BX2230, lookng at a used one thoughts?

[Freakingstang]

sold my mitsu looking for a BX sized/comparable tractor for my needs. My needs are 90% mowing my two acres and the 90 year old neighbors yard. Some FEL work and some driveway maintenance. I loved the Mitsu for the loader. I didn't use it for mowing once the grading work was done. So that leaves my Kubota G1900 mower. Its not a tractor, no 3 point, no pto, no 4wd for the hills and ditches, basically a diesel mower..

So Looking at replacing my mower with something that will do it all. Don't have the cash for a new one.

I've found a 2005 or 2006 BX2230 with a 60" MM mower, Front end loader, and hyd snow/dozer blade with 1200 hours on it for around 6K. That's about my price range. Any issues with buying a used BX with that kind of hours? MY G1900 has 1K on it and rungs great, hydro still strong. It sat outside and has some fading, but nothing major. A cracked headlamp lens and a torn seat. Those are the only issues I've found. I actually used it to mow for a couple hours. I know the guy that has it and the maintenance has been taken care of. He bought it used at a year old under 100 hours.

Am I stupid for thinking this is a deal?

 

[Grandad4]

My 2230 has been 100% reliable since 2005, now going on 1,000 hours doing mowing, dirt work, many other various chores. We did have to put a new battery in it, but other than regular maintenance there have been no significant failures or repairs. The air cleaner bracket did develop a crack from vibration, which was common to those BX models, easily fixed with some reinforcement... something to check on the one you're looking at. We do have a larger tractor for heavy work, but the BX just never gives up and can do some amazing things considering its size. Note that it's not designed for rough terrain or heavy brush due to its low ground clearance and exposed underside. The small wheels and tight dimensions also mean it needs smallish attachments. We run a post hole digger with it and also a 400# broadcast spreader on the pto, both are full-sized Cat 1; just need to make sure the pto shaft isn't too long, and you have the FEL mounted for balance.

If the BX you're looking at is anything similar to ours, I'd have to say $6k is a pretty good deal.

 

[Freakingstang]

That's kind of what I figured. I know it isn't new, I know it has some hours, but if it runs good, I might pull the trigger

 

[walker450]

I know the guy that has it and the maintenance has been taken care of.

It is rare that you know the history behind of a piece of equipment that fits your needs and your budget. I'd buy it.

Note: I have a BX2350 with 550 hours that I bought new. I use it to mow about 3 acres with my 60" MMM and I do lots of dirt work with the front end loader and box blade. I also have a 42" tiller and brush forks that go on the front end loader. I have not been easy on it, and it keeps working perfectly. I love mine and I wouldn't hesitate to buy one with 1000 hours.

 

[Freakingstang]

It is rare that you know the history behind of a piece of equipment that fits your needs and your budget. I'd buy it.

Note: I have a BX2350 with 550 hours that I bought new. I use it to mow about 3 acres with my 60" MMM and I do lots of dirt work with the front end loader and box blade. I also have a 42" tiller and brush forks that go on the front end loader. I have not been easy on it, and it keeps working perfectly. I love mine and I wouldn't hesitate to buy one with 1000 hours.

thats what I wanted to hear… I won't be easy on it, but bigger tractors don't really fit my needs. Also the price, I think I can put money into it if needed. I've read they tend to crack heads when they overheat. Other than that, they only thing that worries me about the hours is the hydro unit.

 

[Grandad4]

The BX hydro's seem pretty robust- whole different league from what's in the typical lawn/garden tractor - but like any HST drive, they'll want clean, fresh fluid to live a long time. They seem to run smoother with the Kubota brand Super UDT-2, better named liquid gold but worth the cost, I think.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

My first tractor 11 years ago was a Kubota BX2200 MMM FEL. It was a workhorse and I wasn't easy on it. Got it stuck up on top of a big brush pile of downed trees from my and my neighbors new cleared building lots (acres). Still had the MMM on it, never took it off. Had to get the clearing guy to lift it off the pile with his dozer.:ashamed: He thought it was funny.:laughing:
I later traded it to a B7800 FEL and rear finish mower for more ground clearance and bought a BX1500 MMM for additional close to house mowing which my wife "said" she would do (never happened).
If it was maintained then the price looks good to me. Have never heard of anyone having problems with the hydro on the Kubotas other than those that try to save $2.63 by putting cheaper, non Kubota branded fluids in them and usually those came back to right when the cheaper stuff was drained and the super udt (now SUDT2)) installed.