Small Diesel 4WD Garden Tractor with snow removal options for under $5000?

[Grandad4]

I have one model version newer than the 2200 but basically the same tractor. Solid, dependable machine. Check for broken air cleaner bracket... common minor problem due to engine vibration... many owners fabbed up a stronger mount while others got a factory reinforced replacement bracket.
There is a plastic cooling fan for the HST visible when you look from below. It's exposed and vulnerable to sticks, etc. if the tractor has been off in the boonies. Make sure it's still OK, since it is a pain to replace if it has been trashed. Otherwise, just the basics: tie rods, fluids and filters, engine, HST and hydraulic operation. Look for leaks or worn bearings and seals (especially mower deck, which should be greased regularly). Radiator needs to be kept clean. You run these BX's at a high throttle setting... the hyd. flow is pretty weak until you've got some rpm's and mowing would be done at full throttle. See if you can find out how often the engine oil and HST fluid has been replaced. The engine and HST want regular attention for long life. If it's got some rust, make sure all the controls and linkages are working and not bound up with corrosion also.

Puzzled... you said "bucket work" but there is no FEL?

 

[Spring1898]

Yes, they are not including the FEL with the tractor. It would be nice to have, but that is one reason why it is cheap enough for me to approach. It is still outside of my price range but I hope to talk them down since we are pretty close. I do want to see it in person before I buy to check it over. It looks like it was used to take care of the space around a business of somesort, so I don't think it was in the woods much. From the pictures it looks like the rust is limited to the cab itself. Of course that means it could be anywhere. I plan to sand it down, paint it and sell it.

Testing the hydraulics would be limited to the deck as that is the only attachment on it at the moment.

Is there a source for a service manual on these? The description they give was that the oil was changed every 100 hours onsite but that all other repairs were done at the dealer (who isn't that far away). No mention of the interval on the HST though.

How much are tires and blades for these?

 

[94BULLITT]

Well I am starting to negotiate on a BX2200 with 1800 hours. Used for snow removal, cutting a few acres, and bucket work. Comes with bagger (don't need), Cab (1KBXSS that is a bit rusty), and front mount hydraulic blade. Doesn't come with the FEL. Cab needs work, and I imagine that the deck might need some work. The tractor doesn't look pristine, its been used, but nothing major out of the ordinary from pictures.

Anything specific to look out for on these?

That should be a good little snow mover. I use the BX with a rear blade to push some snow and it does it good job. I have pushed 18'' with it. A front blade would be better yet. You may want to keep the cab and just install it for winter use. I'm not sure but with the front blade you may need a ballast on the 3PH for the tractor to perform its best.

 

[DHD]

I too was looking for a reasonable priced 4wd diesel and also looked at the Kubota GR series.
The mechanical issues of the early GRs turned me off.
I ended up with the Husqvarna Rider 322T AWD, for mowing and as a back-up snow blower that my wife could operate if needed.
It is not diesel, but it is much easier on gas than my old Wheel Horse 416-H use to be.
It also does a much nicer job mowing my lawn than the WH use to do.
If you have hilly terrain the Rider 322T is like a mountain goat, it is very stable on hills.
I have not yet used it for snow removal, but other folks have had great results.
Maybe it's something you could use, maybe not, but it might be worth a look.

Here is a link to another forum with more info on the Rider 322T.
http://www.mytractorforum.com/showthread.php?t=250230

 

[Cherokee140]

I have been using a Sears tractor DGS6500 for 6 years for snow and around the house mowing. IIRC it has about 400 hours on it so far. I have the sears snow blower and it works pretty darn well, it has skids on the bottom so you can lift it up about an inch off the ground so it does not toss TOO much gravel. That is really the only down side to it, you can't adjust it higher then that....so if the driveway is real uneven (like mine) it will pick up and toss gravel....and it does toss them. It is gas however. It does not seem to be as thirsty as my JD gas mower, but it is not as good as the diesels. Mows real nice, moves snow very well. I have the little cab for it and plugged in a 12v DC heater and I stay ok in the cab even with the open back...to the point I have to take off the face mask I will start to sweat with the little heater running and the hot air blowing on me.

I thought I had some photos on the net somewhere but can't find them. I bought the tractor new I think $3000 and the snow blower was around $100.

Like I said I have used this setup for 6 years and never an issue outside of burning up a belt when I had it on wrong. I change the oil and lube the machine once a year. It has been a rock solid machine for a great price. And I usually make it through the winter on 10 gal of gas....depends on the snow. I have about 700-800' of driveway I have to do.

 

[Deere Dude]

I used to assemble the JD X595's back in the day but they are very expensive used.

Just curious, where was that? They may be expensive but are some nice machines and long lasting.

 

[Spring1898]

Just curious, where was that? They may be expensive but are some nice machines and long lasting.

I worked at a dealership for John Deere, a smaller one, but close enough to the rural area that we would get 2-3 larger machines like that per year. They eventually dropped the Deere line because the profit margins weren't good for smaller businesses that weren't dealing heavily on the commercial side of things.

The X series were very nice, with lots of extra features, but I always felt you were paying a lot for what you got.
I used to love the sound of revving it up and starting that big mower for demos.

 

[Spring1898]

Double post

 

[GPintheMitten]

I had a 1983 Kubota B6200 hst diesel, 4wd tractor. It only had 15 Hp but did the job for me and my brother before me. I sold it with about 1100 hours for $4500. It had a 3 pt hitch, pto and a 48 inch mid mount mower. It would clear snow with a rear 5 ft back blade.

If you could find something like that, it would be the cat's meow for you, but may be hard to find something like this.

I would try craigslist for your area and use searchtempest to try craigslist ads from a given radius from your zip code.

Here's a couple of ads I found in your area

2002 Kubota Tractor B7500 Narrow 4x4

John Deere 650 Compact Diesel Tractor 4x4

One has no implements and one has a front blade.

You can get a 4- 5 foot 3pt pto powered rear finish mower at TSC and same for rear blade.

 

[GPintheMitten]

Here's another ad I found with more attachments. You could sell what you don't need.

Johndeere650 with attachments