Lifespan of kubota tractor

[69raptor]

Tire sencers keep alot of people alive. Some don't know what a low tire looks like so for them they work well.

 

[shootemup604]

I have a mid '70's Kubota L245dt. It has over 2000 hours on it, and while the paint faded and it sustained a few dents, it is still going strong. Use will tire a tractor, abuse will kill it, but a little TLC will keep it running long enough to give to your grandkids.

 

[super55]

I recently just purchased a John Deere 4400 with just over 3100 hrs on it and never went to the location to inspect since it was 5 states away. Before I purchased I inquired with the dealer about where it came from and it was used for mowing a college campus. Granted this tractor is 20 years old so it averaged about 150 hrs use per year but it has been a very good purchase. No hard starts even in single digit temps, no blow by, hydro works as it should.

Only issues I found is parking brake sensor stays lit and cruise control isn't working. The tractor had its rear axle serviced sometime in its life because there is RTV sealer on it but is showing no issues.

I got the tractor and attachments for a 1/3 of what a new model would cost so I figured the risk was worth taking.

 

[rScotty]

I recently just purchased a John Deere 4400 with just over 3100 hrs on it and never went to the location to inspect since it was 5 states away. Before I purchased I inquired with the dealer about where it came from and it was used for mowing a college campus. Granted this tractor is 20 years old so it averaged about 150 hrs use per year but it has been a very good purchase. No hard starts even in single digit temps, no blow by, hydro works as it should.

Only issues I found is parking brake sensor stays lit and cruise control isn't working. The tractor had its rear axle serviced sometime in its life because there is RTV sealer on it but is showing no issues.

I got the tractor and attachments for a 1/3 of what a new model would cost so I figured the risk was worth taking.

That's a common story for good old tractors from the pre-emmissions era. They had simple engines, simple gauges, simple maintenance, and fairly complex transmissions that were so overbuilt that problems are rare. In fact, the word "Overbuilt" applies to most all the machines back then. Tractors with cast cases, gear type transmissions, and bull gear rear ends just don't flex enough to wear internal parts.

I'm familiar with those old machines, and speaking as a mechanic and engineer, I don't see any reason why those older machines will ever break or wear out as long as they have normal maintenance. They were designed to work within their stress limits and should be good for 10,000 hrs or more. Replacement of rubber parts, brakes, and simple electrical parts is about all they will evey need.
rScotty

 

[diesel85]

@super55 -- that machine will last 10k+ hours.

Mowing a college campus? Sounds like that machine has had an easy life.

I wish they'd get rid of the zero turns and switch to a medium sized tractor like that 4400 with a closed deck rear mount mulcher to mow my college campus that I work at... lol

Be a heck of a lot quieter than those zero turns and leave less of a mess on the walkways.

 

[4570Man]

@super55 -- that machine will last 10k+ hours.

Mowing a college campus? Sounds like that machine has had an easy life.

I wish they'd get rid of the zero turns and switch to a medium sized tractor like that 4400 with a closed deck rear mount mulcher to mow my college campus that I work at... lol

Be a heck of a lot quieter than those zero turns and leave less of a mess on the walkways.

Why would they be quieter than a ZTR especially a diesel one and they make rear discharge zero turns.

 

[goeduck]

Mowing a college campus? Sounds like that machine has had an easy life.
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Maybe. I bought a used tractor from a golf course thinking the same thing. Turns out it needed more work than I thought or it should have. It still is going to depend on the college campus staff if there was good maintenance and a responsible operator. It temp workers used it for many of those hours it could be a carp shoot.

 

[super55]

I have reason to believe it was pretty well maintained.

First thing I did which I always do with any used piece of equipment I buy is to go and change all fluids and filters to see how well it was taken care of and get some familiarity with it. The hydro fluid looked extremely clean and the screen in the sump of the transmission had very minimal silver shavings in it. I did find a piece chunk of metal that looks like it came off a gear but the RTV sealant around the axle housings tells me that the rear end has been opened up at least once in it's life probably for that very issue. Regardless PTO and drivetrain seem to work fine without issue.

Oil was dark so definitely knew the dealership that took it on trade didn't do a full service on it but showed no signs of water or antifreeze in it. Inside had some grass clippings around the rad screen and a little build up in the rad fins but easy enough to blow out with air.

The 420 FEL is extremely tight and has way less play then my other 420 I have on my 4310 that I use to move round bales with so I am guessing it spent 95% of its time off the tractor.

I been very happy so far and think this tractor has been very well maintained but I have gotten burned before on used items. I bought a gator 550 used and didn't have it for more then 6 months and the trans went out from sloppy shift cables that cost me a grand to fix.