Compare L35 To A B21

[RobbieBones]

Please compare these two machines;

2007 B21 825 hrs comes from a rental yard for $15,000 no problems, well maintained 12" bucket.

2002 L35 one owner 750 hrs for $18,000 comes with 16" or 18" bucket, 3 hooks on frt bucket ,pallet forks pto never used, never add work needed all manuals oil,filter changed regularly.

I will be looking to put a hydraulic thumb on either machine to help build rock walls, move logs, pull stumps etc . I live on a very rocky piece of this earth the car size ones have all been buried or placed in retaining walls what's left are 1' 2' 3' diameter rocks (and smaller) to build walls and the property is surrounded by stonewalls that need to be rebuilt. I also have close to 80-90 7-8' pine trees I would like to transplant to the edge of the property. I will be digging a pond. I can't spring for a B26 or L39! I'm leaning towards the L35 but like the price of the B21. I know bigger is better but I think I can manage the work with either machine. What do you think?

 

[medicshawn]

Go for the L35 it didn't live as a rental. That alone puts it miles ahead.

 

[irwin]

The L35 is a larger more powerful machine. If you have use for something that can lift 1600 pounds with the FEL or dig up large rocks or big stumps..get it.

If all your work can be done with something smaller, get the B21.

Kubota Tractor Corporation B21 Loader/Landscaper Tractors

Kubota Tractor USA - L35

This stump was dug out with a L35..not sure the B21 coulda got it freed or out of the hole. (I had to cut the stump off the root ball, but the L35 got it out )

 

[RobbieBones]

I can see that baby being a little difficult. For the most part I would be leaving any tree that big alone. I used a full size excavator when I built my house to clear the lot along with a ford b455 backhoe both of which had the hydraulic thumb.

 

[BruceWard]

I bought a 2004 B21 with 1150 hours help with clearing approximately 1.5 acres of a heavily wooded 4 acre home site. I had a bull dozer push the trees over and move all the rocks larger than 3'. I have moved hundreds of up to 3' rocks and stacked the trees for burning. There were probably 20 stumps that the B21 FEL would not lift but I was able to push them into and often up the fires.

The small size of the B21 has been helpful to get into tight places especially where I am not clearing the trees.

I built forks for the FEL bucket out of old sign posts and have used them more than anything else.

My B21 was $11K. So far I have replaced a fan belt, changed the coolant, replaced one hydraulic hose added a little hydraulic fluid and used about 30 gallons of diesel in 60 hours of usage.

If would opt for a less expensive B21.

 

[RickB]

The guys recommending the B21 from a rental yard are apparently unaware of the condition of most rental fleet equipment (regardless of appearance). I wouldn't buy a wheelbarrow from a rental yard, let alone a tractor with a backhoe.

A well-cared-for L35 with 750 hours is a much better deal regardless of year model.

 

[BruceWard]

Mine is an ex rental. It was well serviced and only needed the brake cable tensioned.

 

[RickB]

Mine is an ex rental. It was well serviced and only needed the brake cable tensioned.

I'm glad your machine is working out well for you. Not all former rental machinery is so reliable or trouble free. Would you have considered it at $15,000?

The $3K spread between the B21 and L35 is very close to a no-brainer for me given the L35 is owner-operated. If well cared for the age difference is not a factor (to me).

I freely admit being jaded from working on rental and ex-rental stuff.

 

[MarkV]

Robbie I'll vote for the L35 as long as you are comfortable with the gear tranny rather than the HST tranny. It sounds like your task are suited for the stronger loader and backhoe on the L35.

MarkV

 

[MarkV]

Robbie I'll vote for the L35 as long as you are comfortable with the gear tranny rather than the HST tranny. It sounds like your tasks are suited for the stronger loader and backhoe on the L35.

MarkV