BX23S Capabilities

RTG

New member
Apr 13, 2026
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1
Adel, GA
New to the forum. I'm considering buying a BX23S. I need a small tractor for dirt moving but also have a lot of pine stumps up to about 10 inches in diameter I need to dig up. Will the BX23S backhoe handle that? Thx for any help.
 

PaulL

Well-known member

Equipment
B2601
Jul 17, 2017
2,738
1,746
113
NZ
How many is "a lot"? Is it plausible to rent a machine to do them all in a couple days, then buy a BX without a backhoe? Do you have other tasks for the backhoe?

I haven't had a BX backhoe, but I have had a small mini-ex, which most people will say is more capable than the BX. It can dig stumps, but it's very slow going. I'd do it for a couple, but I'd get pretty tired of it if there were a lot. A bigger machine will do them dramatically faster - instead of carefully working around the stump breaking the roots one by one, then slowly rolling it out, you can just put the bucket on the stump and pull.

If you're looking for a weekend hobby for a few years, then yes. If you just need the job done, I'd seriously consider renting a bigger machine (or hiring a guy with a machine who does it all for you in one go).
 

Scm

Well-known member

Equipment
BX23S
Sep 28, 2024
312
295
63
Missouri
Its doable depending on how much time you have. It took me about 8-10 hours to get a 14"-16" ish white oak stump out with my BX
 

85Hokie

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BX-25D ,PTB. Under Armor, '90&'92-B7100HST's, '06 BX1850 FEL
Jul 13, 2013
11,084
3,011
113
Bedford - VA
It will do ANYTHING you want it to!! However - a mans gotta know his limitations! ( Clint Eastwood)

It will do it a small bite at a time !

I have removed many stumps - depending on tree type it will be fine, make sure you have a sawsall or other root cutting device.

I am of the opinion that it is better to buy once - cry once than to rent several times!
 
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RTG

New member
Apr 13, 2026
5
0
1
Adel, GA
How many is "a lot"? Is it plausible to rent a machine to do them all in a couple days, then buy a BX without a backhoe? Do you have other tasks for the backhoe?

I haven't had a BX backhoe, but I have had a small mini-ex, which most people will say is more capable than the BX. It can dig stumps, but it's very slow going. I'd do it for a couple, but I'd get pretty tired of it if there were a lot. A bigger machine will do them dramatically faster - instead of carefully working around the stump breaking the roots one by one, then slowly rolling it out, you can just put the bucket on the stump and pull.

If you're looking for a weekend hobby for a few years, then yes. If you just need the job done, I'd seriously consider renting a bigger machine (or hiring a guy with a machine who does it all for you in one go).
Thanks for the info. I probably have about 50 pines that I'll be cutting down. Most of them are in the 4"-6" diameter, but a few are closer to 10". I just bought a property where a pond was dug years ago and the dirt piled in three places. Over time, the pines grew up in the dirt piles. I want to get the pines out and use the dirt for a little fill and grading in a few low spots. I'm not looking for a quick weekend completion. This will be an ongoing project.
 

RTG

New member
Apr 13, 2026
5
0
1
Adel, GA
It will do ANYTHING you want it to!! However - a mans gotta know his limitations! ( Clint Eastwood)

It will do it a small bite at a time !

I have removed many stumps - depending on tree type it will be fine, make sure you have a sawsall or other root cutting device.

I am of the opinion that it is better to buy once - cry once than to rent several times!
Thanks for the reply and the tip.
 

Scm

Well-known member

Equipment
BX23S
Sep 28, 2024
312
295
63
Missouri
Pines have shallow roots. If you cut them tall 5-6-7' up (leverage), you may be able to pull them out of the ground using the backhoe. maybe a footish off the base of the stump you could dig around too break some roots, maybe a bucket deep, then use the bucket on top and shake the tree to break more deeper roots
 
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RTG

New member
Apr 13, 2026
5
0
1
Adel, GA
Pines have shallow roots. If you cut them tall 5-6-7' up (leverage), you may be able to pull them out of the ground using the backhoe. maybe a footish off the base of the stump you could dig around too break some roots, maybe a bucket deep, then use the bucket on top and shake the tree to break more deeper roots
That sounds like a good plan. Thx
 

GreensvilleJay

Well-known member

Equipment
BX23-S,57 A-C D-14,
Apr 2, 2019
13,693
6,191
113
Greensville,Ontario,Canada
Yes it will be 'fine', not fast but it WILL do the job. Have removed 1/2 dozen spruces 18-24" diameter last year. Yes slow, but I wasn't in a hurry. If you need speed, rent a full size excavator for the day. Two tricks, cut tree but leave 2-3 feet of the trunk, makes a great 'lever' to wiggle loose the stump. Also dig 3-6 feet from the trunk, depending on the type of tree, so you can cut the roots. They will make it a LOT easier to dig and wiggle the stump out. If all your trees are the same species, you'll figure out in the first 2-3 how best to attack the rest of them. Also be sure to grease all the Zerks before you start !