Sub-Compact against Utility · same Kubota lineup
Kubota BX23S vs Kubota MX5400
| Spec | Kubota BX23S | Kubota MX5400 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$28,061 | ~$29,170 |
| What that price is | MSRP, base build | MSRP for Kubota's cheapest MX5400 build; Kubota does not publish which drivetrain the figure covers, and the product card it is shown with is labelled 2WD ROPS |
| Size class | Sub-Compact | Utility |
| Transmission | Hydrostatic | Gear |
| Engine hp | 21.6 hp | 55.5 hp |
| PTO hp | 17.7 hp | 46.5 hp |
| Loader lift | 739 lbsat the pivot pin | 2,275 lbsat the pivot pin |
| Three-point lift | 680 lbs24 in behind the lift points | 2,310 lbs24 in behind the lift points |
| Hydraulic flow | 6.2 GPM | 9.5 GPM |
| Drive | 4WD | 4WD |
| Engine | Kubota | Kubota |
| Weight | 1,808 lbs | 3,716 lbs |
| Fuel tank | 6.6 gal | 13.5 gal |
| 4WD | Yes | Yes |
| Front loader | Yes | Yes |
| Cab available | No | No |
| Hydrostatic | Yes | No |
| Power steering | Yes | Yes |
| Cruise control | No | No |
| Warranty | 6 yr / 2000 hr powertrain | 6 yr / 3000 hr powertrain |
A highlighted cell wins its row on the rule named above the table: more power, lift, capacity or flow, or a lower price. A lift row is left unwon whenever the two makers measured in different places, or where either of them did not say — a figure quoted at the pivot pin and one quoted 500 mm ahead of it describe the same loader and differ by roughly a third, so ranking them against each other would invent a result. Prices are typical list and move with dealer packages.
From owner discussion and long-term write-ups
What owners of each one say
Kubota BX23S
What they like
- 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
- 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
What they complain 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
Kubota MX5400
What they like
- The turbocharged 54.7 HP Kubota diesel delivers strong, high-torque power for heavy field work, big implements, and loader tasks
- 46.5 PTO HP runs large rotary cutters, tillers, balers, and post-hole diggers with ease
- The stout 3,716 lb frame and Category I/II hitch make it a genuine small-farm workhorse
- Available in gear or HST and ROPS or cab, so you can spec it exactly for your work and climate
- Kubota's in-house diesel, huge dealer network, and strong resale value are all major strengths
- The LA1065 loader lifts over 2,200 lbs and reaches over 9 feet, excellent for material handling
What they complain about
- It's a big-ticket purchase - loaded with a loader and options it approaches or tops $35K
- The gear transmission requires clutching for direction changes, less convenient than HST for loader work
- The 9.5 GPM hydraulic flow is modest for the tractor's size, so loader cycles feel slow to some owners
- It has the DPF emissions system with periodic regen cycles
- At 3,716 lbs bare, and well over two tons with a loader fitted, it needs a serious truck and trailer to transport
- No mid-PTO, so it's a field and loader tractor, not a finish-mowing machine