BX1500 Vibration?

[jerkyboy]

I'm looking into purchasing a BX1500 and my local dealer said they vibrate like **** and I should be wary of purchasing one. I will not be able to test drive it because it is far away. He said a lot of people had traded them in because of this problem. Is this a problem with the 1500s??

 

[KeithInSpace]

Not really a fair question. Does a 2 cylinder diesel rattle more than a 3, 4, 5, or 6 cylinder diesel? Sure. A 3 cylinder Geo Metro shakes more than a V-8, and a V-8 shakes more than a V-12.

A 2 cylinder diesel is going to shake, rattle, and roll. You should see my 3 cylinder BX2230 (same generation, 2 steps up) when I'm idling or turning it off...it's amazing the thing doesn't jump out of the tractor it shakes so much.

It's all a matter of perspective. All small diesels are going to rattle more than big diesels...and all SCUTs have small diesels. Not really any way around it.

Sit on a BX1500 and drive any other BX. Find out for yourself how much you like/dislike it. Don't listen to the dealer...he gets to drive around M-series with cabs.

 

[K10]

That is an absurd statement from the dealer. Keith makes a fundamentally valid point and the great majority of the much acclaimed prior generation B's as well as other models were also 2 cylinders. I have owned a BX1500 since '05 and it is a great machine. It is as well engineered and capable as any BX then and now. Since he is less than enthusiastic on that machine, you should be able to negotiate a good deal to take it off his hands.

 

[jerkyboy]

Actually, the deal is that I'm not going to potentially buy the machine from him, therefore my guess is that's why he telling me this. He wants me to buy a machine from him. The BX1500 I'm potentially going to buy is 1,000 miles from me so I won't be test driving it but it has just over 200 hours and a 54" deck and with delivery I'll be paying about $4,600, which I think is a great deal.

I have done quite a bit of research on the BX1500 and haven't heard anyone complain about the vibration but he made it sound like it's a major issue...go figure.

Thanks for the input.

 

[coveredbridge]

I agree with K10. I also have owned a BX1500 since 2005 (325 hrs). The 2-cyl vibrates at low idle, but smoothes out as rpm is increased. Has zero effect on operating performance.

If the 1500 meets your needs, offer to take it off his hands, at a deep discount, of course.

 

[pintodeluxe]

My dealer made the same claim that the Bx1500 had excessive vibration. However, The one I test drove seemed to operate normally. To me it's more a question of power. The Bx1500 has significantly less FEL grunt than the 22-25 hp 3-cylinder models.

 

[LBrown59]

I'm looking into purchasing a BX1500 and my local dealer said they vibrate like **** and I should be wary of purchasing one. I will not be able to test drive it because it is far away. He said a lot of people had traded them in because of this problem. Is this a problem with the 1500s??

Over blowen quirk but certainly not a problem on either one of these.

 

[LBrown59]

1*That is an absurd statement from the dealer. Keith makes a fundamentally valid point and the great majority of the much acclaimed prior generation B's as well as other models were also 2 cylinders. I have owned a BX1500 since '05 and it is a great machine. It is as well engineered and capable as any BX then and now.
2*Since he is less than enthusiastic on that machine, you should be able to negotiate a good deal to take it off his hands.

1*Certainly is.
2*couldn't have expressed it better.

Actually, the deal is that I'm not going to potentially buy the machine from him, therefore my guess is that's why he telling me this. He wants me to buy a machine from him. The BX1500 I'm potentially going to buy is 1,000 miles from me so I won't be test driving it but it has just over 200 hours and 1*a 54" deck and with delivery I'll be paying about $4,600, which I think is a great deal.
I have done quite a bit of research on the BX1500 and haven't heard anyone complain about the vibration but he made it sound like it's a major issue...go figure.
Thanks for the input.

1*You are stealing it at $4600.
because I stole one with a 48'' mower for 5250.
Why people want to throw money away on x SERIES JDs when there are deals around like this is beyond me.

1*I agree with K10. I also have owned a BX1500 since 2005 (325 hrs).
The 2-cyl vibrates at low idle, but smoothes out as rpm is increased.
Has zero effect on operating performance.
2*If the 1500 meets your needs, offer to take it off his hands, at a deep discount, of course.

1*MY 2005 has 75 hours on it.
Bought it new Nov 2007 with 2 hours on it.
2*Exactly what I'd do.

 

[KeithInSpace]

The Bx1500 has significantly less FEL grunt than the 22-25 hp 3-cylinder models.

That makes sense...the ratings are reduced 1/4 from the BX1830/2230. Of course, the BX1830/2230 have identical FEL and 3PH ratings since they have the same hydraulic pump (the BX1500 pump is smaller), so the 4 hp difference between those two larger models allows you to do more at once without bogging the engine as much.

Point being, it's a hydraulic pump thing, not an engine HP thing. Other than the lower HP requires a smaller pump, so I guess it is a HP thing, just not as directly as you make it to sound...

 

[dex3361]

My BX1500 Vibrates at idle speed and barely noticeably above idle. Great little machine and mine has the 54" deck and I would recomend the purchase. Is it a dealer that you are purchasing from?

 

[K10]

I am assuming your purchase is without the FEL and no matter, that price is very good. Though the hydraulic pump is smaller in the BX1500 and thus "less grunt" the difference in real world work capability compared to other BX models for the average homeowner is near negligible. If on the other hand you are working the machine daily for project time and dollars, you will see a slight marginal difference in the long run. The higher rear pto HP of the other BX models is also a benefit to many homeowners running various pto equipment.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Think your dealer needs watching. Car dealers are famous for this type selling. "BB's (competition) cars are great ...when they run". Had a BX1500 and it "shook" at lowest idle but when the fuel increased it ran diesel smooooth. Had no front end loader on it but mowed with it and pulled a Ferguson reseeder without a stutter. Sounds like a grand price and your dealer knows it if you told him the price. If you don't buy it post the location here for others that want one and recognize the great price.

 

[TPS]

Jerkyboy,
I have had a BX1500 for almost three years now and have had zero problems with it. I am telling you that it is often amazing what it can do. The rough idle is there at very low idle but as stated already it really smooths out with just a little throttle. Sure nothing to be concerned about. The price you are giving is a steal for the tractor, they are head and shoulders above garden tractors in my opinion plus you can add a FEL later and I would too.
Good luck-TPS

 

[LBrown59]

Jerkyboy,
I have had a BX1500 for almost three years now and have had zero problems with it. I am telling you that it is often amazing what it can do. The rough idle is there at very low idle but as stated already it really smooths out with just a little throttle. Sure nothing to be concerned about. The price you are giving is a steal for the tractor.

1*they are head and shoulders above garden tractors in my opinion.

1*No question about it.
Somebody on here posted about $9000 being a good deal on a used JD x728.

 

[TPS]

LB,
You are right those JD X700's are expensive Garden Tractors. They are very nice, my neighbor has a x740 and it is a nice mower too, but no FEL and does not seem to mow any better than my 1500 and he paid more than I did for my slightly used 1500 with a FEL. I looked at them too early on but decided on the Kubota and at least for me I made the right choice.
I see what you have too so I bet you would agree.
Take care-TPS