Advice on this model before I commit

[freduk]

I am considering buying a U25-3 from 2008 with 3600 hours on the clock. Comes with three buckets and a hammer attachment etc. It is a genuine French dealer offering 12months guarantee (no details yet).
So it is old with little use. It looks very clean engine and seating wise. ie no rips or tears so may have been well looked after.
What should I be looking for ? Can the hours meter be "clocked" . Can Kubota offer any history with a serial number??
Thanks for any thoughts

KUBOTA U25-3 + BRH(marteau hydraulique) + 3 GODETS – batmat outils

www.batmat-outils.com

 

[GreensvilleJay]

So it has about 200 hours per year, same as my ,now 7 years young, BX23S has.
If it's 8000 EU, that's about $13,000 CDN, maybe $10K US$
Seems to be very good value for the money !

Things I would check...
when last oil change
cycle every lever, feel for 'slop', smoothness of actions
look at tracks for cuts if 'rubber'
look at wiring,check for 'nice marks..chewing...'
open all access covers, any leaks
very few hours so bucket pins shouldn't be worn( loose)
rotate 720* ( 2 turns) then other way, see if there's any 'slop'
operate every electrical switch several times,confirm they work
inspect rad and hoses, any 'screens', that they're clean
ANY really clean areas might indicate work was done there

Hour meters are usually 'one way' only. Can't easily be 'reset'. If it's separate from 'dash' is could be replaced but unlikely

Check what other makes/models similar are selling for but it does sound like a fair deal.

 

[Smokeydog]

Hammer attachment wears out joints faster.

 

[dirtydeed]

Hammer attachment wears out joints faster.

I would agree with smokeydog. If the 3600 hours were using a hammer, it's pretty used up.

1) Be sure to check all of the pins for excessive wear (including boom to house main pin) or you could be re-bushing the unit.

2) check the final drives (suggest that you drop the gear oil to look for glitter)

3) Check undercarriage (rollers, idlers)

4) Check for swing bearing slop

5) Check for engine condition/blow by

That's a pretty large ditching bucket for that unit as well.