Price Check Repair or replace?

[Tdog]

My 11 yr old BX22 is in the shop. I fully intended to run it till i no longer have need of it. I'm in my mid-70's & don't plan to check out any time soon, but you never know! Whatever. Here's what happened- - i got some vines wrapped around the rear axle & when i started pulling & cutting them off, i noticed they were drenched in hydraulic fluid. I already had a small rear axle leak that i decided to live with. The dealer wanted $1900 to repair the rear seal. i decided i could buy a lot of hydraulic fluid for $1900.
However, this new leak is so prolific i'm sure it drained the reservoir in just a few minutes. Monday, i towed the BX to the dealer & left it - - so far no word on an estimate.
Here's my dilemma - - assuming that $1900 estimate is still an accurate estimate to repair, is that too much $$ to put into a BX22 bought new in 2003 with over 1700 hours?
I will still need a tractor of some sort. What is the current equivalent of the BX22? Also wondering if my MMM & other attachments will fit a new machine - - i assume they will.
I'm hoping for good news from the dealer, but not expecting it.
Thanks,
Jack

 

[radioman]

First , I just want to say sorry for what happened. Things do happen. The problem is, its hard to tell on the internet how bad the rear axle issue is. You know that anything that is done by the dealer is going to be expensive for labor and parts. If you really wanted to save the MMM, it would be easiest to get another BX22. There was a TBN member that bought a deck from bx22 and cut off the tabs and rewelded it new location. I havent seen an update yet on how it doing since. Otherwise the 3 pt implements can go on any newer BX. As for 1700 hours, that I still consider that low hours with many more hours can be put on it. Those BX diesel engines do want to run and work hard still. Do you have the WSM? have you tried to see if you can look at the exploded diagrams views from messicks of the transmission to see if You can do the work instead or you prefer the dealer to do it?

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

The BX25D is the new BX22, BX23, BX24, BX25. The new one will be around $17,000-$18,000. If your not a big user, don't have to have new and want to save several dollars you'd be better off paying for yours to be repaired, up to a decent/fair amount. You may want to see if you can get someone other than the Kubota dealer to fix it. I had a $2 seal put on a Kubota F and cost me $200 at the dealer. Sure most any tractor mechanic could have done the job, just determine their hourly rate and ability/reputation in the neighborhood.
I usually push trade/sell your old one and buy new with 0% interest but not as convinced in your case. I like new myself.

 

[tman1020]

I guess it just depends on how much you like your tractor. If you're 70 years old now depending on how many hours you put on per year you could potentially have that tractor the rest of your life. In my opinion that creates a good argument for a new tractor if there are things about yours that you would improve by getting a new one. For example if a new one would be easier to get on and off of it. or make life easier for you hooking up to attachments or doing a better job it whatever type of work you do with your tractor. If that's the case the sooner you get the new one the more time you'll have to use it.

 

[Gary Fowler]

Given your age, you may not be able to or even want to do the work yourself. You could look around for a mechanic shop that has reasonable rates to compare with the Kubota dealership but most shops now use a standard rate for repairs that list a certain number of hours for each type of repair and they charge that amount so the only difference might be in the hourly rate. Dealers charge $100 per hour or thereabouts while some independent shops may charge $65 so it does pay to shop around. You just need to get recommendations on the shop as some might rook you into a cheap estimate only to charge a lot more in miscellaneous work associated with the repair.
I am lucky to have a mechanic that works on cars mostly but will service tractors also and he is good, honest and fair on pricing.

 

[Rocky Hoffler]

I would get comps on your tractor with everything in working order and then decide if its worth putting money in. Or sale or trade as is. Don't know your finances and that's your business but if possible I get what I want you can't take it with you. be Happy

 

[2458n]

Shop around a little, visit a few places. As long as it does not require a special tool or jig about anyone in this line of work should be able to repair. Do not say Kubota wanted X to repair- buy the part and take it with you. Your Bx and you have a long time to spend together.

