Run away or worth a gamble? Kubota B2910

[Jim Nelson]

Another way to get an idea of what's happening is smell the oil.If it's been hot you can smell it right away. Sure sounds tempting to me.

 

[rswyan]

I have that tractor an very happy with it.

Same here.

It is easy for chaff to build up while bush hogging and a pain to clean properly.

Yup (on the build up) ... the cleaning is a PITA, though probably not any more difficult than any other unit.

I'm at 1000 hours and have replaced all loader hoses(expect to do that).

I'm at 1615 hours ... and I haven't replaced any hoses yet but I'm getting close ... a couple of the hoses have splits in the outer sheath/covering were they connect to the loader valve.

(On a side note, I just changed over the QD's on the FEL to skid steer flush face QD's and noted while the hoses appear to be 3/8", the fittings on the valve end of the hoses are 1/4" NPT ... what's up with that ?)

Fill coolant and run to make sure it is not over heating and look at paint on engine (peeling flaking?). Dismount loader and drive tractor then remount. (ensure it is not twisted).

Yup :thumbsup:

I haven't but believe on that tractor you can pull metal hydraulic screen and clean/inspect/replace without messing with fluid change.

I think you have to drain it.

I would certainly look closer before passing on it.

Yes ... grey filters may not necessarily be evidence of complete and total neglect ... the fluid itself may have been changed.

I'd ask if it had ... and if yes, ask to see some evidence (receipts)

 

[rswyan]

As for the hyd/hst filters and fluid, every time I changed mine, 50hr and every 300 hrs after (as stated by book) the fluid came out clean and clear each time, the fine mesh strainer only had a few metal shavings on it, not even enough to really bother with in my opinion, even if I let all of them add up through out the years.

Ditto here ... :thumbsup:

As for the coolant, this worries me the most. ... ask the guy to fill the coolant up and go run it for a while and see if there is any indication of an issue.

Yup ... like you say: this needs to be checked out carefully to ensure that any overheating that may have occurred hasn't created an ongoing problem.

 

[1savoy]

"I haven't but believe on that tractor you can pull metal hydraulic screen and clean/inspect/replace without messing with fluid change."
I just checked manual and it said to do it at fluid change. Not sure where I got that idea.

Thank you for checking and the info!!

 

[1savoy]

Another way to get an idea of what's happening is smell the oil.If it's been hot you can smell it right away. Sure sounds tempting to me.

Hi Jim,

Thank you. I actually smelled and ran the oil between my fingers. It looked and smelled pretty good to me. Yes, I am tempted as you can probably tell:thumbsup::thumbsup:

 

[1savoy]

Hi Rswyan,

Thanks for all that great info. Sounds like another happy B2910 owner. To be honest I never know this particular model existed. After looking at it I really like this model. Just going to have to check it out better and make a decision. I definitely will take some coolant and my pressure tester and see if I can find anything out with the coolant. The hydrostat, 3 pt hitch, hydraulics, and pto all worked super nice so hopefully there is no serious damage from the lack of filter and/ or fluid change. Here are a few pictures of it before the owner unloaded it from his trailer. He had just brought it back from the land he uses it on.

 

[McREBEL]

At least the engine oil filter has been changed once. It should have been changed about 5 times by now. Ask him how many times he has changed the oil/oil filter and what kind of oil he put in it. My B2920 still had the gray hst and hydraulic filters when I bought it. That didn't worry me because it only had 112 hrs. 800+ without those being changed would give me a little more concern. I believe the hydraulic fluid should have been changed twice by now. I would be skeptical about the hydraulic fluid having ever been changed since the filters have not. I can't remember if you said anything about the look of the hydraulic fluid. Does it look fairly clear? It was talked about how the owner would have been smart to change the hst and hydraulic filters prior to putting it up for sale. It could be he got some of it right (in the wrong way) by changing the oil filter and oil just before putting it up for sale. Could it be that gray oil filter hasn't been off long? Then there is the coolant thing also. I would proceed carefully. Check for leaks thoroughly around the engine and underneath everywhere prior to running it. Then check again thoroughly after running it long enough to get all the fluids hot.

I know what you are going through as I just bought my B2920 two weeks ago. Fun and extremely stressful all at the same time. I certainly don't want to discourage you, but do want you to be satisfied down the road with what you get. It is hard to keep the buying fever in check.

 

[rswyan]

savoy,

It looks like it's been used and has spent some time living outdoors ... I can't really fault that as mine has been thru similar ...

Overall, it looks to be in better shape than mine cosmetically, albeit with a few more scuff marks in certain places (tops of curl cylinder, brush guard) ... should clean up real well tho'.

The seat cover looks like it has been replaced ... mine needs to be, the vinyl having split open in a couple of places. The arm rests are cracked (so are mine) ... there's a plastic dip coating that is used for tool handles available at Home Depot that might be worth investigating to restore those.

Check the hard lines on the loader cross tube - they look bent in the picture. Two of mine have bad dents in them (need repaired/replaced) ... acquired when I loaned (never again !) the tractor to a former employer who was an idiot and who probably wrapped a chain around the lines and cross tube to pull/lift something.

The front rubber looks like it has plenty of life left ... mine have almost all the tread worn off (avoid 4WD on hard surfaces like pavement - it tends to make the tires wear a lot faster) The rear tires on mine are in great shape, considering hours/age ... look near new.

If the tach is working in the one picture, the idle speed should be raised up to around 1200 rpm to help prevent wet stacking.

 

[Sodo]

I have a 2004 B2710 with 900 hours. I bought it at a dealer, it had all new filters and fresh oil, so that part of the investigation was "lost". I can't tell you what it was like when it came in. My B2710 has an LA402, rear hydraulics, hydraulic 3-point hitch, which I value at about $1500. Mine looks a bit weathered. Has 2 tears in the seat, and a dent in the hood, and front tires are worn out. It was listed at $13,900 which gives an idea what the dealer thinks they may bring in my area. Compact tractor prices have jumped up, are at a premium here in the NW. Tractors are so hard to find I was even considering NEW.

I finally paid $12,500, which to me, is $3,000 more than this tractor would be a few years ago. I used a BX24 for 160 hours (1.5 years) then sold it for $700 more than I paid for it. I suspect the dealer has to get about $1500 to be on his lot, so in comparison, $1500 for rear hydraulics + $1500 for the dealer, that my 2710 is at about $9500 in comparison. I probably would have jumped on that 2910 at $8500 and then use the "hope" method that my non-commercial usage would still result in a long life.

Hope this helps.

 

[varmint]

Fascinating thread! Like others have noted, the tires look good- and the machine has sat outside, from the looks of it. That's a shame, but shouldn't affect the major systems. I'd say if it takes just a little coolant, and runs fine without leaking or overheating, and the oil seems good, and the hydraulics work and the fluid is clear, then the price allows you to invest some in going thru the machine and getting it ready for a "fresh" start with your ownership. Armrests and such are fixable. Take a grease gun, and see if grease comes out of the links and fittings when you shoot some fresh grease in. Might be fine. Around here, you can't find a good bushhog for $450. Did anyone mention checking the debris screen in front of the radiator? From the looks of it, the owner wasn't very compulsive about caring for it. Still, 900 hours is nothing, if all the vital fluids were okay. At least he didn't roll it.