Need Kubota expert opinions - Used L35

[machmeter62]

Hi there. new to compact tractors - been shopping for a bit. What does everyone think about this tractor? Thought I was getting a deere but I find a lot more Kubota's out there
'96 Kubota L35 TLB
35hp
1845hrs
5 out of 10 cosmetically- stored outside so some surface rust and paint oxidized
mechanically strong
one bachoe bucket.
3 owners
Soft cab with heater (faded but in avg/good shape).
GST
no blowby
doesn't appear to be any looseness in movements
No leaks
R4 tires at 40% both front and back.
Asking price is $12,900 for private sale (seller claims firm). What do you think it is worth if that is high?

Thanks a lot!

I purchased a new L-35 in '95. The list price was around $35,000 then? I got about a 10% discount, and was lucky? The tractor was so popular that many dealers were selling at list in Northern Calif. As others have mentioned; it's industrial strength, speaks for it's self!

If you plan on rear attachments....make sure it has the 3 point arms, or you will be shocked at the replacement costs! It was standard equipment as a new purchase, and generic ones wont work!! They are very heavy duty.

The price sounds good....is the sheet metal battered, or in good shape too?
That would be the first sign, as probably a rental(?)

The first thing I would do upon purchase is replace the hydraulic filter, which is located below the floor boards, and see if there is any metal contamination!
You may want to order the filters through tractorsmart.com, for discount prices. They aren't cheap! If it has had moderate care...there should be years of use left...I will never part with mine!!
LEE

 

[machmeter62]

Unless you have already read the REVIEWS on the front top page here; I would get their opinions also? There is only two shortcomings with the tractor, which are minor in my opinion: The swivel seat can be a (PITA) till you figure it out; the front tires will wear at a fast rate on hard surfaces only, when making tight turns with heavy loader work. The radius of turn wears the outside front tires. I use shallow turns on concrete/pavement, and still have the original front tires with minimum wear. I seldom work on hard surfaces.

One other word of caution, is to check the clutch life? Some users use the GST mode, and others may "ride the clutch" for loader work. It maybe a pricey repair, if worn out? You are getting a lot of tractor for that price, and a few repairs, if needed, would be worth it to me.
LEE

 

[SLOBuds]

Sorry to be so late weighing in on this. Not sure how I missed the post back on the 24th!

I just bought my first tractor and it was a 2000 TLB with 980 hours.

The condition was very good and it was well maintained. BUT ... being my first tractor, plus the fact that I bought it sight unseen, I paid a mechanic for a pre-purchase inspection. That inspection came back good and I am very happy with the machine.

What I didn't fully realize when I bought it was how sturdy it is compared to other models. The tractor is designed for loader and backhoe operations. The backhoe is attached to a sub-frame (which they call a 'mainframe' in their manuals). And the hydraulics are isolated to backhoe and loader which gives them much greater capability. You are getting a tractor which includes a backhoe. That itself is worth quite a bit of money. In my case, I also bought a scraper and a brush cutter. And that's it for now until the CFO releases more funds.

The hood and fenders are metal. It can't help but give you a solid feeling of a machine which will last a long long time.

My parcel is only 10 acres, and this tractor is perfect for that size. I am doing a lot of cleanup on the parcel, general schlepping of cut wood from here to there, disking parts, etc.

Do check on the 3 point hitch assembly. Mine in fact was missing, and you will spend around $1000 if you decide to buy Kubota parts. If you buy aftermarkets, it is cheaper but still a good chunk of change.

I'm a big guy and the seat is comfortable for me. It is a little bit odd the way that the seat has to swivel around for the backhoe position. Hint - lube the seat assembly and all of that will work more easily for you. And it takes a bit of time to get used to how the seat works overall.

Good luck with your purchase. I know that you will be very happy with it. Most likely both of us will have repairs to make over time, but those agitations will definitely be paid off by the utility this machine will bring. And its overall length of service.

 

[mike69440]

Goes without saying to do this safely:
A way to check hydraulic performance is to lift the back end of the tractor with the backhoe - it should lift it easily with the bucket 6-8 ft out. While it's up a little, curl the front bucket down so the front lifts too. If it seems to labor at either end, that indicates worn pump(s). Shut off the machine with the back lifted a bit and see how long it takes to settle back down (the longer the better). This checks cylinder internal seal wear. If the hydraulics check out ok the price sounds quite good.

