BX2350, deal or no deal?

[jcross312]

Hey everybody, been looking for a little tractor to help around the farm. Came across a BX2350 with loader, belly mower and a disc for $4,500. Says it needs a head gasket, and no hours are listed. Pics look good enough condition

Ive read a few of the issues with the 2350, but figured Id start a thread to see if I could get any guidance.

Ive got lots of experience with small engines, but gasoline. Have watched a rebuild video of a guy who bought a similar kubota and overhauled the engine. I feel confident I could do the work.

I just am concerned it could need more than a head gasket. Are the heads prone to cracking or needing to be replaced? Or is a head gasket normally all thats needed?

Also heard the HST fan can be damaged and hard to replace. Any info about that would be helpful.

And how does $4,500 sound? Maybe alot for a non-running tractor, maybe could sell the belly mower and disc, dont really need those. Or he may go down a little

Kinda like asking how long is a piece of string, but would like to know what yall think.

thanks for any help

 

[RCW]

As you indicated, I would be very concerned about the head gasket diagnosis.

Heads/head gaskets can be a problem, but could also be other issues.

 

[jcross312]

As you indicated, I would be very concerned about the head gasket diagnosis.

Heads/head gaskets can be a problem, but could also be other issues.

For sure.

I found the video I watched a few weeks ago, and interesting it was the same model. Bx2350. He ended up having to do alot of work and alot of parts. The rods were bent, the rings were broken and one cylinder was scarred. No telling how much all the parts cost. Although the actual work doesnt look too difficult really.. just time consuming

 

[GreensvilleJay]

To me, orphaned non-running tractors are worth scrap +10%.
'needs head gasket' could easily require LOTS of internals, new rad, water pump,etc. costing more than the 'deal'.
wonder what a drop in crate engine would cost ? googled and anywhere between $4K to 12K !

 

[Kurtee]

Cat in a sack? Looks like a leaverite. Leaverite there

 

[jcross312]

To me, orphaned non-running tractors are worth scrap +10%.
'needs head gasket' could easily require LOTS of internals, new rad, water pump,etc. costing more than the 'deal'.
wonder what a drop in crate engine would cost ? googled and anywhere between $4K to 12K !

Ive had some really good luck over the years with used equipment. Not always, but more times than not

But this is pretty risky, I agree. Seems these motors run great and last a long time if they're taken care of. But have potential for catastrophic failure under certain conditions also

Maybe worth doing a compression test to see which, if any, of the cylinders are still good...

?

 

[GreensvilleJay]

hmm....blown head gasket can let the air out........

depending on HOW the 'head gasket is blown', the engine might still run , should at least turn over ?
check coolant for oil, oil for coolant.
maybe google 'Kubota D902 head gasket problems'

 

[whitetiger]

Remove the radiator cap and look inside of the fill neck where the cap seals. Is it melted and deformed?

 

[cliffboyer]

Offer $2k...stop at $2500. If it's a gonner, you can part it out and at least break even.

 

[85Hokie]

Plastic............ and Plastic! Did I mention plastic????

Only thing I hate about my BXxx50

 

[jcross312]

Preciate the help everybody. I dont know if im willing to roll the dice on it or not. The seller hasn't got back to me with the hours yet, although he said he'd check earlier this morning.

Think I might let it pass, I think hes getting lots of inquiries about it. Marketplace told me it is "popular" and "may sell soon"

I was figuring <maybe> for $3,500. Probably just hold off for something else

 

[PaulL]

It won't sell soon. Make him a low offer and wait.

I had a BX2350. I bought it from an auction, and the auction place said they didn't know if it ran. I bid accordingly. When I sent Dad to pick it up (it was a fair way from home, he was nearer), it started and drove on the trailer, nothing wrong with it. But it was plastic, and literally every panel on it was broken. Still ran well for all the time I had it, and sold for more than I paid.

My struggle is, if it's just a head gasket, they cost what, a couple hundred dollars? If it was running, it'd be worth a couple thousand more. So why hasn't he put a head gasket on it? It sounds super fishy, but then sometimes people just don't have the talent (or time) to do things like that themselves. Then again, if they don't have the talent to replace a head gasket, why would you believe them when they say that's all that's wrong with it.....

I'm struggling to see a way this could turn out well, much as I like the idea of a bargain myself. Only thing I can see is to agree a price you'll pay if it runs, get a cheap head gasket (or even just some gasket in a tube), go down there, pull the head off, put the gasket on. If it runs, give him the money. If it doesn't, either offer him scrap value, or walk away. If he declines that offer, it tells you that he knows it needs more than just a gasket.

 

[jcross312]

It won't sell soon. Make him a low offer and wait.

I had a BX2350. I bought it from an auction, and the auction place said they didn't know if it ran. I bid accordingly. When I sent Dad to pick it up (it was a fair way from home, he was nearer), it started and drove on the trailer, nothing wrong with it. But it was plastic, and literally every panel on it was broken. Still ran well for all the time I had it, and sold for more than I paid.

My struggle is, if it's just a head gasket, they cost what, a couple hundred dollars? If it was running, it'd be worth a couple thousand more. So why hasn't he put a head gasket on it? It sounds super fishy, but then sometimes people just don't have the talent (or time) to do things like that themselves. Then again, if they don't have the talent to replace a head gasket, why would you believe them when they say that's all that's wrong with it.....

I'm struggling to see a way this could turn out well, much as I like the idea of a bargain myself. Only thing I can see is to agree a price you'll pay if it runs, get a cheap head gasket (or even just some gasket in a tube), go down there, pull the head off, put the gasket on. If it runs, give him the money. If it doesn't, either offer him scrap value, or walk away. If he declines that offer, it tells you that he knows it needs more than just a gasket.

I appreciate the reply. Not a bad idea...

I meant to mention earlier in the thread that its listed as having a new injection pump. Quick search leads me to believe this wasnt cheap. I see rebuilt ones for $500.

Maybe someone was attempting to fix it and thought the pump was bad. Which leads to more question marks...

 

[jcross312]

Remove the radiator cap and look inside of the fill neck where the cap seals. Is it melted and deformed?

Im just curious what this could mean. Other than it ran really hot!

Maybe the radiator screen got clogged and overheated. ?

Funny, I just helped my uncle replace a waterpump on a D902 engine in a Kubota RTV 800. Bearing went out and coolant was going everywhere. He had just purchased it from auction and we didn't know much of anything about it. Ended up running really good. Over 5,000 hours on it! But still runs like a top

Same engine used in the BX2350

 

[whitetiger]

Im just curious what this could mean. Other than it ran really hot!

Maybe the radiator screen got clogged and overheated. ?

Funny, I just helped my uncle replace a waterpump on a D902 engine in a Kubota RTV 800. Bearing went out and coolant was going everywhere. He had just purchased it from auction and we didn't know much of anything about it. Ended up running really good. Over 5,000 hours on it! But still runs like a top

Same engine used in the BX2350

What it means is that the radiator cap can not seal to the filler neck. You will not be able to keep coolant in it.

I am vaguely familiar with the D902 engine and where it is used.

 

[Shawn T. W]

Unless you're prepared for a complete rebuild, both in time and money ... I'd pass on it ...