Kubota GL series questions...

[Milford Craig]

Hi,

I've been looking at used Kubotas for a little while now, but I am little confused at to the year/model# designation.

I am also a little unsure as to how much is enough HP for the 20 acres we have. It's a hobby farm, so in Kubota terms, I'm probably more L than M.
I like the idea of HST and use a BX23HST at work and like it.

If I understand correctly, the GL40 series replaced the 30 series. So did the 30 series replace the 10 series?

There doesn't seem to be too much of a year spread between all of these.
Would a new 4740 handle much better than a used L4610HST?

I was looking at an L5030GST locally that has a broken lower arm on the 3pt hitch. He offered to fix it, but the tractor is pretty dented for only 300 hours.
Should I avoid it??

Thanks,
Craig

 

[ccsial]

For my money I would avoid it because I would wonder what else has been neglected. Sure does not sound like it was cared for.

 

[TripleR]

Piston recently bought a L4610. Here is the link. http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-buying-pricing/192488-l4610-should-i-pull-trigger.html

I would pass on the 5030. I bought a used L5030 HST, but it was in really good shape.

The L40 Series has the HST Plus which is really nice, but I have no complaints on the HST on ours.

 

[crazyal]

Well only you can answer the money issue, how much do you spend. But if you can tell us a little more of what you plan on doing on your farm maybe we can help narrow down what size would be right.

To me (now that I have it) I wouldn't even think of buying anything less the a GL40. The H-DS is worth it's weight in gold. It's a lever near the steering wheel that allows you to shift into low without letting off the pedal. For doing any sort of work like with the front loader it's a huge time saver. The other features, like stall guard and auto throttle are nice too.

I think you'll find a good used tractor is not going to be a big savings over new. If you plan on having livestock that will count on you, say to bring round bales to them for feed then you'll want something you feel you can count on, do you think you'll feel that way with a beat up tractor with a broken arm?

Even though you have 20 acres you may not need a big tractor or maybe a a "M" series may be a better fit.

 

[PHILIP8N]

We used an 8N for years to maintain a 20 acre farm, but 17 of that was kept in crop half the time. When it came time to get a new tractor, I knew I wanted more hp (22 pto) and weight (3000 w/fluid) than the 8N had, and settled on a L3940HST, with all the new advanced features and lift power that just was not possible in 1950. The capabilities of the L3940 to match my chores has been a very nice fit. I have not found a spot where I would say the L3940 is too big. The FEL has lifted everything I have asked (short of trying to uproot a tree, nothing to loose but pride). I typically use it for clearing snow, finish mowing, bush hogging, and every other task I can find. Good luck with your decision. Philip.

 

[Grandad4]

I bought a new L4610HST in 2002 and it has been a completely reliable workhorse ever since, with approximately 1000 hours of operation now. I recently checked out the new L40 models at the Southern Farm Show. They are very nice indeed, but it seemed to me there were more similarities than differences between the L10's and the L40's. The biggest improvement is the new HST, which virtually everyone who owns one says is outstanding. The HST on my 4610 is simpler, but has been easy to use and dependable.

If you are on a budget that doesn't quite have room for a brand new one and find an L10 or L30 model in good condition, it could make a very good choice and will do essentially all the same things the comparable new ones will. I would try to avoid ones that have been heavily used or misused.

 

[TripleR]

Some will tell you that you don't really save anything buying used, but that has not been my experience. I buy new and used and on my last purchase saved $14000 over a comparable new tractor. It was several years old, but only had 735 well maintained hours on it.

 

[TripleR]

I bought a new L4610HST in 2002 and it has been a completely reliable workhorse ever since, with approximately 1000 hours of operation now. I recently checked out the new L40 models at the Southern Farm Show. They are very nice indeed, but it seemed to me there were more similarities than differences between the L10's and the L40's. The biggest improvement is the new HST, which virtually everyone who owns one says is outstanding. The HST on my 4610 is simpler, but has been easy to use and dependable.

If you are on a budget that doesn't quite have room for a brand new one and find an L10 or L30 model in good condition, it could make a very good choice and will do essentially all the same things the comparable new ones will. I would try to avoid ones that have been heavily used or misused.

I did the same thing and admit I look at the new L5740 from time to time but know I won't buy one.

They just got this one in at my local dealer and then the one I own.

 

[crazyal]

Some will tell you that you don't really save anything buying used, but that has not been my experience. I buy new and used and on my last purchase saved $14000 over a comparable new tractor. It was several years old, but only had 735 well maintained hours on it.

I think your experience with buying a used tractor isn't like most. You walked in looking for new (if I remember correctly you said you were going to buy a 5740) and found a used that met your needs as well as was in a condition that you were happy with.

Most people walk in looking for used, find a few limited tractors to choose from and try to pick out the one that best fits only to realize that going new and getting the exact model really doesn't add as much to the cost.

In my case I knew the minimum tractor I wanted and basically looked for tractors that size and larger. So most everything I found was larger than needed and, of course, cost more.

Now I'm not saying there aren't plenty of good used tractors out there or that you can't find a used one. But you could find yourself looking in a very large radius from your farm.

 

[TripleR]

I think your experience with buying a used tractor isn't like most. You walked in looking for new (if I remember correctly you said you were going to buy a 5740) and found a used that met your needs as well as was in a condition that you were happy with.

Most people walk in looking for used, find a few limited tractors to choose from and try to pick out the one that best fits only to realize that going new and getting the exact model really doesn't add as much to the cost.

In my case I knew the minimum tractor I wanted and basically looked for tractors that size and larger. So most everything I found was larger than needed and, of course, cost more.

Now I'm not saying there aren't plenty of good used tractors out there or that you can't find a used one. But you could find yourself looking in a very large radius from your farm.

Agreed, I think in one of my posts, I said I essentially "tripped" over this tractor looking for another.

All I am saying is that a person can find a good deal on a used tractor if they have the time and I guess even luck on which we both agree.

Interestingly enough, we bought a new M8540 this year as we didn't have time to look as we really weren't seriously considering buying one. Last month an identical tractor came up for sale with less than a hundred hours on which we could have saved several thousand dollars. I am sure I will go to my grave without ever seeing another one.

I am at that age to where I have more money than time though not a whole lot of either and will buy new or used depending on the tractor.