About to pull the trigger on a used BX2230... couple questions

[Dagmandt]

Hi guys,

I'm a total tractor newbie. I have zero experience. I'm looking to purchase a subcompact tractor for my single acre lot. It is mostly landscaped so a subcompact with turf tires is as big as I can go. I found a BX2230 with loader, mower deck, balast box, and rear blade for $8,500 locally. I will be calling to get more details like year etc...

My main concern is the rear hitch. It is a 3 point and claimed to be a Class 1 but I've read that it is possibly a Class 1 limited. How concerned should I be about this? Does anyone have definitive data on this? I can't find much info on it.

Any other advice? I'm looking to buy now, was going to buy this one until I read about the hitch so need to take a step back and decide if it is important or not.

Thanks.

Darren

 

[RaydaKub]

What are you going to use the 3ph for? I don't think there are all that many limitations myself, but I've not shopped for implements. $8500 for that tractor with the blade & box is a bargain! I got mine for $7100 w/o the blade or box and I think that was still a pretty good deal. The BX1500 lists for $10g's at many dealerships.

Unless it has been beaten to crap, take it!

 

[Dagmandt]

What are you going to use the 3ph for? I don't think there are all that many limitations myself, but I've not shopped for implements. $8500 for that tractor with the blade & box is a bargain! I got mine for $7100 w/o the blade or box and I think that was still a pretty good deal. The BX1500 lists for $10g's at many dealerships.

Unless it has been beaten to crap, take it!

I was considering a backhoe later on down the line possibly but not right away. Would mostly use it for balast and maybe the blade.

 

[TripleR]

Hi guys,

I'm a total tractor newbie. I have zero experience. I'm looking to purchase a subcompact tractor for my single acre lot. It is mostly landscaped so a subcompact with turf tires is as big as I can go. I found a BX2230 with loader, mower deck, balast box, and rear blade for $8,500 locally. I will be calling to get more details like year etc...

My main concern is the rear hitch. It is a 3 point and claimed to be a Class 1 but I've read that it is possibly a Class 1 limited. How concerned should I be about this? Does anyone have definitive data on this? I can't find much info on it.

Any other advice? I'm looking to buy now, was going to buy this one until I read about the hitch so need to take a step back and decide if it is important or not.

Thanks.

Darren

I wouldn't be concerned at all, I could use the same implements on my BX2200 limited cat I as I use on my BX2660 with cat one. Several people make appropriately sized implements for these SCUTs.

 

[AStanton]

Dag,
I'm no big tractor expert, but if you are buying that BX2230 with intentions of putting a backhoe on it down the road--you are buying yourself trouble. You'll end up having to buy an after market frame and backhoe, spending $5,000 or more.
If you really want something for a backhoe, then buy it now. Look at a used BX24, it's a loader and backhoe with 23 hps. Kubota made em with full frames to withstand the stress of the backhoe. Used ones run from 10-12K.
Good luck.

 

[Dagmandt]

Ok, just got back from looking at the BX2230. I have a few questions for you guys.

It is very well kept. It has 540 hours on it. The paint is a bit faded but very few scratches, it has been garaged most of the time and the bucket is still in great shape as well. It was a cold start and it started right up and ran like a top. Hydraulics were very clean, a little grime here and there as expected which tells me they didn't clean it up to show me. It comes with a loader, rear blade, 54" mowing deck, and a ballast box. A backhoe option would have been nice but I don't want anything bigger than this so I can rent a mini-excavator when the need arises I guess.

Ok, the questions/concerns:

1. There was a black puff of smoke at start. It was momentary and ran clean from that point on. Each start had a little puff. I assume that is normal for a diesel. Please tell me if I'm wrong.

2. The PTO selector (mid, back, mid and back) worked great in mid or back but I couldn't get the selector to operate "mid and back". When I selected that position it sounded like a typical clutch grind. Any thoughts? mid or back worked perfectly.

3. There was a wiring problem with the turn signals/hazards or they had the wrong bulbs. Headlights worked perfectly. I am thinking they may have selected the wrong bulbs and didn't install the dual filiment or something. Not sure. Not a show stopper but a point of negotiation.

Anyway, I'm considering offering $7,500 but am a little nervous about the PTO selector and whether it is a clutch linkage adjustment or if there is something more costly wrong with it. $8,500 is the top of my budget, I'm not sure I'll find one quite this clean elsewhere.

 

[Oldtractorfixer]

A little puff is normal. 500 hrs is vertually new on a tractor. If it was a car think 20,000 miles. The PTO thing, when do you think you would use both? Are you sure you were working it properly to engage both. I'm not sure your supposed to be able to engage both at the same time.
The lights don't work like your car. One light for each function. A taillight will not also work for a turn signal. If you get at least one to light up in each function (turn signal, tail, hazard) they are probably working correctly. Sounds like a buy to me. I would want to know when the transmission was last serviced. It should have had the fluid and filters changed at least once by now. If it hasn't you will want to do it as soon as you get it home. Probably hasn't hurt anything yet but a good spot to dicker if not done.
Good luck.

 

[Oldtractorfixer]

One more thing. Be sure to get the owners manual. If he doesn't have it dicker the price to go get one from Kubota. It is invaluable when it comes to servicing the machine.

 

[Dagmandt]

One more thing. Be sure to get the owners manual. If he doesn't have it dicker the price to go get one from Kubota. It is invaluable when it comes to servicing the machine.

He has all the paperwork including the owners manual so I'm good to go there.

 

[Combustix]

What RPM were you running it at when you went to engage. on my 2710 I will slow the rpm's down before clutching in and engaging. If I don't I get a little grind noise. Not sure if the mid and the rear are supposed to work at the same time. Good question.