TOP FIVE THINGS I DON'T LOVE ABOUT MY KUBOTA BX23S TRACTOR 

Telescopic Stabilizer Kit - Kubota BX Series- www.messicks.com/part/k2561-38300fr?vendorcode=fr09

Well thought-out list Jon. On a related note to your point about loader/ballast, my dealer won't sell a tractor with a FEL without filling the tires. In fact, when I was shopping and gave my LX a "test drive", I was specifically told not to raise the loader all the way while moving because they hadn't loaded the tires yet! Cheers!

I see a tear in your inner tie rod boot...also the tie rod boots are just free to the elements and everything else.

You forgot the transmission hydro fan issue lol . I believe Kubota has fixed the loader hydraulic coupler my BX is a 2021 and hasn’t leaked a drop so far . I also did the Messick’s stabilizer links . Great idea 👍

Good video Jon!

Jon, I enjoyed the direction you took this video. You’ve definitely got some of the same complaints I’ve had. Especially those tires. When I got the R14s I was amazed at how much better they were! Hope you work out a deal to get out of those R4s soon. (Sorry I’m a little behind commenting…) 👊

Hi Jon I have pit the hydroplus cylinders on my wife’s BX23S. On aside note I had no problem getting them to work with me. I just sent them money and they set me the cylinders. LOL The new cylinders were easy to install and the allow me to lift the bucket/ forks about a foot higher. I believe that the Hydroplus that you get about 1/3 more lift is about right. After I installed the new cylinders I was able to lift a pallet a few inches off the ground and move it that I couldn’t budge before. It is like the new cylinders eliminated the weight of the SSQ hitch and the 220 lbs of the forks. However, the front end of the BX is not designed to lift more weight than the factory specs. So, if you don’t want to wear out the front end prematurely than you would only want to lift heavier items occasionally. If you want to lift heavier items frequently than a larger tractor is needed. So for me I would use my L3560 for heavy items or I would put the forks on my KX057-5. For Kubota to upgrade the lift capacity they would have to upgrade the front end also. Thus higher cost. The other thing is you don’t know if other companies have just updated lift but not the front end. After all you really want a stable machine.

Great video! An owner could make a list of 5-10 things to change for every manufacturer. What always amazes me is different manufactures R&D dept. Do they research the competition and see what people like and don't like? I'm always amazed that one manufacture will get 50% of the designs right and 50% wrong. They all simply mix up what they do right and what they do wrong. It's tractors, grills, you name it. It would be nice if a manufacturer researched what a majority of the people think is good and design to that.

Jon, Neil at Messicks did a whole video on front axle loading and that is also a factor. Most small tractors front axle is too weak for a much heavier load. I bought my MX6000 because it had a beefy front axle and tires.

Only improvement I would suggest is a heated seat and steering wheel for those cold days. Love them in my GMC. I've got a 2023 model and the seat is comfortable. Perhaps they heard you!

I love my BX, it’s Swiss Army knife out here.

Entry level loader must consider the operators. The fact is they aren’t operators, they are mostly homeowners with little to no equipment experience. There has to be some weak links engineered to prevent messes. All manufacturers do it ..

