Can't decide on a tractor for the life of me.

[Adam L]

Hello, thanks for stopping by.

My wife and I recently turned 30, got married and purchased a five acre property in Rhode Island all in the same year. We learned fast that we're in desperate need of something to haul around compost, help maintain our 1100ft dirt/gravel driveway, move snow, (we avg. 45 inches a winter here), etc. We currently have right under two acres of garden space and last year we did everything by hand, which as you could imagine was taxing with working full time. I decided to start looking into a Kubota, but I cant for the life of me decide on which to get and pull the trigger. We cant afford new, or large, our budget being at or under 20 thousand, so I figure a 10-15 year old machine would have to suffice. I came across this listing on FB marketplace for a 2007 BX24 with loader, backhoe, snowblower, mower deck, bagger and sun roof with 700 hours for 17,000. After talking with the gentlemen he said he would take 16,000. After looking at Tractor House and some other sites im inclined to believe that it is worth it, but I'm still on the fence, in New England these machines do seem to go for 20-30% more than the rest of the country, so I'm estimating the tractor itself worth 9-11k and then the added implements another 5 or so?

I suffer from overthinking large purchases in fear of making a bad financial decision for my family. If anyone could give me some guidance or advice, id greatly
appreciate it.

 

[PaulL]

That's a great machine with lots of attachments. Replacing that would be really hard.

A BX is pretty bulletproof. You might get really unlucky, but if the guy sounds sensible, and the machine runs OK, it'll probably keep running for years. I bought a BX2350, which is the model the BX24 is based off (the BX24 has the backhoe in addition). It had awful history, and most of the panels were broken. It ran with zero issues for the three years I had it, then I sold it for what I paid for it.

The big problem with that specific generation is that it's the one with the plastic panels. These are very prone to cracking and breaking. Doesn't stop the machine from working, but is very annoying for a lot of people.

TractorData.com Kubota BX24 backhoe-loader tractor information

www.tractordata.com

Front mount snowblowers are expensive. Powered baggers I could take or leave, but if it's included and you want to bag instead of mulch, then that's again an expensive attachment. If you have use for a backhoe, getting one included is a great deal. You probably don't strictly need a backhoe, but they're very nice to have.

I'd personally be looking at a B series (the next size up), and go without the backhoe. In theory you could get a B2320/B2620 for similar money and similar age. They're quite a bit more capable without being a lot bigger.

TractorData.com Kubota B2320 tractor information

www.tractordata.com

I did a google search, but US-based listings aren't my thing. I found this which is some sort of link to eBay for what looks like a B2620 with backhoe in Rhode Island for around $17K. It also sort of looks wrong, and I can't find the real listing on eBay, no idea what picclick is. Anyway, gives an indication that machines like that might exist.

2014 Kubota b2620, 4x4, 28hrs with 60" mower, backhoe, front loader & chipper • $17,600.01

2014 KUBOTA B2620, 4x4, 28hrs with 60" mower, backhoe, front loader & chipper - $17,600.01. FOR SALE! Purchased new in 2014, this tractor has only 28 hours. Stored inside, it's been started regularly to keep it in top working condition. Included with the tractor: 1. Chipper, CH45540, never used...

picclick.com

Realistically though you're unlikely to get that implement package, and sometimes you need to buy what's available. A BX will do the job and you won't really know what you're missing. It'll be 100x better than a wheelbarrow and a shovel. If you happened to see a B-class machine around with similar implements, I'd say it'd be a bit better for your needs.

 

[Runs With Scissors]

I have no personal experience with a BX, however, just for reference, my l2501 was purchased new about 2'ish years ago and I just turned 170 hours on the meter.

I keep it at my cottage mostly, so it only gets occasional/recreational use.

So unless there was an "abnormal" amount of hours put on in one year for some reason, it seems like it was just occasionally used.

Sure looks nice in the pics though.

(and you're gonna love that backhoe..... )

 

[Bearcatrp]

I would suggest buying that provided it checks out, try it for a year, then sell it if its to small for your needs. New tractors go up every year and so do used ones. Thats allot of attachments which is great. Try to get him down to 15,000 and see what he says. I am on 7 acres and bought a new 1880 for duties around the yard. Working out great so far.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

gee, that's a LOT of equipment for a more than fair price. Knowing how screwy the world is, buy it ! After 1-2 years if not happy ( need bigger ? ) resell...don't think you can lose.

 

[fried1765]

Hello, thanks for stopping by.

