Buying L275DT input appreciated

[Steve74]

Hi everyone I just joined the forum. I’m looking at buying a 1982 Kubota L275DT with a fel. It has 2200 hours on it. The dealer is asking $6750 US. Is that a fair price? Is there anything I should be looking out for? Any input is greatly appreciated. TIA. Steve

 

[motionclone]

Hi everyone I just joined the forum. I***8217;m looking at buying a 1982 Kubota L275DT with a fel. It has 2200 hours on it. The dealer is asking $6750 US. Is that a fair price? Is there anything I should be looking out for? Any input is greatly appreciated. TIA. Steve

Probably a lot of parts are no longer available from Kubota and you would have to source from parts machines, ebay etc.
I have an L345DT same vintage and ive found that some parts are hard to find. Mines ugly but runs like a top. I used it all last summer without any major issues.

Others will chime in to help you with value and what to look out for.

 

[shootem604]

It's not out of the ballpark for dealer pricing. In the lower mainland area you'd probably pay that on a private sale, give or take the dealer's markup. My tractor had 1970 hours and looked tired but has been a great machine - I bought it for $7200.

 

[shootem604]

Oh, and what to look for:

Steering - it is responsive or loose? steering boxes get water in them in the BC climate and wear or freeze

Does it go in and out of the gears and ranges smoothly? Does the diff lock work properly? Does the clutch engage and release smoothly? Drive it in every gear and listen to the engine. Check the brakes, together and the sides separately.

Are the tires in decent shape? Are the tires filled? What is the condition of the rims? are the tires properly sized for a 4wd? Check tractor info for factory spec

Does it start decently when cold - given the current cold snap, that might be 45 seconds of glowplug, and using the decompression knob - it is going to smoke for a minute, but should be good after that, although the hydraulic fluid will need time to warm up so the loader and 3 pt will be slow at first.

Are there hydraulic leaks? Is it using the tractor pump or a pump off the front of the engine? Listen to the hydraulics when you move the 3 point hitch and the loader to their limits.

Check the loader arms and cross member welds for cracks. Are the arms and bucket level? Lift the front wheels off the ground with the FEL and spin the wheels and rock the axle as well as check the steering again.

Pop the hood: Check the fuel and oil filters - are they newer, have they been changed? - if properly maintained they may have the hours marked on with a sharpie.

Check the hoses and rad for leaks/cracks. Check the oil and hydraulic fluids for signs for water or worse. What does the coolant look like?

Have any components been replaced? - it may have had the alternator or starter done so they probably aren't painted blue. Conversely, if the whole thing looks like it's been recently painted, it may have just been given a facelift.

Ask the dealer if they have any history on it - did they sell it new - how many owners - did they service it and do they have records - what did the previous owner(s) use it for, etc

Nothing specific to a Kubota to look for, just the standard stuff for any machine/vehicle. Good luck!

 

[Steve74]

Update: So I went and looked at the tractor, when I got there the mechanic told me that those machines are getting hard to get parts for. Then they told me the shift fork for the pto was broken so they put a collar on so it stays engaged all the time. I played around with it outside, it runs like a top and everything seems good no leaks anywhere. A bit of play on the pins on the bucket cylinder but nothing too concerning. I went back inside to see if they could get me a new shift fork, but it is no longer available the parts guys looked around on the internet and couldn’t find anything. Then we started looking for other parts like rear end gears and they are no longer available either. I am going to walk away from this one I think unless someone on here knows where I can find used or aftermarket parts. Thanks for the replies.

 

[motionclone]

Update: So I went and looked at the tractor, when I got there the mechanic told me that those machines are getting hard to get parts for. Then they told me the shift fork for the pto was broken so they put a collar on so it stays engaged all the time. I played around with it outside, it runs like a top and everything seems good no leaks anywhere. A bit of play on the pins on the bucket cylinder but nothing too concerning. I went back inside to see if they could get me a new shift fork, but it is no longer available the parts guys looked around on the internet and couldn’t find anything. Then we started looking for other parts like rear end gears and they are no longer available either. I am going to walk away from this one I think unless someone on here knows where I can find used or aftermarket parts. Thanks for the replies.

lots of places to find used parts, there are people here. Did you check on ebay?

 

[Jchonline]

Before you throw it out, get parts numbers and search the internet/ebay.

 

[Steve74]

I did find a place that has one of those tractors. I sent a email request to see if they have the parts. Will find out this week.

 

[motionclone]

you could pm 007kubotaguy and see if he has what youre looking for. Ive found impossible to find parts for my L345DT from him.

http://www.orangetractortalks.com/forums/private.php?do=newpm&u=11520