fair price on decent/used BX1500

[idrobnjak]

So after recently getting rid of my BX22, I have been looking around for a decent deal on just a tractor with a FEL and MMM if included but not obligatory. I have some retaining walls to dig for and build in addition to some lighter landscaping so pulling a small 4 box blade is also in the future. Most of the time it will be used for hauling dirt and gravel from one side of the house to the other up and down some serious hillside. Also would need help hauling the 80 lbs Allan blocks same distance from where they can deliver to where I need them. For excavating I plan to rent an excavator when needed since the BX22 was severely underpowered when working on my steep hills where I can approach the dig spot from only 1 side due to all the trees. Although my lot is very small, the amount of landscaping needed is tremendous. If I were to pay someone to do everything I want done, it would be in excess of 6 figures

I want to minimize the expense and buy decent used tractor that has not been abused (as I found out the case was with the BX22 I had). Pretty hard to do when it comes to tractors since they hold value so well. I ran across something and wanted to get an opinion. It is a 2005 BX1500 with a 54 deck and FEL. FEL is a little rough in spots since it was left outside occasionally but tractor and MMM were garaged and currently sit at 270 hours of use. In pics it looks great. The guy says he did all the maintenance, and it is almost up for 300 hour flush. He lives 2 hours away from me so don稚 really want to go look at it unless I plan on definitely buying it. As far as price he will go for $6k. I was really hoping to spend no more than $5k on almost 10 year old 2-cylinder machine.

So basically 2 questions do you guys think this is a fair price, and should I have any qualms as far as this machine being underpowered for the duty I plan to use it for - hauling stuff with FEL up and down steep hill. Thanks in advance for advice.

 

[newbury]

Dang that's expensive! I figure I paid about $8K for my B7610 when it was 2 yrs old. In January I bought my '95 M4700 w/ 1400 hrs for $11.5K.

But looking at prices on Tractordata that seems a fair asking price.

 

[idrobnjak]

I agree as far as pricey. Although prices have increased over time in general. I read some posts on here from 2000s and laugh at what people paid 7-8 year ago for stuff, nowadays it is 30-40% more expensive. So in theory this setup brand new back in 2005 may have run just under $10k. Seems like 8-9 years later, I should be able to get it for $5k, but as you said, looking at stuff online maybe $6k is not such bad deal if in truly as great a shape as this guy says. He is the original owner so I dont feel like he is pulling my leg, but you never know with people from craigslist.

I thought about going up to B series for more serious loader, with maybe a heavier duty backhoe to serve all my needs over next 2-3 years of landscaping, but i have these steep grades to worry about. The higher tractor clearance (such as B series), the higher the center of gravity and more chance of me tipping it. With BX series, being low to the ground, I feel like I minimize that. Although I will probably have to put something heavy in the back if I have the FEL loaded up and going down the steep hill.

This past weekend I had a Bobcat 331 excavator from the local rental place and even with the rubber tracks on it I still felt like I was going to tip it at times. But it ended up ok and the 7k pound machine did well pulling up roots and doing some digging.

 

[idrobnjak]

Here are couple of pics from the posting. He is asking $6500 but says will not go below $6k. Hopefully he is not a member of this forum... :/

 

[newbury]

That's cute!
We need pics of your lot to truly give advice. However a B7610 (or similar) with turfs and it's wheels at the widest is pretty stable.

It sounds like renting a mini-ex is better for you than getting a backhoe on a tractor.

 

[Poopdeck Pappy]

If your BX22 was underpowered, won't the BX1500 be also?

If you buy the BX, you should check out the Bro-Tek wheel spacers, which will give your BX a wider footprint. He has them in 1.25", 1.5", 2" and 3". He may make them for the B series too, but I'm not sure.

 

[idrobnjak]

Pappy, sorry somehow I was not notified of your post and missed it. Only the backhoe was underpowered on the bx22 which is why I am looking for one now just for loader work and will rent excavator when serious digging is involved. Went and looked at bx1500 and it was in amazing shape. Looked at it at 2 p.m. wanted a little time to think it over, texted him at 8 p.m. that I will buy it and it had sold in the mean time. Talk about bummed. Back to the drawing board.

Now I am also considering skid loaders. The large mini excavator I rented (bobcat 331) felt tall and tippy on my hill but it was my first time in one so maybe it was just inexperience. But I got the huge double stump out with it, pulled out some enormous honeysuckle and dug a 4 foot wide trench into part of the hill for the first retaining wall. And cut my cable line in the process But at $235 for the day + $100 delivery/pickup + fuel at rental rates + tax = almost $400, I don't feel like I got $400 worth of work done. Especially compared to having the bx22 for 3-4 months, using at my leisure and making a little money on it in the end when sold.

I am just looking for best all in one machine that will help me clear/dig/level/build retaining walls on my small property which is at a serious downslope without hurting myself. What I do like about a skid steer is that it can also dig a little with its bucket but I have never operated one and don't know how tippy they are when making turns on a hill with a load in the bucket.

Sorry for the ramble but am just thinking out loud and am hoping someone with more experience can help point me in the right direction. Thanks all.

 

[Poopdeck Pappy]

A used skid steer isn't a bad idea at all. I borrowed one this summer for a while. One thing I love about the skid steer over a tractor FEL is that you can see exactly what you are doing with the skid steer bucket. It's right there in front of you, not hidden by the tractor's hood. Plus, they have so much more power and are designed to take so much more abuse than a tractor FEL.

If you bought it right, you could sell it when you're finished with your projects and not lose much/any money on the deal. Sorta like a cheap or free rental with no time limit.