Buying Advice New Kubota or add a cab

redtailfarm · Feb 17, 2014

Looking for some advice on cabs and maybe new purchase. I have L39 that serves me very well. Two things are prompting the change -
1) I am looking to get out of the northeast cold
2) purchased a mini excavator and do not need backhoe

I use tractor to move horse manure, loam, clear woods, and run firewood processor. Also would like to add snow removal. I will be getting out of loam biz though..

If I get cab, the backhoe still goes unused (a waste). Conversely, new machines are 10k+ including trade and good 30-40% weaker.

Has anyone walked similar path? Is a L39 w1200 hrs worth investing in a cab?

Appreciate your 2 cents.

Happy Gilmore · Feb 17, 2014

What year L39? Depends what you're looking for in a cab. I would think you'd be well over $3000 for a good cab, then add in heat etc. If it were me personally and I was no longer using the backhoe, I'd sell her and go new, set up with a cab how you want it. Subtract cab cost etc from the $10000 difference you mentioned on new and I think you'd be better off with the new machine. Consider a used low hour machine with cab installed as another option.

avc8130 · Feb 17, 2014

The L39 loader has some unique power that you won't find unless you get way up in the size. I'm in a similar boat as you, I have an L45 (had an L39) because I NEED 2k lb lift capacity at the loader. In fact, I'd like 2500lb if I could have gotten it! Once you switch over to a Kubota with a cab, it seems you have to get way up into the M series to get that capacity back.

I don't say this often, but since you already have a mini-ex....have you considered a skid steer?

ac

redtailfarm · Feb 17, 2014

Just returned from dealer. L39 really is at top for 39 hp machine.. they did not have anything to compare numbers with but he did say the M series was only option. The TLB line is slated to have cab option for 2015.

For my L39, I was north of $7500 when I stopped looking, it had heat and ac.

I did have a skidsteer but was missing my power rake and woods brush cutter so came back to tractor. I think I need to look at it as demo vs finish work. Get the demo done and then move into finish machine. Tell the wife we need to pave the driveway he he he.

I was looking at 2012 L3240 with 743 fel and snowblower only 21 hrs - $36.5k. This still seemed steep but the dealer said the blower is a 8-10k option… thoughts?

nybirdman · Feb 17, 2014

For your situation,in the Kubota line I wouldn't go below a L4240 or L4760 in the new line.Big jump up in FEL performance from the smaller Grand L's.

Corey MARSHALL MACHINERY · Feb 17, 2014

I Have a leftover L4240 that i would work with you on.

avc8130 · Feb 17, 2014

They make power rakes and brush cutters for skid steers.

It really boils down to how much you want to pick up. That 743 loader is only 740kg. That's ~1600 lbs. 800lbs less than your L39's loader.

ac

redtailfarm · Feb 18, 2014

I priced out the attachments for skid steer.. double ouch!!

Appreciate the advice, I'm gonna keep it til I'm done with the demo stuff. In meantime, I'll plan to upgrade the GR 2120.

Nothing wrong with having 2 tractors right?