Run away or worth a gamble? Kubota B2910

[sixdogs]

I can understand you passing on it, and I probably would too but I have seen far worse maintenance on a Kubota and no bad things happened. Whatever you do, they just keep chugging long. It would be nicer if the price was cheaper since there is a resale drop in price for bad maintenance..

 

[GPintheMitten]

Maybe make an offer with sale dependent on clean hydraulic oil on a change of fluid and filters. Insist that you be present and that he pays for it because it was due many hours ago. Then if screen and fluid looks good, take it and if not walk...or negotiate price.

 

[s219]

For that much money, I think there are better choices. I have seen newer B2920 models with front loader for $12-13K with 150-200 hours on them. In comparison, a much older tractor with much higher hours and questionable maintenance history seems like a good way to burn $8-9K that could be going towards something newer and better. Too many red flags for my taste.

 

[1savoy]

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.

Hi McRebel,

Thanks for the ideas and tips. I really appreciate it. Congrats on the B2920. You must be thrilled. How are you liking it? I will definitely check it over real well if I decide to go back. I actually did not end up looking at the condition of the hydraulic fluid when I was on site. I pulled the yellow plug on the top rear of the axle, thinking that there was possibly a dipstick there, but there was not. Ended up getting side tracked and never got back to trying to find a dipstick so I could look at the fluid. At that point last Saturday the owner would only come down to $9,000 and I decided to walk away. This week he lowered his price and it got my interest again. Probably the smart thing is to still walk away and look for something that has been maintained. I will keep you posted.

 

[JMER817]

Tell him that you are really concerned about the lack of maintenance and leave him an offer. ($7500? Cash) tell him that you will keep looking and to call you if he wants to make the deal.

 

[1savoy]

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.

Rswyan,

I think you are right about the seat cover. It did not seem like the typical Kubota seat material, but if it was recovered or replaced it is a nice seat. It is very comfortable. Yep, the armrests looked like crap and the foam under the hood looks the same. That is a great idea about the plastic dip :thumbsup::thumbsup: I had not thought of that and was wondering a good way to repair them. The hard lines looked good to me while I was there, but I will check again if I go back. Bent lines usually jump out at me real quick. Two of the hydraulic hoses need to be replaced. About the tires, the owner said three of them have been replaced. I think he has bad thorns at the land (deer lease) he uses it at. I helped take the tie downs off and roll them up and they were full of thorns. He said the front left was the only one not replaced, so I think that is why the tires look as good as they do?? No the tach was not working and the tractor was not even running in those pictures. He said the tach had been working and then cut out. Said it has been intermittent since then. Makes me wonder if the temperature gauge is working also and maybe the cause of the low coolant. As I type this stuff it keeps reminding me why I walked away I also did not like how loose the steering column and dash felt. Makes me think a pretty good size person used it as a handle to help get on the tractor, but not sure. I stopped at my closest Kubota dealer on Sunday and wandered around the lot. The B2650 has the tilt wheel and I was amazed that the column on those moved more than I thought it should and the dash somewhat as well. The BX25D and B2670 on the other hand you could shake the whole tractor with the steering wheel and the column did not budge. Is it possibly something inherent with the tilt wheel/ column setup?

 

[1savoy]

I can understand you passing on it, and I probably would too but I have seen far worse maintenance on a Kubota and no bad things happened. Whatever you do, they just keep chugging long. It would be nicer if the price was cheaper since there is a resale drop in price for bad maintenance..

Sixdogs,

That's what I hear about Kubotas and think it may run for a long time yet. I agree about the price. When he dropped from $9,750 w/ cutter to $8,850 I was hoping he would be willing to come to $8,000 for just the tractor. He said he will not go below $8,500. I will have to sleep on this some more. I want a tractor that I don't mind leaving out under the garage porch, but I would like one that has seen better maintenance. I am pretty fussy about things and I am afraid I will waste too much time trying to make this what it should be instead of getting my projects done. If I buy new I just can't bring myself to leave them out and they chew up too much garage space at the moment.

