Buying a BCS used or new

[frontyardfarm]

Hello everyone, I am really interested in buying a BCS or Grillo for our market garden. I am new to tractors so please bear with me.

There is a tractor dealer near me that sells new BCS tractors at normal prices along with lots of implements, so I am leaning towards BCS

I have been watching craigslist for a few weeks and I am noticing that most people are asking for high prices that are not much cheaper than to buy new. Also, most of the BCS tractors i see are the smaller models and I'm interested in 732 and up.

My question is whether it is worth it to buy used considering the warranty is not transferable, and how much cheaper should the price be? It sounds like they are pretty rugged so maybe the warranty isn't as much of an issue as I am thinking.

Thank you,
Chris

 

[cmyoung2]

Chris,
It depends on how much time you are willing to spend looking for the right deal used. I looked for over a year, not constantly, but often before I found my BCS 850. It came with several implements, so even after replacing the engine I think I got a good deal and am very happy- especially after using the potato plow to dig potatoes this afternoon Having a local dealer that is familiar with the equipment would be nice. Check to see their rep on service and advice. Even with a local dealer, I would develop a relationship with someone like Joel @ EarthTools. Sometimes he has parts or ideas that can save lots of time, sometimes more important than money. For instance, I talked to them about a new engine, they had what I wanted and could afford. They recommended I send them my old clutch and adaptor plate, they installed everything, shipped it out with things like the throttle cable, had it back in less than a week and it was easy to put back together.
New is nice, and I was about to go that way and got lucky. Dealer support would be nice- I don't have that. A good dealer will support used equipment, especially if you buy some implements or parts from them.
So, Money vs time, check out stuff good before you buy, and be prepared to do some adjusting and replacing parts on used stuff.

 

[frontyardfarm]

Thanks for the reply and advice. It must be great to be able to dig potatoes with your machine. I sure am sick of hilling and digging by hand.

EarthTools looks like a very good resource with good prices as well. The shipping costs for the tractor might make it cost more than a local dealer but they seem to be experts on walking tractors.

I am considering a Grillo 107d from EarthTools but I don't have any dealers nearby for parts or servicing. The 107d is quite a bit cheaper than the BCS 853 but seems comparable in terms of versatility.

Also, the BCS 739 powersafe seems like a good option. I don't like that the transport speed is not included, but to be honest I don't know how much i would use that anyways. Is the transport to fast to walk behind it making a sulky cart necessary? I saw a video of it in third gear and it looks like it moves pretty good for transporting on foot.

Any input would be very helpful.

Thanks

 

[HEC]

I had a bcs professional model a few years back and they are a great machine . If at all possible try and get one with differential lock as that is a great option. I added some weight to mine as that helps in the traction department . HP. was never a problem as I seldom ran it much above idle even when tilling . If there isn't much of a price difference I would buy new , I bought mine used at a good price and it was almost new .

 

[deerseeker001]

Welcome from Wisconsin

 

[wstr75]

I have done business with both Earthtools and the BCS Shop. Both gave me good service and advice. The BCS Shop is in Harvard, MA and looks to be about an hour away from your location in Ware, MA. Regarding buying used on Craigslist, I often buy stuff and fix it up because it is my nature, but sometimes when totaling up the receipts I would have been better off financially and time wise if I had bought new. Whatever you do, buy a two wheeled tractor having a differential and brakes. I use the individual brakes to steer when mowing on hillsides and also when running various implements. Locking the brakes also helps when putting implements on and off. Gotta have brakes and a differential.

 

[cmyoung2]

Transport gear will take you at a very fast jog/run at idle, full speed is something like 7mph. The difference in the 852/853 is direction of travel for the transport. On my 850, 3rd gear is a very good walking pace, good for mowing, wheel barrow, things that need to Move. I sold my sulky because my terrain is no conducive to straight, level ground. Having a differential and brakes is the reason I got the 850 and sold my 725. I agree with wstr75, brakes and diff are a must, much more important than HP. Weight also helps. The powersafe is interesting, the older models have years of experience. And powersafe will be hard to find used. Check the earthtool website for help deciding between BCS and Grillo.

 

[frontyardfarm]

Thanks everyone, its great to have all this input from other two wheeled tractor owners. I will definitely make sure to get something with differential and brakes.

wstr75, I just found out about BCS Shop. It seems I'm lucky to live so close to a dealer specializing in BCS. If I do go with a new BCS I think it will be from them.

This ad was just posted recently for a used bcs and attachments. BCS tractor with several attachments
The seller doesn't say what year or model it is, looks like a 850 maybe. The ad says it originally cost over $30,000 which i find hard to believe. Does this look like a good deal if in good shape? Also, does anyone recognize the implements or model number? I emailed the seller but he doesn't know much about it, says he will find out tomorrow.

 

[ferrari99]

I personally think a transport speed would be nice, but it depends on the application unless you use a trailer I don't think a transport speed is absolutely necessary.

I personally wouldn't pay $5000 for that, we bought a brand new diesel for not a lot dearer than that.
I don't think it would have cost $30,000.
It appears that it has a mower, snowblower, tiller (obviously), sickle mower(can't see a bar though), adjustable ridger and a moldboard plow.
Is it petrol or diesel?

Anyway that's just my thoughts,
ferrari99

 

[Ford850]

I've had an 850 for about 20 years. I never thought I would need the transport speed, so didn't mind it was reversed and of no use for a sulky or cart. But a couple years ago, now on a larger property, I added a cart and sulky. It pulls like a beast, although slow since I only have 3rd as my top gear. I've had the cart/trailer heaped with moist sod or soil many times now, probably weighing 1000 - 2000 pounds, and it moves it easily. It works great to haul out harvests of pumpkins, potatoes, etc. I think the transport speed would be very useful on a market garden.
AS for that used BCS, I would bet the tiller seals are shot and the tines worn down. That will be your primary tool, so probably not worth the price unless you also need the mower and cutter.