My wife and I recently turned 30, got married and purchased a five acre property in Rhode Island all in the same year. We learned fast that we're in desperate need of something to haul around compost, help maintain our 1100ft dirt/gravel driveway, move snow, (we avg. 45 inches a winter here), etc. We currently have right under two acres of garden space and last year we did everything by hand, which as you could imagine was taxing with working full time. I decided to start looking into a Kubota, but I cant for the life of me decide on which to get and pull the trigger. We cant afford new, or large, our budget being at or under 20 thousand, so I figure a 10-15 year old machine would have to suffice. I came across this listing on FB marketplace for a 2007 BX24 with loader, backhoe, snowblower, mower deck, bagger and sun roof with 700 hours for 17,000. After talking with the gentlemen he said he would take 16,000. After looking at Tractor House and some other sites im inclined to believe that it is worth it, but I'm still on the fence, in New England these machines do seem to go for 20-30% more than the rest of the country, so I'm estimating the tractor itself worth 9-11k and then the added implements another 5 or so?

I suffer from overthinking large purchases in fear of making a bad financial decision for my family. If anyone could give me some guidance or advice, id greatly
appreciate it.



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I have a much larger Kubota tractor.
So, cannot base my comments on personal experience.
That said: I think you should definitely buy that machine!
Over time, (with an 1,100 dirt driveway) you will likely find that you will eventually want something a bit larger, but this is available now, at a very good price, and includes valuable attachments.
Buy it!
Don't dilly dally around, or someone else will snap that up!

 

[Yotekiller]

I would think you would want something a little larger if you need to maintain a long drive. I would be looking for probably an L series if it were me. That's an awful small machine, not much larger than a lawn mower. I see 2501's in my area going for 16-17K with under 150 hours quite regularly.. Probably wouldn't cost much to have one delivered to you.

 

[Chris_]

I have a BX25, and a B2650. I'm selling the Bx25 because it's too small for my needs (25acres, 12 field and 12 forest) but I had the BX for 3 years and I tell you it really punches above it's weight. With the attachments in the ad, I think what you see there is a good deal providing its' reasonably well maintained. And the attachments do seem to suit your needs well.

You can see faded paint but you might be able to bring that back with some elbow grease. Hopefully the seat is in good condition and that the unit has regular maintenance and been greased.

You might go bigger but I don't think you'll go wrong with this unit for the price.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

You don't need a big tractor to take care of a driveway. What you need is to take the TIME every 2 weeks or so,to ' bar and chain grade' it, say 4-6 passes (barn to road and back ). I used a 9hp garden tractor to maintain my driveway and lot, about 1/4 ac in area.
If you 'let it go', usually for month if not years THEN you need to do some serious 'rework' of the driveway.
It's a do a little often or a LOT later on....but more often is better, and easier.

 

[Henro]

Go to the Kubota site and price a BX23S with all the added equipment shown in the add.

While you are doing that, you won’t have to worry about the decision, because someone will already have bought it.

As others have said, it’s a good starting point. Probably enough tractor for 5 acres. But that really depends on what you need to accomplish…

 

[fried1765]

I would think you would want something a little larger if you need to maintain a long drive. I would be looking for probably an L series if it were me. That's an awful small machine, not much larger than a lawn mower. I see 2501's in my area going for 16-17K with under 150 hours quite regularly.. Probably wouldn't cost much to have one delivered to you.

The OP is in Rhode Island.
Any Kubota tractor in Southern New England will cost more gold than most anywhere, excepting California.
It would be extremely unlikely to find a 150 hour L2501 in New England, for "16-17K",........and with all the attachments,.......NEVER!

 

[bird dogger]

Other than the included backhoe, that's about the exact same package my neighbor has used on his 5 acre rural property for the past 10 years +/-. It has never let him down. Only once in a while has he wished for a bigger tractor when he could have lifted more/moved more with the bucket in order to save a little time.

He bought it as a used package deal from a previous owner. He had looked into selling his package and start replacing the implements with the bigger size for the bigger tractor and quickly changed his mind. Only if he could find another "package deal" on a bigger tractor/implements would it even make sense for him to trade up in size.

The backhoe will be handy for you. (I've always had one and wouldn't be without one!) But for your gardening needs, if you wanted to sell the backhoe attachment and pick up a pto powered 3 point roto tiller, then you'd really have the perfect maintence tractor and attachments for you 5 acres........while keeping an eye open for the perfect "little bit larger" tractor/implement package that may or may not ever show up on the market in your area.

As the others have said: "Don't delay!!! Run (don't walk) and get that tractor with its implements!!"

 

[rc51stierhoff]

Hello, thanks for stopping by.