 

[1savoy]

Maybe make an offer with sale dependent on clean hydraulic oil on a change of fluid and filters. Insist that you be present and that he pays for it because it was due many hours ago. Then if screen and fluid looks good, take it and if not walk...or negotiate price.

GPintheMitten,

That's a great idea but I do not think he will go for that. The owner bought a larger machine for supposedly a real good price and I get the feeling he just wants this one gone. Possibly to help pay for the larger (L3830) that he bought.

Thanks,
Russ

 

[1savoy]

For that much money, I think there are better choices. I have seen newer B2920 models with front loader for $12-13K with 150-200 hours on them. In comparison, a much older tractor with much higher hours and questionable maintenance history seems like a good way to burn $8-9K that could be going towards something newer and better. Too many red flags for my taste.

s219,

I have to say I agree. Usually in the morning I am all revved up, but by this time of the day I start to come to my senses a little more. I think there is quite a bit of machine there for the price, but too many concerns and could be a way as you said "to burn 8-9K". What you say is probably the wise choice. I appreciate the advice and concern.

Thanks,
Russ

 

[1savoy]

Tell him that you are really concerned about the lack of maintenance and leave him an offer. ($7500? Cash) tell him that you will keep looking and to call you if he wants to make the deal.

Hi JMER817,

I expressed my concerns to him and that helped get the price down some, but I don't think he will bug below the $8,500 at the moment. What you say makes sense as I can make the offer and leave it at that. If he sits on it for a while I may hear back, otherwise it was not meant to be.

Thank you,
Russ

 

[McREBEL]

Hi McRebel,

Thanks for the ideas and tips. I really appreciate it. Congrats on the B2920. You must be thrilled. How are you liking it? I will definitely check it over real well if I decide to go back. I actually did not end up looking at the condition of the hydraulic fluid when I was on site. I pulled the yellow plug on the top rear of the axle, thinking that there was possibly a dipstick there, but there was not. Ended up getting side tracked and never got back to trying to find a dipstick so I could look at the fluid. At that point last Saturday the owner would only come down to $9,000 and I decided to walk away. This week he lowered his price and it got my interest again. Probably the smart thing is to still walk away and look for something that has been maintained. I will keep you posted.

I couldn't be happier with the B2920 so far. My only complaint is I haven't had time to be on it a lot yet. Just for some perspective I paid $10,500 + tax for it. '08, FEL, with 112 hrs, and a Land Pride finishing mower. The tractor and finish mower looked very close to being brand new although they weren't. Scratches on the bucket were really the only way to tell the tractor wasn't new on a first glance. However, I see on Tractor House some B2910's with no FEL with prices listed around what you have said this guy is asking for the one you have looked at with a FEL. They look better but the hours are higher. Maybe better maintained though. They do have a MMM. I really believe s219 gave some good advice above. I think you can spend just a little bit more and feel really good about your purchase when you get home with it. Of course, if you don't have that little bit more to spend you just don't. What I paid for the 2920 was the max I could spend. If it had been more I would have had to walk away. I had already turned my back on several that I just didn't have a good feeling about and am glad now I remained patient. Being patient was not easy.

 

[Mike from MI]

For that much money, I think there are better choices. I have seen newer B2920 models with front loader for $12-13K with 150-200 hours on them. In comparison, a much older tractor with much higher hours and questionable maintenance history seems like a good way to burn $8-9K that could be going towards something newer and better. Too many red flags for my taste.

+1
If the guy is to lazy to read the manual and follow the maintenance schedule who knows what else he has done to abuse it.

 

[rswyan]

Rswyan,

I think you are right about the seat cover. It did not seem like the typical Kubota seat material, but if it was recovered or replaced it is a nice seat. It is very comfortable.

It looked like it was a decent cover/quality job from the pics.

Yep, the armrests looked like crap and the foam under the hood looks the same. That is a great idea about the plastic dip :thumbsup::thumbsup: I had not thought of that and was wondering a good way to repair them.

I picked up two cans of the Rust-Oleum spray plastic dip tonight at The Depot ... I'll try and remember to post back how it works.

