Considering a Kubota - just some general questions

[Espeefan]

Hello everyone,

First time poster here, with some basic questions on Kubota tractors. I've been considering the purchase of a Kubota on and off for the better part of the year. I'm leaning toward the purchase of a lower hour, used machine, and my favorites would be a L5740, but I'm also thinking about some of the other 40 series machines in the family. I would want the tractor to have a cab, MFWD, and a loader. I was grew up farming with my parents, so I'm no stranger to tractors and equipment. I'm primarily looking for a tractor to use on my property for loader work, a little land clearing, snow removal, and maybe some landscape/tilling type work. Honestly, if I buy a tractor, it will be somewhat of a 'toy' just for fun too. I figure why not?

Anyhow, I realize the 40 series tractors are not all that old, so this question might be difficult to find an answer for, but in general, most I have seen for sale really don't have a lot of hours on them yet. The most I've seen is about 2,000 hours. That's nothing for a full sized ag tractor, but how much life are these compacts good for? Are they worth overhauling once they've reached their normal service life? Are parts even available to do so? I'm planning on being in it for the long haul. That's why I ask.

Next question - I would really like a tractor with a 3rd function on the loader. I know it can be added, and same for rear remotes. It seems rare to find a fully loaded Kubota with the 3rd valve, and two, or even three rear hydraulic remotes. Question is, are all these factory option parts still available, and is it cost effective for me to buy a second tractor that doesn't have these options on it already, and then buy the valves/parts from Kubota to install them myself? Or would I be better off just keeping my eye out for a tractor already equipped with everything I want and buying it like that? I pretty much want a tractor that is loaded with all the options, but I'm mechanically inclined enough that I could add the valves, couplers, and even work lights if necessary to the right low hour machine that lacks these things.

Thank you for reading guys. Thoughts welcomed.

 

[1970cs]

As of now, most everything is available including parts and whole goods. In another three years I would not say that as far as whole goods i.e. lights, remotes etc.

For puttering around, why do you need three remotes! Most implements require one for lift and one for swing.

Pat

 

[TripleR]

I have an L5740HSTC bought used, traded an L5030 for it. I've often heard the question of longevity asked but never heard a definitive answer, so I would just be guessing, but yes they are well worth rebuilding.

I love my 5740, but you may not need that much power or size, I really wouldn't want less than a 3940 for my use, but for some a 3540 works fine, my neighbor has one.

I bought mine with three rear remotes, but no third function, didn't think I'd need it, my mistake, I later added it and got a grapple. If you are mechanically inclined rear remotes are not a big deal to buy and add later. You can go OEM or after market, OEM tend to fit and look better. I got OEM Top and Tilt cylinders, but you can get good aftermarket of just as good quality from Fit Rite, I got one for my M8540 from him. http://fitritehydraulics.com/

Here is why I use three rear remotes, handy, handy handy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3bOCFXeLec

 

[MadMax31]

I was shopping for a used L cab tractor this summer, but held off as used market here was awful.

In my searches, I havent found a machine yet, that was in my price range, with more than 6000 hrs. And they were state/county owned that likely spent most of its life idleing. Most if not all machines in that class had at least one rear remote.

I realized, when looking at new machines, that I only put 50-75 hrs a year on my tractor. So why have the payment? I will resume my search next spring for a 32-40hp L cab.