SMALL TRACTOR REVIEWS
prize fighter In 2013 Tom Dickson found that despite its featherweight size, the Kubota BX25D tractor can pack the biggest punch Kubota BX25D Engine
Liquid cooled, three-cylinder diesel
Model
Kubota D902
Power
23hp (17kW)
PTO (HP)
17.7cc 898
Trans type
Hydrostatic
Gears
Infinite (2-range) forward and reverse
Mechanical 4x4 MFWD chassis 4WD diff lock
Rear standard
Steering
Hydrostatic power
Brakes
Wet disc
ROPS
Two-post foldable
Hydraulics
Open centre
Capacity
11.7 litres
Pump flow
23.5L/m
PTO rear
Independent 540rpm @ 3,068 engine rpm
MID
Independent 2,500rpm @ 3,125 engine rpm
Fuel cap
25 litres
Wheelbase
139cm
Weight
719kg
Front tyres 18x8.5-10 Rear tyres
26x12-12
I
’m feeling a bit like a kid in a toy shop picking up the Kubota BX25D tractor/loader/backhoe from the sales team at Warrnambool dealership Agrimac. If this little BX25D can do everything that Kubota claims it can, I may never need to pick up a shovel again. This well-equipped tractor features a three-cylinder diesel engine, two-speed hydrostatic transmission, simple mechanical four-wheel drive engagement and a hydraulic system that lifts and lowers the mower deck from the driver seat. Two power take-off (PTO) drives provide power to either a mid-mount mower or implements on the rear. A lever on the left-hand side of the driver allows for three settings. The options are rear only, mid only or both simultaneously. Turning the key fired the liquid-cooled 23hp (17kW) engine into life. A slight puff of black smoke and a powerful engine note from the muffler indicates the Kubota D902 motor is a powerful little diesel. A quick run through of the machine’s loader and backhoe attachments, with Kubota salesman Damien Etheredge, covers all the major functions, the rest he says I should be able to work out on my own. “Just take your time and you’ll be fine,” he says. Enough mucking around in the yard, I am keen to get home and start playing to see whether it’s actually as good as I hope it is. Having a length and width of only 2,425mm and 1,145mm respectively means the Kubota BX25D fits neatly into my 5 foot x 9 foot (152cm x 274cm) trailer, but we have to take off the 1,524mm mower deck and drop it in the ute because it’s about 100mm too wide to fit in the trailer. It’s around lunch time so I pull into the Woolsthorpe shop to grab a pie and drink on the way out to the farm. I’m amazed how much attention the shiny little machine is getting and I haven’t even taken it off the trailer yet. A local yells out from across the street: “You’ll have some fun with that. She’s a beauty; I wish I had a photo of it.”
I can’t wait to call in one day with a picture for him. The first thing I want to do is strip off the front end loader and backhoe. This will give me a good look at the tractor itself, but more importantly I can time how long it takes. I am confident the front end loader will be easy because Kubota uses the same mounting system as most other tractors. I drop the stand and lower the LA 240 loader down until the feet of the stand are about to touch the ground. Crowding the bucket down releases the pressure on the rear mounting pins, allowing me to easily pull them out. Crowd the bucket back up and the loader rocks forward away from the tractor. Disconnect the hydraulic hoses and the loader is off in about 1.5 minutes. I figure that if I take the same approach with the BT601 backhoe, the result should be similar. Lower the stabiliser legs then extend the boom and lower it to the ground. This takes the pressure off the top pins on the mount and allows for their easy removal. Now, by lifting the boom the mount rolls forward and pops out of the tractor mounts. By the time I have disconnected its hydraulic hoses, I’d say it’s taken about two minutes. Not bad for the first go. Now with the loader and backhoe removed I get an unobstructed look at the tractor itself. I am really impressed with the gauge of steel that Kubota have used to construct the full length chassis and beefy rear-end mounting assembly. Both front and rear axle and steering components rival most in this size market. I’m convinced now the Kubota BX25D is a genuine tractor opposed to an oversized lawn mower with attachments.
BACKHOE Putting the loader back on is just as easy as taking it off, however the backhoe takes a little more time to get everything lined up and inserting the mounting pins requires a light tap with a hammer. This still only took about three or four minutes though and I imagine it would get easier with practice. Driving across the paddock to get to the site where I am
Looking for a Kubota? Search for ‘kubota’ on TradeFarmMachinery.com.au or type the TA or DIY code shown here into the keyword search field
52 TradeFarmMachinery.com.au
FFM2012_391 editorial.indd 52
$23,750
TA1053313
KUBOTA BX25 TRACTOR. With backhoe and FEL, 4WD, roll frame, 800hrs. • SA 08 7007 6847
$22,950
TA757199
KUBOTAS L2402DT TRACTOR. 4in1 FEL plus ROPS, 28hp, SWL 300kg. • NSW 02 8315 0078
$22,990
TA966282
KUBOTA BX2380. 23hp diesel hydrostatic, FEL, 4WD c/w diff lock. • VIC 03 9998 4995
THE TRACTOR YOU WANT IS NOW EASIER TO FIND
22/10/2020 12:53:00 PM
