$10K L5030 Plus Restoration, or $25K Newer Tractor With Perilous Electronics?

[Shawn T. W.]

The older JD's aren't any harder to work on, it's the newer computer controlled ones (any brand) that can be more of a challenge ... But you get too much over 50 HP, it's harder to find HST ... I haven't driven a "shuttle" gear tractor, but they are designed for loader type work, you just move a lever to change direction, they have there own clutch that's "automatic".

 

[bdhsfz6]

How many hours per year would you put on a tractor, and how long do you plan to keep it?

Sure, newer models with electronics and regen systems have their problems, but they don't "usually" show up until you get 2K+ hours on the machine. If you only log 100 hours per year, you might go 20 years before problems start to occur.

This information comes from a good friend who is a mechanic at a local Kubota dealer. He says most of their work involves seals, bearings and other mechanical issues, not electronics.

Personally, my last 3 Kubota tractors all had these newer components. All had, or have, between 1 and 2K hours with no problems as yet.

Yes, you hear a good many horror stories about expensive repairs on newer tractors, but how does the number compare with those of satisfied customers? Happy people generally don't complain.

 

[5030]

If you want a loader, don't buy a tractor without it. Used loaders to fit a specific model are scarce.

Exactly. Buying a used unit without a loader, expecially a Kubota is asking for grief. Kubota mates their loaders to specific models, always has.

The last new Kubota I owned was a 5030 HTC cab tractor. Bought it new with 2 sets of remotes, R4 tires cab and all options. I was just getting into hay making and while the 5030 was cabable of running my 1020 John Deere sickle bar mower conditioner, it lacked the power to (at the time) run my NH round bailer (long since gone as well as the Moco. It would struggle to run a full bale so I knew I was gonna have to buy something larger. Hence the M9000's I presently own. Bought my M9000 HTCC3 new and my M9000 HTC used a few years later and of course both have Kubota loaders.

Getting back to the 5030... I added cast center weights to it and I had to modify the ac a bit as stock, the ac was incapable of keeping the cab cool on hit days. The 5030 IMO has a bullet proof engine though it's not turbocharged. Far as the paint is concerned, all Kubota tractors fade to Mary Kay pink, including the 2 I now own. Interestingly, the structural fiberglass fenders on both M9's are fading at a different rate (shade) as the hood.

If I was to buy another tractor for utility use around the farm, I would not hesitate to buy a used, well cared for 5030. They aren't capable of running serious hay tools (they will operated a square bailer no issue), but that is it.

Why I jumped up to the M9 and I special ordered it with the creep gears and all available options. The M9000's are the last Kubota tractors to be built without emissions controls and I'll leep the 2 I own until I no loger require any tractors.

I was very lucky to find a used M9000 in good shape 500 miles from here and I snapped it up immediately, sight unseen.

It's not a cab tractor but had 3 sets of remotes and low hours. I put a couple grand into it in necessary repairs plus I had my dealer go through it. It's not going anywhere, neither is my cab M9000. I would never buy an emission compliant tractor anyway and today, in my required power range, they are alll emissions compliant and electronically controlled.

If you can buy a used 5030 for a fair price, I suggest buying it. It lacks the power to run serious hay tools but for everything else, it's a dam fine unit.

 

[skramer360]

I'm surprised that no one has mentioned buying a new TYM built tractor. If they have emission issues all of that can be completely bypassed without issue as per threads on this forum.

 

[paulsharvey]

So, this L5030, you say Restoration, but not repair. What exactly is needed? In my mind Restoration is beautification, not replacing damaged/worn out, function related parts.

Faded, peeling paint/plastics, lights, ect; really aren't a Function part. I would kinda lump hoses, fluids; even cylinders and bucket into kinda a PM/wear parts.

 

[2manyrocks]

Older machines still in good condition command high prices in middle Tennessee because the new ones are so expensive. But 0 percent financing is available for new Kubotas that come with factory warranties and dealer service.

TYM seem to get all the attention when TYM is brought up here, but I remember one poster expressing his personal opinion that the Branson models now sold by TYM were better built even though they have the same Kukje engine. I have no personal experience with TYM or Branson.

 

[Suburban Plowboy]

Yes, you hear a good many horror stories about expensive repairs on newer tractors, but how does the number compare with those of satisfied customers? Happy people generally don't complain.

This is really the only part of this post that speaks to me.

 

[Suburban Plowboy]

I'm surprised that no one has mentioned buying a new TYM built tractor. If they have emission issues all of that can be completely bypassed without issue as per threads on this forum.

I considered TYM because of the lack of complexity. They have underbuilt front axles, problems with the wheels falling off, and all sorts of customers out there telling horror stories about getting parts and repairs. I was looking at a TYM T574 for $25K with a grapple and 800 hours, but I kept picturing myself here for 9 months with a sick tractor and no help.

I have also read that the rear axles have inferior bearings. I don't know much about it, but it sure sounds bad.

I don't think there has ever been a Branson dealer here. I haven't seen any used ones. I guess they must be out there on the web, though.

The John Deere 4520 and 4720 look pretty good. I found basically nothing while looking for Kubotas, but several Deeres popped up. I am nervous about Deere because my 430 mower has been such a pain, but I suppose I should let that go.

 

[5030]

No TYM dealers around here, never seen one so I cannot comment one way or another all I know (from personal experience) is, a Kubota 5030 if taken good care of maintenance wise would be a good buy used.

Any pre emission unit of substantial power will command a premium price. My dealer told me I could sell either one outright for almost what I paid for them, especially the M9 open station that I bought used for a fantastic price.

This one...

 

[5030]

Here is the one I bought new and had to special order and it's fully loaded, 3 sets of remotes with flow control, 2 speed PTO, full winter package, creep gears, fully optioned cab (rear wiper, heated rear and side glass, cast center rear wheels loaded with 2 buckets and SSQA, even has a factory horn. Both are hydraulic shutte so no dry clutch and both are turned up by at my dealer on his dyno. The open station is making 91 pto and the cab tractor is making 93.