To much tractor?

[Grandad4]

At 200 hours, that L2800 is virtually new mechanically. It sounds like a great deal... if you think you'll need a larger tractor in the foreseeable future, that might be a good one to start with. Depending on what you'll be doing on the 20 acres, you may eventually need to move up to an even larger unit, but the L2800 can do a lot. Just a few reasons for staying small come to mind: lack of storage space; the need to mow in tight spaces; the need to transport the tractor; cost of additional implements.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I first bought a grey market Yanmar 4220 (45HP) and it was a good tractor, nice HP, not too big but not small either. Then I decided I needed a cab and got my LS P7010. It is a great tractor for mowing and heavy lifting or pulling. I used it yesterday to detach a huge limb that had broken off a large oak tree. My brother in laws NH2310 wouldn't budge it at all, but with little effort, the 70HP moved it and another limb it was laying on right away from the tree. Now I say limbs but these limbs were over 24" in diameter where they came off the tree. I started pushing these "limbs" toward a burn pile about 200 feet away with the 7010 but quickly found that with the cab and the large tractor, I really couldn't see what I was doing that well, so after sawing these tree sized limbs into smaller pieces, I got my 26 HP Kubota B26TLB and cleaned everything up rather quickly. It is much more maneuverable and easier to see what you are doing when using the FEL.
While I had the 70HP tractor over at the worksite, I also went to the burn pile where I had taken off all the limbs from a huge downed oak from a previous storm. It was still partially attached to the stump and about 30 feet of tree left after I took off all the limbs. I easily pushed it around and broke it loose from the stump then shoved it up into the burn pile. I couldn't even make it move with the B26. For heavy work and moving huge amounts of dirt the large utility tractor is great, as the bucket holds about 3 times as much dirt as a 40 hp and 4 times as much as my B 26.

Personally I don't consider an L2800 a large tractor. It is a slight bit bigger than your B2xxx series but still it is a small frame tractor and should still be very maneuverable. As for weight on a lawn, if it is dry then R1 tires can be just as easy on a lawn as R4 but they will leave an imprint if the top soil is moist. I can run my 8500 lb tractor with R1 on my lawn and not tear up the grass due to the sharp turning of the front wheels (11 foot turning radius IIRC without brakes) but it will leave some bar lug tracks. I don't think with the L2800 you would do much more damage (if any) with the lug tires compared to the R4 and you will have much better traction in mud and muck with the R1. I have R1 on my large tractor and R4 on the B26 and with a little mud the R4 really slick over and loose most of their traction.
Personally I prefer to mow with mowers (zero turn) and not tractors but some folks need to combine jobs rather than have separate and specialize equipment. If you have lots of trees and shrubs to mow around, a zero turn will cut your mowing time in half compared to a tractor with belly mower.
I said all that to say this: You can get too much tractor. While I do need the larger HP occasionally, most of my work is now done with the small B26TLB (26 engine HP and about the same physical size as the B series you are looking at) I am constantly amazed at what I can do with that little tractor.
Just a few things to muddy up your waters a bit and to consider.

 

[nybirdman]

We have owned a L3130 moved up to a L4240 HSTC,and are in the process of purchaseing a used L3000 DT.I have run a B7800 a bit;I much prefer the L series Kubota's over the B's.The L2800 should be a very good all around tractor for the average person.The L3000 DT will be used mostly in the woods,should save a lot of wear and tear on the L4240 cab.

 

[Bluegill2]

We have 400 acres and I use the L3800DT more than the larger rig. It is small, but works very nicely in the woods! There are times when larger would not work here...

 

[gwdixon]

^^^Have to agree with Gary (after you get through his epistle :laughing.

You can see from my signature that I have three tractors that each fill a function for what I do. There is really no "all-in-one" solution. Sometimes you need the Papa K, others the Mama K, and then the Baby K for the small stuff.

The L you are considering is about as close as you're going to get for now.

As far as a lawn tractor, use a specified lawn tractor or Z-turn. They are made for the purpose.

Some day you'll wish you had the R-1 tires on whatever you decide to get

 

[Bluegill2]

^^^Have to agree with Gary (after you get through his epistle :laughing.

You can see from my signature that I have three tractors that each fill a function for what I do. There is really no "all-in-one" solution. Sometimes you need the Papa K, others the Mama K, and then the Baby K for the small stuff.

The L you are considering is about as close as you're going to get for now.

As far as a lawn tractor, use a specified lawn tractor or Z-turn. They are made for the purpose.

Some day you'll wish you had the R-1 tires on whatever you decide to get

I Strongly agree with your post here! Especially about R-1 tires! :thumbsup:

 

[TejasMike]

We have a law tractor I've been using with a sprayer, harrow, and fertilizer.


The problem is that it mows the pasture grass too low.

Ill be mowing the very little "yard" we have with a craftsman rider. The rest of the yard is pasture for horses with a few large pecan trees.

