How do you test a used machine?

[helvit]

Done deal. And she runs like a fine watch, to me. I'm taking a quick coffee break at the keyboard before going back out to the shop-- but I'm paralyzed without the manuals right now. Seller thought he had them (seems like a trustworthy soul), is working on it.

Meanwhile, I'd like to at least change the engine oil, which looks dark.

I could use some instruction.. how do I know which filter, capacities, recommendations for viscosity ( brand? synthetic or no?) etc.

She's a beautiful little thing! Yes indeed.

 

[sweettractors]

I noticed a BX1500 with FEL and 3 pt. hitch, 234 hours on the meter, on a lot with a dozen pieces of used landscaping machines and larger tractors. Closed today.

It's something I could use around my property of five acres, 75% woods. I have a good mower. The loader is the important part here.

Primary uses would be 1)cleaning up parts of the wooded area, scraping out some briar and other underbrush, piling downed branches, etc. 2) moving logs, soil, rocks, mulch, gravel 3) snow removal 4) having one to mess with after thinking about it for 33 years.

Is the tractor and FEL a good snow removal setup, for snows between 6 inches and the occasional 2 feet?? Drive area is gravel, pretty level, only about 75 feet long, opening up to a parking/turn around area about 35 X 35 feet. I've always done it with my trusty walk behind snowblower.


The "dealer" is new in that location. It was a JD dealership, now doesn't have any manufacturer affiliation. I don't see anything new for sale. So I have no great trust in or references for them.

If the price is good ($6000?), how do I go about sounding the machine out?

If the seller has nothing to hide, you should be able to get on the tractor and drive and try out every feature until you are satisfied. After warming the tractor up for about 30 minutes while checking all the gears and guages.Put the loader up against something that is solid and try to push it. That will check out the clutch. Try to lift a few hundred pounds with the loader, that will check out the loader hydraulics. Back 1 arm of the tractor 3 point under something solid like the bumper of another tractor and try to lift up, the front of the 1500 should come off the ground or you will lift the tractor. This whole process should take about a hour. We let our customers see the tractor on the Dyno if they request it. That is how we buy tractors and sell them. Ken Sweet

 

[helvit]

Uh oh. Thanks sweet... but I brought it home already.

Now for the uh oh part... seems to me I did the front end hydraulics test by lifting the front end like on all the youtube videos. But maybe I didn;t do it high enough? Because now in the shop I can hardly get the front wheels off the ground. Is this signifiicant, or could there be a stop set up somewhere? How warmed up does it have to be?

 

[sweettractors]

Uh oh. Thanks sweet... but I brought it home already.

Now for the uh oh part... seems to me I did the front end hydraulics test by lifting the front end like on all the youtube videos. But maybe I didn;t do it high enough? Because now in the shop I can hardly get the front wheels off the ground. Is this signifiicant, or could there be a stop set up somewhere? How warmed up does it have to be?

I don't know of a stop. 30-45 minutes of driving and cycling the loader up and down should warm up enough. You should be able to raise the front end 2 ft off the grond, even after 3-4 hours of use.

 

[helvit]

Well thanks again. The downpour here let up enough to go out and do a little of what you first suggested and I think evrything is probably ok. Just a lot to learn and a touch of paranoia buying a used machine and not really knowing what I'm doing--- not used to that vulnerability. Anyway, I picked up some soaked soil, some pretty big rocks with no problem, started getting used to the loader controls, etc. and, like I said. probably OK. Just came out of the rain and read your latest--- haven't tried the " 1/2 hour/2 foot " test--- I'll get to it Friday. Much obliged, I'll get back to you here with my newbie stuff, if nobody minds. When I take the time to do decent searches, there's usually a thread around here somewhere that handles it. Amazing forums, amazing little machine. Testing..one...two....

 

[sweettractors]

Congratulations on your purchase. I could use a rig like that myself. Ken Sweet

 

[wvpolekat]

Uh oh. Thanks sweet... but I brought it home already.

Now for the uh oh part... seems to me I did the front end hydraulics test by lifting the front end like on all the youtube videos. But maybe I didn;t do it high enough? Because now in the shop I can hardly get the front wheels off the ground. Is this signifiicant, or could there be a stop set up somewhere? How warmed up does it have to be?

Was your foot on the brake? That will keep it from lifting the front end.

 

[Harvey9]

Helvit, a loader is "ok" for moving snow, a back blade on the 3 point works well and is relatively cheap. the BX are great machines.

Harvey

 

[dex3361]

Well thanks again. The downpour here let up enough to go out and do a little of what you first suggested and I think evrything is probably ok. Just a lot to learn and a touch of paranoia buying a used machine and not really knowing what I'm doing--- not used to that vulnerability. Anyway, I picked up some soaked soil, some pretty big rocks with no problem, started getting used to the loader controls, etc. and, like I said. probably OK. Just came out of the rain and read your latest--- haven't tried the " 1/2 hour/2 foot " test--- I'll get to it Friday. Much obliged, I'll get back to you here with my newbie stuff, if nobody minds. When I take the time to do decent searches, there's usually a thread around here somewhere that handles it. Amazing forums, amazing little machine. Testing..one...two....

What all did you get with the BX1500?

 

[bxkubota]

I had a BX1500 prior to my current BX25. With the buck in the near level position the front wheels will only come off the ground a few inches when the loader is in the down position. If you roll the bucket so the cutting edge is perpendicular to the ground and put the loader all the way down the front wheels should come off the ground about a foot. With the smaller engine on the BX1500 you should also have the throttle up as this will make everything work faster. Hope this information helps...