Buying Advice L2600DT or keep looking

[Tundra]

After passing on a Mahindra a month ago, I was wondering what you guys think of this tractor and if $13,000 is a fair price. It is a 2002 L2600DT with a 450s FEL and a Woods 6500 BH. It's in really good shape with 400 hours. It seems info and reviews on this perticular model are scarce. I want to use it to clear brush, brush hog, haul fire wood, and remove stumps. Wouldn't mind a 3 pt finish mower at some point. Any info would be appreciated.

 

[Bluegill2]

I'm not familiar with that model, but it's likely the predecessor to the L2800 and a good machine. Seems a little high though. I bought a L3800DT w/fel, only 14 hours and 5' mower for 16K 7 months ago.

 

[art]

With a backhoe I think you are getting good buy, backhoe's new are roughly selling for about 1,000 a foot.

 

[Bluegill2]

With a backhoe I think you are getting good buy, backhoe's new are roughly selling for about 1,000 a foot.

I had a brainfart and thought he meant 'bush hog' when he said 'BH".

Yes, that's a great deal for that rig with a backhoe!

 

[cj7]

I bought one back in 1999 with only 50 hrs on it at the time. I have about the same hours now as the one your looking at. I do not have a back hoe on mine. I have a woods loader with toothbar, Ag tires, 5' brush hog, 6' back blade. I have moved tons of dirt and stone with this machine, remove my snow in western pa winters and mow about 6 acres of field. I like the machine very much. Outside of regular maintenance: I had to put sealent in the fuel tank (or buy a new one for $400 - plus). It had started to rust on the inside. I used a POR product about 3 years ago and its fine since. I do notice that the front seals behind the wheel are starting to seep. I am sure this is from grass or dirt tearing the seal. I also had to break open the tractor and repair the throw-out bearing. When I purchased this machine it had been sitting outside. Life at my place has had it both inside and outside. The clutch had stopped working so I opened it up. I found that my bearing was nearly gone. Rusted and worn. It is a non-servicable part. I had to replace it. However in my manual they show it as being able to grease the bearing. Apparently later versions are not greasable. I alos would think that this may be the case on othe models as well and could happen to most an machine that is exposed or not used all the time. There is an inspection plate on the side of the housing that you might open to take a look.

Overall I do like the machine very much. It has done most anything I throw at it with-in reason. It was a good deal for me at the time and still is. I expect that I will keep it as long as I live here, another 20 to 30 years????
It starts up very quickly in both warm and cold temps (with glowplugs). I have had the fuel gel on me once or twice in the winter when I had it stored outside and it was really cold. But I could have adverted that by having a fresh filter and treated the fuel.

The operator area is a litttle tight. They changed that on the 2800.

The gearing options are good except for reverse. Sometimes it is too high or too low. But its not a deal breaker either.

It handles the brush hog very well.
I can fit the tractor with brush hog on a 16' trailer.
It aslso fits into many places.


I can not say if it the machine for you or not but I hope my experience helps you out. I agree there has not been much written on this machine in the past.
I still consider it a well made machine for what it is. Basically a no thrills solid piece of equipment from Kubota.


Ask away if there is something else you would like to know.

 

[Tundra]

Thanks for the help. I would have probably pulled the trigger on this already, but I have a few concerns. Do you guys think the AG tires would be an issue mowing grass? Not sure on the weight of this unit. Also, should the fact that the BH doesn't have a subframe be an issue? It is mounted solid to the drawbar and top link with the 3 pt arms stabilizing everything. Thanks again.

 

[Bluegill2]

AG tire are no problem for me, they are all I've ever used.

Can't help with the BH question.

 

[Tundra]

After some more looking, Could this be a gray market tractor? The labels were all in English, but what else should I look for?

 

[azbinder]

Look at the serial number plate. If it is in English, It is good to go. If it has Japanese lettering, it's GREY MARKET.

 

[bullbreaker]

Thanks for the help. I would have probably pulled the trigger on this already, but I have a few concerns. Do you guys think the AG tires would be an issue mowing grass? Not sure on the weight of this unit. Also, should the fact that the BH doesn't have a subframe be an issue? It is mounted solid to the drawbar and top link with the 3 pt arms stabilizing everything. Thanks again.

I would NOT buy it at that price if it did not have a sub-frame(BH). Also does it have ROPS if not almost dead give away its a grey market. Just my :2cents:.

TractorData.com Kubota L2600 tractor information

Boone

 

[Tundra]

Where is the # plate on the tractor? It does have ROPS that folds down a couple feet from the top. Also, the price is now $12,500. Any other comments or sugestions before I tell him yes or no?

 

[azbinder]

It should be on the frame rail above the front axle, but I don't remember which side. If you get me the 5 digit serial number and model number from the plate, I can tell you when and where it was first sold.

 

[Tundra]

cj7, or anyone that has one, is the rearend housing cast iron or aluminum? The "B" series are aluminum correct? Iron would make me feel better about the BH mount.

 

[azbinder]

"L"'s are cast iron

 

[Carl_NH]

The L's are stout tractors and the BH if it hasnt been abused should be fine on the 3PTH - its not "ideal" but it will work fine. You might be able to get a subframe and adapt to the L frame if you want to beef it up.

The price is reasonable for the age and size and will work as an all around tractor/BH. The hardest part will be removal and replacement of the BH - I had an L185DT (1983 vintage) with 3PTH hoe and it was a tough machine.

 

[Tundra]

Well, I went ahead and bought it. ($12,500) I think I did pretty well on the price. Seems like a nice machine and only time will tell. Just wanted to thank everyone for their input.

 

[Carl_NH]

Tundra,

Based on the pics I'd say you did very well - this machine will do a lot of work and not complain. For the price and hours you have nearly twice the lift capacity of the BX (450 x2.2KG = 1000 Lbs Lift in the bucket not at the pins).

Does this have the PTO pump for the BH or is it off the tractor? Also I think the FEL frame goes all the way back and attaches to the rear axle mount so this further strenghtens the BH and rigidity of the tractor. I see you have one in the shed too is that the Mistsubishi? Looks big - more like a ford front end.

Where are you in western PA? I was born in Kane, raised on a farm up there, still have some land in the area.

Thanks for the pictures - I think you made a good buy and have acquired a very nice nice machine.

 

[bullbreaker]

Tundra Big Congrats ! :thumbsup: From pic's looks to be in DANG great shape. OrangeTractorTalks | Kubota Tractor Tips, Classifieds, Specifications and Discussion
Might of even sleeped under roof of some kind paint looks that good.

Boone

 

[Bluegill2]

Looks very good, man!!!

 

[cj7]

Looks like a good piece of equipment.