The hard lines looked good to me while I was there, but I will check again if I go back. Bent lines usually jump out at me real quick.

Could have just been the picture (optical illusion)

Two of the hydraulic hoses need to be replaced.

Split outer casing ?

About the tires, the owner said three of them have been replaced. I think he has bad thorns at the land (deer lease) he uses it at. I helped take the tie downs off and roll them up and they were full of thorns. He said the front left was the only one not replaced, so I think that is why the tires look as good as they do??

Ahhh ... makes sense (that they look as good as they do because they were replaced)

No the tach was not working and the tractor was not even running in those pictures. He said the tach had been working and then cut out. Said it has been intermittent since then. Makes me wonder if the temperature gauge is working also and maybe the cause of the low coolant.

I'd be wondering if the hour meter is working ...

Was it ?

As I type this stuff it keeps reminding me why I walked away I also did not like how loose the steering column and dash felt. Makes me think a pretty good size person used it as a handle to help get on the tractor, but not sure. I stopped at my closest Kubota dealer on Sunday and wandered around the lot. The B2650 has the tilt wheel and I was amazed that the column on those moved more than I thought it should and the dash somewhat as well. The BX25D and B2670 on the other hand you could shake the whole tractor with the steering wheel and the column did not budge. Is it possibly something inherent with the tilt wheel/ column setup?

The steering wheel tilts and telescopes ... and there are locking mechanisms for each (tilt is the lefthand orange lever to the left of the ignition switch, telescope lock is the large knob below the steering wheel and around the column)

If either was not tightened it might make a difference in how loose they would seem.

 

[rswyan]

The other thing that really scares me is both hydraulic filters are gray which makes me think they have never been changed. I assume no 50 hour service or makes me wonder how much service ever????

Did you actually ask the owner about this ?

Specifically about what maintenance has been done on the machine ?

If I were to ask, I'd frame it in such a way that asks for documentation:

"I was wondering if you have any maintenance records or receipts available for this machine ?"

If he claimed that the maintenance was done - but couldn't produce any documentation for it - then I'd be inclined to pass ...

 

[sixdogs]

Sixdogs,

That's what I hear about Kubotas and think it may run for a long time yet. I agree about the price. When he dropped from $9,750 w/ cutter to $8,850 I was hoping he would be willing to come to $8,000 for just the tractor. He said he will not go below $8,500. I will have to sleep on this some more. I want a tractor that I don't mind leaving out under the garage porch, but I would like one that has seen better maintenance. I am pretty fussy about things and I am afraid I will waste too much time trying to make this what it should be instead of getting my projects done. If I buy new I just can't bring myself to leave them out and they chew up too much garage space at the moment.

I don't think he's going to sell that for the price he wants. You probably seemed hot to buy it and he can sense that so why not sit tight for a while?Same for you...either buy what you want for the price you want or don't buy it.

I go to a number of auctions and follow auction prices and do not feel the tractor you're looking at would bring the price he wants. While I don't know that model exactly, I'm thinking it would auction in the condition you described for $6,000 to $6,500 to $7,000 or so depending on time of year and crowd makeup. Possibly a little more if on the weekend in a suburban area but the lack of maintenance is a real red flag for hobbyists.That's the market around here.

 

[1savoy]

I couldn't be happier with the B2920 so far. My only complaint is I haven't had time to be on it a lot yet. Just for some perspective I paid $10,500 + tax for it. '08, FEL, with 112 hrs, and a Land Pride finishing mower. The tractor and finish mower looked very close to being brand new although they weren't. Scratches on the bucket were really the only way to tell the tractor wasn't new on a first glance. However, I see on Tractor House some B2910's with no FEL with prices listed around what you have said this guy is asking for the one you have looked at with a FEL. They look better but the hours are higher. Maybe better maintained though. They do have a MMM. I really believe s219 gave some good advice above. I think you can spend just a little bit more and feel really good about your purchase when you get home with it. Of course, if you don't have that little bit more to spend you just don't. What I paid for the 2920 was the max I could spend. If it had been more I would have had to walk away. I had already turned my back on several that I just didn't have a good feeling about and am glad now I remained patient. Being patient was not easy.

