BX1500 questions

Persistent · Feb 12, 2014

Hello...new to the forum.
I have been trying to decide on getting a small tractor to mow with and do some light loader work.
We have 2acres that I finish mow and a pasture that I mow down 3 to 4 times per year.
We also have 2 horses.
I have been taking care of everything with a Lawn Tractor and a cart... getting a bit tired of shoveling.
Our lot is flat and so is the pasture, for the most part.

I went to the local kubota and deere dealers and checked them out.
We want something small and easy to handle. My wife and I both liked the BX1870 the most.
I was given a price of $12,800 for 54"mower and loader package, or another $700 off for cash deal.

As I was talking to the owner he said they had a very low hour BX1500, 54mmm, and loader.
He said it would do just about everything the 1870 would do. I was hesitant because it was used.
He said why dont we drop it off at your place and you can use it for a few days and let me know.
So thats what we did!

I used the BX1500 for about 2 hours this afternoon and evening.
Moved some manure piles and pushed back some snow banks and it worked great.
Very easy to use, turns so easily... and is quite zippy. I have used small tractors before, JD 2305 (i like the 1500 better).

So what do you guys think? It only has 396 hours...its starts up great..a very slight puff of smoke on startup,
I figured that was from the diesel. Its rough at very low idle I guess thats the nature of a 2cylinder diesel?
I really have been looking it over. They changed the engine oil and filter, the hst oil and filter, air filter, and gas filter.
It has a few dings in the hood and the bucket was used good, but nothing is sloppy or worn out.
Checked the PTO seals and u joints. Everything is greased real well. Ran the mower deck, engaged it at half throttle
and got a slight tug on the diesel and just a tiny bit of smoke. Is that normal?

Overall to me it looks like it has been used and taken care of mechanically but not cosmetically. Its not cleaned up very well and there is alot of grease and dirt and dried grass clippings in every cranny. The previous owner wasnt into keeping it real clean. Should that hinder my decision? If purchased I plan on doing a good cleaning and a bit TLC to get her looking good.
Hood could be fixed and repainted. Also the dealer showed me a list of everything they put into it.
-new tail lights(the ones on the ROPS)
-all new rims and tires the whole way around (they said washer fluid made the rims rot and where shot, and damaged the tires)
-one new deck spindle
-full service
-some new bulbs
-new battery
-a few other small things.

I dont think the dealer cleaned it up because they didnt want to put any more money into it.

Total cost with tax $5,800. (I thought this was a good price)
What do you guys think? What else should I look for?
-one more thing hst fan looks ok.

DT86 · Feb 12, 2014

The fact that the dealer was willing to let you try it out leads me to believe he is confident in the machine.

Many (most?) diesels will puff a bit of smoke on start up, nothing to worry about.

AceDeuce · Feb 12, 2014

I've had mine for over 10 years now. Very satisfied. Minor repairs here and there but nothing major. Only two issues that peeved me a bit. One was the bracket that supports the engine counterweight. It failed from vibration fatigue. Simple solution... Don't idle all the way down for extended periods. Keep it at 20% throttle. The other issue was the front axle pivot bushings. PITA to change out. Heavy FEL use causes premature failure resulting in leaking axle fluid.

East Texan · Feb 12, 2014

My dad bought our bx1500 new, some time around 2003 I believe. It has ~690 hours on it right now and the only issue we've had with it is the kill switch under the seat corroded and would kill the engine while mowing on bumpy terrain. That was easy enough to fix. It will shake you to death if you don't bump the throttle up just a tad when idling, has been that way since brand new. A little puff of smoke when you start it is normal....Nature of a diesel. We don't have a loader on ours, basically just use it for mowing. Dad wanted a mower he would never have to replace and I don't think I will have to replace it either.

I usually will idle it down to engage the mower and then rev it up to mowing RPM, the puff of smoke and tug on the motor is normal - at least for ours. I wouldn't worry about it unless it seems to be excessive.

It's quite a stout little machine, I would love to get a FEL on ours but having another tractor with a loader already, we can't justify it.

