BX purchasing story - Barlow's Rocks!

[creex]

As promised 2/18 in my prior two posts "Looking for quick feedback..." and "Pros and Cons of BX22, 23......." I have received my new-to-me tractor and am posting to recount the path I went thru in purchasing and how it all played out. (now, b4 the rest of the story, this is my first post here with pictures, so I apologize now if I end up having to split this across more than one post to get them all in).

I debated between the BX and B series, either would have worked well for me, but in the end a BX more completely equipped for substantially less money for it age is easier to find. I probably would have gone to a B if this were not the case - having the BH, FEL, MMM, scraper and box were needed to cover the basic range of chores I wanted a machine for.

Ignoring the one local B7100 I looked at, the first local contender was a 2003 BX22, BH, FEL, MMM, scraper and box, +disc, and when I got there, cultivator and plow. The last three items were crap. The machine had 673 hours, was kept inside, well maintained and cared for, much better than the pictures may make it look. As told me, most of its hours were running the BH and to trench water/drain lines and fill in with FEL. Minimal time spent mowing. The condition of the unit matched these claims. The drivetrain and hydraulics all sounded great, operated smoothly and showed no problems. Asking price was 12,500 - I offered 11,500 with the right to think about it until the then absent owner returned in two days. If we agreed, okay, if either one of us did not want to procede, no harm, no foul.

 

[creex]

Story continued:
I had received several replies in my thread giving good recommendations to Barlow's Equipment in Somerset, KY. (I now know why). I contacted Brady and inquired about a BX23 he had listed for 13,500 but no hours in listing, and some other models he had. He said he would have to look up the hours on the BX23 at his office, but guessed 100-200, and that it had obviously spent most of its life mowing. He also would email photos.

He went on to say that he could do that unit, BH, FEL, MMM, throw in a used scraper and box blade, and deliver it for 13,000. In a few hours I had an email that the tractor had 130 hours, and 2 high-Res photos I could really enlarge. I exmined the pictures, sent them to my cousin (a real farmer/rancher - he had examined the BX22 with me and thought it was a very fair deal for the offered price). We were both amazed to come to the conclusion that based on the photos, the BH and FEL had never been used.

For 540 hours less, 1 model newer (with 1 more hp), and light or no use on the heavy hydraulics, it was a no brainer!!! Brady even worked with me to go to 5-foot blades and swapped out the old-style seat for a new (amazing how much you can learn quickly by reading posts here). When I asked I was told their shop would go over the tractor completely, make sure all service was in current time range, and there would be full manuals. Also, that I give them no money till they show up, I inspect and approve. Done - this Fish was hooked!.

He set up delivery. His Dad, Steve, and Mom delivered on Saturday and all was as promised. The 3PH kit was brand-new in a box (I cut the straps myself), full manuals were there in the Kubota folder, the blades were actually new and I even got a Kubota cap in the deal - if Brady had just told me about the cap, I would have given him a break!

They delivered in the rain and as soon as I looked at it I knew I was not going to make either one of us stand around during a hard inspection. Listen, look quickly, chat a few minutes, sign bill of sale and call it a day. Today it was clear and I had a chance to go over it with a fine comb and move it to where it will live. I am convinced the BH never tasted dirt till today, and the FEL must have been used to push around some real nice, soft, fluffy mulch - paint was worn off on most of the bottom, but no scratches thru the paint on inside. All in all, I found one missing nut on a bracket, one missing clamp knob for the ROPS and that was it. Oh, when Steve dropped it off he pointed out that the SMV placard had blown off on the trailer and they would mail me one.

And here is the capper, for me - Brady determined the that I have remaining powertrain warranty until March 26. Hey, I'll take the 34 days over zero from the other sale anytime. I am pleased as punch, feel like I got the proverbial cream puff, and at 13,000 for a great price and cannot recommend the experience of dealing with Barlow's enough.

 

[creex]

Upon looking at my posts I am not sure what happened to the pictures for the first part of the story, but I am trying again. If they are here, they are the BX22 I first looked at. To be fair, it looked better than the pictures make it look - the ding in the hood is not nearly as bad as it appears - harsh flash lighting.

