New owner of BX1500 - maintenance

[RobR]

New owner here with a Kubota BX1500. I am new to tractors and especially Kubota. This is what I picked up:

2003 Kubota BX1500 - 145hrs
FEL - LA181
48: Mid mount mower
Price: $6800
(they said it was always undercover)

It seems to run fine, looks fine and everything works great from what I can tell. I think the only thing it might need is a new battery - seems a bit weak.

I guess my question is:

• Anything specific that I should keep an eye on?
• Things that typically wear out quickly?

I will be using it on our 2 acres mainly for mowing, landscaping, diggin post holes (gotta get an auger), pulling our DR grader and moving snow from our driveway whenever we get enough.

 

[radioman]

hi robr! welcome to the TBN forums! The BX1500 is a fine mighty machine and i think you will be very surprised at what it can do as you log some seat time. I have a BX24 that is simalar to your BX1500. basically you would want to read your manual. Its has all the information on changing oil intervals, greasing zerks for each implement you have. Perhaps lbrown will chime in with his comments as he got 3 bx's and alotta seat time!! It will be time for you to get a a grease gun if you havent already. Before buying one, do a search here on grease guns to familar your self with one if you havent got one yet. congrats on your new purchase.

 

[dodge man]

Sounds like you got a deal, thats low hours. I have 114 hours on mine and its only 8 months old. Do you know if the hydraulic fluid has ever been changed? It it hasn't been changed, I'd probably go ahead and do it. I'd go with super UDT while your at it, which is synthetic hydraulic fluid, which they recomend if you use it in the cold at all. I'd change the oil and filter also. I'd go ahead and grease the joints on the loader and mower deck also. And don't forget to enjoy it.

 

[radioman]

Ahh - forgot to add, You might want to mosey on down to your local kubota dealer and they can share alot of information related to maintaining your tractor. While you are there, it would Be a good idea to get fluids like kubota diesel oil, SUDT for your your tranny/hydraulics, filters.

 

[LBrown59]

Congrats on the BX1500.
2003 <> 145 hours/shucks that ain't even broke in yet.
$6800 with the fel & mower - not bad.

New owner here with a Kubota BX1500. I am new to tractors and especially Kubota. This is what I picked up:
2003 Kubota BX1500 - 145hrs
FEL - LA181
48: Mid mount mower
Price: $6800
(they said it was always undercover)
It seems to run fine, looks fine and everything works great from what I can tell. I think the only thing it might need is a new battery - seems a bit weak.

This is my used 2003 BX1500.
It had only 380 hours on it which is not really high.
Got about 425 or so hours on it now
I figure I have $4525 in just the tractor.

This one is my New BX1500.
Had less than 2 hours on it when I bought it.
Got about 65 or so hours on it now.
I figure I have $6300 in just the tractor.
I don't count the cost of the attachments and mowers as part of the cost of the tractors because they can be used on either tractor.
Both of these BX1500s were delivered to me on a roll back truck 11-8-2007.

I don't have a FEL for the BX1500s
Because my BX23 has a FEL and A Back Hoe.
I bought this BX new in Nov/2004.

 

[alchemysa]

A free parts manual might come in handy. Lots of diagrams. Theres a BX1500D here. (I don't know what the D stands for.)
Kubotabooks.com

 

[AceDeuce]

Welcome and congrats on your new addiction!

You will be very happy with your Kubota. Excellent price for a unit with such low hours. I have almost 400 on my '03 BX1500. It sounds like a perfect choice for the usage you described. Plenty of power (don't let the numbers fool you) and very stout for such a compact machine.

I'd recommend the Leinbach Jr post hole digger. Inexpensive and works great.

As for issues to look out for... the infamous air cleaner band WILL break if it hasn't already been replaced (but at over 100 hours it probably has). Look out for the seat switch going bad (no big deal to replace). I just recently had to replace my power steering hoses. Not real happy about that but I've heard others who have had similar trouble.

Plenty of info here in the archives and many knowledgeable people willing to help. Post pics when you get a chance!

 

[BANDAMAN]

Congrats on your new purchase! Sounds like a heck of a good deal and you will find its value will far outweigh that purchase price. Not sure if you got it from a dealer or a private party, but it always makes me feel better to go ahead and change all the fluids and filters. Spend a little time and money and then you can be confident that its ready to work for ya. Hopefully it came with the manuals which will cover the maintenance including all the grease zerks.

By all means, take a mintute to wax the wheels, those Kubota Orange wheels tend to fade and turn kinda white much faster then the rest of the machine.

 

[RobR]

Thanks for all of the responses. I think I will really enjoy this little thing.

Yes I do plan on changing the fluids soon and greasing it.

Thanks for the info on the post hole auger.... I will be needing that soon.

I do have all of the manuals too!

Here is a photo. I was wondering why the wheels already looked like they faded. Interesting to hear that it was common to be faded. Gots some cleanin to do.. Oh yeah the left blinker lense was broke. light still works though.

 

[BigD23]

Rob, nice looking/great machine....Enjoy!

Don