Buying Advice First tracto, advise please

Emmett03 · May 17, 2015

Hey guys I'm looking for a little advice. I've been looking for a tractor for a while now to maintain my property and my buddy is upgrading from his Deere 3120. He'll sell it to me for 14K. 2007 3120 with 1100 hours. He bought it 4 years ago from a landscaper with 800 hours. He's used it it for small jobs, mainly topsoil. It's got the woods backhoe, not sure model. He's telling me the JD dealer offered him 14k. What are your guys thoughts? Hours too high? I would also consider changing it out to turf tires. Thanks guys.

Emmett

varmint · May 17, 2015

More information about your buddy's tractor would be helpful, like, is it HST, clean or well-used, loader set-up, rear remotes, stuff like that. Plus, when you say "maintain your property" that covers a lot of very different possible uses!
If you check Tractorhouse.com you will see over 25 used L3130's for sale, which will give you some idea what they are asking for them. All that said, $14000 might be a good price considering it has the backhoe (make sure it's a frame mount, not 3-point) if it isn't beat up.

mddorange · May 17, 2015

:welcome:
To TBN Emmett from Alabama.

Emmett03 · May 17, 2015

HST
Clean, doesn't look beat but it has a lot of hours.
The loader is a 300
Backhoe is 3 point, and in good shape. Whats the major draw back of 3 point? I know it's not as good as a fixed but it gives me the option of removing it easy and adding other implements.
I'll be clearing some land, nothing major. Maintain a small pond. I plan on building a few patios and walk ways.

Thanks for your help

edit - backhoe is a 8ft deere 448 (he says it's made by woods, not sure if that makes sense)

Emmett03 · May 17, 2015

Thanks Veteran from Alabama. My father is also a Air Force Vietnam Veteran, he also retired in 88

Thomas · May 17, 2015

Your kinda on the knives edge w/this one,sounds like fair price but consider some dealers are offering good financing on new tractor w/loader plus.

Poopdeck Pappy · May 17, 2015

The problem with a 3-point backhoe is that all the stress is carried by the 3 point hitch - mainly the toplink attachment point - rather than the multiple points of a subframe attached to the tractor's frame.

There have been many reports of a toplink failing and the backhoe folding up against the tractor's rear end, making the operator the meat in the backhoe/tractor sandwich.

If you need a tractor with a backhoe, look for one with a subframe.