First day with the tractor...

[Mustard Tiger]

Took delivery today of a new BX23S. Never owned a tractor before. Dealer pretty much specs out their tractors with the quick release for the front hydraulics, blade that bolt on to the bottom edge of the FEL bucket and the mechanical thumb. I added the 48" box blade, front forks and a land rake and beet juice in the rear tires.

Like the title says, took delivery today and wasted no time getting used to the tractor and its controls. Started by trying to pick up and move some medium-sized rocks with the backhoe. Felt like I was a kid playing that crane game where you operate the crane and try to pick up a prize. Kept dropping rocks!

Still was a lot of fun but had to cut it short when the thunder, lightening and hail started!

 

[drygulch]

Congrats! Maybe you'll get lucky with some downed trees from the storm to practice on

 

[Mustard Tiger]

Congrats! Maybe you'll get lucky with some downed trees from the storm to practice on

Well, I've already cut down around 25+ trees after the winter storm we had in February. Was one of the main motivators to get a tractor. Got tired of lugging the rounds 3-4 at a time in a. wheelbarrow to my woodshed. And I have a pile of trunks I need to buck and stack after cutting a few more down a couple weeks ago.

 

[drygulch]

Will be a game-changer!

 

[Runs With Scissors]

Still was a lot of fun but had to cut it short when the thunder, lightening and hail started!

Ha, that reminds me of Caddy Shack.

 

[bbxlr8]

Welcome & congratulations!

My very first "tester" job was removing a stump left over from the Sandy devastation. Getting it has been a game changer for me labor-wise - I am constantly finding new unforeseen uses

 

[Hoserman]

Congrats on the new tractor. Once you get used to it, you'll be amazed at how well it works. I can't believe I waited as long as I did before getting mine.

 

[McMXi]

Well, I've already cut down around 25+ trees after the winter storm we had in February. Was one of the main motivators to get a tractor. Got tired of lugging the rounds 3-4 at a time in a. wheelbarrow to my woodshed. And I have a pile of trunks I need to buck and stack after cutting a few more down a couple weeks ago.

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Very nice! Pallet forks can work to move logs around, but if ever there was a perfect time for a grapple!

 

[Showmedata]

rather than the grapple, I opted to build a thumb for my pallet forks. Works well for me (my logs tend to be 12" dia or less) and it's not one more implement to find storage for.

 

[Mustard Tiger]

Grapple would have been awesome, but unfortunately wasn’t in the budget with also adding the third function, the cost of installation and the grapple itself.

 

[McMXi]

rather than the grapple, I opted to build a thumb for my pallet forks. Works well for me (my logs tend to be 12" dia or less) and it's not one more implement to find storage for.

Whatever helps you sleep at night.

I have more than a few implements, and the 60" grapple takes up less space than any of them, and I'm talking WAY less space. I added a stand to mine which helps in terms of storage.

But as for grapples, I move rocks around in addition to logs and I don't think your setup would work for me. I have pallet forks and use them a fair amount, but a grapple is way better than pallet forks for many tasks. If I had to choose between the two I'd probably chose pallet forks, but fortunately I don't have to choose.

 

[nerwin]

Congrats on the first tractor! Man you're gonna love it. Later you're gonna think you wish you had one years ago haha.

I'm pretty new as well, got my first tractor in November 2024 and got a L2501. Well new to me anyways and it was really intimidating at first but now with nearly 50 hours of experience, I feel a lot more comfortable with the machine than I did the first time. You'll quickly learn in no time and I think Kubota makes the most easiest to use hydraulic system, they're no touchy like other brands are, they're so smooth and easily lower and raise heavy loads without having a pucker moment

You'll quickly learn ballast is important haha

Have fun with the machine, there's so many excuses to use the tractor now haha.

 

[Showmedata]

Whatever helps you sleep at night.

I have more than a few implements, and the 60" grapple takes up less space than any of them, and I'm talking WAY less space. I added a stand to mine which helps in terms of storage.

But as for grapples, I move rocks around in addition to logs and I don't think your setup would work for me. I have pallet forks and use them a fair amount, but a grapple is way better than pallet forks for many tasks. If I had to choose between the two I'd probably chose pallet forks, but fortunately I don't have to choose.

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I believe you! If I had the space I would have built (I went so far as to model one up and price the cut parts) or bought a grapple, but I am severely limited on level ground. My compromise is working for me for now (and I don't have to move rocks). The upside is I can move logs and the pallet boxes I use for moving cut/split firewood without changing implements:

 

[McMXi]

Grapple would have been awesome, but unfortunately wasn’t in the budget with also adding the third function, the cost of installation and the grapple itself.

