BX2350 Advice for used purchase?

[GeoHorn]

My buddy had texted me that he’s made deal over the ph on a BX2350 with a
B2405 FEL and a mid-mount mower. He knows I’m buying orange these days and called for advice. (He doesn’t do internet out in the boonies where he live.)

It appears to have had a head gasket replaced by a dealer and all new plastic hood/parts/etc.

Any particular problems or issues he should know?

 

[B737]

BX2350 is a pretty good little machine, it is known to have a very jerky / sudden stop (think whiplash) when letting off the pedal in reverse, you can mitigate it by finessing the pedal but only so much. They fixed this in later models. Plastic body panels suck, later ones are metal. I had to replace ALL of mine, my machine was made in 2007, but just cosmetic. They do take some abuse, just dont go nuts on the thing. He should check the white HST fan under the foot deck for missing blades, and negotiate price accordingly, that job is a particular pita on the 2350. Front steering linkage boots frequently crack / fail, drive shaft boots under the foot deck should also be checked. The little LCD hour / RPM meter should be clear of condensation and function, if the machine is stored outside these fail frequently. Make sure the Mid mount mower deck can be raised and locked in the up position while the 3 point hitch lowers (fyi, you cannot lock the 3 point hitch up and lower the MMD, only the other way around). Also the removable intake grille facing the operator seat is a particular POS on the 2350, it will likely be broken or rigged to the machine, may be able to adjust $ for that. There is an upgrade kit that can be installed to replace it that is more robust, with metal ribbing.

then check all the regular obvious things, service items and records. Wonder why the head gasket was replaced...

 

[OLD GAR]

Sounds very nearly the same tractor I just bought and brought home tonight. The previous owner had had Sealy Kubota do a head gasket replacement also. I hope that isn't going to be a recurring problem. He also put all new plastic - including the rear fenders, hood and front sides. It looks like a brand new machine. A new cluster was installed because it had gotten moisture inside.
A prebuy went through all the operations for normal use. It seems like the FEL must have the rpm above 1200 to start moving but at 2000 rpm or above it is on point - even to lifting the tractor's front end off the ground with the down curl or the down boom.

 

[OLD GAR]

BX2350 is a pretty good little machine,
, service items and records. Wonder why the head gasket was replaced...

From the service bill to the previous owner
" " "AT FIELD SERVICE VISIT, IT WAS NOTED THAT OIL RESIDUE WAS PRESENT AROUND RADIATOR CAP AND SLUDGE WAS FOUND UNDER
RADIATOR CAP.
NOTIFIED OWNER THAT TRACTOR WOULD REQUIRE SERVICE IN OUR SHOP DUE TO THE LIKLIHOOD OF A BLOWN HEAD GASKET.
WE WILL ASSESS FOR FURTHER DAMAGE WHEN UNIT IS TORN DOWN.

FIELD SERVICE: Changed engine oil and filter; Replaced air filter; Changed fuel filter; Found water and oil in the radiator
IN SHOP: Removed front end loader and surrounding components to access and replace damaged radiator, head, valves and springs,
head bolts, fuel shut off solenoid and thermostat.

Item K2581-85010-620 COMP RADIATOR 1.0000 151.28 0.00% $151.28
Item 1G962-03046-620 COMP HEAD, CYLINDER 1.0000 794.06 0.00% $794.06
Item 1G822-99354-620 KIT GASKET UPPER 1.0000 146.35 0.00% $146.35
Item 14601-03450-620 BOLT, CYL HEAD (W/HEX NUT
FLANGE) 14.0000 6.71 0.00% $93.94
Item 14601-13240-620 SPRING, VALVE 6.0000 7.60 0.00% $45.60
Item 1G687-13110-620 VALVE, INLET 3.0000 18.31 0.00% $54.93
Item 1G687-13120-620 VALVE, EXHAUST 3.0000 16.82 0.00% $50.46
Item 1E401-73010-620 ASSY THERMOSTAT *** 1.0000 30.29 0.00% $30.29
Item 01754-50612-620 BOLT, FLANGE 7T * 2.0000 2.57 0.00% $5.14 " " "

I couldn't find any verbiage to indicate why it needed all this. Thinking they may have assumed the owner was dumb and wouldn't question the extreme expense!