Buying Advice Help me find a tractor to manage my 40 wooded acres

[aarolar]

Grease or not, your not going to hurt that tractor in 236 hours unless your running it without oil. If it had 2036hrs with no grease, different story.

I would make a comment to them about the grease and cosmetics just to get their bottome dollar and buy it. It ain't hurt!

I agree but it is overpriced in my opinion I think he can do better for the money. The issue with no grease is not so much it being wore out or damaged but if they couldn't even be bothered to do something as simple as grease it then how do you know it's had the oil changed? Also it being so weathered leads me to believe it wasn't ever sheltered which can lead to water in the hydro fluid, oil and other places it doesn't belong.

 

[2ndhalf]

I agree but it is overpriced in my opinion I think he can do better for the money. The issue with no grease is not so much it being wore out or damaged but if they couldn't even be bothered to do something as simple as grease it then how do you know it's had the oil changed? Also it being so weathered leads me to believe it wasn't ever sheltered which can lead to water in the hydro fluid, oil and other places it doesn't belong.

Yeh, I don't like things that have sat out either... But you won't get water in oil or hydro and those can all be changed. I guess when I say their bottom dollar I should say throw them a low ball offer and see what they say. Use the things that we all see as a bad thing and say I'll give you 13k the way it sits and list out all of the things and see what they say.

 

[4570Man]

I agree but it is overpriced in my opinion I think he can do better for the money. The issue with no grease is not so much it being wore out or damaged but if they couldn't even be bothered to do something as simple as grease it then how do you know it's had the oil changed? Also it being so weathered leads me to believe it wasn't ever sheltered which can lead to water in the hydro fluid, oil and other places it doesn't belong.

it is extremely easy to check that.

 

[aarolar]

Indeed by why even bother they could have changed it out after they got it on the lot and you'd never know. Just keep looking for a better kept machine IMO

 

[varmint]

If you are still interested after looking at others (I can't help but think this still might be a good tractor) you might throw a little grease into one of the fittings, and see if grease comes out, or if they really are totally un-greased. I still am curious about service- any indication that it was performed?? If so, don't give up on this one. A starting offer of something less than the asking price might be $16,500- that wouldn't be a low-ball insult.
In any event, thanks for keeping us posted, and including all the photos. This forum is fun, in part because of all the vicarious involvement we get in other folk's projects, and because of the "community" gathered here- some of the forum's members really are knowledgeable and competent about stuff we get into, but don't really know much about- and they can offer good advice and ideas. We all have opinions, and there's a freedom of expression on TbN. So take it with a grain of salt, as the saying goes, and carry on!

 

[aarolar]

AAROLAR: Your reservations have been expressed.

This is the web. Avoid getting personally involved.

Point taken its just the first one he's even looked at.

 

[2ndhalf]

If you are still interested after looking at others (I can't help but think this still might be a good tractor) you might throw a little grease into one of the fittings, and see if grease comes out, or if they really are totally un-greased. I still am curious about service- any indication that it was performed?? If so, don't give up on this one. A starting offer of something less than the asking price might be $16,500- that wouldn't be a low-ball insult.
In any event, thanks for keeping us posted, and including all the photos. This forum is fun, in part because of all the vicarious involvement we get in other folk's projects, and because of the "community" gathered here- some of the forum's members really are knowledgeable and competent about stuff we get into, but don't really know much about- and they can offer good advice and ideas. We all have opinions, and there's a freedom of expression on TbN. So take it with a grain of salt, as the saying goes, and carry on!

Yeh, we sometmes get anxious to spend a fella's money but in truth you really should be coming back to this thread in about a couple of weeks and telling us all the tractors you have looked at. Take your time it's a lot of money.

 

[airbiscuit]

Yeh, we sometmes get anxious to spend a fella's money but in truth you really should be coming back to this thread in about a couple of weeks and telling us all the tractors you have looked at. Take your time it's a lot of money.

Test drive each of the finalists twice - you'll see different things each time. (yes, I know I'm repeating myself))

 

[RollingsFarms]

I see you're in Ohio, how far are you from Mast Tractor? I bought a tractor from them and man was it ever clean! Cleaner than I thought it would be. They are wonderful to deal with, good honest people and their prices are "fair". In other words they're slightly high for my area but they also have tractors you aren't gonna find elsewhere either. They have a website, look them up and tell them what you're looking for and he will get it I promise. It will also be exactly what you expect it to be and he will do a full walk around video for you and send you tons of pics.

 

[AllenArmory]

A good reason to buy KTAC insurance on this Kubota at time of purchase. From my experience with one KTAC claim repair to each of two Kubota tractors, KTAC is very easy to deal with and not difficult about paying for repairs. The repairing dealer's input as to how/why damage occurred is probably important. Dealers know that their payment from KTAC will be prompt.

A cosmetically 'low' tractor is not a bad type to learn on if it is mechanically reliable. In terms of design and assembly the Grand L's are very reliable when they ship from the factory in Japan. All Grand L's have very quiet engines.

TBN surveys indicate average residential tractor use is around 80 hours per year.

The ad in Post #106 has the engine hours at 395. It is a bit odd if you found the hours to be 236 on inspection. In either case, if the hours are correct, the 2009 tractor is lightly used.

Sum up the negatives you have in your mind and make an offer for what you consider to be a fair price.

Thanks for the advice. Here is the tractor I test drove today:
http://www.tractorhouse.com/listingsdetail/detail.aspx?OHID=9651189&dlr=1&pcid=2952235

I also looked at KTAC and is says specifically that mechanical breakdown is not covered. Do you have a different experience with them?