Kubota BX series advice

I am looking to augment my equipment inventory to handle things the others cant. Will be looking at some BX level tractors with the belly mower, and most likely one with a front loader.

looking at used units. What is considered a lot of hours? Two farm equipment outlets have some ranging from 37 hours to 1800. How many hours do the mower units last?

any pointers on what to look for on inspection are appreciated. When i get one- any hacks or mods i might want to try? Also for certain needs i would like a mower for the three point system, but if course would like a narrower unit. Anything work for you?

 

I had a 2000 BX 2200-the first year they were made. I traded it with 1250 hours on the clock. The mower was used for at least 2/3 of that. Had no problems with mower deck, replaced the belt once.
The tractor had no major problems. I replaced all the power steering hoses and one loader hose.
I would consider any BX that looks good and has than 1500 hours, based on my experince.

 

Hours are a small part of the equation. Maintenance and type of use mean more.
Did it mow a lot, that could mean hours spent driving around with the rpms up or it could be a loader started way more frequently, not always up to temp, a lot of forward and reverse. Asking about mowers is like asking how long is a piece of string. From the manicured lawn to the person who uses it to find rocks and stumps and then drops it in the weeds on the ground to store it. Smell the dipsticks, look at the oil, look in the radiator. Was it left outside, means more than faded paint. Been greased or?
Thats my 2 cents, maybe consider looking at the hours after initially looking over the machine.
Best of luck!! Pic's when you get something.

 

Uncle has A BX since 1991; 2,000 hours. It’s like an infomercial it mows, it blows, it tills and it carries in
Loader. Agree maintenance matters more than hours

 

I think HoneyFuzz has a BX.

 

I think he had one, but has since moved up to a bigger toy!

 

Yeah, not sure either way on that (hard to keep track)...but he still has some experience with them and knows a lot more than I do about them.

 

Pulling the deck is a little bit of a PITA (BX2380) due to drive shaft and persnickity connection hangers for the deck. HST has a little 'coast' to it that takes some getting used to compared to other hydro stuff I've used. Brushguard has tendency to wiggle loose from it's holders (they pivot for hood clearance when opened).

That'd be the 'negatives' that come to mind.

You can hang a 4' bush hog without front weights. (weights would be better) It's kinda a long thing if you use the loader for ballast while hoggin. Deck will put down a decent looking cut if that matters to you. Seems to have plenty of power. Mounting/unmounting loader is done completely from the operator station...fairly slick. Have not seen much in the way of failures a couple years on. It should easily live to 1500 hours.

One thing I've come to learn about small Kubota diesels....keep the fuel filters serviced and fuel as clean as possible. Kubota's don't like even a little bit of dirt in their systems.

 

I am biased, but I wouldn’t hesitate to buy a used Kubota with unknown maintenance standards. They are built to withstand being treated like a borrowed mule. The L3240 at work is an example of a poorly maintained and treated unit that still functions as it should. I used it this morning and was amazed at how crisp the hydrostatic functions. It has over 3000 hrs on it and has never spent a day protected from the elements. The seat looks like chit.

 

Thanks. I left a message of my interest in one of them at the dealership. No call back. Kind of thing that prompts me to send a copy of bill of sale from the business i made the purchase from.

 

You find out who the motivated dealers are.
When I was shopping for a 1 ton dump, I contacted the closest Chevy dealer first. I used to work for the owner, but only got one call back and never heard from them again. I couldn’t get Terry Lebonte Chevy in Greensboro to quit contacting me. Another big dealer here kept trying to sell me trucks I wasn’t looking for.

 

Thanks for the shout out !
I did indeed have a BX2380 for about 5 years. It was my only tractor...and a darn good one ! Really..if i didnt have other bigger things in mind..I would have gladly kept the Kubota.
I did things that I'm sure Kubota did not intend for the bx to do. It did them..and came back for more .
I was using this for land clearing..logging..mowing..brush hogging..grappling..tilling gardens...etc.

So if you are gonna go do any of that..get to know your local tire repair guy really well ! Never had a problem with the backs..ever. But the front two..a different story. No exaggerating...i had probably 20 repairs in 5 years. Usually a puncture..then the tire would unseat from the rim. After 5 years..I was on my 3rd set of fronts...1050 hrs.

Like others said..do your maintenance!
Diligently!
I did full.service..everything 200 hrs..or sooner if I had the opportunity.
Engine oil and filter...hydrostat fluid changes and filter. Front axle fluid change. Air..fuel filter..etc. I usually did an air filter change every 100 hrs.
Install a fuel shut off valve before the first fuel filter..under the tractor in front of the transmission....it will make life so much easier..unless u like diesel running down your arm and into your arm pit lol !

Also as stated..the front brush guard...i ended up bungee cording it for awile..as the lil clips break..and it won't stay put.

Front loader is slick to take on and off. Super easy..from the drivers seat .

I had a b- expanded skid plate...for protection of the cheap plastic hst fan.
Rear cast iron wheel weights.
2" rear wheel spacers on each rear rim. Gave me 4" of extra width for extra stability.

Also as stated above....id keep the mower deck on...or off. The non quick connect deck is the better deck...and its a pain. It got to be where I dreaded this task !

If you buy one...heck any equipment...don't trust anyone's service capabilities ! Bring it home..do a full service yourself...start fresh ! Use Kubota filters....and Kubota Super UDT hydro oil. These are not areas to save a few bucks.



I'm sure I'll think of some other stuff. ... if my only option was to keep my bx..I would still be chugging along just fine today. Ive already missed it this spring..as i still can't get on my yard with my new bigger tractor. The bx would have been fine without making a rut ! Great all around tractor !

Good luck with your purchase decision !
Hollar with any questions ! I'll try and dig up some of my old pics

 

While that would completely turn me off of that dealer, some people hate to be "bothered"...I know of a situation where a dealer lost a half million dollar sale because the sales guy "was calling too much", which was maybe once, twice per week, for a few months. (Purchases of that size take a minute to put together)

 

All these things..it could do no problems. It's all in how you operate the machine. Nothing unsafe. Just speed and leverage!
4ft tiller
5 ft brush hog...cuz thats all we had...with the front loader on..it balanced perfectly.

 

Phone or email? I've noticed in my travels that most don't keep up on their emails. I bought my ZD326 used off a Kubota lot. Was out there getting filters or something and seen it sitting in their lot. I'd been hunting a front deck unsucessfully. Stopped back in the following Saturday and made a deal within an hour. It is *very nice to be able to use Kubota finance for a used purchase.

 

This is great advice right here.

 

Im that guy. Call be back once when I call. If you hound me after that...eff off.

 

X2 !

 

Thanks for all the advice. Called and left a message. Called again today. They have a professional website and a lot of inventory. They describe themselves to be a small family operation , but they have a lot of items. Even do videos of the equipment.

pretty much settled on getting a mower and loader unit. Like one about two hours away on Craigslist . Likely next week i will have something bought.

 

Sourwood you wonder how ya lived without it.
A loader is to a wheelbarrow what a
Splitting maul is to a hydraulic splitter … easier