Deal on a 3054?

[akajun]

Local guy has a 1996 30hp kioti ( Im guessing on the model #) 4wd w/ loader and 5 foot disks. States the hourmeter broke last year and is at 1900 hrs or so and has two new front tires. I have not looked at the tractor yet as it is an hour away. He is asking $5900. What do you guys think?

 

[Cyberroc]

Sorry no one has responded yet and while I am no expert, I figured I would babble for a bit and at least give you a bump so the experts may chime in

So needless to say you're probably looking at the Tractor easily having 2000+ hours which could be a lot, however it may not mean that its a bad tractor. Figure it breaks down to around 160 or so hours each year, or around 14hr each month/every month. So 12 years old, 30hp, 4WD, FEL, and disks.. The hours may give you some room to deal, in the end it will depend on that and how it was maintained and it's current condition, I would think.

Your best bet until others chime in is to search the posts for both what other, same model, tractors have gone for and what to do when looking at purchasing a used Tractor. I think there are some good posts by JoelD as he has had some really good ideas of what to check for.

As for what I would do, have a dealer go over it in detail to search for problems (may cost, worth every penny) and as well you will want to have the serial numbers run for history (dealer should be able to as well) and go off what others have posted.

I would go see it in person and report back, drive it, use everything, find out which FEL the tractor has, and post it all back here. If your able you can take some pics and post them, it may help with finding out if it has items like rear remotes and how many. Make sure you test as much as you can...

Good Luck, hope others will post in and correct my misdirection.

 

[bluechip]

Almost any working 4x4 tractor with a loader would be worth that money. The problem is 2000 hours could be a lot with poor maintenance or could have half its life left, its hard to tell on a used rig. Back in those years the KIOTI engine did not have positive crankcase ventilation, so you can get an idea on engine wear by the amount of blowby coming out the vent tube onthe left side of the engine. before you start, check and smell the oil for diesel fuel smell, then run the engine till warm and watch the tube, if you get heavy (some is normal) smoke coming from the tube and/or the oil smells of diesel, you may have worn engine rings. Mechanical knocks are hard to hear on a diesel, but you can get an idea of bearing wear by watching the oil pressure, if it gets very low at idle when warm (less than 10lbs or so) you may have worn bearings.

Also be sure the clutch has free travel and does not slip when pushing against an imovable object in high range.

If all this checks out along with the PTO, 3 point lift, power steering also checks out, its a good buy. New loaders alone are now over 3000 on this size tractor. Look for worn bushings/pins on the loader pivot points, that will give you an idea of how hard the tractor was used and how well it was maintained/lubed. There will be some wear with 2000 hours but if it is loose and sloppy it may not be such a great deal... Hope this helps.

 

[JoelD]

Agreed with all of the above.

Really can't substitute money spent on a dealer to go through, they know exactly what to look for based on model and year.

Give Rick Wallace a call, he'll bend your ear on the particular machine and pros and cons.

I have a similar machine, the weight and capabilities are perfect for me.

Heavy enough to pull a box blade and rip stuff up without stopping, light enough to be easily trailered.

I guess from a practical point of view, you could spend just about double and get an almost new machine.

A motor would run $3000 easy.

I've spent short money on heavy equipment in the past, and quickly paid the price, ended up right where I would've been for a newer machine after fixing and at that, only the fixed parts were new, not everything being newer.

Money up front can avoid more money and as importantly time and frustration at the backside.

Just some food for thought.

If you can turn a wrench, that can change everything.

Good luck,
Joel

 

[kentrodngun]

Agreed with all of the above.

A motor would run $3000 easy.
Joel

Well over $4,000 (motor alone) and it's a lot of work (and money) to swap it out (unless you do it yourself).

Also, I don't know how true it is and I'm sure this comment will get lots of feedback, but I've been told that small diesel engines generally last only about 2500 hours before they need some sort of rebuild.

 

[JoelD]

Good post, my thought would be brand of motor would make a big difference.

For example, my deere dozer has a 30hp three with around 2500 hours or so and she starts and runs new.

I had a little Kubota twin 12.5hp diesel and she ran very good with god only knows how many hours? She was a 1975 machine and sold her this year, no hour meter so I dont know hours.

Would be interested to know how long a Kioti triple should run prior to rebuild asuming proper maintenance?

Joel