Tractor Accessory Thread

Was just out pushing the snow piles back...to make room for what is coming next. Just got me thinking about all the upgrades I've done to make it just right for me and my purposes. I know some people might say..why didn't you just get a bigger tractor ? Well....its simple....this kubota bx2380 is the perfect size for what it's intended to be. Plenty of power...the right width and length to easily navigate through the woods and other tight spots. And the low ground impact is huge ! Plus I can turn around and mow grass with it. We leave the heavier stuff for the bigger tractor and skid steer !

Was wondering what others have done to there machines to make them more handy as well ! Can't wait to hear and see pics from you guys !

So here goes some bx upgrades. First up...because of what I feel is a design flaw on the machine from the factory...an aftermarket skid plate to protect the plastic hst cooling fan . In my mind..the hst should be liquid cooled like the John Deere 1025r...or the rest of Kubotas tractors. But it is what it is.

 

Next up...2 inch wheel spacers for the rear wheels..which bumps it out 4 inches wider. Makes a huge different for stabilizing wide loads or mowing slopes.


And I repurposed 2 old Bolens cast iron wheel weights for the rears as well ! About 42-50 lbs a piece. Cleaned them up and painted them. Work perfect. Just typical 12" garden tractor rims...which opens up a ton of options.

 

Up next....front and rear hitches with 2 inch receivers. And tow hook/ trailer strap hooks. These are so handy for pulling logs..or pulling out cars. Strapping tractor down on trailer...or pulling around a log splitter or trailer

Also pictured are the upgraded pin style sliding 3 point stabilizer bars. Better than those pain in the rear turnbuckles...that I had bent in the first year !

 

Now this one is a huge time saver. These sub compacts have very cramped 3 point hitches...so removing implements can be challenging and physically draining on heavier items like our tiller ..if not lined up just right. So my wife got me a set of Pat's quick hitches for the lower links. My goodness....im sorry I struggled without these for a few years ! They are that good. Literally 2 minute hookup times now ! She chose these over the regular style quick hitches...because we have alot of older implements that aren't quick hitch compatible. I haven't found anything I can't hookup to with these yet !


These kubota bx tractors suffer from tie rod end boot failures from the factory. Mine lasted 6 months in the environment I work in. So I upgraded...on same ones for 3 years now.

 

Another worthwhile upgrade is switching to led light bulbs in headlights..taillights and hazards. Would love some worklights too someday . Try not to go out at night lol !


Third function kit..a must for grapples !



Bolt on cutting edge. It's surprising how quick the factory welded on edge wears back.


And a must on the kubota bx...or jd..or Massey etc....these little subcompact mostly share the same tire sizes. The first two years I was a regular at our local tire shop . Probably 6-10 times a year. Front tire beads would pop off. Between the weight on the grapple and the wonky terrain I was in...it was a bad combo. I tubed them..it helped alil.

Then I found these bkt skid power 8 ply tires for mini backhoes . The stock tire sidewalls were too soft at 4 ply.
These new 8 ply tires are so much more stiff. ( firmer ride)...I had them tubed with stubby steel valve stem tubes. Haven't seen my friends at the tire shop in a long time !!!


And an upgrade that I'm not gonna get a pic of..cuz I'll have to drop skid plate...and I dont want to !
Kubota uses 2 plastic inline fuel filters. One underneath where the operator sits before the fuel pump. The other after the fuel pump ...tucked up in by the engine.
The one underneath is awesome. As soon as you disconnect the line..it pees fuel out ..because there's no shut off valve. So I put in a mini brass diesel fuel shutoff valve. Works perfect ! Here's a pic before install

 

I put those Pats quick hitch ends on my L3800 last year after getting a 60" tiller. Now I wonder why I waited 10 years.

 

Amen !

 

Watching Tractor Mike on YouTube is why I went with pat's over the others. He did a review of the three main styles and the Pat's made sense for my needs.

 

We watched the same vid...and apparently my wife did too !

 

I've done some small mods to my tractor. First was having the operator platform sprayed with Line-X. My L3800 was just painted steel. Slippery and when the paint would have worn off, rust. So I removed the floor when new and took it to be Line-Xed along with the step to get up on it.

Next mod was installing two 8" round bus mirrors on the loader mounting frame. This really helps to not have to turn around especially after having 4 neck surgeries like I have.

I also installed a battery tender plug onto the battery and keep it plugged in year around. The tractor is a 2011 and still has the OEM battery so the tender must be doing something right lol.

Last was putting a zip tie on the seat switch. I did this for two reasons. I'm short so the seat is all the way forward and when operating the loader, if I lean off to either side to see what the bucket is doing it would stall from unloading the switch. The other reason is it allows me to inch the tractor into an implement from the ground using the hst pedal with my hand vs getting on and off. Obviously you have to be very careful and mindful of your feet when doing this and I'm in no way suggesting anyone else do this.

 

I also plan on replacing these with the sliding type because these are a pain to deal with.

 

HoneyFuzz , great idea for a thread, thank you. I think my brother has the identical tractor! And he and I both thought it was actually a little too small if we had our druthers. But I have read of some people getting a LOT of utility out of even ones this small.

I'd like to ask about your FEL. Do you get use out of it and how? Will it scoop up firewood? I have read where some users (not necessarily the 2380 tractor) have complained that scooping firewood really doesn't work but I sure wish it did. Now, I have a Mahindra 5010, new-to-me a few weeks ago. Hoping it can scoop wood.

Also, do you have a grapple? Is the 2380 to get utility out of a grapple?

My brother's tractor is severely limited by its tires. I guess he bought the lawncare tread type because he planned on mowing his lawn. And did for a year or so but then we jointly got a zero-turn eXmark. Anyway, the lawn treads are not useless in the garden or woods but very limited! I like your wheel/tire mods.

 

Last thing, more of an attachment than a modification. I made a snow pusher from a 7 foot medium duty back blade. I may make it taller at some point to try and keep the bucket from filling up.

 

Definitely a worthwhile upgrade !

 

That's really cool..like that alot !

 

There's a grapple thread that started the other day...theres plenty to see on it. It should only be down the page a little bit. The grapple is more capable on this size tractor than alot of people think. I've never not been able to grapple and move anything that I've needed to. I'll post u a quick pic . As far as the loader..I dont scoop wood...cuz thats just not a part of my operation. I grapple to where I'm gonna split and stack. No monkeying around for me! But I have before. It works ok...just a small bucket..so u don't get much. Easier to handload....if your gonna go that route.
Otherwise I use the snot out of the bucket. Dirt..mulch..compost..manure..snow . When the snow gets deep...I plow with the bucket..carefully!

 

Thank you. I went through a few different mounting ideas as far as the chain. Ive used ratchet straps and other means. This is the final as it 100% stays in place with this chain binder set up.

 

Great job on that !

 

Thanks bud.

 

I'll like that carry all on your BX. I need to do something like that.