Kubota BX23S vs Kubota LX2610

Kubota

Kubota BX23S

$24,500

4.6★ (1,100)

Kubota

$24,500

4.5★ (610)

Quick take: The Kubota LX2610 has more engine power (24.8 vs 21.6 hp); the Kubota LX2610 has more loader lift (1,808 vs 739 lbs).

✓The factory-integrated backhoe is the whole reason to buy this - it's a real digging machine, not a bolt-on afterthought, and it swings and digs like a mini-excavator
✓Kubota builds their own engine, so you're not relying on a third-party powerplant, and the D902 has a bulletproof reputation among owners
✓The curved-boom loader gives noticeably better dump clearance and reach than the straight-boom loaders on some competitors
✓The backhoe swing frame doubles as a rear ballast so you don't need to add weights for loader work
✓Kubota's dealer support and parts availability are second only to Deere, and the resale holds strong
✓Removing and reattaching the backhoe is a manageable one-person job for occasional loader-only use
✓The build is heavy for a sub-compact at over 1,800 lbs, giving it good stability and traction for its size
✓Cross-drilled rear axles allow independent left/right brakes for tight turns, a genuinely useful feature owners rave about

✗At 21.6 HP it's the weakest engine of the popular sub-compacts, so with the backhoe weight it can feel underpowered doing loader and PTO work
✗The TLB package pushes the price well past $24K, making it the most expensive way into a sub-compact by a wide margin
✗No AutoConnect-style drive-over mower deck - fitting the mid-mount deck is more of a hassle than the Deere 1025R system
✗The backhoe adds a lot of length and weight, hurting maneuverability and ride quality when you're not actually digging
✗PTO horsepower of 17.7 limits it on wider mowers, tillers, and snowblowers compared to a 3-series compact
✗Loader lift of 739 lbs at the pin is fairly modest once you account for a heavy bucket
✗The dual-pedal HST and swing-out backhoe controls have a learning curve for total beginners
✗Kubota's premium positioning means you'll pay near-Deere money without the massive Deere dealer footprint in some rural areas

✓The strong 1,808 lb loader lift is a standout - it out-lifts the L2501 and most compacts in its size class dramatically
✓It's one of the few compacts with a mid-PTO option, so it can run a belly mower deck for real finish mowing plus heavy loader work
✓The operator station is more refined and comfortable than the Standard L, with a better seat and layout
✓8.7 GPM hydraulics make loader and implement action noticeably quicker than the L2501's system
✓Kubota's in-house diesel, huge dealer network, and strong resale value all apply
✓Cast front axle and stout build give it a solid, capable feel despite the compact footprint
✓It stays under 25 HP so it avoids the DPF regen hassle while still delivering strong hydraulic performance
✓It hits a sweet spot of comfort, loader capacity, and mowing capability that the L2501 can't match

✗Only 24.8 HP with 19.5 PTO HP, so despite the great loader lift it can feel underpowered on the PTO and in heavy tillage
✗It's priced well above the L2501 for the same engine HP - you're paying for lift, comfort, and the mid-PTO
✗Some owners note the front end can feel light and the rear needs ballast when lifting heavy loads with that big loader
✗The 3-point lift, while decent, is lower than the loader capacity, creating a mismatch for heavy rear implements
✗No cruise control standard, which owners doing lots of mowing miss
✗At this price it competes with 30+ HP compacts that offer more engine power for similar money
✗The premium positioning means a Kioti CK or LS MT of similar capability often costs less
✗It's lighter than the Standard L, so it doesn't pull or plant itself quite as well in the dirt