Need opinions: Used BX1500 or BX1800?

[Tractor Factor]

The BX25 has been working out great over the past year. I use it all the time for everything around my 12 acres, but I still have to mow the 3/4 acre lawn around the house by hand. With the R4 tires and hillside the 25 really chews up the grass. So I've been looking for a second, smaller, used BX with turf tires, just for mowing, a little towing, moving equipment, etc. This will also allow me to leave the loader and backhoe on the 25 all the time.

I drove over to see a 2002 BX 1800 yesterday, w/ 60" mower deck, for sale by the original owner, less than an hour from my house...just turned 1000 hours. He's asking $6600 for it. Nice guy, he's used it mainly for mowing. It seems to be in great shape, and he says he's done all his own maintenance by the book. He's selling because he just bought himself a fine new BX2360!

I think, though, that I'd rather wait and see if I could find a nice, low-hour BX1500 in the $5000 or less range. That would be plenty of machine for the job, I believe, and it would be a lot easier for me to justify that price for what I will use it for. Problem is, these are harder to find...there don't seem to be as many of these made...might have to wait a while.

What are your thoughts on these two? 1000 hours is really no big deal on that 1800, is it? Thanks guys!

 

[TripleR]

I wouldn't hesitate to buy one with 1000 hours.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

The BX25 has been working out great over the past year. I use it all the time for everything around my 12 acres, but I still have to mow the 3/4 acre lawn around the house by hand. With the R4 tires and hillside the 25 really chews up the grass. So I've been looking for a second, smaller, used BX with turf tires, just for mowing, a little towing, moving equipment, etc. This will also allow me to leave the loader and backhoe on the 25 all the time.

I drove over to see a 2002 BX 1800 yesterday, w/ 60" mower deck, for sale by the original owner, less than an hour from my house...just turned 1000 hours. He's asking $6600 for it. Nice guy, he's used it mainly for mowing. It seems to be in great shape, and he says he's done all his own maintenance by the book. He's selling because he just bought himself a fine new BX2360!

I think, though, that I'd rather wait and see if I could find a nice, low-hour BX1500 in the $5000 or less range. That would be plenty of machine for the job, I believe, and it would be a lot easier for me to justify that price for what I will use it for. Problem is, these are harder to find...there don't seem to be as many of these made...might have to wait a while.

What are your thoughts on these two? 1000 hours is really no big deal on that 1800, is it? Thanks guys!

1000 hours would be a concern for me. I know they'll do 2000 usually at least before rebuild and some times longer and sometimes alot longer. Here's Kubotas MSRP for a new one with 0% financing but only offers a 54" mowing deck. I believe the new one can be bought for between $9 and $10 thousand. Would you rather have new for $2500 to $3000 more, interest free fo 60 months? If not, I think you can find a used one with less hours for that money.
http://kubotaproducts.bigmachines.com/commerce/new_equipment/products/model_configs.jsp The link isn't working but just do this then go to home and configure a new BX1860 with MMM.

 

[LBrown59]

The BX25 has been working out great over the past year. I use it all the time for everything around my 12 acres, but I still have to mow the 3/4 acre lawn around the house by hand. With the R4 tires and hillside the 25 really chews up the grass.
1* So I've been looking for a second, smaller, used BX with turf tires, just for mowing, a little towing, moving equipment, etc.
2*This will also allow me to leave the loader and backhoe on the 25 all the time.
I drove over to see a 2002 BX 1800 yesterday, w/ 60" mower deck, for sale by the original owner, less than an hour from my house...just turned 1000 hours. He's asking $6600 for it.
3*I think, that I'd rather wait and see if I could find a nice, low-hour BX1500 in the $5000 or less range.
That would be plenty of machine for the job, I believe, and it would be a lot easier for me to justify that price for what I will use it for.
4** Problem is, these are harder to find...there don't seem to be as many of these made...might have to wait a while.
5*What are your thoughts on these two? 1000 hours is really no big deal on that 1800, is it? Thanks guys!

1*I did about the same thing as what you are thinking about.
I bought the BX1500 with mower new just for mowing, a little towing, moving equipment, etc.
I also bought a used BX1500 for grading and tilling .
It's the tractor with the front blade on it.
2*Having the 2 BX1500s permits me to to leave the loader and backhoe on the BX23 all the time.
See tractor beside the gray pick up.
3*I know I would but I'd be willing to go in the 5000 to 6000 range price which I feal is more realistic for one with low hours 5 or 6 or years old.
4*I have seen a lot of Bx1500s on the used market.
5*I think $6600 is kinda on the high side for the BX1800 with 1000 hours.

 

[SPYDERLK]

I think, though, that I'd rather wait and see if I could find a nice, low-hour BX1500 in the $5000 or less range. That would be plenty of machine for the job, I believe, and it would be a lot easier for me to justify that price for what I will use it for. Problem is, these are harder to find...there don't seem to be as many of these made...might have to wait a while.

What are your thoughts on these two? 1000 hours is really no big deal on that 1800, is it? Thanks guys!

The 1500 is shorter... good for lawn mowing.

