Newb with Questions, BX2230

[tjl5709]

I'm in the market for a scut, and this would be my first REAL tractor. Picked up a house with 2 acres. Needs landscaping work (regrade some areas, moving rocks, mulch and such) mowing, plowing snow (long driveway). So I want loader, deck and at least a blade. For now.......

Found a 2005 BX2230 with loader and 60" deck. 450 hours. Asking 9500. Seems fair for price. Just curious about any known issues with this version. I have no issues working on stuff. Just trying to determine do I want new ( 0% is kinda nice, really like the BX2660) or should I search long and hard for used.

 

[CORamos]

I'm in the market for a scut, and this would be my first REAL tractor. Picked up a house with 2 acres. Needs landscaping work (regrade some areas, moving rocks, mulch and such) mowing, plowing snow (long driveway). So I want loader, deck and at least a blade. For now.......

Found a 2005 BX2230 with loader and 60" deck. 450 hours. Asking 9500. Seems fair for price. Just curious about any known issues with this version. I have no issues working on stuff. Just trying to determine do I want new ( 0% is kinda nice, really like the BX2660) or should I search long and hard for used.

That seems like a nice price.

I spent a lot of time looking for a used BX22/23/24, and eventually settled for a new BX25. For the difference in price, I thought the extra years of peace of mind was worth the monthly payments. You are buying used, so I assume you'll be paying cash. If you use that for a down payment, your monthly bill will only be a couple of hundred dollars a month. Or, you could finance the entire thing, and save the money for attachments later... trust me, you'll want more attachments.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

I'm in the market for a scut, and this would be my first REAL tractor. Picked up a house with 2 acres. Needs landscaping work (regrade some areas, moving rocks, mulch and such) mowing, plowing snow (long driveway). So I want loader, deck and at least a blade. For now.......

Found a 2005 BX2230 with loader and 60" deck. 450 hours. Asking 9500. Seems fair for price. Just curious about any known issues with this version. I have no issues working on stuff. Just trying to determine do I want new ( 0% is kinda nice, really like the BX2660) or should I search long and hard for used.

If your financing a new one will be about the same over all price. Price a new BX2360 at Barlows (Barlow Equipment - Home of the Kubota Tractor Package Builder) delivered with FEL, MMM and Boxblade (for grading, digging and counter weight). You can add a RatchetRake fro Tractor Supply and your ready for all the jobs you described and more. Barlows also has a used BX2360 and BX2660 with very low hours if your determined to buy used.
I've bought 13 Kubotas but haven't bouight the first used one yet. Most used are beat to death or almost the same price as new and I like the 0% financing so I can buy other stuff with my cash.

 

[tjl5709]

I've seen many posts mention Barlows. How exactly do you get a quote? When I went to the site, they asked for a bid. I have not found a site that gives dealer costs and such, so I have know idea on were to start this pricing game.

 

[LBrown59]

I've seen many posts mention Barlows. How exactly do you get a quote? When I went to the site, they asked for a bid. I have not found a site that gives dealer costs and such, so I have know idea on were to start this pricing game.

I saw these 2 on their web site .
I called them up and worked out a deal over the phone.

 

[Grandad4]

I'm in the market for a scut, and this would be my first REAL tractor. Picked up a house with 2 acres. Needs landscaping work (regrade some areas, moving rocks, mulch and such) mowing, plowing snow (long driveway). So I want loader, deck and at least a blade. For now.......

Found a 2005 BX2230 with loader and 60" deck. 450 hours. Asking 9500. Seems fair for price. Just curious about any known issues with this version. I have no issues working on stuff. Just trying to determine do I want new ( 0% is kinda nice, really like the BX2660) or should I search long and hard for used.

I have a 2005 BX2230 that has been virtually trouble-free so far. Here are some "issues" to be aware of (at least the ones I can think of):
1. Air cleaner bracket. The engine has a good amount of shake at low rpm. The bracket may break or loosen over time due to the vibration. Simple fix... Kubota has a redesigned one or it's easy to fab up a stronger one yourself if/when needed. Best to run this tractor at high rpm anyways.
2. Don't forget to change the second (hidden underneath) fuel filter! Simple, if messy, job, but if you don't know it's there, it'll eventually clog and cause trouble.
3. Forward/reverse pedal sometimes doesn't return to neutral ASAP. Keep it lubed, don't freak out if it needs an occasional tap with the foot.
4. Keep the mower deck well lubed to avoid wearing out the running parts. Not unique to this model, of course, but those decks are expen$ive.

As you can see, it's really pretty trivial stuff. These are great little units that can do some amazing work. New is nice, but a good BX2230 should also be a workhorse.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

I've seen many posts mention Barlows. How exactly do you get a quote? When I went to the site, they asked for a bid. I have not found a site that gives dealer costs and such, so I have know idea on were to start this pricing game.

I've bought 13 from them and have never made a bid. Call or email them for a price.

 

[tjl5709]

John, I see your in Kentucky. My issue would be warranty work. I can see using them as a guide for pricing locally, but do people really travel cross country to buy from these people? Are they then able to find warranty support?

 

[TripleR]

I buy locally, but a LOT of TBN members have bought from Barlow's as well as some from Messicks and I can't remember anyone having had a bad experience or warranty issues as any Kubota dealer should do warranty repairs. Now some "might" put you at the bottom of the pile in favor of people who bought fro them, but many will not in the hopes of future business.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

John, I see your in Kentucky. My issue would be warranty work. I can see using them as a guide for pricing locally, but do people really travel cross country to buy from these people? Are they then able to find warranty support?

Since it's 7 miles from my house to their business and 2 miles from my rental property to their business and I drive right in front of their business at least one day a week, I may not be the one to answer distance service questions based on actual experience.
I can answer actual service questions concerning 13 that I have bought from them. I've had a few simple issues, the standard BX one front tire leaking air, a ring on a fuel lid fell of and landed in the fuel tank and clogged up the fuel filter and maybe some others I can't remember. They gave me parts or fixed all issues. Only had one of 13 that I ever had to take to them for repairs (FEL arms out of whack on L3240 which they replaced) that I can remember.
People from all over the US buy from them on a regular basis. Maybe they will chip in their experience again. The out of state buyers have always given positive feedback to their buying experience that I've seen.
If I lived out of town or out of state I'd want to buy from a local dealer if there was one that has high and I mean high praise from several people. I also would never pay one dealer more than $500 difference for the same product that they all pay the same price for. If Barlows can sell them at their price then other dealers can to. For a dealer to charge me more than $500 above Barlows or any dealer for that matter for the same machine would be an insult to me and there is an Oh By the Way factor. Barlows is making a profit or they wouldn't/couldn't stay in business. So, for a dealer to want more than $500 more than Barlows or another dealer is a dealer that is wanting to squeeze to much out of you. Again, they all pay the same price for them. They all get paid for warranty work which is a rare thing. After they are off warranty and for a dealer to tell you to take it some where else, then that's exactly what I'd want to do. In fact, if a dealer even hesitated to do warranty work (that they get paid for doing) then when the tractor comes off warranty, I'd never darken their door. I'd go 40 miles up the road or take it to another tractor company that wants to work for a living.