Garden/Compact Tractor Recommendations Please

[jeff9366]

An FEL and bucket are soooooo….. useful.

I would check out the top entry, BX2200, first.

I like garage stored. Unlikely rodents have been at the wiring.

Take $6500 in $100 dollar bills with you. Authentic cash talks.

 

[TJP89]

An FEL and bucket are soooooo….. useful.

I would check out the top entry, BX2200, first.

I like garage stored. Unlikely rodents have been at the wiring.

Take $6500 in $100 dollar bills with you. Authentic cash talks.

What he said. FEL is really really really useful. If it's in good condition, take it. You might even be able to knock down the price a little with real cash. 60 hundred dollar bills talk loud. You should be able to get a good 3pt snowblower for a little over 500, and a front mount wouldn't put you too far over 7K either. With a rear blower and front loader, you can move a lot of snow.

 

[DaveRR]

Hopefully this will still be available after closing. I have zero experience with something like this...any pointers on what problems to look for?

 

[DHD]

I don't own a Kubota BX series, but from my reading,
an issue with the transmission cooling fan replacement can be more difficult on some model BXs.
I think the BX2200 is suppose to be one of the easier ones to change, but I'm not 100% certain.

 

[jeff9366]

Basically, you want to look at used tractors dirty.

Then you want to inspect for leaks, all over. Then tractor appendages either level or plumb, as appropriate.

Have seller start. Function the FEL, PTO and Three Point Hitch, UNDER LOAD.

See if seller has a maintenance log. See if owner has Operator's Manual.

That is the basics. Tractors that have not been abused are bloody strong beasts.

Change all the fluids, diesel, oil and hydraulic, change all filters, shortly after tractor arrives home.

Do not top up diesel until you are sure tractor is running satisfactorily. Old diesel is often a problem.

 

[DaveRR]

Basically, you want to look at used tractors dirty.

Then you want to inspect for leaks, all over. Then tractor appendages either level or plumb, as appropriate.

Have seller start. Function the FEL, PTO and Three Point Hitch, UNDER LOAD.

See if seller has a maintenance log. See if owner has Operator's Manual.

That is the basics. Tractors that have not been abused are bloody strong beasts.

Change all the fluids, diesel, oil and hydraulic, change all filters, shortly after tractor arrives home.

Do not top up diesel until you are sure tractor is running satisfactorily. Old diesel is often a problem.

I sent the seller a message and heard back. He bought it 2 years ago with the mower and the back bucket, and bought the loader new at that time. He says he doesn't use it much, he has only used the loader 10-12 times, and says there is nothing wrong with it except cracks in the seat. He has manuals but no service records, and it has about 2,400 hours on it. Is that a lot for one of these?

 

[jeff9366]

No. With regular maintenance and an operator who does not flog the tractor, Kubota BX diesels go 12,000 hours reliably, longer if garage stored. Average residential BX use is 80 hours per year.

TUTORIAL LINK: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-owning-operating/167108-do-your-own-fluids-filters.html

 

[DHD]

I sent the seller a message and heard back. He bought it 2 years ago with the mower and the back bucket, and bought the loader new at that time. He says he doesn't use it much, he has only used the loader 10-12 times, and says there is nothing wrong with it except cracks in the seat. He has manuals but no service records, and it has about 2,400 hours on it. Is that a lot for one of these?

According to the tractordata site the Kubota BX2200 was sold 2001-2003
TractorData.com Kubota BX2200 tractor information
Do you know what year this BX2200 is, that you are looking at ?
It's only had a loader for the last two years ?
Makes me wonder, with 2400 hours clocked, if it was mostly used for mowing, prior to this latest owner ?
That's allot of mowing.
A quick check of 5 or 6 on craigslist it looks like the BX2200 have hours running anywhere from about 600 to about 1900.

 

[Coyote machine]

That's a LOT of hours for the timeframe. Not if one averages it out from say 2001, but it's not a little use tractor. I'd check belts, hoses for glazed look or cracking, and any apparent leaks.

If 80 hours/year is average residential use, do the arithmetic over 14-15 years, that works out to around 171 hours over 14 years. 80 hours twice is 160 and 171 is even more than double the average res. use. It may not be a problem, IF you carefully look and factor in the other wear and tear on the unit over that time. If no maintenance records AND high useage, those points are good for negotiating the price down.

Check the tire tread wear, squeals or squeaks on starting up and or shutdown. Check radiator fluid for color, oil for color/level, and trans diff for level, color smell. Check joints pivot points for fresh grease or lack of grease. Drive it through all gears, lift some load with the FEL. Check for any bent FEL pieces or serious dings, bends cracks in welded junctions. See what the owner's land looks like and access what he uses the tractor for primarily.
Whip out cash and close the deal. Report results. Good luck.

Hey Murph, did you build that soft cab yourself? Does it have heat? How old is that V? It looks brand new?!

 

[TJP89]

I agree, that's a lot of hours. Someone worked it good before the current owner. Not ridiculous, I will put over a hundred hours on my tractor a year, but still. However, that's fine if it has not been abused. Look it over good, bring someone who knows what to look for if possible.

On the time, it may be there when you close, it may not. If its a good deal likely it won't. I'd go on it now, as long as you're reasonably sure the house deal will go through.