I will let you know when I learn the problem with the HST on my 1500 that is acting up at 1400hrs. It has surely seen much more serious tractive work than lawn mowing tho.
larry

 

[kiotihunter13]

The BX25 has been working out great over the past year. I use it all the time for everything around my 12 acres, but I still have to mow the 3/4 acre lawn around the house by hand. With the R4 tires and hillside the 25 really chews up the grass. So I've been looking for a second, smaller, used BX with turf tires, just for mowing, a little towing, moving equipment, etc. This will also allow me to leave the loader and backhoe on the 25 all the time.

I drove over to see a 2002 BX 1800 yesterday, w/ 60" mower deck, for sale by the original owner, less than an hour from my house...just turned 1000 hours. He's asking $6600 for it. Nice guy, he's used it mainly for mowing. It seems to be in great shape, and he says he's done all his own maintenance by the book. He's selling because he just bought himself a fine new BX2360!

I think, though, that I'd rather wait and see if I could find a nice, low-hour BX1500 in the $5000 or less range. That would be plenty of machine for the job, I believe, and it would be a lot easier for me to justify that price for what I will use it for. Problem is, these are harder to find...there don't seem to be as many of these made...might have to wait a while.

What are your thoughts on these two? 1000 hours is really no big deal on that 1800, is it? Thanks guys!

Dear Tractor Factory,
I have found you a kubota BX1800 with a 60" MMM in New Jersey for $7,500 here is a link : 2002 KUBOTA BX1800 Less than 40 HP For Sale At TractorHouse.com

 

[amigauser]

I had the same thought you had as my L3240 is to big for mowing so I have been push mowing my acre of finished lawn . I had thought about a ZTR but I have some hills and I wanted to be able to pull a trailer, aerator, lawn roller, etc. with it so that ruled out a ZTR for me.

I was going to buy a used BX or JD X500 but a new BX1860 was a better deal long term for me than a used Kubota or JD with the cheap financing etc. If you are thinking about used contact Brady Barlow as he has a good selection of used tractors and ships nationwide. This is my second new Kubota purchase from Brady I am just waiting on its delivery.

Used Kubota Tractors

 

[Tractor Factor]

I wouldn't hesitate to buy one with 1000 hours.

1000 hours would be a concern for me.

Ha! Everyone's got opinions, and funny thing is...they're all right! I do appreciate the input from you both. I find value in every post. I've still got 32 months of payments on the BX25, so I really have to find value to afford a second tractor.

Spyderlk, the size did attract me for mowing. Maybe the 1500's tranny isn't cut out for the heavier stuff, idk...I'll watch for your progress on that.

Hey kiotihunter13 (like the handle) thanks for the legwork. I'd probably have to add NJ sales tax to that, plus a couple hundred for gas round trip to get it (my truck=10mpg), so that's def over my budget. Nice machine, though, I'm sure it's worth it.

LBrown59, I was kind of hoping you'd chime in. I'm well aware of your kubota harem (as is everyone at TBN) Thanks for your thoughts. Maybe I should just offer the guy less for the BX1800, but I don't like to lowball an offer to anyone. I have also seen a few BX1500s, but I need to find one I can drive a reasonable distance to pick up. There was one on eBay last week for $5000 at a Virginia pawn shop...300 hours, I believe...didn't sell. Of course, unknown history with a pawn shop vs. buying with a known, excellent history from the original owner.

Hey, thanks again everybody, I really appreciate the input.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

I understand the not making lowball offers. I don't like to do it. I usually linger over looking and sigh several times and shake my head and say I wish I had more money but I don't (sigh) and I know it's worth what their asking and maybe more (sigh) and say how sorry I am but I just (sigh) don't have enough and (sigh) thanks for their time (sigh) but just can't go that much (sigh) wish I could (big sigh). If I find a flaw, I never mention it, I just keep coming back to it and rubbing it with my finger or look at it from several directions but never mention it if they are there and watching. They will usually mention it and can start telling what's wrong with something they are trying to sell.
Thank them again for their time and head for car with lingering looks back. If they'll take less they'll ask how much you can give. Now a choice of telling them your lowest of low you caould give, your still not making a low ball offer and then if they want to negotiate your in negotiations or you can ask them are they "saying they'll take less?" If they say they "might" then ask them what the least they'll take, if they would take less. I've found most people want to negotiate some but how it's done is the key. A low ball offer that is given like it's not worth much will make me walk away and never turn back. I'll dig in and not sale if some one acts like a jerk. Buying usually takes a lot of time with conversation and discussing family and the economy with little tidbits from time to time about the item for sale. Buying and selling is fun with some people.
I usually tell Steve Barlow that I have no interest in trading tractors...........then I say "but if I was, how much will you have to have to trade?" He gives a figure, I write it down, I look at it for awhile, pondering, then I say OK or I'll have to pray about this for awhile. I never offer him less. I sometimes may ask if he can include something to help me make it over my big loss of trading. He can then say yes or tell me how rough the economy is and his sad stories. No one gets insulted. It's just the way it is.

 

[Sam Mac]

Just my 2 cents for what ever it's worth. If all you need the second tractor for is to mow 3/4's of an acre and tow some stuff around would it make more sense to buy something like a Cub or JD garden tractor? I love my BX for the tough work but I still use my 25-year-old Cub 1210 for mowing and dragging things around. You can pick up a good Cub for under a $1000.00