Anyone own a BCS tractor?

SodBuster87 · Jan 29, 2019

Just wondering if anyone owns one? Got talking with someone about walk behind garden tractors, one thought led to another and now my curiosity is peaked. Seen on the BCS website the economy model is $1,700 and goes up to around $5,000. Attachments extra. Just looking for people who own one to comment good, bad or indifferent.

Sod Buster

RGMartin · Jan 29, 2019

I have a 710, my uncle has a 716? Have run both a good bit.

Both are the small 6-7hp or so ones, mine is the economy model with just 1 forward speed. The 716 has 3 forward.

They are an interesting toy, and a good tiller. Not much of a tractor though.

Oliver 500 Wa · Jan 29, 2019

I have one with just the tiller attachment. I bought it new in 1980. Don't know the model, but IIRC, it is 8-10 HP and has 3 forward and one reverse gears. Back then it was marketed as a Mainline.

Only repairs needed to date was a new seal on one of the tiller tine shafts. Have worn out 4 or 5 sets of tines. Till a 24 x 80 foot garden patch a few times in the spring and once or twice in the fall. Outstanding machine for reliability. I have always thought it could use wheel weights. I have kicked around about making some but so far have not found my "round two it".

Traditional Farmer · Jan 30, 2019

I had one for awhile it did pretty good,but if I was looking for a serious walk behind tractor it'd be one of the later model Gravely units,they are tough,reasonably priced and there
are a lot of attachments around for them.These days if it doesn't have a seat and a steering wheel I'm not interested(LOL)

Bret4207 · Jan 30, 2019

The modern version of a Gravely. I have never used one, but I spent a whole lot of hours with a lot of Gravelys. The BCS seems to have a good rep and they have some things going for them the Gravelys didn't, like brakes, less vibration and a lot quieter operation. But, they are wicked expensive. If I could find one for the right price I'd buy one.

tomstractorsandtoys · Jan 30, 2019

I bought my wife one 25 years ago. Ours is a 716. Been great as she has always had a big garden. It has worn out three sets of tines. She even tilled in standing sweet corn stalks. We did have to replace the engine about three years ago but for the hours and work it has done no complaints. Tom

Mike M · Jan 30, 2019

Having ran and worked on a troy bilt when I saw a cut away model of the BCS I was amazed at how good built they looked. They were made just like a tractor. Plus the engine is mounted lowering the center of gravity. These looked like the one to own if you wanted a walk behind tiller !

PumpkinHead · Jan 30, 2019

We have one at work with a tiller and a flail mower. I never used older walk behind tractors, but have used a lot of walk behind tillers and it is by far the best. That being said if tight spacing isn't an issue you can get a good cultivating tractor for less money and not have to walk. Or if you need a rototiler and have a tractor that can run one you can get a 3pt tiller and not have to walk.

rockyridgefarm · Jan 30, 2019

i have an 850 Diesel and I have a lot of the attachments - rotary plow, tiller, snowblower, stump grinder, sweeper, trailer, sickle mower, hiller, tater digger, etc. I put the crawler tracks on it as well. If you get one, be sure to get one big enough to run the rotary plow. Also consider Grillo. Just as good machines with a better tiller attachment and a slightly lower price.

Deere Mark · Jan 30, 2019

Don't own one but they are sold around here. Expensive compared to an old beat up Troy Bilt, but you get what you pay for. The larger BCS models have a differential which would make it easy to turn at the end of the row. I am always amazed at how difficult it is to turn my Troy Bilt.

MarkinMO · Jan 30, 2019

I don't have a BCS tractor but I have a BCS chipper/shredder. It has been a very good unit.

dactura · Jan 30, 2019

I have a 710 that I bought years ago. Recently replaced the Brigs & Stratton engine with a Kohler engine that has an extra HP. Also replaced the tines. It's a great garden tractor! Very solid and I can get parts for it.

RGMartin · Jan 30, 2019

The only issue I have had with them is the clutch. When you aren't running them, you have to lock the clutch in the disengaged position. They have a cone shaped clutch that likes to lock up if left sitting for any period of time, Mine did it just sitting overnight once. You have to pull the engine to fix it.

dactura · Jan 30, 2019

Wow! That's no fun. Had mine for years and nothing like that ever happened. I'd seriously think about replacing it... though they are expensive.

Oliver 500 Wa · Jan 31, 2019

The only issue I have had with them is the clutch. When you aren't running them, you have to lock the clutch in the disengaged position. They have a cone shaped clutch that likes to lock up if left sitting for any period of time, Mine did it just sitting overnight once. You have to pull the engine to fix it.

I'm thinking you have something weird going on with your unit there. My BCS is almost 40 years old now and it has never had a stuck clutch. Always stored engaged. Sits in a shed from late October til April too.

rockyridgefarm · Jan 31, 2019

(quoted from post at 23:09:39 01/30/19)

The only issue I have had with them is the clutch. When you aren't running them, you have to lock the clutch in the disengaged position. They have a cone shaped clutch that likes to lock up if left sitting for any period of time, Mine did it just sitting overnight once. You have to pull the engine to fix it.

Click to expand...

I'm thinking you have something weird going on with your unit there. My BCS is almost 40 years old now and it has never had a stuck clutch. Always stored engaged. Sits in a shed from late October til April too.

What he has is totally normal for a 1995 or newer machine. It is so common they made a service bulletin on it. BCS made the spring too strong and the angle of the clutch surfaces too steep, and they would stick if left engaged. They still make that clutch, but they came out with a hydraulic clutch on their most recent machines. EU standards required new safety features and the hydraulic clutch was BCSs solution.

coshoo · Jan 31, 2019

I had the stuck clutch problem with mine- suspended the engine from the ceiling with a come-along, so it wasn't too bad a job. But I now store it with clutch disengaged. Very heavily built and useful machine. Its a bit of a workout if you have to make many turns, but it does the garden in one pass, whereas my old Troybilt took 2 or more. Mine is a mid-90's model, built in Italy, so I don't think its related to the Gravely at all. I think the early ones had an Italian engine (Acme, maybe?), and those should be avoided. Mine has a Briggs, and its always worked fine.

Oliver 500 Wa · Jan 31, 2019

.....What he has is totally normal for a 1995 or newer machine. .......

Wow, I guess that makes me glad I have an old one.

Anyone own a BCS tractor?

SodBuster87

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RGMartin

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Oliver 500 Wa

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Traditional Farmer

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tomstractorsandtoys

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