Buying Advice Kubota L5450

[Cowichanblue]

Hi all,

I’ve read a lot of good threads (some 20 years old, impressive forum longevity) on here but haven’t seen quite the answer I’m looking for.

I have a small property (2 acres) with some challenging terrain. Fairly steep slope in one area, small orchard and low seasonally wet area that sills be farmed in the dry.

An acquaintance is selling a 91 or 91 L5450 4wd with FEL and grapple on the loader plus a variety of implements. ( he’s Also selling a 1969 MF30 back hoe as a sort of package, but let’s set that aside for now) The Kubota has new rear ag tires but about 4,000 hours.

As I type that number it sounds very high. Based on who the seller is I believe, but will have to verify, that the machine has been regularly serviced. I’ve also heard these are some of the best Kubota diesels so maybe it still has lots of life. Still that seems like a lot of hours.

I won’t be working it hard or regular. Just odd jobs all the time.

Asking price is about 15k cdn for the Kubota and 18 for the package (Kubota and Massey Ferguson backhoe)

Question I have, is it even worth thinking about a 30+ year old tractor with that kind of hours no matter how good the engines reiteration and how great the service might have been? Do these machines last like heavy industrial iron where 8-10,000 hours is normal?

Appreciate any insight. I have some photos but can’t figure out how to upload.

 

[Cowichanblue]

Trying to add link to photos

https://imgur.com/a/rixn0wH

 

[greenie]

I asked a John Deere service manager for his honest opinion on how long compact tractor diesel engines last - he claimed about 4,000 hours. Kubota diesel engines are some of the best out there, so who knows how long this particular one will provide reliable service.
$18,000 CDN is a reasonable price though and you won't find much around for less.
It's only an opinion but Japanese engines will not last like the industrial/agricultural iron of the past.

 

[stevem5215]

4000 hrs is a lot. The engine will need a rebuild and I'd suspect the transmission would need some work too. Maybe if you were a light user of 50hrs a year it'd be ok. Otherwise I'd look for something newer and less hours if you actually are going to really use it a lot.

 

[dodge man]

It’s hard to compare compact tractors to serious ag tractors or construction equipment but those 4000 hours would not be considered high for them. I think a careful look at it for bad leaks, smoke on start up, broken parts might let you know if it’s good.

 

[Tinhack]

~117 hours a year is also not all that much. The price is about $11k USD or $13k USD for the backhoe. That's probably on the high side given the current market conditions (Area dependent). Except for the box blade, the implements certainly look well used. But given the sizes, it looks like they were primarily garden tools. (I also don't see a grass cutter.)

The Kubota with loader would spark my interest. A good test is if it starts quickly without being warmed up first. And check the inside of the air filter canister for a sand blasted look (frosted metal). That alone can show if it spent a lot of time in the dirt. That's a lot of tractor for two acres though.

 

[Shawn T. W.]

I just recently bought a 2005 Kubota L5030 with 3900 hours on it, starts in less than one revolution, no smoke, clean fluids and clean tractor, with honest wear, was used by the local state college to mow and spray . . .I paid $16,000 US for it ... Cab, but no loader ...

 

[rScotty]

Trying to add link to photos

https://imgur.com/a/rixn0wH

I've bought older well-cared for machinery all my life, so that is my bias. And althogh I won't do major work, I do enjoy doing some mechanical work myself...always have.

In buying older machines, I've come up with a few rules that have worked for me.

Number one is that an old diesel should start immediately from cold. That quick starting ability is the best way i know to judge if an engine is good or worn. It should then run through the gears and all systems work. If that isn't the case, just walk away. Run it around awhile to insure it does not overheat and that the cooling system doesn't leak. It's my belief that more tractors are ruined by over-stress and overheating than by age.

So I'd say ignore hours and concentrate instead on condition. The design of machinery has changed a lot in the last 30 years. Before the modern throw-away era, older machines - whether machine tools, or tractors, or implements, were basically designed to last a lifetime and be repairable. Yes, routine maintenance and some repairs were a part of that philosophy of design. But the machine was expected to last.

You asked, "Question I have, is it even worth thinking about a 30+ year old tractor with that kind of hours no matter how good the engines reiteration and how great the service might have been? Do these machines last like heavy industrial iron where 8-10,000 hours is normal?"

Yes, they should. Not all do. Again, it all comes down to how they have been treated and the condition that they are in. Our older JD farm tractor - a model 530 - had over 10,000 hrs when we bought it. It still runs fine. I've done a clutch (easy on that model), brakes, muffler, & rebuilt the carb. It's been reliable for over 35 years now, and it was nearly that old when we got it. .
Our big backhoe - a model 310SG - had just over 5000 hours when purchased in 2014, and now has near 6000 hrs. Everything works fine. I replaced some hoses, tires, and the computer in the last 12 years.

Expect tht older machines do require more attention....no denying it. But they were built to make routine work easy to do.
So if you go with older machinery, check your own expectations. Do you enjoy doing small mechanical projects? Do you have a "mechanical" interest, tools, work space?

Next thing is to stay with brands where parts are not only available but reasonably priced. The more popular models still have new parts available. If concerned, check sources like Yesterday's Tractors, and Steiner Tractor parts to see if your tractor is one that they list parts for. I doubt you will have trouble with Kubota and Massey parts. Lots of older examples of both are still working.

It keeps coming down to condition. If the condition is poor or even average I'd run away. But if the condition is above average, everything functioning, with maintenance notes, and maybe even some manuals and such...... then I think you can reasonably expect that an old machine will work for years much the same as they do right now.

The old machine has lasted this long. If you treat it right, no reason an old one won't continue just as it is.

rScotty

BTW, that is quite a pile of implements in your photo. Are any of them useful on your property?

 

[Cowichanblue]

I appreciate all the replies on here. Great to see an engaged community.

I'm going to look at the machines tomorrow and hope to have some more information then.

In answer to the questions above.

Implements, the box blade and tiller would be useful. Not sure about the rest.

As tinhack noted, no grass cutter is a shame. I have a basic ride on now but a bigger cutter would be useful.

In terms of intended use, I have a small pond I would like to expand. I also have an old building that may need to be demolished. Quotes on that are around 20k, so if the MF30 could do that job then it might pay for itself.

Lots of fencing needs to be put in (3 sides need it), but would need to add an auger for that. Otherwise General maintenance, ploughing a small field, ditching, leveling, grading. Occasional snow removal. The property was abandoned when we got it so endlessly fighting aggressive invasive weeds.

 

[Shawn T. W.]

I'm considering getting a "post pounder" for mine, as I also have fencing to do ... I'm not crazy about PHD's ...