Hi McRebel,

Sounds like you found a great machine at a great price. Glad it all worked out. Patience is a tough thing, at least for me. I don't actually have a dollar limit I would mind spending, I just want to be happy with the purchase and have something that will resell if need be. I would actually like this machine to be nicer and would gladly pay the fair price for it. I really like the size and hp, along with the options they came with and the lift capacity of the loader. I think, like you said, I just need to be patient and see what comes along. Thanks again for your responses and all the great advice.

Take care,
Russ

 

[1savoy]

Hi Mike,

Isn't that the truth:thumbsup::thumbsup:

 

[1savoy]

It looked like it was a decent cover/quality job from the pics.

It actually was very nice.

I picked up two cans of the Rust-Oleum spray plastic dip tonight at The Depot ... I'll try and remember to post back how it works.

That sounds great. Hope it turns out well for you. Hope to see the pic's.:thumbsup::thumbsup:

Split outer casing ?

Outer casing was split and hydraulic fluid has been weeping out. All the rest of the hoses had been changed so I don't know why they skipped these two. Probably were not leaking when the did the other ones :confused3:

I'd be wondering if the hour meter is working ...

Was it ?

I can't say for sure. Did not pay close enough attention. My bad.

The steering wheel tilts and telescopes ... and there are locking mechanisms for each (tilt is the lefthand orange lever to the left of the ignition switch, telescope lock is the large knob below the steering wheel and around the column)

If either was not tightened it might make a difference in how loose they would seem.

Yes, the wheel tilted, but I could not get the telescopic knob loose. Probably has not been used forever?? The whole wheel/ column/ dash just seemed to move around a lot:confused3::confused3:

 

[1savoy]

Did you actually ask the owner about this ?

Specifically about what maintenance has been done on the machine ?

If I were to ask, I'd frame it in such a way that asks for documentation:

"I was wondering if you have any maintenance records or receipts available for this machine ?"

If he claimed that the maintenance was done - but couldn't produce any documentation for it - then I'd be inclined to pass ...

I did talk to him about the maintenance and of course he said he is religious about maintenance...ugh. Said he checked the oil and greased it before every use. Didn't really believe that and I don't get the feeling I can believe anything he says, I just have to go by my gut feel. Sort of buying a used car from a used car lot. He told me he bought the tractor from a friend that sells used tractors and that that guy had gone through it completely and serviced it before he bought it When I pointed out the gray hydraulic filters he just did not really have an answer. When he talked more about where he bought it he mentioned the name Cody. I then asked if it was Cody *******? He said yes, do I know him? Well I had met him. Went to go look at a B21 there a couple of weeks ago and I felt the guy was a shyster. Unfortunately in this area the dealers do not keep the used tractors they take in on trade. They wholesale them out to these "tractor jockeys". I have looked at a few from these different dealers. Some are real good guys and others are not When I heard it had come from this particular dealer was when I walked away. I guess it is always best to stick to your initial gut feel and not let the price being lowered a little suck you back in. Thanks for asking all the questions and keeping me in check :thumbsup::thumbsup:

 

[1savoy]

I don't think he's going to sell that for the price he wants. You probably seemed hot to buy it and he can sense that so why not sit tight for a while?Same for you...either buy what you want for the price you want or don't buy it.

I go to a number of auctions and follow auction prices and do not feel the tractor you're looking at would bring the price he wants. While I don't know that model exactly, I'm thinking it would auction in the condition you described for $6,000 to $6,500 to $7,000 or so depending on time of year and crowd makeup. Possibly a little more if on the weekend in a suburban area but the lack of maintenance is a real red flag for hobbyists.That's the market around here.

Hi sixdogs,

I think you nailed it spot on. You offer great advice and I appreciate it. I will heed your advice. For a lower price I may be comfortable taking the gamble, but at his current price I need to sit tight. I will keep you guys posted what happens.

Thanks again,
Russ