I have the BX2680, you should sit in the seat of one of them, the seats are different between the 23S and 2680....Those front tires really need to have heavier sidewalls for sure, the ones on my BX look flat every time I use the loader...also, they really need to fix the power steering/hydraulics nonsense where when you are using the loader or even lifting the 3 point hitch you have no power steering...in an expensive "premium" tractor they really need to boost their power steering system output. Lift capacity on the BX is pretty dismal for sure, but I've actually tipped the tractor forward onto the pallet forks with my tiller on the back which is about 300 pounds...far from enough ballast for pallet fork work just an FYI LOL. I put a pallet on the forks, put 8 bundles of shingles on it lifted the loader and tipped the tractor forward...ooops LOL. But 8 bundles of shingles is all this tractor will lift...and that's pretty unstable, 7 is about perfect.... Upgrading the loader lift cylinders might be nice, but not for $800. You can tip that BX over as it is without a rear implement or weight box if you try and lift more than a couple hundred pounds with the loader LOL. I've been thinking of getting a ballast box because I can load it with more weight than any of the implements I have weigh. So far I haven't had any issues with the loader hydraulic quick connect. I do occasionally hit the power switch for the diverter valve for the 3rd function, I think there's a better setup for that thing that they could come up with for the ridiculous price they ask for that fake 3rd function kit, you'd think they'd have something better than a junk drawer power switch. I don't even have anything that uses the 3rd function yet....its gonna be a while before I get a grapple LOL, other financial issues need taken care of first. I have those adjustable stabilizers on my BX too, they work really well. Something else I wish Kubota would fix, is their terribly designed mid mount mower lift system, its never properly adjusted, it seems always out of kilter no matter what I try to do, it don't lock in the TOP locked position unless I crawl under the tractor and fiddle with the linkage while turning the deck height knob at the same time. The fuel filter under the belly of the tractor needs to go away, as a matter of fact both of those cheap box store lawnmower fuel filters need to go away, that one under the tractor is in the dumbest of locations, I swear I'm going to relocate that stupid thing at some point. I have the quick hitch but not everything is compatible with one, I have to take it off to use my 3 point receiver hitch, and my sub-soiler. I have that same belly skid plate for my BX as well it works, much better than destroying that very vulnerable hydrostatic fan, which to me could be removed, and just install an auxiliary cooler up front under the hood, yep its already cramped up there, but lengthen that area out a bit and put an auxiliary cooler up there where it belongs rather than a cheap plastic fan.

Absolutely the Seat is the Worst!! My Bad Boy Roque Zero Turn has a seat 100 Time better than my 3301 😢 Thanks for speaking out I hope you don’t get Cancelled by the Kubota World 😂

Glad to see you are open to other tractor brands. Other people often get too invested in a particular brand.

Late in commenting. The only thing I don’t like is it’s hard to hold grade with the bucket for me Other than that I love my bx !

Great Video. Is there really a BAD tractor? Every tractor made has its issues. Brilliant Job Jon, Simply Brilliant!

I am in the process of moving from a BX2370 to a JD 1025R. There isn't a thing about the Kubota that I like better than the JD but there are a lot of things so much better about the JD. I grew up green , but love Kubota too, but they just don't compare now days. I don't even run a loader and had a lot of trouble with the tires. . . . . even the rear ones.

I have the versa turf. Been great. First thing I did was switch out tires

I hope Carlisle reaches out because you won't regret getting a set of the Versa Turf, they are great 👍🏻. It took 3 visits from the dealer before they fixed the quick connect. Kubota has a bulletin for that specific fix, I haven't had a leak since. Have a great week Jon 🙋🏼‍♂. Oh I'm curious, did you hear back from Keen regarding your shoe 🤔

It me up Jon on your tires. I picked up a set of 8 ply tires for the front. No issues so far.

Remember bigger cylinders will slow the speed of loader down unless you increase hydraulic flow. So you will get more lift capacity but loader will cycle slower. Simple geometry. Bigger cylinders take more fluid.

Jon if you think the BX seat is bad try the open station 5E Deere seat, it’s real bad. Especially for a tractor you’ll be on for several hours at a time. The one thing I hate about the BX is the 3 point control lever, it needs to be a position control style. Enjoyed the video!

Competition always makes everyone better. The newer brands will force Kubota and JD to make the necessary improvements. I have Kubota and JD at our place, but they need to make some changes on their small compact and subcompact tractors.

Jon, I had tire issues with my BX2360. I ended up ordering a set of replacement tires from Amazon. The green slime didn’t work for me. Great video as always. Tim

Good Morning Sir, Great Review Sir that you have done and Keep Up Your OUTSTANDING Videos Cheers 😇👍👌🍻

Very good points and I hate to say everyone you mention is why I went to another brand last time.

You already pop the front tyres. Any additional lift at the front will break the front axle - well not break it as in snapped but you will do the seals. The amount of ballast you need at the back will kill you - you will need about 2-3 times the front bucket load.

Nice information Jon I agree with you I did the pressure shims and it makes a great improvement in lifting.keep on tractoring 😅

Thanks Jon If it were not having to lift heavy stuff for My Move I would of had a 1 Frame Size smaller tractor, Still bigger than the BX series. I find the DK4510 a bit tight at times maneuvering around the Place but I won't Down grade, Just the Other Day I had to move a Propane tank and the 2500 Lb's of lift had no Issue lifting it. LOL.. My 48" Forks are on it most of the time. If You don't already know, going to Larger Cylinders will slow down the time it takes to raise/lower the loader. and uses more Oil to fill/empty the Cylinder, Reservoir Capacity ?? Mike M..

