Enlarging the photo, the paint appears unfaded.
Paint on the bucket is intact. This tractor has not moved much dirt. Certainly never experienced commercial use.
Jeff, take another look at those photos.... To my eye that looks like a repaint job on the bucket. Do you see what I see? In one photo I even see overspray on the welded-on hooks on top of the bucket. Then as I look at it closer I seem to see other repainted areas on the tractor- but that might just be the quality of the photos. Are those vertical sides on the bucket also welded on? I've not seen buckets like that. Do the loader arms seem "splotchy"? Do the wheels seem almost too shiny clean?
It is hard for me to tell.....but I'm becoming less and less sure that it is non-commercial. Call me unconvinced.....
I want to believe in it. but we have an old tractor dealer locally who has made his living for decades buying old tractors, doing minimal maintenance, and re-painting them to make them look newer.
Like I said, I'd like to believe, but on that L3540 I would absolutely have to see it in person and drive it around. On the plus side, it's probably better than the TO35 regardless - but that is still a lot of money. Do you think he could do better? I certainly understand the desire to get a new one - even if smaller - and make it last forever. The L2501 seems a bit small for as many acres and such....although it is probably a more useable friendly tractor than the TO35 and would work almost as well despite the small size. But once a guy becomes used to a larger tractor who wants to go smaller? Certainly not me! Once spoiled by real weight and traction I'd find it very hard to go smaller.
I'd rather wait and find a machine for $20K - or under - that was low hrs and clean more like that L3540 in post #2 - but without the cab. IMHO that L3540 in post #2 was/is a better deal in spite of the cab & cost.
I don't know enough about the Branson to offer any opinion. They aren't common where I am, dealers are hundreds of miles apart or more and tend to be other than real tractor dealers. I just don't know them.
Nick go look at the Kubota L3540 if you want to and it is close by. Itwould be perfect if it was 500 hrs and really was a one-owner, stored inside, kind of near-perfect condition tractor.....and if it was, then the price would be OK. But I'm suspicious. So when you go, be prepared to offer a MUCH lower price or just walk away. You've been around machinery a while. I think you'll know the answer the moment you see it.
My bottom line is that if I was you then for near $20 grand I'm not yet seeing the one that just reaches out and grabs me. But it's out there. That's a lot of money..... I'd have to go look.
rScotty
