namesray
Platinum Member
I have been contiplating this question since I have been trying to sell my 2 kubota b series tractors. Here is my story.
I initially bought my b7800 and b3200 and planed to keep them for well over 15 years. I used them both commercially and thus put some hours on them. But, I took exceptional care of them in the form of full maintenance by the book with only kubota products, tractors were shed kept everynight and never seen road salt. They were washed and waxed yearly. Full walk around and fluid check everyday, greased everytime on time. No scratches, dents, or dings. I mean I did "work" them, but I did not abuse them.
Both tractors looked near show room condition if I would have taken the time to "detail" them. My point is, I would have loved to come across a used tractor like these if I was in the market. You would be getting a new looking tractor for a lot less then a new ones cost and it would have been maintained to last for years to come.
B 7800 buy cost $16k new. 1700hours. Replacement b3350 new cost $21k. (Equal options) I wanted $12k for it and it sold hard for $10k.
B 3200 buy cost $18k new. 700 hours. Replacement b3350 new cost $20k. I would like $13k for b3200 and I cant sell it.
Seems like people would jump on a non regen emmision tractor that looks new for $7k less then new. 700hours on these tractors is nothing from what I have seen kubotas go through. (I have been around a lot of high hour kubotas).
Now to my main point. I watched my neighbor sell his b7800, exact same set up, sell quick and for $14k, but it had only 322 hours, BUT it was hardly maintained, sat outside, rusted, dented, and such. I have also seen others sell quicker and easi ie r that just sat outside and they weren't maintained very good as I have talked with those owners.
All that extra work and time and money spent keeping my tractors in great shape, and from what I have experienced, it was a waste. I bet I would have been better off "just running the pi $$" out of them, leave them outside, dont change the oil as often, just advertise them for a couple thousand less, and i wouldnt still have the burden of still trying to sell them for what worth they are as how they were maintained.
I am selling both b tractors only because I needed a larger one, and guess what, that one was delerved in the road salt and I ain't washed it yet!
Now I am not saying anyone who likes a nice shiny tractor is wrong, but for me I am beginning to feel that anything more then just changing oils and greasing is overkill.
What do you think? Have I gone crazy?
I initially bought my b7800 and b3200 and planed to keep them for well over 15 years. I used them both commercially and thus put some hours on them. But, I took exceptional care of them in the form of full maintenance by the book with only kubota products, tractors were shed kept everynight and never seen road salt. They were washed and waxed yearly. Full walk around and fluid check everyday, greased everytime on time. No scratches, dents, or dings. I mean I did "work" them, but I did not abuse them.
Both tractors looked near show room condition if I would have taken the time to "detail" them. My point is, I would have loved to come across a used tractor like these if I was in the market. You would be getting a new looking tractor for a lot less then a new ones cost and it would have been maintained to last for years to come.
B 7800 buy cost $16k new. 1700hours. Replacement b3350 new cost $21k. (Equal options) I wanted $12k for it and it sold hard for $10k.
B 3200 buy cost $18k new. 700 hours. Replacement b3350 new cost $20k. I would like $13k for b3200 and I cant sell it.
Seems like people would jump on a non regen emmision tractor that looks new for $7k less then new. 700hours on these tractors is nothing from what I have seen kubotas go through. (I have been around a lot of high hour kubotas).
Now to my main point. I watched my neighbor sell his b7800, exact same set up, sell quick and for $14k, but it had only 322 hours, BUT it was hardly maintained, sat outside, rusted, dented, and such. I have also seen others sell quicker and easi ie r that just sat outside and they weren't maintained very good as I have talked with those owners.
All that extra work and time and money spent keeping my tractors in great shape, and from what I have experienced, it was a waste. I bet I would have been better off "just running the pi $$" out of them, leave them outside, dont change the oil as often, just advertise them for a couple thousand less, and i wouldnt still have the burden of still trying to sell them for what worth they are as how they were maintained.
I am selling both b tractors only because I needed a larger one, and guess what, that one was delerved in the road salt and I ain't washed it yet!
Now I am not saying anyone who likes a nice shiny tractor is wrong, but for me I am beginning to feel that anything more then just changing oils and greasing is overkill.
What do you think? Have I gone crazy?