I hope this topic starts a trend I've got a lot of complaints on the JD 1025r as well. It would be ok for the premium brands to charge more for an equally capable machine than the competition. But they are selling machines that are less capable, less comfortable, with less features at a much higher price. It's a bit sad.

The seat on my BX2380 is horrific. I asked the dealer how could they make suspension seats and such, for zero turns, but not these tractors? He said it is a constant complaint from people. I said I bet it is. I also told him the rear fuel filter location sucks as well. Probably going to do one of the re-location options before I have to change it again.

It's all about pennies to keep the selling price down to compete in a tough market. My dealer only fills the rear tires with tubes to prevent rusting. Tbes in the front tires qill fix that slow leaking. Sounds like You have a good dealer that fix Your issues with all Your exposer.

I'm running versa turfs on my JD 1025, I love them good traction.

How's she goin'? Jon I hope Kubota are watching. You have listed some great things that should be improved. Take 'er easy!!

Great video Jon. I was thinking the same thing about lift capacity and the liability that goes along with it. Enjoy the journey - cheers

I owned a rental company and one of the things I hated the most was flat tires. My solution was to have my front tires on all my compact tractors foam filled. No more down time tire issues. I also filled all skid loader & Dingo tires. Now retired I own a 2018 Kubota B2650 cab tractor and the front tires are foam filled and rim guard in the rear.

I agree with you on all of it. Great job

Also kubota should give the TLB model the bigger bx motor since a lot of owners use PTO implements in addition to the backhoe.

I live in Gainesville , Ga where the BX23s is made. I know some people. I will see what I can do! I have a BX23s, 2022 model year. I love it.

All good points! Very good overview.

Off the wall question. Does the ROPS clear the garage door when it's upright or do you have to fold it down? Looks like it does but the specs show it as a little over 7 feet and most doors are about 7 feet.

Good morning, Jon. Good list of "frustrations" on the tractor. I think some of that goes into the other lines of Kubota as well. Do you think the front axle can handle the extra weight? I know people talked a bit about too much weight on the front axle could damage the tractor as well. On another note, did you stop doing HD video? Last few videos I can only see it in 480p. Maybe I missed where you explained that or I'm having technical difficulties.

2019 I passed on BX went with B2601 probably at the time biggest issue was the BX hydro fan issue.

The two things I hate about my Kubota is the seat. I agree it’s junk mine has ripped s they replaced it under warranty and it’s ripped again but my number one thing is there is no position control on the three point hitch. If John Deere can do it so can Kubota

The loader stand needs to be changed, I’ve had multiple issues with it. Also the brush guard vibrates loose on mine and has moved forward while operating the loader and got bent up from the loader.

My biggest complaint is the three point continually leaks down

No joke on the crappy tires. I got 21 hours on my BX2680 and already 2 flat tires, front and back tires…

Yeah Jon everybody gets bamboosed whether it’s a truck,tractor or car 🚗 the salesperson is knowning what you want to hear 👂 ❤😊😮

#6... the 3pt and the mid mount need to be on separate controls!!!!! #7.... the hood lights! Useless with the FEL on. But an LED light bar solves that. (I have a few more, but like you said the pros out weigh the cons) Orange side up everyone!!!

Try tireject

I ended up putting tubes inside my two front tires on my BX2600...

Hi Jon, I have the 2021 BX. My quick connect hydraulic coupler has not leaked yet, I think the latest upgrade has fixed the issue, I wonder if you just got the replacement but not the upgraded replacement.

Howdy, You signed off this video by inviting me (follower) to the Facebook page BXer and then denied me. Did I misunderstand the criteria?

What brand would you look at to replace your Kubota?

Don’t put that stuff in your tires. You’ll end up having to buy new rims. It’s not worth it John.

No.1, it isn't a New Holland lol

Break down and buy a pair of cylinders.

You have what is just a little bit bigger than a Craftsman riding lawnmower. Sounds like you are complaining about not having utility tractor capabilities in a riding lawnmower. Only difference is you have a front loader and a 3 point hitch. It's engineered to function at its size limitations. You just can't expect utility tractor capabilities out of a lawnmower.