Buying a used kubota L2900 / L2850 / L2250 / L2350

[alstaz]

This is my first post and first potential tractor purchase. I need a bit of help deciding on which tractor to pick.

First I'll give you a bit of info about me... My wife and I just bought a small 8 acre Farm. It is mostly flat with a couple acres of horse pasture, about 4 acres is currently rented out to a local corn farmer but it will eventually become gardens and pasture, and we have about an acre of lawn to take care of.

I am looking for a tractor that can be used for brush hogging, and tilling and loader work in both dirt and snow.

I have narrowed my search to a few models of Kubotas that I have found reasonably nearby. I'll spell them out and let you help me with my decision.

1. Kubota L2250DT w/FEL with about 1300 hours (1990 model). It was a one owner unit and is really pretty clean. Turf tires. They want $8950

2. Kubota L2350DT w/FEL with about 350 hours (late 90's model). Ag tires. Overall it is in really nice shape. It is definitely an economy model - spartan but would do the trick. Asking $8995

3. Kubota L2850DT w/FEL with about with about 595 hours. (1987 model) AG Tires - may need replacing soon. Ok condition, was stored outside, had hard cab but missing soft doors. Asking $9500

4. Kubota L2900GST w/FEL with about 1950 hours. (1994 model) Ok Condition, was used by school district for salting (rear fenders show some rust) Has Hard Cab with Soft doors. Turf Tires, 1 new front - 3 need replacing. Will take $9000 or $9500 w/tires

I guess I am leaning toward the L2900 for a couple reasons. It is one of the newest models with the highest HP ratings. It has the cab, which will be nice for snow and it has the Glideshift transmission which should be easier for loader work.

Am I on the right track here? Sorry for such a long first post but I am looking to pull the trigger on this pretty soon. Thanks!

Al

 

[alstaz]

Well, It has been quiet here.....

I Decided to demo the L2900 this weekend and here is what I found.

It has plenty of power for what I used it for. I like the thought of having the Curtis cab for winter plowing. It has a heater and a defroster fan inside as well as the windshield wiper.

The FEL worked well and there didn't seem to be any smoking and no oil leaks.

The rear Turf tires are pretty gone and would need replacement if I want to do any amount of loader work.

Does this sound reasonable at 9k?
Any help would be appreciated.

 

[LBrown59]

Have you thought about going new?
With the 0% down no intrest financing it may be as cheep or cheeper to go new than going used.

 

[alstaz]

I did consider new, but to get into the tractor I want, it is close to 15,500 +tax etc. The payment for it at 0% is still $480 for 36mo. The 9k used tractor is going to run about $280/mo w/ interest if I decide to pay it off in 3 years. Tempting to go new, but I can use the $200 to do a lot around the house each month.

 

[jmc012]

I'm no expert but I think I would go with number 2., 350 hours is hardly used. I bet the one used by the school board was not taken care of since it was probably just operated by workers that didn't care about it. I had a L2050 for 13 years and it was a great little machine, the only thing that ever broke was the seat. I even dug a 1/2 acre catfish pond with it using a rear scoop. It only took 300 hours on the tractor.

 

[frank_f15]

Well if you really like the l2900 then get it, but i also think you should rethink #2 that sound like a nice machine tho a bit less comphy. also u are right on the GS over the Dt. HECK i guess i would have to look at them to make a sound decesion /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[HammerFour]

I would say by hp to cost alone, #3 or #4 would be good. The doors for #3 are most likely available, and I personally perfer ag tires. But #4 sounds like a good deal as well. I have a L2350 w/ FEL and Ag tires, it is a very basic tractor but has done everything we need for a couple years now.