Buying Advice 50HP Kubota - high hours/rough shape - what痴 a fair price?

[djefferis]

I love some of the posters here with the mindset of 渡ew tractors and warranty is the only way to go?

You my friends are keeping a lot of dealers open during a downturn. Next your going to tell me it痴 basically 吐ree to own because they gave you 0% financing.

Nothing comes free - and new ain稚 cheap. It痴 nice - but $$ in the bank is nice too. I will likely pass on this one for now.

As to tractors lasting x number of hours...anything is possible. If you find yourself constantly spending big $$ on your equipment in repairs - it might be time to look at the operator and mechanic. Somewhere along the line something is causing you to be an outlier. Yes, every machine needs upkeep - and sometimes big things break. But if you constantly find yourself spending a grand or more every 50 hours you use equipment - there痴 a problem there.

**** - I am far from 杜echanically gifted - but I can do routine maintenance on equipment, change hoses and minor things. A full rebuild or electronics - to the dealer it would go. That痴 the reason I am drawn to older stuff - no electronics.

I keep thinking - one day I知 going to build myself a proper shop building and take on a few things to tinker with and learn to do it properly.

 

[fried1765]

I love some of the posters here with the mindset of 渡ew tractors and warranty is the only way to go?

You my friends are keeping a lot of dealers open during a downturn. Next your going to tell me it痴 basically �ree to own because they gave you 0% financing.

Nothing comes free - and new ain稚 cheap. It痴 nice - but $$ in the bank is nice too. I will likely pass on this one for now.

As to tractors lasting x number of hours...anything is possible. If you find yourself constantly spending big $$ on your equipment in repairs - it might be time to look at the operator and mechanic. Somewhere along the line something is causing you to be an outlier. Yes, every machine needs upkeep - and sometimes big things break. But if you constantly find yourself spending a grand or more every 50 hours you use equipment - thereç—´ a problem there.

**** - I am far from �echanically gifted - but I can do routine maintenance on equipment, change hoses and minor things. A full rebuild or electronics - to the dealer it would go. That痴 the reason I am drawn to older stuff - no electronics.

I keep thinking - one day I知 going to build myself a proper shop building and take on a few things to tinker with and learn to do it properly.

Nah.....you got it all wrong!

Go forth,.... and buy NEW....NOW!

84 month payments, interest usually "free", 7 year warranty, Tier IV is wonderful, dealers will never shut down, and NEW tractors are cheap!
What could possibly go wrong?

 

[wvgca]

I got the Massey 2705 [120 hp 2wd] in 1996, for 14,500 ... and I have put about 200 hours a year on it, mostly harrowing and lighter work .. so far it's been smaller jobs [with the exception of new tires, and rebuilt power shift, which insurance covered] ,, a quick repaint with spray bombs, a front weight bracket and weights, improved LED lights, and an air ride seat .. all summer useage, nothing with snow on the ground ..

 

[Hay Dude]

I work mine HARD for long hours but they get taken care of too. I don't need to convince anyone, I already know. I believe your Canadian friend was lax in upkeep. Neither of mine uses any oil as in NADA. Oil level stays exactly where it is from start to change.

Of course my next question is... Did he use synthetic oil from the get go or not? if he did, that is the answer to the consumption. Kubota's require a non synthetic lube oil for the first couple changes or they will use oil. After the second change, it's ok to go to a synthetic. I use 5-40 Rotella T6 but I started out with 15-40 Rotella.

Only weak spot with a Kubota diesel is the head gaskets. You overheat them, I can almost guarantee a head gasket failure and possibly a cracked head.

I've had zero issues with my original 2004 M. Nothing. Just normal maintenance and consumable's, filters, tires and such.

Agree. I have to admit, I dont even check the oil in mine anymore :ashamed: Neither my M126X or M135X consumes any oil. About 6000 hours on them. I do have a few fuel system issues here and there, but probably more from fuel quality.
There are so many people who relax on maintenance, or use the wrong tool for the job, then complain on the internet when it breaks. :laughing: Im VERY skeptical of internet stories. Operator failure is more likely than equipment failure beyond normal operating life.

Look, Kubota isnt built like Fendt or some of the upper end tractors. Its a solid, reliable tractor brand. Its in the middle or middle + end of the quality spectrum. ItS also priced in a way to attract the budget minded buyer.

 

[duramaxsky]

Nah.....you got it all wrong!

Go forth,.... and buy NEW....NOW!

72 month payments, interest usually "free", 7 year warranty, Tier IV is wonderful, dealers will never shut down, and NEW tractors are cheap!
What could possibly go wrong?

I think as tier 4 problems are better understood the older machines will go up in value. I did just buy a new tractor last year. I got a little smaller than my first choice to avoid tier 4. It's been a nightmare on highway vehicles both light and heavy duty. It will reduce life span of machines as at some point the repair will exceed the value.

 

[newbury]

<snip>
Look, Kubota isnt built like Fendt or some of the upper end tractors. Its a solid, reliable tractor brand. Its in the middle or middle + end of the quality spectrum. ItS also priced in a way to attract the budget minded buyer.

Additionally the brand is one of the main brands purchased by government (Federal, state and local) and some of those buyers have a "replace at age X" policy and they also turn over their equipment when they get extra $$.

 

[crashz]

I'd be less worried about how it looks and the age if it ran well and started quickly. Paint fades whether it was maintained or not. But a well maintained machine should start right up and and run well, with all the power it needs. $7500 is too much money for a tractor that has a suspect engine. Trans working well? Shuttle? Hydraulics? Will it need a clutch? Because once you buy it, it will eventually become the "While I have it torn down.. " game.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I see a steady stream of municipal non-loader tractors at auction that are well maintained and affordable. Because the average Joe doesn't want to deal with getting a FEL. To me, that is a no brainer.

 

[5030]

Agree. I have to admit, I dont even check the oil in mine anymore :ashamed: Neither my M126X or M135X consumes any oil. About 6000 hours on them. I do have a few fuel system issues here and there, but probably more from fuel quality.
There are so many people who relax on maintenance, or use the wrong tool for the job, then complain on the internet when it breaks. :laughing: Im VERY skeptical of internet stories. Operator failure is more likely than equipment failure beyond normal operating life.

Look, Kubota isnt built like Fendt or some of the upper end tractors. Its a solid, reliable tractor brand. Its in the middle or middle + end of the quality spectrum. ItS also priced in a way to attract the budget minded buyer.

I cannot afford a Fendt anyway. Don't want to be enslaved to a payment book. Interestingly, my buddy down the road who has a huge seed operation swears at his new JD prime movers all the time... I fully expect to see some big orange tractors on his operation soon.

I consider the M9's to be the 4020 of the Kubota line. Always have. Why I have 2.

 

[5030]

Nah.....you got it all wrong!

Go forth,.... and buy NEW....NOW!

72 month payments, interest usually "free", 7 year warranty, Tier IV is wonderful, dealers will never shut down, and NEW tractors are cheap!
What could possibly go wrong?

Why all the lowest bidder emissions hardware and software of course. You already know that....:laughing: