Used Kubota buying advice

[Trillium Farm]

HI everyone, I'm considering a 10-year-old bx25 with 275 hours on it. Questions is how important is the 50-hour service? Rather, how bad is it that this tractor has not received it? Would you pass on it based on that info alone?

If you can get it for $100 go for it if not move on. This description spells neglect all over and it would end up costing you well over what the machine is worth.

 

[vvanders]

At least on the bigger Kubotas the 50hr service is *the* critical one. It's the one where any leftover particulates from break-in are removed. The fact that he couldn't do that on a smaller machine sends up all sorts of red flags.

 

[Tractor Seabee]

he 50 hr on my 8 yr old BX turned out to be vital. Found metal particles and mold sand in both the oil and HST filters. HST suction strainer also had stuff in it. Did not do the fuel filter at that time. Before 100 hrs the fuel filter plugged up with some kind of black gunk and particles of the ABS tank. It took 3 changes to get it all clean. Now 1500+ hrs and no more fuel filter plugging.

he closer you are to salt water the more corrosion builds up inside and outside. I pressure wash before every lube and maintenance period to help keep corrosion sown. Mud is bad because it tends to work into the implement bearing points. At 500 hours I had to replace all the QC on the FEL as they were rusted shut. I had taken the FEL for the first time and found that. Lesson learned: exercise those QCs often and keep them oiled.

Price would be the decider for me after a through inspection throughout including scoping the engine an HST looking for corrosion. Guarantee the crankcase and HST will have free water in them. My favorite mechanic works on a lot of old stuff. If i has been sitting awhile he has a lube pump he hooks up to the pressure gauge connection on oil pumps and force lubes before starting (after changing oil and filter). I am a decent wrench turner so tend to tackle stuff others should not or will not tackle. See if the seller will let you loosen the drain plugs checking for free water. $5K or less could entice me, depending on inspection. Find enough wrong and you maybe able to negotiate. He will probably find a sucker though. My take; let the sucker suck.

Ron

 

[HillStreet]

If your only option is a low ball tractor then check it out very good: any transmission noise, engine knock, smoke. Does it scoop dirt, raise and lower ok, travel ok. If it does I would buy it. Then clean it up with all new fluids and filters, grease it, and put it throug,h some tests. If you are still worried, go to Kubota and trade it up for something else.

 

[Jchonline]

I would pass. The 50 hour is to get all of the casting shavings out of the engine. I agree with Pine. HST is far more important to get this right. If someone can't bother to do this, they probably never greased it or did any other maintenance.

 

[dodge man]

First off the OP is saying just the 50 hour service was skipped. He doesn’t say otherwise if it was neglected. If at the very least the oil was changed 4 or 5 times I’d check it out carefully and buy it. It is pretty low hours. On my BX which is about the same vintage, I had some large metal shavings on the HST screen but nothing that didn’t get caught. If I had skippped it I don’t think it would have been fatal to the tractor.

 

[ChuckT]

As an aside, I'm considering a BX and not meaning to hijack this thread, I'm amazed to see posters describing metal shavings in the filters at first service. Is this really that common?

 

[hawkeye08]

If the tractor hasn't been abused otherwise, likely it would be fine.

 

[BleedingOrange]

All depends on the physical condition of the rest of the tractor, and asking price ?
By any chance, can you post a pic or two of the tractor ?

 

[dodge man]

Yes metal shavings on the HST screen are common.