Used BX - Question on Maintenance records

[VH5150]

I looked at a used 2006 Kubota BX today that I'm seriously considering buying. This BX had under 140 hours and appears to have been well cared for. I could not find any rust at all on the unit. The owner appears to have kept things properly greased with a grease gun, put in gear oil when needed, had spare bottles of UDT and gear oil onsite, etc..

I am concerned however, that the last time this particular BX had service (which was around the 50-hour mark) was waaaay back in June of 2008. Is this a giant red flag? It appears that no fluids or filters or gaskets or any other time-related items have been changed in almost six years.

This will be my first tractor so I am a newb. Should I be extremely concerned about this tractor's maintenance?

Thank you in advance for any replies.

 

[devildog1]

If all fluids are up to par and you like the tractor, no issue. It's no different them storing a car for long periods, as long as fluids were ok no sweat.
DevilDog

 

[Happy Gilmore]

Which model BX are you looking at? I'm going to concur with dd. I would also check to make sure the HST fan is intact. If it's not, I've heard it's a pia to change out (see forum posts) Is there a loader on it, MMM? Any accessories?

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

I looked at a used 2006 Kubota BX today that I'm seriously considering buying. This BX had under 140 hours and appears to have been well cared for. I could not find any rust at all on the unit. The owner appears to have kept things properly greased with a grease gun, put in gear oil when needed, had spare bottles of UDT and gear oil onsite, etc..

I am concerned however, that the last time this particular BX had service (which was around the 50-hour mark) was waaaay back in June of 2008. Is this a giant red flag? It appears that no fluids or filters or gaskets or any other time-related items have been changed in almost six years.

This will be my first tractor so I am a newb. Should I be extremely concerned about this tractor's maintenance?

Thank you in advance for any replies.

I would not be concerned and I've bought 17 Kubotas, but only 2 of them were used. I have no questions for you, just a straight answer, no concern per your question.

 

[varmint]

Not an expert, but seems to me that if the tractor was stored out of the weather, and the fluids don't show water or cloudy, then absolutely no cause for concern- in fact, just change them when you get it, and consider it a good deal, assuming the price is fair. Sounds clean!

 

[VH5150]

Which model BX are you looking at? I'm going to concur with dd. I would also check to make sure the HST fan is intact. If it's not, I've heard it's a pia to change out (see forum posts) Is there a loader on it, MMM? Any accessories?

BX2350 w/MMM and FEL. Also has a woods 5' 3PH blade as well. I'm having a dealer mechanic review the tractor to ID any potential issues and then I plan to buy it.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

BX2350 w/MMM and FEL. Also has a woods 5' 3PH blade as well. I'm having a dealer mechanic review the tractor to ID any potential issues and then I plan to buy it.

The 50 series BXs were discontinued in short order because of several issues. Body plastic being just one of the issues and to me no big deal but I bought one and the abrupt stop in reverse was such an issue that I traded it back to Barlows after a few months and Kubota gave me $500 off my purchase because of it.
My neighbor has one and it has served him well. I've owned BXs before and after the 50 series as well as several other model Kubotas and the abrupt stop in reverse was wrong and was never corrected in that series. The drive train (except the abrupt stop in reverse) and engine are fine. One would have to be really cheap before I'd buy a 50 series.

 

[Cherokee140]

The only thing I would question would be how long did it sit. Was this something that only got a few hours of use once a week in the summer. Or was this thing used for 140 hours the first year then left to sit.

Two very different things you talk about here. 2 years and we can assume it got 50 hours....the math is pretty close for 25hrs per year. If that is how it was used that is one thing.

Being one that has (I counted on my fingers) 8 classic cars that get run not that darn much anymore. I can tell you some stories about letting them sit for that long and what you should check. Positive side is you will not be buzzing down the road at 65 when an old break line that was dry rotted blows....but just as bad of things can happen to the health of the machine.

If you change out ALL the fluids....that means ALL then I would not be too worried. But if that thing has been sitting from 2008 with the same fuel in it....don't turn it over.

Good for you in having someone check it over.....best money you could ever spend....or six pack.

 

[dragoneggs]

Yeah have it checked if you don't know how to... but if the fluids are clear, it starts easy, and appearance shows that it has been cared for... then it is good in my book. I love 'low mileage' vehicles as long as they haven't sat so long that they develop electrical or UV rot issues.

 

[newbury]

<snip>

If you change out ALL the fluids....that means ALL then I would not be too worried. But if that thing has been sitting from 2008 with the same fuel in it....don't turn it over.

We've had lot's of reports on here concerning "old" fuel. It's diesel, not as much worry as gas. I've an '88 Ford Diesel Maxivan which about all I've driven it for the last 6 years was one long trip to haul my Kubota a hundred miles in 2009 and then annual trips 2 miles to the inspection station. Still runs fine, same fuel since '09.
Change the fuel maybe in case it's got algae in it, but don't worry to much about the hydraulics.

The low hours are not that important, lot's of guys buy a SCUT and then find their anticipated usage does not match actual usage. The wife gets tired of seeing the $10,000+/- sit in the garage and it takes years of bugging before he gets rid of it and upgrades to bigger or downgrades to a ZTR.

It's almost like finding New Old Stock.