 

[gwdixon]

We have a law tractor I've been using with a sprayer, harrow, and fertilizer.


The problem is that it mows the pasture grass too low.

Ill be mowing the very little "yard" we have with a craftsman rider. The rest of the yard is pasture for horses with a few large pecan trees.

Then go with the L and R1 tires. You'll be set to cover many needs!

DFW doesn't have so much rain that the ground is soft all the time. Wait a day or two until the ground dries out and then the R1 tires won't do appreciable damage.

 

[bigbull338]

if your going tobe moving to 20acs in 4 or 5yrs.id go ahead an get as big of tractor as you think you need for the 20acs.or else youll be trading tractors then to go up in hp.

 

[Daver1963]

I may be biased, but I have a L2800DT with FEL on 4 acres. I got the gear driven instead of HST because I have some slopes to traverse. I have to say that the L2800 is the right size for my land and the things I do, such as breaking and tilling ground for a garden, mowing with the finish mower, and light bush hogging. I too have done things I wouldn't have thought of with either a smaller tractor or a riding lawn mower.

 

[Will_C]

I think you can get too large a tractor, but as to the OP's situation-the L2800 will work fine. It is hardly bigger than a B when it comes to handling.

Will

 

[GManBart]

Tractors trade/sell just like cars and truck but in a bit different way

Just like them, but different?

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Just like them, but different?

There are not really any web sites, publications, etc to determine tractor values like cars and trucks. There are some publications but not as close to real average prices like Kelly Bluebook, Edmunds and the NADA book for cars and trucks. Also the market for tractors is nowhere as big as the market for cars and trucks. Also there are not 30 to 100 used tractor lots in almost every community like for cars and trucks but new and used tractors are bought and sold daily, some where but no where near the volume of cars and trucks. Auctions are going on daily/weekly also for cars and trucks but maybe monthly some where on tractors. The I'll take and I'll give is the same process on tractors though. There are also dealers that don't want used tractors and there are dealers like Barlows that do want to buy used tractors and will pay a fair price whether straight out buying or taking in on trade.
I traded Barlows a used F2680e 60" deck last fall and he sold it. I bought a new F3080 and already owned another F3080. Now plan to sell (today) the first F3080 and maybe buying the F2680e with a near new 72" deck back since Barlows bought/traded it back from the man he sold it to in the spring or buying another new F3080. The price is good on the new F3080 but the price for the used under 200 hours F2680e 72" deck that I put most of the hours on is really drawing me that direction.
Bottom line, if your going to trade/sell to a dealer you have to find one that places value on used equipment and is secure enough in their own judgement to deal in used equipment. Some dealers are to insecure or to greedy to do other than new which they know the exact profit with low risk they are taking. Also most new Kubotas are not bought or owned by the dealer, they belong to Kubota and are placed on the Franchised dealers lot with dealer being told their actual cost the day they are sold so the dealer can decide how much they want to make before closing the deal. Different with used equipment. The dealer has to buy and pay for the used equipment out of their own pocket and hold it till it's sold so some dealers can't afford to buy the used equipment or if they do they won't pay much for it. Go to a buying dealer with money to deal with trading or selling used equipment.
Bottom line, there is a market for used tractors and implements but it has to be found and once found it is a moving (buying/selling) fairly active business but no where like the scale of cars and trucks but still there when you find it. My next purchase will be number 16 in 10 years so I'm not talking from theory or what someone told me or I read or heard.

 

[DB Pilot]

I have the L3800 HST. the L2800 might be light on horsepower but with 200 hours it is not even broke in yet. plus $4K left in hand and a 5' brush hog. I'm betting you will never regret the bigger tractor. :2cents: :thumbsup:

 

[Bluegill2]

The L2800 sounds perfect. Did ya get it yet???

 

[lostcreekranch]

There are not really any web sites, publications, etc to determine tractor values like cars and trucks. There are some publications but not as close to real average prices like Kelly Bluebook, Edmunds and the NADA book for cars and trucks. Also the market for tractors is nowhere as big as the market for cars and trucks. Also there are not 30 to 100 used tractor lots in almost every community like for cars and trucks but new and used tractors are bought and sold daily, some where but no where near the volume of cars and trucks. Auctions are going on daily/weekly also for cars and trucks but maybe monthly some where on tractors. The I'll take and I'll give is the same process on tractors though. There are also dealers that don't want used tractors and there are dealers like Barlows that do want to buy used tractors and will pay a fair price whether straight out buying or taking in on trade.
I traded Barlows a used F2680e 60" deck last fall and he sold it. I bought a new F3080 and already owned another F3080. Now plan to sell (today) the first F3080 and maybe buying the F2680e with a near new 72" deck back since Barlows bought/traded it back from the man he sold it to in the spring or buying another new F3080. The price is good on the new F3080 but the price for the used under 200 hours F2680e 72" deck that I put most of the hours on is really drawing me that direction.
Bottom line, if your going to trade/sell to a dealer you have to find one that places value on used equipment and is secure enough in their own judgement to deal in used equipment. Some dealers are to insecure or to greedy to do other than new which they know the exact profit with low risk they are taking. Also most new Kubotas are not bought or owned by the dealer, they belong to Kubota and are placed on the Franchised dealers lot with dealer being told their actual cost the day they are sold so the dealer can decide how much they want to make before closing the deal. Different with used equipment. The dealer has to buy and pay for the used equipment out of their own pocket and hold it till it's sold so some dealers can't afford to buy the used equipment or if they do they won't pay much for it. Go to a buying dealer with money to deal with trading or selling used equipment.
Bottom line, there is a market for used tractors and implements but it has to be found and once found it is a moving (buying/selling) fairly active business but no where like the scale of cars and trucks but still there when you find it. My next purchase will be number 16 in 10 years so I'm not talking from theory or what someone told me or I read or heard.

