soon to be first time tractor owner

[BBel]

I would like to extend a thank you in advance to anyone that helps me through this process of buying my first tractor.
I am a home owner in Lincoln, Maine with 57 acres and a 1/4 mile of hilly dirt road that requires me to purchase tractor to maintain, plow and improve the road. I also plan on using the tractor for firework work and to maintain the grounds.

I am looking into purchasing a 2012 Kubota L3940 with a LA724 loader. This machine is used (if you can call 30 hours used) and still has warranty on it until June 2014. It is a private sale and I am going to look at it tomorrow.
I am in-experienced in tractors and my attempts to have someone with experience come with me have not worked out so it looks like I will be going by myself. The tractor looks to be in great condition but I am wondering if there are things that I should be looking for that would be a red flag. I believe that I am getting a great deal on this tractor as I have quote for a new L3940 from a dealer and this tractor is substantially lower and if this used tractor is in as good condition as it appears to be I should be alright. I have attached pictures of the tractor.
I appreciate any advice or suggestions to insure that I am making the correct decision on this tractor and I again thank you for your help.

 

[creekbend]

Check everything out from front to back and under. The seller should have an implement around. If there is a rotary mower available, have the seller hook it up and then you shouls drive it to check out the PTO. Go through all the Gears. Check the axles and hydraulics. Make sure that the FEL works. BTW, the pictures won't enlarge. Is there no one that you can call to help you> Perhaps a neighbor farmer or someone that owns a tractor? Best wishes. Check the tractor out, just like you would a Possible Wife.

 

[farmgirl19]

:welcome: from Texas!

 

[nybirdman]

With only 30hrs and still under warranty.....I wouldn't be too worried about anything myself.The L3940 is a very nice tractor by the way.

 

[BBel]

Thank you for the help so far.
Bigger picturesbigger pictures -

 

[jeff9366]

The Kubota Grand L's are wonderful machines. Ample tractor for your road work. It would be nice to have a few more horsepower, as the cab adds quite a bit of weight, to pull 72" + 84" implements through your fields, but this one will do.

In terms of buying: We are in a strange period as tractors now coming off assembly lines for sale in USA must be compliant with EPA Tier IV emissions strictures. There are a few Tier III compliant tractors in inventory, not many. The Tier iV tractors are generally 20% higher in price. So if this is the tractor you want, buy now.

Used tractor prices are escalating.

I hope you conclude the purchase.

 

[murphy1244]

Why is he selling a 30 hour machine?

 

[BBel]

The story I received was because of health reasons, he is 85 and is health is going so he wanted to downsize tractors.

bigger pictures

 

[murphy1244]

The story I received was because of health reasons, he is 85 and is health is going so he wanted to downsize tractors.

bigger picturesView attachment 340101View attachment 340102View attachment 340103

When did he buy it?

 

[BBel]

2012, it still has warranty until June of next year.

 

[BBel]

murphy1244,
I also have a quote from a kioti dealer for a DK40 that is my 2nd choice.
How do you like your Dk40?

 

[murphy1244]

murphy1244,
I also have a quote from a kioti dealer for a DK40 that is my 2nd choice.
How do you like your Dk40?

I have nothing but praise for my Kioti, this too was my first machine bought new. How much was your quote?

 

[BBel]

This is my last correspondence with the dealer in Bangor, Maine
Kioti DK 40se HST

"With the help of the manufacturer, what I can do for you is this. Sell you the tractor and loader for 28,450 then the ballast cost is 475 and our Closing Docs are 199. So all totaled with tax the out the door price, delivered, is 30,725.82.



I’d like to make the point that this is a new machine with 4 years of power train, 2 years of end to end coverage and one year on the loader. This machine comes standard with the finer comforts of life, radio, rear wiper and a rear hydraulic remote. Along with the fact that the Kioti is going to be a heavier built machine by probably 500 pounds if you’ll pull up the specs for the kubota on line and compare to the Kioti brocure I gave you the other day.



I hope by lowering the price by 1,450 I’ve earned your business. Also going forward, I could extend a discount on any attachments you may want to buy Thank you Mike"

 

[murphy1244]

Tell him you want the second remote and rear plow light and filled tires with Rim Guard thrown in if your interested in the machine. Maybe a Grapple for a attachment. This is a Cab tractor your getting a Quote on?

 

[BBel]

Yes it does have a Cab.
I moved him down $1450 and I responded to him that he needed to be lower but he responded he was as low as he could go, maybe him throwing in an attachment might work.
I also have heard go things about kioti tractors that is why I went to him for a quote, with the Kubota L3940 I am at $28,500 w/ no tax or title.

 

[murphy1244]

Yes it does have a Cab.
I moved him down $1450 and I responded to him that he needed to be lower but he responded he was as low as he could go, maybe him throwing in an attachment might work.
I also have heard go things about kioti tractors that is why I went to him for a quote, with the Kubota L3940 I am at $28,500 w/ no tax or title.

Good luck with whatever Tractor you decide on!

 

[BBel]

Thank you.
I appreciate your input.
Have a good night.
Bruce

 

[BBel]

I pulled the trigger on the L3940 after going down to check it out. It is every bit as good as the pictures indicated, it was only used to bail hay, the bucket is not even scratched as he only used it to lift hay bales. The machine ran perfectly, everything checked out and it looks like I essentially bought a new tractor for about $7000 less than my best new L3940 quote from a dealer. It still has warranty until June of next year. I am happy with my decision to buy.
I thank everyone for their input, suggestions and sharing their experience with me.
Now onto the attachments!!

 

[jeff9366]

Congratulations. Sometimes everything falls in place.