Compact with 150 hours on it, never been serviced. Avoid?

[tallguy104]

Hi guys, I'm in the market for a sub-compact or compact like the Kubota BX / B series.
I'm looking around at the second-hand tractor market locally, and I've come across this 3 year old B2301 with 150 hours on it.
It's never had a loader attached to it, just been used for mowing and plowing.
I'm a bit of a newbie when it comes to owning tractors, but I did follow the steps in this video on how to evaluate a used tractor.

It looks like it's never been serviced. The owner services his own machinery, and when I asked he couldn't tell me where the oil filter was (not a good sign!!). When I found it, it is the grey painted filter, presumably the one that came with it from the Kubota factory...
I know first service is supposed to be at 50 hours.

Below is a photo of the colour of the engine oil off the dipstick:


Radiator screen had a fair bit of grass in it (photo taken after it was given a quick clean).
Air filter had a fair bit of grass and dust caked on it.

So it looks like it's spent the first 150 hours of it's life being unloved. I doubt it's ever been serviced and it looks like it's air filter and radiator screen haven't been cleaned, possibly ever.
My first question is, at 150 hours will this neglect make any difference? Or is it still so young it will have had minimal effect on the health / longevity of the machine? Anyone?

The other concerns that stood out:

It's been bumped into a fence post so the front headlamp cover and grill is cracked:


We live in a coastal area, so rust can be an issue if not garaged. The owner claims it has been, and I can't see much rust on it, except for this plate just under the seat...?



Here's a few more photos generally:

 

[Johnkn]

Those front tires sure looks worn for 150 hours...... Good luck....

 

[DMW]

It always helps to have a general location in your profile.
By "plowing" I assume that was pushing snow. It would explain the wear on the front tires, operating in 4WD on asphalt/cement, and the rust from salt (it may have had a salt thrower on the 3pt.). When pricing, include the cost of an FEL if you want to add one latter, it can get expensive.

 

[tallguy104]

Sorry, have updated profile now. We're actually in a snow-free part of the world, so by plowing I meant plowing soil, with some kind of home-made tow-behind gadget the owner said.

 

[MF243RedTop]

Those front tires sure looks worn for 150 hours...... Good luck....

By "plowing" I assume that was pushing snow. It would explain the wear on the front tires, operating in 4WD on asphalt/cement.

Or filled rock hard with air and only wearing down the center.

 

[jaydee325]

I'd pass if for no other reason that it doesn't have a loader. If you ever decided to move on, I'm guessing 8 out of 10 prospective buyers will pass for the same reason.

 

[Rebeldad1]

If everything seems to be in good working order and the engine oil isnt burnt you should be fine. Just purchase it according to its condition. A unserviced tractor hasnt the value a fully serviced one has. Also ask if the owner will hold it for you while you have a oil sample tested. Send the sample in next day delivery and call the company that tests it if they will expedite the testing and call you when done. If no wear is shown it should be fine. Be sure to run a cleaner through the motor before filling it back up. After a couple hours of use drain and fill again.

 

[fried1765]

My first thoughts too, even if over inflated.



That and a little around the 3 point make me think it has seen a lot of humidity.

As to the hours, it probably has seen a lot of continuous running time while mowing. If he has a big yard, and the mowing season is long, 50 hours per year means it hasn't been getting short runs contributing to sludge formation. In engineering circles, 150 hours would be somewhat equivalent to 15,000 km on the engine. While not the best, I wouldn't loose too much sleep over that one factor. I'd be more concerned why it's being sold and if the answer sounds reasonable.

If you want a loader, this is likely not the tractor for you!
OEM loaders become very expensive as an afterthought.

How does the asking price of this B2301 compare with the price of a new B series ?

 

[dodge man]

If the hours are correct, it’s not to late for maintenance. Diesels tend to turn oil very black so that’s not unusual. Like already said if you need a loader it needs to be cheap.

 

[Wagtail]

If the hours are correct, it’s not to late for maintenance. Diesels tend to turn oil very black so that’s not unusual. Like already said if you need a loader it needs to be cheap.

Wholeheartedly agree. 150hrs is not too late for a 'servicing'. If it's the tractor you've been looking for you should get it at a very reasonable price, especially if you voice your concerns. A FEL will be easy enough to access from a Kubota dealership if you want one... I'd go with OEM filters & oil. You'd be close enough to the 200hr hydraulic fluid/filter maintenance that it'd be worth doing everything at once.

If you do get this tractor I highly suggest adding "Fuel Doctors" (available at Supercheap Auto) additive to the diesel. It will help.