Value of "rough looking" but "solid working" Kubota L345 4wd with loader

[4570Man]

Re: Value of "rough looking" but "solid working" Kubota L345 4wd with loader

It’s pretty rough but I think if it’s in mechanically good condition it’s worth it. I’d take that over an 8n Ford any day.

 

[rgr33]

Re: Value of "rough looking" but "solid working" Kubota L345 4wd with loader

My opinion is

If the appearance of the tractor doesn’t turn you off

If you have a mechanic check it out in advance

If this is all your budget allows

Then this is probably worth the price,

But, if you pay the asking price, and decide to spend a bunch of money prettying up, then you may end up with a more expensive investment than is prudent for that particular tractor. If it was any other make than Kubota, I personally wouldn’t even give it any real consideration.

 

[4570Man]

Re: Value of "rough looking" but "solid working" Kubota L345 4wd with loader

I think it would look a whole lot better with a can of paint and a spray gun. $5k isn’t going to buy a very nice tractor with a loader.

 

[Kubota 2350]

Re: Value of "rough looking" but "solid working" Kubota L345 4wd with loader

NO!!!!!

 

[4570Man]

Re: Value of "rough looking" but "solid working" Kubota L345 4wd with loader

So other than the fact the paint is severely faded and the hood appears to be gone does anyone have any solid reason for knocking this tractor. It deserve a closer look than the one picture we have IMO.

 

[travelrider73]

Re: Value of "rough looking" but "solid working" Kubota L345 4wd with loader

My opinion is

If the appearance of the tractor doesn’t turn you off

If you have a mechanic check it out in advance

If this is all your budget allows

Then this is probably worth the price,

But, if you pay the asking price, and decide to spend a bunch of money prettying up, then you may end up with a more expensive investment than is prudent for that particular tractor. If it was any other make than Kubota, I personally wouldn’t even give it any real consideration.

Thanks everyone for the replies. I'm quoting this comment from rgr33 because your comment has me thinking... Your point about me wanting to make it prettier sounds like me, so I'd probably end up wasting a bunch of money on it before all was said and done. If it were a "collectible antique" then maybe that would be worth it to me, and some day it might reach that status, but right now I bet I'd be upside down in that tractor by the time I was finished with it.

What got me interested is what someone else said: It's a powerful tractor for it's size. That's what I want -- the most power I can get shoehorned into the smallest tractor I can buy. I'm not sure where that balance is, but I'm only taking care of 5 acres. The reason I want power is for the PTO implements. I want to be able to run whatever I want, within reason. I have my eye on an 8" chipper, for instance. My Kubota B7100HST is just too small and I find myself not being able to buy toys that I want to buy. I need to step up a notch.

 

[newbury]

Re: Value of "rough looking" but "solid working" Kubota L345 4wd with loader

<snip>
What got me interested is what someone else said: It's a powerful tractor for it's size. That's what I want -- the most power I can get shoehorned into the smallest tractor I can buy. I'm not sure where that balance is, but I'm only taking care of 5 acres. The reason I want power is for the PTO implements. I want to be able to run whatever I want, within reason. I have my eye on an 8" chipper, for instance. My Kubota B7100HST is just too small and I find myself not being able to buy toys that I want to buy. I need to step up a notch.

Almost all older Kubota's are "powerful for their size".

Along with the other, comments what are the hydraulics like? Are you comfortable doing your own wrenching? Replacing the hoses and lines yourself could run a grand or more, leaking/bent cylinders can be very expensive. Tires look fair.
Can you get a Used Oil Analysis done?

IF I trusted the seller $5K might be fair.

 

[Jstpssng]

Re: Value of "rough looking" but "solid working" Kubota L345 4wd with loader

So other than the fact the paint is severely faded and the hood appears to be gone does anyone have any solid reason for knocking this tractor. It deserve a closer look than the one picture we have IMO.

Exactly. You don't get much for that kind of money. If it runs and shifts good and the clutch and hydraulics seem strong then it may be worth the money. The tires look decent from what you can tell in the picture. Those old Kubotas were simple and tough. For reference I sold a rough similar vintage Kubota L275 15 months ago for $2700. The loader arms were broken halfway through, the 3pth arms needed replacing, but it still ran like a top. I started out at $3800 and slowly dropped the price. As someone suggested have a diesel mechanic look at it. If you don't want to pay that much wait a month and he may come down.

 

[4570Man]

Re: Value of "rough looking" but "solid working" Kubota L345 4wd with loader

Almost all older Kubota's are "powerful for their size".

Along with the other, comments what are the hydraulics like? Are you comfortable doing your own wrenching? Replacing the hoses and lines yourself could run a grand or more, leaking/bent cylinders can be very expensive. Tires look fair.
Can you get a Used Oil Analysis done?

IF I trusted the seller $5K might be fair.

Hydraulic hoses are pretty cheap and they’re likely junk unless they’ve already been replaced. Gland seals aren’t very expensive either. Rust on the chrome plating on the cylinders would be a bigger turnoff. And as mentioned the tires look good. I just paid $1100 for 2 back tires. If this tractor engine is good, the hydraulics are good, clutch is good and otherwise operates properly it’s worth the price.

 

[travelrider73]

Re: Value of "rough looking" but "solid working" Kubota L345 4wd with loader

Well, no point to this exercise anymore. He marked the listing sold 24 hours after posting it. I guess it was a good tractor -- or the right person came along already.