Looking at L4330 Model Tractors

[richriddle]

I prefer older tractors in good shape and would like a tractor with more HP for the farm. I currently own three Yanmar YM series tractors but plan to thin the herd by at least one Yanmar YM276D and perhaps the Yanmar YM147D. The old Yanmar tractors are wonderful and nearly bulletproof. In the rare situation where parts have been needed, they were easy to find (with the exception of the ROPS for the YM276D).

A neighbor heard I was looking in the 40HP to 45HP range and has a L4330 with about 1200 hours he wants to sell. I know little of Kubota models but dealer support for Kubota definitely trumps Yanmar (Even though all three Yanmar tractors are USA sold models). A dealer about an hour away and an individual who lives near my father both have L4330 models for sale. The individual selling his L4330 purchased it new and it currently has just under 500 hours on it.

The requirements for the future tractor are as follows:
Skid Steer Quick Attach Bucket
One Remote Rear Hydraulics (Can be added later if not present)
Able to lift 1500 or more pounds in the bucket.
Hydrostat transmission (Superior to the Yanmar Power Shift most likely)
R4 Tires for this one (all the other tractors have both Ag and Turf)

I looked the other week at a L4310 but it did NOT have a SSQA and has a "boxier" design (around wheel well) that the wife might not like. The L4310 also possessed extremely small turf tires disproportionate to the tractor size.

What constitutes a fair price would for a L4330? Any help you offer will be appreciated. Thank you.

 

[Carl_NH]

Depending on condition - stored inside or out, and cab no cab. Here is a L4330 open station ` 400 hours with a 853 loader for $20k which is close to the "individual" unit for sale.
https://www.tractorhouse.com/listing/for-sale/211976299/2003-kubota-l4330hst-40-hp-to-99-hp-tractors

If your neighbors 1200 hour machine is well taken care of, stored inside, and you know the use history that's important too, so that machine might be in the $15-18K range?

Really hard to judge from afar, its really about condition but I would opt for the 400 hour machine, if a reasonable price.

 

[jeff9366]

The requirements for the future tractor are as follows:
Skid Steer Quick Attach Bucket
Able to lift 1500 or more pounds in the bucket.

Production of L4330 was 2003 - 2007.

Kubota L4330 Attachments​

Kubota LA853 Loader
Height (to pin):	113.6 inches 288 cm
Clearance, dumped bucket:	89.8 inches 228 cm
Dump reach:	20.1 inches 51 cm
Dump angle:	45°
Rollback angle:	40°
Breakout force (lift):	3,125 lbs 1417 kg
Lift to full height (at pin):	2,374 lbs 1076 kg
Lift to full height (at 500mm):	1,764 lbs 800 kg
Bucket capacity:	0.5 cu yd 0.4 cu m
Bucket width:	72 inches 182 cm

 

[richriddle]

Thank you both for your posts. The picture of the L4330 in Kansas shows some style of quick attach bucket lever on the front if it, so perhaps the owner ordered it like that or converted it. He states his tractor has been owned since new and garage kept.

The neighboring farmer is older and houses his L4330 under a structure similar to a carport, so better than just being outside but inferior to a garage. He isn't known to be gentle on equipment but he doesn't seem to abuse things either. Because of a few large areas and paint trouble (like on the hood) his L4330 appears inferior to the Kubota in Kansas.

I anticipated (perhaps hoped) L4330 models would fall in the 16K-18K range for the non-cab options, but several sellers list near 20K. Apparently used prices are high right now, but with selling of a Yanmar that will at least recoup some of the funds. One can also offer less than the asking price, like most buyers.

 

[jmc]

SSQA was an option on the L4330. Mine was $300, IIRC.

 

[Carl_NH]

The tractor in KS does have the SSQA as you noted, is clean, and has what appears to be a landpride box blade by color anyway. That may be worth a few $ $800? more if you want/need one. It should have the service records like 300 hr service done. Then shipping 800 mi - that's $1000-1500? with fuel etc. rates are pretty volatile right now.

IMO I would first look at local options like the 500 hr unit, but if you need to add SSQA that's likely $1K or so.

 

[tradosaurus]

Get the largest tractor you can afford and that will be able to maneuver in most places on your property.

 

[richriddle]

Thank you for all the advice. I am also looking at tractors with cabs in the same series.

 

[richriddle]

Well that was fast.....the Kansas L4330 is gone. It was a long haul from here for a tractor anyway.

 

[Carl_NH]

In this market the good machines go fast. A low hour cab version will likely be even harder - now is not a good time for equipment purchases. A great time for sellers, but bad for buyers. Probably a few years before we see a balance in demand vs supply.