I hear you. Not a cheap option for sure, but in my world hard to beat when moving and cutting up logs and very useful for rocks or brush. On the bright side, you don't have to undo something to add the 3rd function and grapple. It's additive and doesn't fall into the realm of incrementalism.

I'm considering having 16-18 cords of wood delivered this summer that come in 20 ft to 30 ft lengths and will need to be cut up and split. It sure makes it easy to hold a log off the ground and cut it up as opposed to being bent over for days on end.

 

[nerwin]

I hear you. Not a cheap option for sure, but in my world hard to beat when moving and cutting up logs and very useful for rocks or brush. On the bright side, you don't have to undo something to add the 3rd function and grapple. It's additive and doesn't fall into the realm of incrementalism.

I'm considering having 16-18 cords of wood delivered this summer that come in 20 ft to 30 ft lengths and will need to be cut up and split. It sure makes it easy to hold a log off the ground and cut it up as opposed to being bent over for days on end.

I'd like to have a grapple as well. Trying to cut logs while on the pallet forks wasn't not particularly fun. It wasn't TOO bad when you had the forks at their widest setting and curled it up so it wouldn't move but you're limited to the length you can cut because you'll be stuck with like 4-5 foot piece unless you move the other fork in on that side. Its a pain in the butt! Don't do it all the time though so it's still questionable if spending the money for the grapple is worth it, it might be at some point especially if I take on any jobs. But at the end of the day, I'd rather use the forks than sawing into dirt haha. Its better than nothing at all.

 

[Shawn T. W]

Congratulations!

I'm simply AMAZED at what I've been able to do with my little SCUT - Swiss Army Knife Tractor! 670 hours in a tad more than 3 years ... And I'm hardly ever home!

What I've found that works best for me and a mechanical thumb, is push the thumb out most all the way, set that right up to what you want to lift, then roll the bucket to it ...

BXPANDED has lots of neat things for it too ... Once you get more than the factory bucket on the end ... There "Quick-On" is an amazing accessory to swap out buckets or rippers ... It's only money!

 

[Mustard Tiger]

I'd like to have a grapple as well. Trying to cut logs while on the pallet forks wasn't not particularly fun. It wasn't TOO bad when you had the forks at their widest setting and curled it up so it wouldn't move but you're limited to the length you can cut because you'll be stuck with like 4-5 foot piece unless you move the other fork in on that side. Its a pain in the butt! Don't do it all the time though so it's still questionable if spending the money for the grapple is worth it, it might be at some point especially if I take on any jobs. But at the end of the day, I'd rather use the forks than sawing into dirt haha. Its better than nothing at all.

I hear you. Not a cheap option for sure, but in my world hard to beat when moving and cutting up logs and very useful for rocks or brush. On the bright side, you don't have to undo something to add the 3rd function and grapple. It's additive and doesn't fall into the realm of incrementalism.

I'm considering having 16-18 cords of wood delivered this summer that come in 20 ft to 30 ft lengths and will need to be cut up and split. It sure makes it easy to hold a log off the ground and cut it up as opposed to being bent over for days on end.

Plenty of videos on Youtube of people holding logs between the bucket and thumb to get them off the ground for bucking. Of course the thumb with the bucket don't even come close to replacing the grapple, but for now it gets those logs up off the ground for me.

 

[Shawn T. W]

Yeah, I carry logs with mine, forks are handy too!

If your planning on much stump removal, consider a "root ripper"

With the "Quick-On" it take longer to get out of the seat, than to swap out a "tool-end"! Basically you slide the red pin into the slot, and install the purple pin ... It's only money!

 

[Runs With Scissors]

Yeah, I carry logs with mine, forks are handy too!

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If your planning on much stump removal, consider a "root ripper"

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With the "Quick-On" it take longer to get out of the seat, than to swap out a "tool-end"! Basically you slide the red pin into the slot, and install the purple pin ... It's only money!

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I couldn't agree more!

I love my ripper tooth, and the 'Quick attach" is awesome.

I will say that I kept losing the "quick clasp' for the pin when I was digging, so I ended up swapping it out for a "Nylock nut and bolt", but it only adds a few seconds and sure beats "searching for that pin....LOL

 

[skeets]

Congrads on your new toy,,,, errrrrrr tool yeah tool. And everybody has some good options to consider as you grow. I will here however add, being new to the little beasty, THINK everything you do through before you jump on her. And then think it through again, before you start. You have a fine piece of equipment there, and it will work for you tirelessly , IF you do your part. I know, I know safety Sam, I just want you to remember things can and do go sideways real fast, and I doubt there isn't one catbird in here that hasn't at one time or another had to change his shorts, because he got complacent or a little silly. I don't want to seem like a downer , I just want you to keep coming back with that smile on your face. Stay safe and mostly enjoy the little beasty.