Buying Advice Big Thank you - Bought my first tractor

AllByteNoBark · Oct 24, 2019

The L3560 LE fit my needs great and I have really enjoyed using it so far. Enjoy yours and be safe!

RoadmasterD · Oct 25, 2019

Thanks again everyone, after obsessing over which tractor to purchase, now I am repeating the process trying to choose an equipment trailer. Fortunately there is a lot of good advice here for that as well.

jjp8182 · Oct 25, 2019

RoadmasterD said:
Thanks again everyone, after obsessing over which tractor to purchase, now I am repeating the process trying to choose an equipment trailer. Fortunately there is a lot of good advice here for that as well.

First off congratulations on the new purchase. I bought a similar set of equipment with my L3560 a couple years ago and from my experience since then would say you went down a smart path of which implements you started with .... and I'm sure the collection will eventually grow

...might just be me, but it seems kind of hard not to grow the collection as CUTs are even better than multi-tools when it comes to pure utility - or as I've joked at times "There's an implement for that"

Second thing when it comes to "equipment" trailers for hauling the tractor around I'd say don't overlook car hauling trailers as they can be cheaper/lighter than trailers advertised as equipment trailers while still being suitable for carrying most compact tractors. Of course I'd say the other thing to consider would be if you want a trailer that's a deckover/flatbed for easier side access with a set of pallet forks.

While having the deck over the wheels will raise overall center of gravity when hauling a tractor, it does allow for better load placement when loading the trailer with a forklift or the tractor's pallet forks. On car haulers and equipment trailers (one where the trailer's deck/bed is below the wheel tops/fenders) placing a load at the proper point to maintain correct tongue weight would usually require putting a fork over/through the wheels when loading/unloading from the sides. ...which doesn't exactly work out that well. Granted I haven't tried it, but I wouldn't recommend trying it either

johncanfield · Oct 25, 2019

Congrats!

My Kubota L2900 was about 20 years old when I sold it, about 500 hours on the clock and other than replacing hydraulic hoses and a couple of batteries it was essentially maintenance free other than oil changes, etc. The only non-routine maintenance repair was a front axle seal at 100 hours. I paid about $20k for it and sold it for $12,500 (with a couple of attachments.)

On my short list for a new tractor (and an excavator) was Kubota. I found a used Deere 4720 large frame compact tractor with cab so I jumped on it.

RoadmasterD · Oct 25, 2019

Thanks for sharing your wisdom.

RoadmasterD · Oct 25, 2019

Well I found a really nice slightly used 14k trailer for a very good price. Not crazy about the ramps but they are spring assist and very wide. The side rails are removable. Not sure how to post a picture yet. it is a 2019 PJ, very heavy duty and originally purchased in March. The prior owner closed his business and liquidated his equipment.

RoadmasterD · Oct 25, 2019

johncanfield said:
Congrats!

My Kubota L2900 was about 20 years old when I sold it, about 500 hours on the clock and other than replacing hydraulic hoses and a couple of batteries it was essentially maintenance free other than oil changes, etc. The only non-routine maintenance repair was a front axle seal at 100 hours. I paid about $20k for it and sold it for $12,500 (with a couple of attachments.)

On my short list for a new tractor (and an excavator) was Kubota. I found a used Deere 4720 large frame compact tractor with cab so I jumped on it.

I test drove a 4 series Deere with a cab and it was nice. That green paint was expensive.

RoadmasterD · Nov 1, 2019

Finally getting around to posting a couple of pictures. Here is the new L3560LE and my PJ trailer. My wife is driving in the tractor pic, I may have to arm wrestle her to let me in the cab.