Head-to-Head Comparison
LS MT125 vs Kubota BX23S
The BX23S is Kubota's famous do-everything tractor-loader-backhoe. The MT125 with a loader and backhoe is the same idea with more tractor under it, so let's compare them that way.
Spec for spec
| Spec | LS MT125 What we sell | Kubota BX23S |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | ||
| Gross Horsepower | 24.7 hp (18.4 kW) Advantage | 21.6 hp (16.1 kW) at 3200 rpm, SAE J1995 |
| PTO Horsepower | 17.2 hp (12.8 kW) | 17.7 hp (13.2 kW) at 3200 rpm Advantage |
| Engine Model | Yanmar 3TNV80F (Tier 4) | Kubota D902 - liquid cooled, 4-cycle, 3-cylinder diesel, direct injection |
| Displacement | 77.3 in³ (1,267 cc) | 54.8 cu in (898 cc / 0.90 L), bore & stroke 2.83 x 2.90 in (72 x 73.6 mm) |
| Rated RPM | 3,000 rpm | 3200 rpm (both gross hp and PTO hp are rated at 3200 rpm) |
| Fuel Capacity | 6.6 gal (25.0 L) | 6.6 gal (25 L) |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Hydrostatic Drive, 2 Ranges | Hydrostatic transmission, 2 range (Low-High), single-pedal toe/heel or toe/toe forward-reverse; rear differential lock standard; mechanical wet disc brakes |
| Drive | 4WD | 4WD - bevel gear front axle, non-adjustable tread spacing, fully enclosed spline shaft power transfer |
| PTO | ||
| Rear PTO | Independent, 540 rpm (standard) | 540 rpm standard - live independent PTO with hydraulic clutch; SAE 1-3/8 in, 6 splines |
| Mid PTO | Independent, 2,500 rpm (standard) | 2500 rpm standard - USA No. 5 (Kubota 10-tooth) involute spline |
| Hydraulics | ||
| Hydraulic Flow | 6.7 gpm total (4.6 gpm implement + 2.1 gpm steering) Advantage | 6.2 gpm total - 5.2 gpm implement pump + 1.0 gpm power steering pump. Open center, tandem gear pump. (Kubota publishes the total explicitly.) |
| 3-Point Hitch | ||
| Category | Category I, position control | SAE Category 1, optional on the BX23S (the backhoe occupies the rear) |
| Lift Capacity | 992 lb at the link ends (728 lb at 24 in. behind the hitch) | 680 lb (310 kg) at 24 in. behind lift points. Kubota also lists 1,213 lb at the lift points. |
| Dimensions | ||
| Overall Length | 97 in incl. 3-pt hitch | 99.0 in (2515 mm) with 3-point hitch and front guard; 87.0 in without 3-point hitch, with front guard |
| Overall Width | 47 in (with tires) | 45.1 in (1145 mm) at minimum tread |
| Overall Height | 87 in (to top of ROPS) | 86.2 in (2190 mm) to top of ROPS (factory certified two-post foldable ROPS) |
| Wheelbase | 56 in | 55.1 in (1400 mm) |
| Ground Clearance | Not published | 5.83 in |
| Turning Radius | Not published | 7.5 ft (2.3 m), without brake |
| Operating Weight | 1,444 lb (without ballast) | 1,570 lb (712 kg) with ROPS, tractor only (loader and backhoe not included) |
| Attachments & Warranty | ||
| Warranty (as published) | 2-year bumper-to-bumper coverage on every LS with no deductible, plus a 6-year limited powertrain warranty including parts and labor on most models. No hour caps published. Implements: 1 year limited. | Basic Standard Limited: 24 months or 1,500 hours (both non-commercial and commercial). Limited Powertrain: 72 months or 2,000 hours, non-commercial use only - Kubota lists no powertrain extension for commercial use on BX Utility Combos. Excludes implements. (BX Utility Combos category, which names BX23S explicitly; the BX/B/LX/L table expressly excludes BX Utility combos.) |
| Loader quick-attach | Not published | Both carrier types are offered: LA340 is pin-on (48" pin-on bucket), LA340S is quick attach and comes standard with a 2-lever quick coupler and 48" bucket. The quick-attach LA340S carries roughly 17% less at the pivot pin (613 lb vs 739 lb). |
| Factory loader | LL1001 | Kubota LA340 (48" pin-on bucket) or LA340S (quick attach, standard with 2-lever quick coupler and 48" bucket). Loader comes standard on the BX23S. |
| Loader lift (as published) | 902 lbf, (@ pivot pin, max height) | LA340 (pin-on): 739 lb (335 kg) at bucket pivot pin at max height; 509 lb (231 kg) at 500 mm forward at max height. LA340S (quick attach): 613 lb (278 kg) at pivot pin at max height; 423 lb (192 kg) at 500 mm forward. Max lift height to bucket pivot pin 71.0 in (1804 mm) for both. |
Specs come straight from each manufacturer's own published literature. A blank marked "Not published" means that brand doesn't publish the figure for this model, not that it's zero.
Where the MT125 wins
- Engine. 24.7 hp and 77.3 cubic inches against 21.6 hp and 54.8. That's a full size class of difference in the motor.
- Loader. 902 lb at the pivot against 739 for the pin-on LA340. Kubota's quick-attach version drops to 613.
- Three-point hitch. Standard Category I on the MT125. On the BX23S it's optional, because the backhoe lives where the hitch goes.
- Three-point lift. 728 lb against 680, both at 24 inches behind the hitch.
Where the BX23S wins
- Integration. The BX23S is a purpose-built TLB and Kubota's execution of it is slick.
- Standard mid-PTO at 2,500 rpm for a belly mower.
- Size. At 45.1 inches wide it fits through gates and between things a bigger machine won't.
Our take
If you want a dig-first machine that mostly trenches and does odd jobs, the BX23S earned its reputation.
If you want a tractor first, one that mows, lifts more, runs a real three-point, and digs when you bolt the hoe on, the MT125 package is more machine for the money. We'll price the tractor, loader, and backhoe as one number so you can compare straight across.
About the measurements
- Lift-capacity winner isn't marked because the display strings carry each brand's own measurement bases. The 24-inch figures quoted in the copy are like-for-like.
Competitor specs come from each manufacturer's published spec sheets and product pages, pulled July 2026. Manufacturers change specs, so check the current sheet before you buy. Competitor brand and model names belong to their owners. We're a KIOTI and LS dealer, and this page says so up front.
Want our number on the MT125?
Call or text 503-325-2970 and we'll get you a real quote.