 

[jaotguy]

when the cost of the repair is equal to the value of the machine , it is definitely time to change for another .
you'll spend xxx to get a machine back that is only worth xxx on a trade or sale .. (you'll be giving it away , when you could have put the money towards another )

when the unit failure rate is costing more than and upgrade , it is time to upgrade . ( consistently down at the worst times possible )

if the unit has been a solid performer , and will meet your future needs , consider the repairs ....

 

[newbury]

My 11 yr old BX22 is in the shop.

It's IN the shop already

I fully intended to run it till i no longer have need of it. I'm in my mid-70's & don't plan to check out any time soon, but you never know! Whatever. Here's what happened- - i got some vines wrapped around the rear axle & when i started pulling & cutting them off, i noticed they were drenched in hydraulic fluid. I already had a small rear axle leak that i decided to live with. The dealer wanted $1900 to repair the rear seal. i decided i could buy a lot of hydraulic fluid for $1900.
However, this new leak is so prolific i'm sure it drained the reservoir in just a few minutes. Monday, i towed the BX to the dealer & left it - - so far no word on an estimate.
Here's my dilemma - - assuming that $1900 estimate is still an accurate estimate to repair, is that too much $$ to put into a BX22 bought new in 2003 with over 1700 hours?
I will still need a tractor of some sort. What is the current equivalent of the BX22? Also wondering if my MMM & other attachments will fit a new machine - - i assume they will.
I'm hoping for good news from the dealer, but not expecting it.
Thanks,
Jack

What it boils down to now is:
How much do you trust the dealer and is there anyone else available?
What are your other attachments?
What's the overall condition of the "package"? Garage kept or stored outside uncovered for it's life?
Do you need new tires?
Any other problems?

Tractorhouse lists a 2002 BX22 w/ 486 hours, MMM, FEL, and backhoe for $11.5 K. If you've got all that plus about 1200 hours your's is probably worth at least $8K fixed.

I think $1900 is a little steep for a rear seal. Reading other threads it may be a major job but in Oil & Fuel Bx-24 blew rear axle seal:

I talked to a mechanic at my dealer and he said the same as Kubotamanjh's dealer, it just pushes into position with finger pressure and is supposed to stay, but occasionally they don't. He also said if it wasn't secure he would suggest putting some gasket sealant on it. So I've ordered a tube of Loctiteｮ Superflex RTV SILICONE Sealant Number 30560 and will clean the seal and outer axle housing, then put some sealant on the seal's OD before pushing it into place. I'm going to feel the RH seal for tightness too, and if it's not real snug I'll put sealant on it too. BTW I pulled out the red vent, cleaned and blew into it, there wasn't much airflow but there shouldn't need to be much, I would think.

I'm a little disapointed in Kubota for not putting sealant on these at the factory. Their dealers clearly know about it and what would it cost for the guy assembling the axle to put a dab of sealant on? $0.05?

Yours may be a simple replacement and some glue, BUT the "proper by the book" procedure authorized by Kubota may require a major teardown.

For example the A/C on VW Jettas is known for a faulty RCV valve ($75 part, $100 freon and a pair of snap ring pliers), VW's procedure replaces the entire compressor to the tune of $2,000. We had our son buy the parts and he replaced it in about 10 minutes plus a half hour vacuum test. MANY others have done similar, buy the part and freon, quick swap out almost like changing a spark plug. BUT VW won't do it that way.

 

[Dr_Zinj]

To me, 10% of the total cost of the tractor for major repairs is not an unreasonable amount of money; especially if the repair shop has to split the tractor open to fix it. Normally, I'd elect to have the repairs done as long as they total less than half the current replacement cost of a like vehicle or piece of equipment (same general age and condition). If the estimated repair cost exceeds that amount, then replacement is warranted. Then the question is, do you buy a used one, or do you go for new? A lot depends on how much you can get for your broke tractor in parts and metal value.