A neglected BX23

[ArtyB]

I just found a 2005 BX23 with 265 hours for $10,000. The guy didn't give it much love, basically just greasing things, changing the oil, and filter and recently installing a new air filter. It was stored outside and he'd never had the backhoe off, so it took me about three hours to remove it and then disassemble and clean/lubricate the brackets.

I changed the HST fluid and filter, changed the front axle fluid and pressure washed everything. Also greased all of the fittings. It looks much better, but I'm wondering if there's anything else I should do to make up for his lack of care? It runs fine and everything works.

Thanks for any thoughts, Richard

 

[art]

Some times we relate to beauty but that is only skin deep!

That is why plastic surgeons came about to make someone cosmetically enhanced!

Sounds like he took care of the mechanical end so if need be give it a Dupont tune-up and enjoy!!!

 

[copperhead1967]

Only other thing I can think of is coolant and fuel filters. If he was a oil change only guy he may have skipped these two. There are two fuel filters and need changed out once every two years or so. Depends on the hours you put on it and quality of fuel your using. I usually do it every other year.
Did you clean the screen for the hydro behind the left wheel when you did the hydro service?
Sounds like a nice low hour machine, good luck with her.

 

[EagleTDL]

If it was me I'd make a list of all the things in the Manual that should have been done to get to the 265hr mark in regards to hourly/annual maintenance. Subtract the things that you've done to this point from your "master" list and that's what I'd do next. That way you know it's all been tweaked up and it's good to go...

Yeah, you may "short" yourself on some of the upcoming scheduled items, but at least you know it has been done, and done right! Sounds like that ol' BX found a good sugar daddy! :thumbsup:

 

[Grandad4]

Other things to check:

1. The HST fan, up underneath. Plastic fan notorious for getting broken by sticks if the tractor is run through tall brush. Thing is, you have to split the tractor to replace it. Many threads here about this. Hopefully, yours is OK.
2. If there's a mower deck, make sure the grease zerks have been lubed. Very nice mower, but if lubrication is neglected, there will be expensive new parts in your future.
3. How much crud is built up on the control levers and linkages? You want to keep them clean and lubed so they don't bind up at inconvenient times. I'll use whatever spray can lubricant is handy once every few months.
4. Tire pressure.
5. Crud in the radiator fins can cause overheating. Gently clean with water, soap, compressed air. No pressure washer or scrub brushes for obvious reasons.

Having a specific maintenance checklist and schedule is a great idea, but ordinary common sense care goes a long way too.

 

[638]

"1. The HST fan, up underneath. Plastic fan notorious for getting broken by sticks if the tractor is run through tall brush. Thing is, you have to split the tractor to replace it. Many threads here about this. Hopefully, yours is OK."

You don't have to 'split' the tractor on the bx23 to replace the fan.

 

[Grandad4]

Thanks for the correction. That was poorly worded... in fact, it was wrong. But replacing it is a real chore from all accounts; I've been fortunate so far to have avoided the experience.

 

[slowzuki]

Sounds like he looked after it quite well, it only has 265 hours on it? Sounds like a good find!

 

[rlsmith]

If it was me just like what you did replace, and or clean all filters, screens and fluids and make sure all Zerks take grease. Like Art said these units are build and being pretty is just in the eyes of the beholder. My 2005 BX23 has over 12000 that is not pretty no more but to me it is a beutiful piece of equipment that has saved me thousands of back breaking hours. All I have done is changed all the fluids regularly and keep it greased and only repairs been made is with the tranny needing replaced around 600 hours that was covered under warranty even though it had expired 3 months prier along with replaced 3 of the 4 tires due to running over items to big to patch or trouble sealing them after running them to low to long and lastly a hydo line connecting to the BH. I have thought about buying a new unit but I love the way this yr unit is put together and ease of servicing it and lack of trouble my unit has given me. I mow 5 areas with 60in mmm, mow 4 acres with a brush hog, rototill 4 gardens plots, and have moved and dug tons of dirt and stone.

 

[copperhead1967]

If it was me just like what you did replace, and or clean all filters, screens and fluids and make sure all Zerks take grease. Like Art said these units are build and being pretty is just in the eyes of the beholder. My 2005 BX23 has over 12000 that is not pretty no more but to me it is a beutiful piece of equipment that has saved me thousands of back breaking hours. All I have done is changed all the fluids regularly and keep it greased and only repairs been made is with the tranny needing replaced around 600 hours that was covered under warranty even though it had expired 3 months prier along with replaced 3 of the 4 tires due to running over items to big to patch or trouble sealing them after running them to low to long and lastly a hydo line connecting to the BH. I have thought about buying a new unit but I love the way this yr unit is put together and ease of servicing it and lack of trouble my unit has given me. I mow 5 areas with 60in mmm, mow 4 acres with a brush hog, rototill 4 gardens plots, and have moved and dug tons of dirt and stone.

12000 hours or 1200? Interesting your tranny was replaced at 600 hours that number is popping up alot when it comes to tranny replacement.(me too) Hopefully 1200 is NOT the next interval.