Happy Gilmore · Feb 13, 2014

Persistent, welcome, I'm a new member as well. I have a BX1500 I bought 3 1/2 years ago from a friend for $5700. Mine came with the loader, 48" MMM and a Curtis cab. It had 85 hours on it and turf tires. I love this little tractor! I have around 170 on it now, most of which were put on last year, mainly mowing grass, some of which was unmanaged prior. I leave the loader on it and the little BX is still highly maneuverable. I have a blast on it and actually enjoy it a bit more than our larger farm used tractors. I bought a Land Pride 42" rear mount rotary mower which is used on occasion to get the rough stuff in tight areas the big tractors can't get to. Save the $7000.00 and go for it, use it for a while and if you decide you need a little more tractor later on, you'll get your money back without much effort.

Happy Gilmore · Feb 13, 2014

Persistent, welcome, I'm a new member as well. I have a BX1500 I bought 3 1/2 years ago from a friend for $5700. Mine came with the loader and a Curtis cab. It had 85 hours on it and turf tires. I bought a real nice condition 48" MMM used on CL for $600.00. I love this little tractor! I have around 170 on it now, most of which were put on last year, mainly mowing grass, some of which was unmanaged prior. I leave the loader on it and the little BX is still highly maneuverable. Does a good job on the lawn. I have a blast on it and actually enjoy it a bit more than our larger farm used tractors. I bought a Land Pride 42" rear mount rotary mower which is used on occasion to get the rough stuff in tight areas the big tractors can't get to. $5800 seems like a very fair price. Save the $7000.00 and go for it, use it for a while and if you decide you need a little more tractor later on, you'll get your money back without much effort.

JOHNTHOMAS · Feb 13, 2014

I've owned a BX1500 but without the FEL. I used it just for mowing on a steep hillside acreage. It was the most stable BX that I've owned on my hillside and it now resides in West Va or it did the last I heard and the current owner loves it and he owns other bigger Kubotas.
Every thing you described is normal with the BX1500. As others have said, keep the idle up to prevent or minimize, probably can't totally stop it,. the shaking.
It will do the jobs you've mentioned and should have plenty of life left in it. You should expect doing some occasional maintenance/repair on an older used machine but not anywhere near $7000 dollars worth. I don't usually buy used Kubotas but the price seems fair but I think you could offer $5000 cash and probably walk away with it since it belongs to the dealer (New Kubotas belong to Kubota till they are sold, mostly, but used equipment is bought and owned by the dealer, usually. He has his money tied up in this machine until it's sold. Just sayin that I'd negotiate in this case but I do think it's probably worth the money. Most people want to buy stuff that's clean and new looking and the dealer knows this. He also may figure you'll be a future customer with repairs and maybe buy another machine from him later or upgrade and trade you another machine which you can slip into the conversation in your own way while negotiating just incase he doesn't think about it. Leave the words, the offer and tell him to think about it and let you know while your checking on some other used equipment on Craigs list and other dealers and do so. But have your check book with you because I suspect he'll take it or drop to $5500.

amigauser · Feb 13, 2014

$5800 for a BX1500 with mower and loader is a great deal. I have seen ones with just a mower (no loader) go for $5000 or more. That would be a fantastic deal in this area.

Persistent · Feb 13, 2014

wow guys..thanks for the replies.
im going to really check it out today... but it looks like im going to keep it.
i really like the size for what i need to do.
these 1500 seem like great little machines.

as far as price...around here they go for around 7,000.
dealer already said that 5800 is the lowest he will go.
i think they want to move some machines, and right now is a good time to buy.
he said if he waits till spring he would probably get 6500 to 7000 for it.

ill look for that counter balance bracket and check the condition.
Ill post some pics once its all cleaned up... and the hood is repaired.
thanks guys!

SPYDERLK · Feb 13, 2014

$5800 is a great deal for a BX1500 w FEL. Ours, w/o FEL, has 2k+ hrs. Ask that the dealer change out the o-ring in the steering piston. It wears out from all the siding back and forth. At around 700 hr intervals it will start bypassing steering fluid. Youll notice it as slow steering corrections not having any effect ... esp when warmed. No catastrophe, but It slowly gets worse.
larry