Buying a BCS used or new

[frontyardfarm]

Ferrari99, about the cost, it really is a good price considering how much work I can get done. Despite higher costs Australia must be a beautiful place to live!

I have considering the powersafe models, but i think it would be nice to have the transport speed. I have some parts of my property that are a good distance away and it would be great to be able to zip over there with a tiller and plow.

Aczlan, I am hoping to get one with differential locks, plus that's a little to far a drive for me right now. Thanks for the offer though.


I found a used BCS 732 that looks like its in good shape. Says he will take $2400, it's a far drive for me so maybe he would take a little less. It would end up being about half the price of a new 853 with tiller including taxes. I could use the saved money to get more implements. Let me know what you guys think. BCS Tiller 732 Honda gas 4 yr Old Perfect Condition

It has differential locking but no brakes I believe. Is the 732 capable of running a rotary plow, power harrow and flail mower?
I realize it only has 2 working speeds , but I will not be mowing big fields or anything. Am I correct in thinking the 3rd speed used mostly for mowing?

Thanks

 

[ferrari99]

According to earthtools website it will run a rotary plough, a power with an accessory to fit it, and up to a 26" flail mower.
Earth tools have a brake kit for that model if it is pre 2011, the kit is $179.
Depending on how much tilling you are going to do is a 26" tiller big enough?
I have heard that 1st gearing is for heavy tilling, 2nd gear is for cultivating and 3rd gear is for mowing or transport.
If you plan on 'transporting' it in transport speed are you going to want a sulky? or just go for a jog?
Just reading about the non powersafe models (we don't have them here) I personally would find it terribly annoying that the engine cuts out every time you let go of the operator presence control lever.
Well I like it here in Australia, but it would be nice if shipping from the US wasn't so steep, but I guess that is just how it is.

 

[cmyoung2]

Think hard on the 732. If you use the transport gear, I think you really need brakes, and just for turning, brakes make a world of difference. And yes, you can add brakes to the 732, they come as a kit, not terrible to install. On my 850, 3rd gear is a good, easy walking pace, perfect for mowing and especially using the wheel barrow. That speed was a major reason I traded up from the 725. There is a chart somewhere that shows the speeds of the different gearing on different tractors. I think, but am not sure that on the 850 1st=.9mph, 2nd=1.7, 3rd=2.7. I have a little larger tires and think my 3rd is almost 3mph, to me a good speed. Power wise, the 11hp Honda gas will probably do almost anything.

 

[frontyardfarm]

Thank you all for the great input, it has helped a lot. I've done a lot of research lately, watching videos and reading comments, reviews and articles. There is nothing like hearing opinions from people who own and operate the tractors for their own use.

I decided not to go with the 732 and ended up ordering a Grillo 107d with 11hp Honda and 27" tiller from Earth Tools. The 732's lack of steering brakes and 3rd speed influenced my decision. I realized that the brakes would make operating so much easier and the third speed would make it more versatile for mowing. I really like the looks of Grillo better than BCS, not that it matters for performance, but is just personal preference.

Initially I thought it would be more expensive to order from Earth Tools, but after comparing prices it was much cheaper than any of the local dealers. We have 6.5% sales tax here in MA, so the tax ends up costing more than shipping. Many of the implements and tractors at the local dealers cost several hundred dollars more before sales tax. So even though I can't buy Grillo attachments locally, I don't mind because they are less expensive to have them shipped anyways.

Also, I was told by a dealer that the 853 is no longer being stocked by the distributor because it's being replaced by the 740 power safe, and pretty soon all the models will be sold as power safe without transport speed. Seems like a shame to do away with the option of transport speed. Hopefully Grillo continues to provide this feature.

 

[ferrari99]

We can't get any with a transport speed here.

 

[frontyardfarm]

It seems like a handy function. It would be nice to zip around or with a utility trailer or transport sulky. The 3rd working speed seems like a good pace also, but if you are going a decent distance the 8mph would be nice. On the other hand the powersafe models are supposed to be safer so it is a trade off.

 

[sundogfarmer]

A couple years ago I got a used 720 and 735. I got an amazing deal on the 720 with a bunch of implements, and paid a relatively steep price ($1850) for the 735 (+tiller and blade) because I wanted to use a rotary plow (720 doesn't have the power for it). Both had not been used very much, with the attendant lack of maintenance. I have ended up spending a lot of time trying to keep them running through one problem after another this season (the first full one I've used them for). So if you buy used be prepared to spend some time working on them. Maybe you'll luck out and get a trouble-free machine, but be prepared and assess your mechanical skill and how much time you'll have (or how much money you're willing to spend on repairs).

Also keep in mind if it's older it might have an Acme engine (my 735 does) and parts for those are hard to come by. Earthtools has them, but your average repair shop won't, and you'll have some downtime if you're waiting on a part. There might be something said for getting a newer one with a Kohler or Honda.

 

[sundogfarmer]

A couple years ago I got a used 720 and 735. I got an amazing deal on the 720 with a bunch of implements, and paid a relatively steep price ($1850) for the 735 (+tiller and blade) because I wanted to use a rotary plow (720 doesn't have the power for it). Both had not been used very much, with the attendant lack of maintenance. I have ended up spending a lot of time trying to keep them running through one problem after another this season (the first full one I've used them for). So if you buy used be prepared to spend some time working on them. Maybe you'll luck out and get a trouble-free machine, but be prepared and assess your mechanical skill and how much time you'll have (or how much money you're willing to spend on repairs).

Also keep in mind if it's older it might have an Acme engine (my 735 does) and parts for those are hard to come by. Earthtools has them, but your average repair shop won't, and you'll have some downtime if you're waiting on a part. There might be something said for getting a newer one with a Kohler or Honda.

 

[frontyardfarm]

sundogfarmer, I ended up buying a new grillo 107d because of that. Most of the used tractors I saw were either not in good shape or to high of a price.

The Grillo was delivered the other day. I am very impressed with it so far. It's my first walk behind tractor so I am still learning how to use it, but it works great. Now I am wanting many more attachments!