Tractor Sizing Help with a Kubota purchase

[varmint]

We've settled in on an L3400, same as the L3800 with a bit less hp, and so far I am finding it a good compromise between size/weight and ease of getting around without destroying the ground. Soil compaction was a big issue with my wife, but on the other hand, another 1000 lbs of tractor on a little bigger frame would obviously be a plus for some functions. If you buy it at a fair price, you should be able to resell it and move on once you have more experience with you needs without taking much of a hit, at least that's been my experience so far. The L3800 is a handy machine for a lot of tasks, but small for others...

One last piece of advice: I would call Barlow's in KY and see what they might have that they think would work for your needs. They sure get a lot of good press on this site, and they are close enough that delivery wouldn't be much of a factor. Surely less than Ohio sales tax, in any event.

 

[McREBEL]

I started with the B series with a loader. After two years I had only 96 hours on the tractor, and that was all from mowing. The bucket was to small to do a lot with and can only lift around 500lbs. I found I took off the loader and never really made use of the B for much more than mowing... Tried tilling with it, low ground clearance required the removal of the MMM to do anything int he garden, and the 26 HP was fantastic as a mower, but int he garden, all that HP was wasted as the little B would just spin the tires. The brake pedal was above the hydro control, so there was no way to do precise work with the loader... etc..

I assume you had a B2620. I have a B2920 (only 3 more HP) that I have put about 25 hours on. I have to say my experience has been somewhat different than yours was. It will spin the tires before the engine will bog so is more traction limited than power limited. I will give you that. I have heard of plenty of people tilling with their B2620/2920 with no problems even with 60" tillers and obviously a MMM will have to be removed before you till with it. And as far as precise loader work. A few days ago I was dumping a heaping bucket of composted sawdust over a 5ft garden fence with the tractor pointed downhill with no problems and I am far from experienced. I was able to ease within 2-3 inches of the wooden fence, dump the bucket and never touch the fence without using the brakes. I rarely need the brakes. The tractor can be moved forward, backed up, or held still all with the hydro pedal while pointed down an incline with a fully loaded bucket up in the air (for the safety police the bucket was only up in the air to dump over the fence then I immediately dropped it once I backed clear of the fence).

I don't begrudge you your opinion, mine is just somewhat different and I think you mis-characterized the B's a little. If you don't care for them for your needs that's fine with me, and I am glad you have got the tractor that suits you. A B may not even be ideal for the OP. I don't think he would go wrong if he chose an L series, but a larger B might fit the bill also.

 

[ultrarunner]

The L3800 has been a good fit for 65 acres... also seems to have the feel of the old Ford N tractors size wise...

Have a box blade with top and tilt that works well... loader is good with quick attach and have forks too...

Backhoe is OK... seems a little small for this size... works fine.

I think any remaining warranty would be a plus... as mentioned... it should have been serviced already.

Any reason why it's for sale???

Edit... of course look for signs of obvious damage... like being rolled or the loader being off kilter... things like that.

Still remember going to look at a tractor the the seller seemed full of it... he was saying how well maintained it was and they I asked him to show the oil and hydro dipsticks... he did not know where they were....

 

[Gafn]

McREBEL


My intention was not to characterize anything other than my OWN PERSONAL EXPERIENCE with a BX2660.
Your mileage may vary...

 

[FatTireFarm]

He says he hasn't had time to use it. Not sure what chores he bought it for. I should know more this weekend. He says its never had any issues. It's a 2012 with 70 hours and has the quick attach bucket. He's asking $17500 which from what I've seen sounds pretty good. Not sure if any warranty remains. I hope he has an implement to try out the 3 ph. If not I may have to just accept the jerkiness if it shows up. I plan to see where he bought it and talk to them but wonder if tractors have something like a carfax history? Thanks for the help everyone!

 

[ultrarunner]

Could be just the ticket... especially if it's been stored inside.

Another thing to consider is Kubota has very good resale value and a ready market.

Another plus to me is there is no regen to worry about...

If you arrive with cash in hand and a trailer... I bet you could shave a little off the price.

 

[The Deerslayer]

He says he hasn't had time to use it. Not sure what chores he bought it for. I should know more this weekend. He says its never had any issues. It's a 2012 with 70 hours and has the quick attach bucket. He's asking $17500 which from what I've seen sounds pretty good. Not sure if any warranty remains. I hope he has an implement to try out the 3 ph. If not I may have to just accept the jerkiness if it shows up. I plan to see where he bought it and talk to them but wonder if tractors have something like a carfax history? Thanks for the help everyone!

I believe there have been some threads on here that speak to the issue of finding out if a tractor has a lien;you can do a search for them. Speaking with the dealer is a good idea. You can also ask to see a copy of the bill of sale. You may also be able to contact Kubota with the serial number and see if they can provide any info that may be of help. In my neck of the woods that price would sound very good.

 

[McREBEL]

I started with the B series with a loader.

McREBEL


My intention was not to characterize anything other than my OWN PERSONAL EXPERIENCE with a BX2660.
Your mileage may vary...

No problems. A BX series and a B series are two different animals. Just as a B series and L series are. So you didn't actually have a B. I thought when reading your OWN PERSONAL EXPERIENCE it sounded more like a BX than a B.

 

[FatTireFarm]

If the seller of this used tractor still has a loan on that tractor, what do I do to protect myself when I hand him a wad of cash? Can the bank come after me for the tractor if I have a hand written bill of sale?? Seems kinda scary to me.

 

[McREBEL]

Talk to the loan institution. They may not talk specifics with you but you could give them a theoretical and ask how it would work. I believe you would want to arrange it so that you write a check to the loan institution so the loan is paid off. Then pay the seller the difference if there is any. I would do all of this at the loan institution if possible. Otherwise, I think you would have some potential problems.