 

[newbury]

linky for barlow's Used Kubota Tractors
Peeps read the thread and look for direction.

 

[medicshawn]

Glad things worked out. Brady is easy to deal with and will definitely follow through on promises.

 

[Kubota_Guy48]

let us know well me anyway how the ag tires work for you Ive been thinking about a set but dont want them to tear up my lawn.

 

[rimshot]

Very good detail to your story, thank you. Looks like a dandy machine,congrats for finding that one.

rimshot

 

[LBrown59]

Story continued:
I had received several replies in my thread giving good recommendations to Barlow's Equipment in Somerset, KY. (I now know why). I contacted Brady and inquired about a BX23 he had listed for 13,500 but no hours in listing, and some other models he had. He said he would have to look up the hours on the BX23 at his office, but guessed 100-200, and that it had obviously spent most of its life mowing. He also would email photos.

He went on to say that he could do that unit, BH, FEL, MMM, throw in a used scraper and box blade, and deliver it for 13,000. In a few hours I had an email that the tractor had 130 hours, and 2 high-Res photos I could really enlarge. I exmined the pictures, sent them to my cousin (a real farmer/rancher - he had examined the BX22 with me and thought it was a very fair deal for the offered price). We were both amazed to come to the conclusion that based on the photos, the BH and FEL had never been used.

For 540 hours less, 1 model newer (with 1 more hp), and light or no use on the heavy hydraulics, it was a no brainer!!! Brady even worked with me to go to 5-foot blades and swapped out the old-style seat for a new (amazing how much you can learn quickly by reading posts here). When I asked I was told their shop would go over the tractor completely, make sure all service was in current time range, and there would be full manuals. Also, that I give them no money till they show up, I inspect and approve. Done - this Fish was hooked!.

He set up delivery. His Dad, Steve, and Mom delivered on Saturday and all was as promised. The 3PH kit was brand-new in a box (I cut the straps myself), full manuals were there in the Kubota folder, the blades were actually new and I even got a Kubota cap in the deal - if Brady had just told me about the cap, I would have given him a break!

They delivered in the rain and as soon as I looked at it I knew I was not going to make either one of us stand around during a hard inspection. Listen, look quickly, chat a few minutes, sign bill of sale and call it a day. Today it was clear and I had a chance to go over it with a fine comb and move it to where it will live. I am convinced the BH never tasted dirt till today, and the FEL must have been used to push around some real nice, soft, fluffy mulch - paint was worn off on most of the bottom, but no scratches thru the paint on inside. All in all, I found one missing nut on a bracket, one missing clamp knob for the ROPS and that was it. Oh, when Steve dropped it off he pointed out that the SMV placard had blown off on the trailer and they would mail me one.

And here is the capper, for me - Brady determined the that I have remaining powertrain warranty until March 26. Hey, I'll take the 34 days over zero from the other sale anytime. I am pleased as punch, feel like I got the proverbial cream puff, and at 13,000 for a great price and cannot recommend the experience of dealing with Barlow's enough.

Congrats :
Your gonna love the BX23.
I do mine.
I didn't get my BX23 from Barlows but I did get my new and used BX1500s there along with a new and used 48'' MMM plus a new 4'tiller and a new 60'' Hyd. lift and angle front blade.

 

[LBrown59]

let us know well me anyway how the ag tires work for you Ive been thinking about a set but dont want them to tear up my lawn.

I've come to conclude that tearing up a yard with these tires on small light tractor like this is a myth

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Congrats on your purchase. Steve and Grady are great to deal with. I started with them 5 years ago. The hat thing is a trick. They suck you in with a free hat. Then each purchase adds another hat so buy second machine and get 2 hats, buy 3 machines and get 3 hats. I got 15 hats from them last year as I bought my 4th, 5th and 6th tractor from them. After thinking about it I'm not sure I got my 3 hats when I bought the 3rd machine?! As I've said before they are "good ole boys" just trying to make a living and they "ain't from New York City". And Velda ain't bad to look at either but she'd be tougher to deal with so stay with Steve or Brady to make the deal.