http://www.tractorbluebook.com/Tractor-Blue-Book

 

[SPYDERLK]

To:
,,,Much tractor.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

There are not really any web sites, publications, etc to determine tractor values like cars and trucks. There are some publications but not as close to real average prices like Kelly Bluebook, Edmunds and the NADA book for cars and trucks. Also the market for tractors is nowhere as big as the market for cars and trucks. Also there are not 30 to 100 used tractor lots in almost every community like for cars and trucks but new and used tractors are bought and sold daily, some where but no where near the volume of cars and trucks. Auctions are going on daily/weekly also for cars and trucks but maybe monthly some where on tractors. The I'll take and I'll give is the same process on tractors though. There are also dealers that don't want used tractors and there are dealers like Barlows that do want to buy used tractors and will pay a fair price whether straight out buying or taking in on trade.
I traded Barlows a used F2680e 60" deck last fall and he sold it. I bought a new F3080 and already owned another F3080. Now plan to sell (today) the first F3080 and maybe buying the F2680e with a near new 72" deck back since Barlows bought/traded it back from the man he sold it to in the spring or buying another new F3080. The price is good on the new F3080 but the price for the used under 200 hours F2680e 72" deck that I put most of the hours on is really drawing me that direction.
Bottom line, if your going to trade/sell to a dealer you have to find one that places value on used equipment and is secure enough in their own judgement to deal in used equipment. Some dealers are to insecure or to greedy to do other than new which they know the exact profit with low risk they are taking. Also most new Kubotas are not bought or owned by the dealer, they belong to Kubota and are placed on the Franchised dealers lot with dealer being told their actual cost the day they are sold so the dealer can decide how much they want to make before closing the deal. Different with used equipment. The dealer has to buy and pay for the used equipment out of their own pocket and hold it till it's sold so some dealers can't afford to buy the used equipment or if they do they won't pay much for it. Go to a buying dealer with money to deal with trading or selling used equipment.
Bottom line, there is a market for used tractors and implements but it has to be found and once found it is a moving (buying/selling) fairly active business but no where like the scale of cars and trucks but still there when you find it. My next purchase will be number 16 in 10 years so I'm not talking from theory or what someone told me or I read or heard.

The Official Tractor Blue Book™

This comprehensive guide provides detailed information on farm tractors produced from 1939 to present. Included is information covering approximate retail prices when new, plus a range of estimated used retail values. Estimated trade-in values are also included to help you determine the approximate cash value or loan value for a tractor. In addition, this guide contains specification information on engine size, transmission speeds and PTO horsepower.

Also included is a special section listing serial numbers, allowing you to determine the year a tractor was built. The Official Tractor Blue Book is a valuable resource for anyone buying, selling or trading used tractors.
This is an annual publication which may be of some value for $40 but I don't think very accurate for pricing. Auto/truck pricing guides change daily or weekly and are also regional so I stick to my statement that there are no publications for tractor pricing like there are for cars and trucks. Edmunds, Blue Book and NADA which are daily, weekly and monthly updated and regional. An annual publication that comes out in Feb or June will be of some but little value 9 to 12 months later. May help an individual get a range idea but not much for a regular seller/buyer dealer and again so regional.

 

[TejasMike]

The L2800 sounds perfect. Did ya get it yet???

I didn't.

It looked like a HARD 200 hours.

I ended up getting a new B2320. It's perfect for our place now. When we build the new house part of the deal is I get a new big"er" tractor.

Having a smaller B and a larger work tractor at the new place isn't a bad deal.

Price wise I ended up the same with the new B2320 vs the used L2800.

 

[xring100]

I didn't.

It looked like a HARD 200 hours.

I ended up getting a new B2320. It's perfect for our place now. When we build the new house part of the deal is I get a new big"er" tractor.

Having a smaller B and a larger work tractor at the new place isn't a bad deal.

Price wise I ended up the same with the new B2320 vs the used L2800.

Congrats on the purchase