Note
The L35 loader is probably as strong in back curl as the L39, especially if you can lift the machine with the bucket as described. I tend to doubt the L35 loader can curl as described.

A better check would be to deploy the stabilizer and they try the above. The L35 should just be able to have the bucket lift the machine with the stabilizers down.

 

[WifethinksImworking]

Thanks everyone. I did buy the machine so I am a proud owner. I had a tractor mechanic inspect it and it required about $750 worth of repair. the mechanic thought it was strong mechanically so I pulled the trigger. The backhoe comes off fairly easily and the 3pt hitch goes on easy. I am getting used to GST coming from HST but I am sure it will be second nature. I expect to get a lot of use from this machine.

 

[drtydeed]

Congrats,

you got a steal.

 

[WifethinksImworking]

thanks drty deed. It will be a steal if it gives me about 500 hours without fuss or cost above maintenance. I am excited to put on a good chunk of hours.

 

[brianidaho]

What the heck, might as well recycle an existing thread, rather than starting a new one.

I'm looking at a comparable rig, L35, BT90 hoe, 2003 model, 966 hours, owner is asking $21K.

Kubota L35 tractor loader backhoe excavator low hrs

In my area and he can deliver. I took a look at it today, it passed the "hydraulics" test. Based on past comments in this thread, I assume this is a fair deal, only obvious issue was some slight seepage on one of the front axle "spindles", not sure the term Kubota uses.

Are there any negatives for using this rig for basic 3-PT and PTO functions, say grading and bush hogging, as opposed to a general purpose tractor? I am also considering a new L3240, about the same money, but no hoe. I'll be using the rig in the woods to some extent, would the commercial grade L35 hold up any better? How big an issue is the non-removable FEL? I never took mine off my current tractor, not sure it would bother me. The L35 isn't as "pretty" but may be more servicable??

 

[irwin]

What the heck, might as well recycle an existing thread, rather than starting a new one.

I'm looking at a comparable rig, L35, BT90 hoe, 2003 model, 966 hours, owner is asking $21K.
In my area and he can deliver. I took a look at it today, it passed the "hydraulics" test. Based on past comments in this thread, I assume this is a fair deal, only obvious issue was some slight seepage on one of the front axle "spindles", not sure the term Kubota uses.

Are there any negatives for using this rig for basic 3-PT and PTO functions, say grading and bush hogging, as opposed to a general purpose tractor? I am also considering a new L3240, about the same money, but no hoe. I'll be using the rig in the woods to some extent, would the commercial grade L35 hold up any better? How big an issue is the non-removable FEL? I never took mine off my current tractor, not sure it would bother me. The L35 isn't as "pretty" but may be more servicable??

Hi Brian, I'm glad I bought mine. I too leave the loader on 100% of the time. The backhoe comes off and on fairly easy (5-15minutes,depending on experience)
As far as the price... ..I paid about the same price this spring for a 2004 with 273 hours, it already had QA for the FEL and the BH bucket, a curtis cab w/heat, front hydraulics with push button on the joystick, also got a 60 inch adjustable Beefco tiller, a second BH bucket and a 7 foot snowpusher included. However, I've yet to find as good a deal listed anywhere since then.....offer him less, see what happens. He does say he "needs to sell badly"...find out how bad.

 

[brianidaho]

Hi Brian, I'm glad I bought mine. I too leave the loader on 100% of the time. The backhoe comes off and on fairly easy (5-15minutes,depending on experience)
As far as the price... ..I paid about the same price this spring for a 2004 with 273 hours, it already had QA for the FEL and the BH bucket, a curtis cab w/heat, front hydraulics with push button on the joystick, also got a 60 inch adjustable Beefco tiller, a second BH bucket and a 7 foot snowpusher included. However, I've yet to find as good a deal listed anywhere since then.....offer him less, see what happens. He does say he "needs to sell badly"...find out how bad.

Irwin, from everything I've seen (and granted I haven't been researching this very long), I think you stole it! Congrats, I wish I could find a deal like that. If I go for it, I figured on offering 18-19 and see what happens...given the accessories you found, and the fact that this one needs tires, that's probably plenty. I'm still torn, that L3240 sure looks nice! Operator area seemed bigger and more comfortable on the 3240 as well.

BTW, how do you like the GST? Today was the first time I played with one, seemed pretty nice.