is not ideal but never saw it as a problem till you mentioned it. Extremely maneuverable getting the backhoe into tight spaces etc.
8 months later - I still love the fact that this will go into tight spaces and mowing on grass is no problem if you are careful, however on my 5 acres I do max it out in every respect quite often, lift weight and lift height especially. In Australia we have the 4 in 1 bolted on loader and it is about one and a half good wheel barrow loads in capacity so lots of trips. I'm also taking the loader and backhoe off every few weeks and putting the mower deck back on to mow (as I want the ground clearance when not mowing) and if you don't have level ground for the mower deck it's a good half hour job or more to change everything around which I am slowly getting tired of doing. I guess I'm thinking I should have got something bigger and maybe an independent mower.

[brentholmes]

I have owned a BX23S for a couple years now, and I am quite happy with it's versatility. The Deere equivalent is a 1025R, but I liked the overall design and hydraulics better on the Kubota (both are great machines). Those R4 tires will dig up a lawn if it is wet, but if it is dry and you don't turn too sharp they are fine. The unit as you tried out weighs about 2700lbs, so it is much heavier than a lawn tractor. There are other options for tires such as turf and R14 that are a bit more grass friendly. I chose R4 tires because I have some bush areas and the industrial R4 tires will not puncture very easily like the turf tires. The quick detach adapter is a must if you have a ripper or trench bucket, and the mechanical thumb is very handy. It is a small machine, but it can do large jobs if you have the time!!