My wife and I recently turned 30, got married and purchased a five acre property in Rhode Island all in the same year. We learned fast that we're in desperate need of something to haul around compost, help maintain our 1100ft dirt/gravel driveway, move snow, (we avg. 45 inches a winter here), etc. We currently have right under two acres of garden space and last year we did everything by hand, which as you could imagine was taxing with working full time. I decided to start looking into a Kubota, but I cant for the life of me decide on which to get and pull the trigger. We cant afford new, or large, our budget being at or under 20 thousand, so I figure a 10-15 year old machine would have to suffice. I came across this listing on FB marketplace for a 2007 BX24 with loader, backhoe, snowblower, mower deck, bagger and sun roof with 700 hours for 17,000. After talking with the gentlemen he said he would take 16,000. After looking at Tractor House and some other sites im inclined to believe that it is worth it, but I'm still on the fence, in New England these machines do seem to go for 20-30% more than the rest of the country, so I'm estimating the tractor itself worth 9-11k and then the added implements another 5 or so?

I suffer from overthinking large purchases in fear of making a bad financial decision for my family. If anyone could give me some guidance or advice, id greatly
appreciate it.



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Good day.

I am not sure this Is helpful or not, but I’d recommend think about all your future work / uses and does the BX make sense? There is a lot of overlap in the different models so it can be tough to sort through it all. What capabilities and features might be desired? Is there a lift capacity you want to have and does that line up with how you plan to use it? Do you have a need for SSQA and or use of a grapple or forks? If so does what you are looking at have that feature or if you have to add then how does that change your total out of pocket? Same with other features rear remotes, filled tires etc. it can all be added…but that way making a fair comparison of f considering other units for sale. That’s my only thought. BX are great machines. I got a lot of use out of mine. Good luck.

 

[GeoHorn]

I think that’s a great bargain for anyone needing that particular equipment…but I don’t see it helping you much in the garden. You might need to set aside money for a tiller and/or plow if you want a large garden.

 

[bird dogger]

And welcome to "OTT" where everyone is always happy to spend your money!! LOL But you'll also find a lot of help and great information from its members!!

 

[mcmxi]

gee, that's a LOT of equipment for a more than fair price. Knowing how screwy the world is, buy it ! After 1-2 years if not happy ( need bigger ? ) resell...don't think you can lose.

I have to agree with @GreensvilleJay on this. How can you go wrong, unless there are major (expensive) issues to fix. As others have said, if it starts and runs well, and if all of the hydraulics appear to work, BUY IT!

I'm on 20 acres and owned a BX25TLB for five years and had lots of attachments for it. It was too small for my needs, but as a point of reference, I sold it three years ago for $19k and that was with a front mount snow blower (BX5450), mid mount mower deck (RCK54-23BX), LP grapple (SGC0548), LP box blade (BB1248), and LP rear blade (RB1572). I was moving up to an MX6000 so few of the implements would be compatible. The BX had a bit over 300 hours on it when I sold it to the manager of the local Kubota dealer. He uses it at his cabin by the lake in the summer and loves it. He has it in town in the winter and his kids move snow in the neighborhood.

 

[BAP]

That’s a great starter machine for you. Buy it, learn how to use it and get the feel for what you can and can’t do with it. You may find you wish you had a bigger machine but that will do anything you, just might take longer

 

[LostTrail]

It's too bad we're not closer, I would offer you my 2019 BX23S. Has a manual thumb for the backhoe, tine rake for the 3pt, Cyclone Rake for connecting to the mower deck plus 32' of manual 8" hose for vacuuming where the tractor cant get. Also have the underbelly skid plate to protect the fan when the mower deck is off. It's been a fantastic tractor and worked great for the 2.5 acres we had, but now with 60 acres, moving up to a MX 5400 or MX6000. I would jump on that tractor you're looking at.

 

[Jamo54]

I'm new to these tractors as well, and just bought a B21-TLB. I was looking at the baby Mahindra's locally (at a dealer) just to see what they were, and the BX Kubotas seem to be about the same size, but a much better rig to own.
That said, I was looking on FBMP and there must be 20x more used BX's for sale than B's or L's. My thoughts were that there's a lot of BX owners moving up to bigger rigs. I like to overbuild and over own when I do stuff. It didn't take long for me to decide on the B.
But...that BX sure has a lot of stuff to go with it...

 

[Bearcatrp]

My son in law bought a mahindra. Tried to talk me into one. Glad I didn’t. Constant issues. Parts take along time to get. Has has to fabricate last 2 issues due to no parts. Glad I bought Kubota.