Looks to be in very good shape. Owner has been open about it. Recently had the main hydraulic bypass valve replaced. Says bypass pressure on the HST is 1/3rd lower than it should be. So assuming that one needs replacing too for proper operation. I’m a novice. What should I be looking for when inspecting this tractor? Opinions on this specific model?
Need Advice buying 2003 B21 Kubota Backhoe Loader Tractor
- Thread starter Bill Dis
- Start date
Runs With Scissors
Well-known member
Equipment
L2501 TLB , Grappel, Brush Hog, Box Blade, Ballast box, Forks, Tiller, PH digger
Like most things, hours, shape, leaks all play a role.
How many hours?
Got Pictures?
Does it come with anything like mower, or bucket?
I don't know enough about tractors to get too specific, but I'm sure some one will be along shortly.
How many hours?
Got Pictures?
Does it come with anything like mower, or bucket?
I don't know enough about tractors to get too specific, but I'm sure some one will be along shortly.
Good luck. My first Kubota was similar, had an "obvious" flaw I thought I could fix. In reality, the seller knew far more than me and it needed much more work than expected. Ended up selling it and buying a much better/newer machine.
In short - beware buying an old "deal" - if it was that easy to fix, the experienced owner would have already done it.
In short - beware buying an old "deal" - if it was that easy to fix, the experienced owner would have already done it.
Hours bothers me a bit too. 600 hours but this owner said when bought 5 years ago tach was disconnected. So not real hours. The condition per photos, looks lightly used. But that’s mostly paint. Trying to attach a few photos.
Attachments
dirtydeed
Well-known member
Lifetime Member
Equipment
B2650 BH77, U27-4R2, BX23TLBM, box blade, rear blade, flail mower, Stump Grinder
wait, a 2003 with 600 hours on it? I call BS. There has also been a rash of them (B-21's) that have either sheared off the diff lock pins or other rear drive train issues. Add the low hydraulic pressure to the equation and I'd walk away from that deal. Just my opinion of course.
fried1765
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Equipment
Kubota L48 TLB, Ford 1920 FEL, Ford 8N, SCAG Liberty Z, Gravely Pro.
Jchonline
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Equipment
Kubota L6060, KX040-4, M7060, RTV X1100C, M62 (sold)
Understand. Appreciate all the words from experience here. Confirming some of my worries. The current owner openly said that the tach was not connected when he bought it 5 years ago. Previous owner-strange move and obvious bad sign. But current owner was very open about it. And “appears” very transparent. Could a service center check the tractor out for a fee for me? Is that a thing?
dirtydeed
Well-known member
Lifetime Member
Equipment
B2650 BH77, U27-4R2, BX23TLBM, box blade, rear blade, flail mower, Stump Grinder
I suppose that its worth a shot to try to have a 3rd party inspect the machine. It may be tough to get a dealer to look at it (they want you to buy from them, obviously). However, you would be the third (at least) to purchase this machine. There's no telling what the original buyer did/ did not do with this machine.
All I can say is that this model was very common to be found in the equipment rental fleet lots. Tough machines, but many were used very hard.
It does look like the paint is in very good shape if original. maybe its the picture, but your last picture depicting the split tie rod boot- it looks like the inner tie rod has a bend to it and the front tire looks relatively new (it still has the new tire nubs). I call them something else, but won't write it here.
Best of luck you in your decision.
Last edited:
I was going to ask about the apparent bend. That’s why I attached that photo. I am leaning heavy to passing. It’s not the paint, it’s the bones that worry me. You guys have all be super helpful. Thanks!!!!
dirtydeed
Well-known member
Lifetime Member
Equipment
B2650 BH77, U27-4R2, BX23TLBM, box blade, rear blade, flail mower, Stump Grinder
I'm not trying to rain on your parade. They are/were pretty tough machines...
edit: forgot to mention that the loader has a direct pin on bucket (no SSQA). That would be a deal breaker (for me) right there.
They are tough machines and are frequently abused. Had a B20 for 25 years, now a B26 for 7 years. Many improvements. SSQA important for me. Lack of hours a big red flag. Don’t understand the hydraulic issue so I would know for sure or look elsewhere.
Price matters. I bought a BX2350 in an auction for $2K. It wasn't even clear that it ran, and every panel on it was broken (it was the model with plastic panels). It ran without missing a beat for 3 years, then I sold it for more than I paid. Kubotas are tough.
The seller may know more than you and not be sharing it. Or he may be genuinely telling you exactly what's wrong with it, and he had no issues with it so he did nothing about it. A machine with low HST pressure will run just fine, maybe he never got around to doing anything about it.
600 hours sounds low, but it is possible. It doesn't look like it's been in a rental fleet, you'd typically notice that. Even if it had 2,000 hours, those TLB machines are tough.
SSQA only matters if you're swapping the bucket for forks or whatever. Some do, some don't. And you can get a pin on quick attach if you're so inclined - limits you to implements you own and modify, but it works. I did that on my B2601, and modified my forks to match.
Bent tie rod. Sure. My BX had lots of bent things. Didn't stop it running. I wouldn't pay new prices for a beat up machine, but again that's a price discussion, not a "don't buy" problem. Of course, in my part of the world these machines are hard to come by, you don't really get to decide to wait for the next one, you never get one if you do that.
The seller may know more than you and not be sharing it. Or he may be genuinely telling you exactly what's wrong with it, and he had no issues with it so he did nothing about it. A machine with low HST pressure will run just fine, maybe he never got around to doing anything about it.
600 hours sounds low, but it is possible. It doesn't look like it's been in a rental fleet, you'd typically notice that. Even if it had 2,000 hours, those TLB machines are tough.
SSQA only matters if you're swapping the bucket for forks or whatever. Some do, some don't. And you can get a pin on quick attach if you're so inclined - limits you to implements you own and modify, but it works. I did that on my B2601, and modified my forks to match.
Bent tie rod. Sure. My BX had lots of bent things. Didn't stop it running. I wouldn't pay new prices for a beat up machine, but again that's a price discussion, not a "don't buy" problem. Of course, in my part of the world these machines are hard to come by, you don't really get to decide to wait for the next one, you never get one if you do that.