L3710 GST lifespan

[OldJazzR]

Background. I bought my Kubota new around 2000-01. I have had no problems in 20+ years and 1400+/- hours of homeowner use. The tractor does live outdoors year round. I'm 71 and retired.

So, my questions.... How long do Kubotas last? Should I be looking to replace this machine with a new one?

I thank you folks for your thoughts and information.

 

[rScotty]

I don't see any reason why the average tractor won't go to 20/30 years & 4/5000 hrs if it gets reasonable care and a tarp over the midsection. Why would it not? There is not much to go wrong with a old style diesel and GST.

Our M59 has some sun damage to paint, tires, and hoses...but all that is minor. At 15 years old and about 1000 hrs it works just like it alway has.

Our old JD is much older than either or our Kubotas, with over 10,000 hrs and it still works fine. I had to replace the RPM/hour meter 20 years ago because the bushings in the gauge wore out and the needle fell off... . That's the kind of thing that goes wrong with old ones.

 

[rbargeron]

At 1400 hours that L3710 may be getting worn tires if your yard is paved - but other than that its fine for another 20 years at least, assuming normal maintenance. Maybe squirt some fluid film on the sheet metal and under the floor mat if it lives outside. Kubotas last a long time - their early models (like my L345) are 40+ years old with 3000++ hours and little sign of weakness. No worries.

On the other hand if you would like a comfy cab with heat, ac, hydrostat, cruise etc. let us know and we'll help you sell the idea to the budget office....

 

[MHarryE]

Oh no no - I bought a L3710 HST in 2001 and it only lasted until 2012 - 11 years - when my wife said you are old and might not be as crabby if you replaced it with a cabbed tractor. So it went for a L5740 which only lasted for a few years until a L6060 replaced it. I’m 75 now and my wife and kids say to spend it now - I can’t take it with me. But, the L3710 was the most reliable of all, the L5740 by far the worst. Nothing to the L3720 except routine maintenance.

 

[k0ua]

If I had to guess, even with your tractor stored outside, it will likely outlast you. Of course storing your tractor outside is very hard on all parts of it. But you knew that already. But still, all rot and rust aside, I suspect your Kubota will be pushing dirt or what ever needs to be done while you are likely pushing up daises.

 

[mikester]

If it's working good I'd keep it - no pollution controls to make your life more interesting.

Not a politically correct question - how many more years do you expect to keep doing what you are doing with it? I know there will be a point I won't be able to keep doing what I am doing and downsize. Getting a nice new machine with all the bells and whistles now might not be a bad thing. I have no regrets getting a cab tractor other than wishing I did it sooner.

 

[OldJazzR]

If it's working good I'd keep it - no pollution controls to make your life more interesting.

Not a politically correct question - how many more years do you expect to keep doing what you are doing with it? I know there will be a point I won't be able to keep doing what I am doing and downsize. Getting a nice new machine with all the bells and whistles now might not be a bad thing. I have no regrets getting a cab tractor other than wishing I did it sooner.

I'm actually leaning towards a smaller cab tractor. Heat will make clearing Maine snow much more enjoyable, and if I really splurge, AC will keep summer heat, and biting flies, at bay. Probably the right thing to do at this time, given my age and all.

 

[k0ua]

Aha!.... looks like you were leaning towards a newer cab tractor after all. Well nothing wrong with that.

 

[SageBrush]

My 2003 L4330 GST still runs like new, only had one throttle cable break early on. Its been trouble free ever since.

 

[rbargeron]

Background. I bought my Kubota new around 2000-01. I have had no problems in 20+ years and 1400+/- hours of homeowner use. The tractor does live outdoors year round. I'm 71 and retired.

So, my questions.... How long do Kubotas last? Should I be looking to replace this machine with a new one?

I thank you folks for your thoughts and information.

quick question about your "oldJazzR" handle - do you play? Dick B (tenor & bari sax)

 

[sandyc]

Guess I’m just the opposite. I’m 78 and Traded down from my cabbed B to a bx2380 because of some health issues(broken wrist) that make moving heavy implements and installing same a chore that I didn’t want to face. If I switched from front plow to blower it was a hassle. And to drop everything to install the FEL was a royal pain in the butt in the snow. The BX allows me to switch from plow to bucket in seconds. The three point blower lives on the three point all winter and is a mere tug on a lever to be in service.
Being retired means I usually wait til the snow stops. Helps make up for no heated cab.

 

[OldJazzR]

quick question about your "oldJazzR" handle - do you play? Dick B (tenor & bari sax)

Yup. Piano and electric bass. Jim

 

[rbargeron]

Great - what are you doing New Years Eve? Wanna go see a movie? Ok, back to tractor lifespans.....

Even though I really like my repaired L48 HST, my favorite rig is still the cabbed L5450 shuttle. Not a speck of trouble of any kind in 1400 hrs, starts instantly, great power and strength - just the best. Not intending to replace it ever. Only complaint is the 7ft attachments do seem to be getting heavier....

 

[5030]

Great - what are you doing New Years Eve? Wanna go see a movie? Ok, back to tractor lifespans.....

Even though I really like my repaired L48 HST, my favorite rig is still the cabbed L5450 shuttle. Not a speck of trouble of any kind in 1400 hrs, starts instantly, great power and strength - just the best. Not intending to replace it ever. Only complaint is the 7ft attachments do seem to be getting heavier....

Why I run 2 identical tractors. Some of the implements I run require multiple hydraulic hookups and they are heavy and I'm old. 6000 meter hours on one of my M9's (hydraulic shuttle) and no issues other than routine maintenance though I just had the overhead ran and injectors tested. Dyno'd at 92 pto.

I fully expect them to outlast me.

 

[OldJazzR]

Why I run 2 identical tractors. Some of the implements I run require multiple hydraulic hookups and they are heavy and I'm old. 6000 meter hours on one of my M9's (hydraulic shuttle) and no issues other than routine maintenance though I just had the overhead ran and injectors tested. Dyno'd at 92 pto.

I fully expect them to outlast me.

I hear that. Based on what you and others have said I’m sure my L3710 will outlast me too.

 

[Leejohn]

Background. I bought my Kubota new around 2000-01. I have had no problems in 20+ years and 1400+/- hours of homeowner use. The tractor does live outdoors year round. I'm 71 and retired.

So, my questions.... How long do Kubotas last? Should I be looking to replace this machine with a new one?

I thank you folks for your thoughts and information.

At the rate you use you tractor, you are looking at 60 to 70 years.