Looking to upgrade JD GT235 to a compact tractor possibly BX1500D ?

[Swedge]

First post here, been browsing for a while but finally registered.

I'm finally ready to upgrade from my JD Garden Tractor to something with a FEL. Our property sits on about 5 acres total mostly lawn/yard and horse pasture. We do a lot of landscaping - meaning my wife designs/plant & I do the heavy lifting. I'd love to have a smaller tractor with a FEL to haul mulch, move dirt, scoop rocks, and even snow sometimes.

I'm trying to minimize expenses, so I'd prefer not to take on any payments for the near future, so buying new is out for at least another year or two. Would love a BX25 ,but don't have the $$.

I'm looking for a reliable used machine for under $7500 delivered.

I've found a couple 2003 BX1500D with FEL and MMM for $6,000 - one with 400 hrs and one with 600 hrs.

Is this a reasonable price for these models? I have no problem buying something older, my JD is a 1999 and has had zero problems through the years.

What is maint like on these, anything I can do myself or are we looking at needing a dealer/mechanic to fix most issues?

Thank in advance

 

[jeff9366]

I'm finally ready to upgrade to a small tractor with a FEL to haul mulch, move dirt, scoop rocks, and even snow sometimes.

I'm looking for a reliable used machine for under $7500 delivered.

I've found a couple 2003 BX1500D with FEL and MMM for $6,000 - one with 400 hrs and one with 600 hrs.

Is this a reasonable price for these models?

What is maint like on these, anything I can do myself or are we looking at needing a dealer/mechanic to fix most issues?

Indeed, both these BX tractors are fairly priced. Kubota BX diesels go 12,000 hours if properly maintained. There are a bizillion threads in the T-B-N archive about performing your own maintenance on a BX. Repairs may need a pro mechanic with parts access, unless you are mechanically proficient and have metric tools. Kubota parts are available via the web.

Kubota practically invented the sub-compact tractor category. Buying used, however, is always riskier than buy new. The brand is very reliable; I hope the first owner(s) were meticulous with maintenance. If tractors were garage stored you will be ahead of the game. Consider Kubota's KTAC insurance for your first year.

 

[Swedge]

Thanks for the info.

Just found one locally with a back blade & only 230 hrs for $8900. A little more than I want to spend, but being able to see it & test it out before buying is also important.

Will try to go look tonight.

 

[Poopdeck Pappy]

$8,900 is getting up there close to the BX23 TLB territory. You can find a BX23 for a couple thousand more. A backhoe is handy to have, but is a luxury for most folks.

$8,900 is also getting up there around the price of a "B" series (next step up from a BX) with 500 - 800 hours, such as a B7500.

The little BX's are sturdy and reliable little tractors. They have their limitations, but capabilities exceed their size. And they just barely sip diesel. I can run my BX23 hard all day long on 5 gallons of diesel.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

I had a BX1500 MMM for 3 years which I used for mowing my steep hillside lot and a B7800 FEL for loader work. It was my best BX mower for the steep parts of my yard. I had a BX2200 FEL MMM before the BX1500.
I mow (with Kubota F3080) and do ongoing landscaping. No gardening or farming or logging or gravel drive way maintenance. Do some trail maintenance but use the F mostly for that.
I believe the $6000 price is good for a BX with MMM and FEL. The $8000 price is to high. Hours make a wee bit of difference but 200 to 400 hours wouldn't make a lot of difference in price.
The BX will haul, mow, push and pick up snow almost as well as a BX1800 and almost as well as a BX2200 if you happen to come across one of those. If you and or your wife are really into on going landscaping (planting and moving grasses, trees, waterscapes, terraces, stone walls/work) then you really, really need to look at the BX23 with FEL and Backhoe which as someone has already posted is around the $8000 range. I struggled for years with the additional cost of the BH and cost/value. I finally bought one and can't see living without one now. For the ongoing home landscaper the Backhoe is great. So easy to just dig a hole and plant something and then move it the next day or next year and neighbors will love you if your generous with sharing your hole digging capabilities with them.
I don't want to get away from the BX1500 MMM FEL which is a great machine and that's a reasonable price if your just wanting to get in for the least amount of money. Routine maintenance is simple/easy to do and done on a regularbasis will extend the life of the machine till your dead.
Also, you can probably always get your $6000 back or maybe a slight profit on the BX1500 after a year or so if you see you need a bigger machine or one with the BH.
There are always reasons to buy a bigger machine but lots of them aren't truly valid. BX1500 is a great starting place and with the FEL you've got a tractor, not just a lifetime mower. At $6000 it will be hard to lose and a cheap price to determine your usage to determine whether you hit the right tractor to start with or if you need more. Good luck and go forth and buy Orange.:drink:

 

[jeff9366]

While it is not a Backhoe, a Piranha Tooth Bar allows a BX to do reasonable digging.


LINKS:

BXpanded Piranha Tooth Bar

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/search.php?searchid=2131732

 

[Swedge]

Thanks for the input.

I went a checked out the BX1500 and was impressed. Very Clean - garaged it's whole life. No signs of any leaks, but also no evidence that they'd been covered up. Starts right up, plenty of power, everything worked fine. Bucket looked to be in great shape, signs of use but no chips, dings, or bends.

Offered $8500 for the Tractor, MMM, FEL, and Back Blade/scraper. Also comes with brand new set of Turf Tires - the set on it has a small leak in one of the back ones.

Going to pick it up later this week.

Now to see what sort of fun we can have with it once it comes home.

 

[jeff9366]

Be wise and change all the fluids and fluid filters before operating your new acquisition for more than a few minutes.

 

[Swedge]

Be wise and change all the fluids and fluid filters before operating your new acquisition for more than a few minutes.

Will do. I already found the thread on changing the fluids in the BX series on your own. Driving my wife crazy with all the projects I'm cooking up w/o even having the baby on site, lol.

 

[Swedge]

While it is not a Backhoe, a Piranha Tooth Bar allows a BX to do reasonable digging.


LINKS:

BXpanded Piranha Tooth Bar

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/search.php?searchid=2131732

Last thing I need is more ways to spend $$$ - those look great definitely file away from future purchase