I backed out on L35

Anonymous Poster · Apr 3, 2002

I had a bad feeling about tractor looking so worn, thankfully a buddy susgeted I get my local dealer to run the serial # Bingo! what local trader was telling me was a 2000 L35 with 220 hours is actually a 1996 L35 with almost 2000 hours! I was able to track the original buyer and talked with him. He said they used tractor in their heavy const. bus. and worked it hard, also I talked to service mang. where maint. and repairs were done and he told me hour meter was replaced at 1627 hrs. the tractor might be a good one, but I don't feel comfortable about the deal at all. The guy has my 500$ deposit and I sure hope I can get it back. I have learned some lessons from this experience, but want other first timers to be careful when shopping. ( IN TEXAS)

Anonymous Poster · Apr 4, 2002

...telling me was a 2000 L35 with 220 hours is actually a 1996 L35 with almost 2000 hours!...hour meter was replaced at 1627 hrs...

Unfortunately, this happens with cars more often as well... an automobile that has 50k on the odometer that was replaced @ 200k...ex.

The major difference between cars and tractors are most states have consumer laws in place to protect the buyer on a car scam but not a tractor... /w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif

This L35 still may be something to consider buying, but in a much different light and a much lower price... /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

jasonf · Apr 4, 2002

Good thing you did the leg work on that one !!!! What did the dealer have to say when you told him ? He should be giving you the deposit back, if not go up the food chain until you get the owner. If they still won't budge, I have had a good experiance going to the State Attorney general here in NY. They contacted a car dealership that refused to give me back my deposit on a new car that I backed out of (after they jacked up the interest rate of the loan). Let us know how it turns out.

treynolds4961 · Apr 4, 2002

What were they asking for the tractor? I am looking at an L35 with similar hours to what yours was reported to have. I am buying from the original owner, I think. I guess that I should check up also.
Thanks for the warning.

MarkV · Apr 4, 2002

They dang well better give you your deposit back. If they were representing it as a tractor with 220 hour and it had 2000 hours I would like to think it was and honest mistake. They should give you the deposit and an apology for making the mistake. If they will not, then I guess we know how they do business and I would go after them. This wouldn’t be a bad place to start. We have a lot of Texan’s here.

MarkV

JATO_RaT · Apr 4, 2002

I can't imagine mistaking a L35 (or any tractor) with over 2000 hours on it for one with 200 hours. The amount of play in the loader and hoe would be something to check on any used piece of equipment. While I would easily consider a tractor with 200 hours, I don't think I would spend much money on a 2000 plus hour one, especially with a lot of moving, hard working parts like hoes and loaders. Nice that you could check into it and save yourself a lot of added expense with reapir parts for worn joints, Rat...

hwp · Apr 5, 2002

...I don't think I would spend much money on a 2000 plus hour one...

The 2000 hours wouldn't bother me as such IF it had been properly maintained. My F2400 had over 4400 hours (the hour meter was broken at 4400 hours so who knows how many hours it really has on it) of probably fairly hard use on it when I bought it and I haven't had any problems with it. The previous (and original) owner was a small rural town that used it for cutting grass and blowing snow. It appeared to have been reasonably well maintained and the only operating mechanisms on it other than the drive train are the PTO and hydraulic lift cylinders. I have had it for two years and don't forsee any major maintenance problems in the near future.

However, I agree with Rat that on something with a FEL and BH where there are a lot of parts subject to wear and deterioration, you need to check it out very thoroughly. As Rat says, you could end up spending a fortune getting it back into proper working condition.

JATO_RaT · Apr 5, 2002

Howard, my old International has a few thousand hours on it and still has a lot of integrity. The major moving part (besides the obvious such as pistons, rods, crank bearings) on it is probably the ball joints and they do have some play. Easy to replace, but always subject to wear. It would be a great bargain for someone to buy and well worth it. I would have no moral isses selling it and feeling like the person was getting a bad tractor. It would be they that are getting a deal as the going price for mine would probably be about $4000 and at that, they would be getting a wonderful, powerful, reliable, heavy duty beast. Thanks, Rat...

Tags · Apr 5, 2002

I just recently sold my 95 L35 w/1600hrs for $23000- BUT, I was the only owner and pretty much the only operator,it was meticulously maintained and greased regularly and it looked better than some 500hr machines I've seen,if it has high hours it doesn't mean its bad,if it hasn't been cared for properly you can usually tell,worn pins and bushings,leaks,dents in unusual and hard to reach places,that sort of thing.It just goes to show though doing a little bit of research does pay off in the end!