To rebuild or move on

[robs660]

I have a dilemma that I am looking for some opinions on.

I have a b-20 that is ready for the better part of an overhaul. All of the seals & hoses on the backhoe need to be replaced. All of the seals & hoses on the FEL need to be replaced. There is a leak from the front dif, steering stem, and the transmission. The front head lights, and horn are both in need of replacement and finally, the wiring harness has started dry rotting and needs replacement.

She runs strong - always starts up, no extra smoke, seat is comfortable and she fits in my garage with room to spare.

So - here is my dilemma..... To I put what will be close to 100 hours into all the repairs, repainting, and rebuilding to get another 20 years out of the machine, or am I better served to bite the bullet, sell the 20 to someone who is looking for an ugly work horse, and buy a newer b-21 or look into a nice used L-48.

I am figuring that if I rebuild I will be into the b-20 for the better part of $10k if not more if I decide to put all new rubber on her. I am sure I can sell her for $8K and I have a good line on the L for around $23K. Is the extra $5K worth it to move into a new tractor or is it worth giving back to the tractor that has served me well and has always been there for me when I needed an extra set of hands?

What do you guys think?

 

[Fxfymn]

How many hours on the B20? If it's greater than 1000 I'd say a new one is probably the best course.

 

[Grandad4]

If it's a commercial work machine, maybe better to find something newer. But if it's for your individual use, it becomes a more personal decision.

Are you one of those people that takes satisfaction from both using and taking care of your "stuff"? Or, do you buy/trade/sell tools and equipment regularly, because they are, after all, just tools? If you are like me, someone who hangs on to his stuff, the process of bringing your B-20 back would carry its own reward, even if it made more sense financially to replace it. Then, you'd have to decide if you could afford to put the time into restoring it.

 

[Craig Clayton]

As this is a hobby tractor site and your b-20 is like the family pet you can not put it out to pasture. What you do is rebuild the b-20 and buy a new b-21. Then you will have 2 tractors.
Craig Clayton

 

[Gale Hawkins]

Since you have already started looking to dump the old lady I expect you will.

I will never rebuild an old machine that starts fines and runs strong due to some expected age related leaks. Replace the hoses as they start to really leaking and keep it serviced is going to be the cheapest route I expect.

If you want to stop the leaks and see new paint just trade.

Dad always told me if I wanted some new to buy it instead of trying to make something old into something new. :thumbsup:

There are times to restore and times to replace but that is kind of personal as to what to do and when to do it. If things are working now you are not in a rush to do anything thing I guess.

 

[robs660]

B-20 hour meter never worked from the day I got it with 102 hours on it. For the most part is is like the family pet - from time to time I do use her to do small commercial jobs but for most of her life she lives here in a nice garage.

I buy only the best tools and hold on to them for a long time. I would rather have a good tool rebuilt then go buy a new one because the old is worn out.

Just don't know what to do?

 

[Groo]

sounds like you would be better served with a slightly bigger used machine.

 

[Fxfymn]

Don't know if the vehicle in your avatar is yours, but if it is you know the answer to your own question.

As someone who works on antique vehicles I know that it almost impossible to get out of the vehicle what I am putting into it. That's why it's always smarter to buy a finished car instead of doing it yourself. But, I keep doing them because I enjoy the process.

If you enjoy doing the work, have an attachment to the tractor, and don't mind knowing that you will never get your money back on the rebuild, than go for it. If not look for a good used unit that you can put a lot less into and end up with a nicer tractor.

There were a couple of BX23s in my area w/ low hours on CL that are going for 12-13k. Do they make more sense or does the emotional attachment mean more?

 

[robs660]

Fx. Yes the car is ours. Its the last 29 chevy bar harbour woody out there. Seemsclike there are more folkscon here that would rather rebuild then re buy. How has it been finding old kubota tactor parts? I have not had to do much work on her over the years

 

[brain55]

Have you actually gotten an estimate on the repairs? It doesn't sound like $10,000 worth of repairs to me. Maybe $3000+ at the outside. Before I made any rash decisions, I would get some real numbers.

Brian

 

[robs660]

The parts and having all the cylinders rebuilt totaled a shade under $10k. Worst part of the deal is the front dif and the leak in the bottem. That accouts for almost $3k of the job. Nothings cheap in NJ

 

[dstig1]

Got any pics to show what you are talking about? Always helps people understand what you are seeing and make some better recommendations. I know I'm curious to see it...

 

[brain55]

The parts and having all the cylinders rebuilt totaled a shade under $10k. Worst part of the deal is the front dif and the leak in the bottem. That accouts for almost $3k of the job. Nothings cheap in NJ

I missed the part of all the cylinders needing to be rebuilt. That is probably about $2000-$2500 right there for all 11 cylinders. I can see the transmission leak being about $2000. Is it just one bevel case, or axle seal or both, that are leaking. I can see that being as much as $400 a side. All of the hoses? If they are building them themselves and installing them another $1200, 50-100% more if they are using factory hoses. Complete wiring harness and installation maybe $800-$1000, a couple hundred for the headlights. The steering column leak another $200. $500 for fluid and filters. That is about $8000-$9000 so I guess it could all add up to $10,000. You really let that thing go to **** before fixing it. That machine would be like new afterwards. To me $10K for a like new machine beats $23K for a machine that you know nothing about. If it is in this bad of shape I think you will have a hard time getting $8000 for it. That is a lot of oil leaks to hide.

Brian

 

[Fxfymn]

Beautiful car. This will probably make you ill, but my Dad and Granddad took apart a 29 chevy sometme in the 30's to use the engine in a home made sprayer.

Never had to do much to the Kubotas. That's why I love them. I had to replace the bucket cylinders on the 3430 due to a bit of misfortune. I found those at Baileys for less than 20% of the dealer price.

I collect and work on old fire trucks. I presently have a 53 IH and a 52 Mack. The IH is for sale and I'm just starting on the Mack. I don't totally restore them, but rather I work to bring them back to original condition. I.e in the case of the IH it has original paint, that while not perfect, I prefer because it is original.

Given that the tractor is for work, even though working the tractor is rarely WORK, I'd be inclined to get something newer that I knew I could depend on. If the fire truck leaves me stranded I get it towed home, but if the tractor quits in the middle of a snow storm its a crisis. Plus I'd rather be working the tractor than working on the tractor.

 

[robs660]

Brian
She runs like a top digs like a groundhog and plows snow like a tank. All the leaks are very slow more of a pride thing then an issue. Since i have had this machine its been garage kept and washed and waxed often. Yes i wax the hood and fenders. I could rebuild it in stages and do it slowly over the next year. Its hard to think about it not being in the garage but then i think about biggef and i wonder. Wish i could have both!

 

[czechsonofagun]

I would address the problems one at a time - over a time - that way your spread the cost and it does not hurt that much. Also, I would do it myself as much as possible, but that's just me.

 

[duramax daddy]

B20 IS the rebuildable machine. plenty of new and used stuff out there.
BUT... sometimes newer models have more options and power.
tuff call.
budget will make your decision.