Buying Advice Sanity check, aisle 3, tractors and implments - aka paralysis by analysis

Oldironken · Feb 16, 2015

I've been looking and considering a garden tractors and sub-compact machines for quite a while. I've looked at Simplicity, Ingersoll, John Deere, Mahindra, and Kubota. I grew up on a small farm in Ohio where we used antique tractors, a 37 D, a 39 F-20, and an R from the 50's, in 77 or 78 we got a Kubota that my family still uses and has needed little maintenance over the years. So I know Kubota makes a solid machine.

I live in central Connecticut and have a 1-acre flat lot in the center of town, my primary needs are snow removal, some mowing, pulling my cyclone rake for fall leaf clean-up, and some day rototilling. What ever machine I buy will have an easy life, so i'd rather buy used.

I recently began a talking to someone about an '03 BX1500 with a 48" deck, and a FEL with under 400 hours. The deck size is perfect for my yard and the FEL is an added bonus, a snow blower can be added later. As far as I can tell this may be the perfect size machine for me, not too large and not too small.

- What things should I look for when I go see this machine?
- Are there any issues with this machine that have cropped up over the years that I should be on the look out for?
- The current owner has done his own maintenance and stored it in his garage, from the pictures it looks well cared for.

What is a fair price to pay? I'm not looking to fleece the guy, nor am I looking to be fleeced, I like to keep everyone happy.

Thanks for reading and any advice you might care to offer,

Ken
Windsor, CT.

Steppenwolfe · Feb 16, 2015

Check out comparibles at tractorhouse.com

Grandad4 · Feb 16, 2015

Check out all the basics for a used tractor: operation of engine, transmission, hydraulics, pto, drivetrain, absence of leaks, tire condition, loader, mower deck.
Specific to BX: check the transmission cooling fan (underneath, on the driveshaft from engine to tranny). Nylon blades on fan sometimes get busted if tractor has been run through a lot of tall brush or sticks. Fan doesn't cost much but is hard to replace. There are aftermarket skid plates if that would be an issue for you. Also, make sure air cleaner bracket isn't cracked from engine vibration. Some of the older models were prone to this, but I don't know if an '03 BX1500 would have had that issue. Easy to reinforce and fixed on later models. Otherwise the BX is known as a rugged, reliable machine. The BX wants to have the engine revved up to get adequate hydraulic flow and it's normal for it to be sluggish at low rpm. Sorry, can't help with prices... suggest checking some of the online listing services: tractorhouse, fastline, etc.

rScotty · Feb 17, 2015

Well, anyone with an old Shaw mechanical tiller is probably pretty familiar with old iron. Does it run? Do you use it for anything?
Yes, you should take a look at the comparables at tractorhouse.com. They are worth a look. But from what I've seen don't be surprised if a good homeowner machine - stored inside - and with decent maintenance (records?) - will come in at least 10% higher. Maybe more. A straight OEM loader typically adds between $1500 to $2000 to the price.
On an older machine it's all about condition.
Accessories cost more than you think. Make sure it has a complete three point hitch and anything associated with the deck.
When buying used equipment I think a person is money ahead to to pay more for excellent condition than the other way round.
luck,
rScotty
Four hundred hours could be about perfect.
That's enough time to break it in properly and expose any weaknesses but not enough hours to wear it significantly. That's about how many hours I'd expect for for ten years of mowing grass on a couple of acres. .

Baby Grand · Feb 17, 2015

Welcome, fellow Windsorite Ken!
I don't have much experience with the BX series, but Grandad4 has described of the quirks that I've read about.
The BX's have very loyal owners, and I don't think that's by chance.
One other thing to check is the transition from forward to reverse and back - make sure it's smooth enough for your comfort.
Do your due diligence on tractorhouse.com & CL and keep in mind that in the New England area, sub compact tractors command a high price, compared to other regions.
rScotty is right about condition weighing heavily on the price - try to get a feel for how the machine was maintained - is this the original owner, etc.
Good luck and let us know what you decide!

Oldironken · Feb 17, 2015

Thanks everyone, i feel like i have enough information to get me started. I won't be able to see it until this coming weekend but once i do i'll let you know where i'm at with it. In the mean time i'll be digging into more information to further overload my thinker.

The Shaw i mentioned in my signature is in Ohio on the family property, it was restored by my late father about 15 years ago. It's a Shaw Du-All R 12-T, it was last run about 5 years ago, i turn it over and keep the tires pumped up every time i go home.

Hello Baby Grand! i live on Broad St. between Capen and Remington, we get 2 lanes of snow plowed on to the sidewalks every time the state trucks come by so you can imagine the work my walk-behind snowblower is called upon to do.

CHDinCT · Feb 17, 2015

Not too familiar with the older BX's but a few issues I've read of were the bracket that holds the muffler often breaks from vibrations. I think maybe Kubota redesigned it, but not sure it is bullet proof fix. Read of various "homeowner" work arounds on here. The other issue was with the seats back then - not very comfortable and you feel like you're going to slide off the front of them. Kubota ran a promo offering cheap upgraded seats. Coincidentally, Messick's posted a week or two ago they have more seats at a promo price, so might want to check into that if you pull the trigger (assuming it has the old, crappy seat).

One other item I just recalled, not really an issue but something to be aware of. The 3PH back then had a different design and didn't lift as high as the current BXs so you could have more issues with taller attachments like post hole diggers designed for current sub compact tractors, etc.

Oh, and welcome to TBN from Killingworth CT.

jeff9366 · Feb 17, 2015

rScotty said:
Four hundred hours could be about perfect.

That's enough time to break it in properly and expose any weaknesses but not enough hours to wear it significantly.

That's about how many hours I'd expect for for ten years of mowing grass on a couple of acres.

On current Kubotas the first service/fluid change is at 50 hours, the second service/fluid change at 500 hours. So this tractor yet to clock its second service interval, assuming service intervals have not changed.

I have one "comp" for you from the SOLD archive on eBay. Cursor down to see specs.

LINK:2004 Kubota BX2200 4WD Engine HP 22 Tractor w Loader and 60 inch Mower Deck | eBay

So, maybe $8,000 for the BX1500++ you are contemplating in Connecticut, which has 800 fewer hours than the BX2200++ sold on eBay?

Baby Grand · Feb 18, 2015

Oldironken said:
<snip>

Hello Baby Grand! i live on Broad St. between Capen and Remington, we get 2 lanes of snow plowed on to the sidewalks every time the state trucks come by so you can imagine the work my walk-behind snowblower is called upon to do.

Ken,
I feel you pain. In '93 I was renting a tiny house, over in Fairfield, that had a sidewalk with a curb on one side and 2 feet of grass on the other, then the porch. We had a huge March noreaster that year. I kept shoveling that sidewalk and the town kept plowing it over. I finally ended up with an 18" slot through a six foot ice bank. My neighbor called it the Ho Chi Min Trail.

We're over off of Poquonock, near the Price Chopper at the end of a street with no exit or cul-de-sac, so the town plow leaves us a present every time he goes down our street. Sure glad we have the Kubotas or I'd still be out there, messing with piles.

Here's a few more comps:
http://www.tractorhouse.com/listingsdetail/detail.aspx?OHID=9099351
The one with the blower on the front looks especially nice, about now.
-Jim