Newbie Needs Used Advice

[Hayes Creek]

Well, bought a home on 10 acres... with a long driveway (110 yards) and big parking and staging areas in front of garage and shop... and live in a snowy place (Hamilton, MT). About 14" out there right now, and thats the 3rd time this year there's been about that much. Have considered tractor/utv/atv for plowing and snow moving and think with as much snow as I'd really like to clear in the winter a tractor is a must. The UTV/ATV just isn't gonna handle moving the snow "away" in order to keep the place operational all winter.

I'll surely be using it to move dirt, gravel, firewood and logs.

With that said, I'm looking for size, models, years recommendations. A friend who owns a mid L series (I think 32 hp?) recommended making sure I get something with quick release/quick change bucket mounts.

Completely new to tractor shopping. My dad does have a Kyoti, maybe 30hp or so and I have ran it a fair bit, but that's about it really. I'm curious what models and size you all might reccomend. I do think something in that 30+ hp range would be a must??

Lastly, I do have a line on a 92' L5450 with 3000ish hours, meticulously cared for. 60hp. Pretty substantial machine. Likely not quick change bucket right? It is hydro though. Any idea what something like that should be worth?

Thanks all for any help and discussion here!

Ernie McKenzie
Hamilton, MT

 

[bx tractorjoe]

I would look into the mx series.. the l series are great too..

Definitely get one with the quick attach loader and 2 or 3 rear hydraulic remotes and with top n tilt 3 point hydraulics for driveway maintenance. Can angle a box blade etc up down and side to side like a road grader.

Do a search on used units like yours. that will give you a ball park price range.

 

[Hayes Creek]

Cant find any L5450's for sale, but geesh, anything with over 40 hp no matter age is up in the 20-30k range. I "might" be able to get this machine for 12k... and it supposedly is in "great" condition.

(just found one on Gov auction site, that sold for 10.5k. only 1200 hrs... but those auction sites don't always reflect value.

 

[Roadworthy]

If you never remove the bucket the quick attach is a waste of money (my opinion). The additional hydraulic ports can be added later if necessary - like for a hydraulic top link. Whatever you buy try to stay with something that's supported locally. I understand living in Montana locally may be a hundred miles. Avoid older gray market tractors as parts can become difficult to find. A bigger, heavier tractor will help you get your work done faster but it uses more fuel and there's a greater initial expense. I thought of getting something larger but my little L2501 serves my ten acres quite well, I just get stuff done more slowly.

 

[Hayes Creek]

If you never remove the bucket the quick attach is a waste of money (my opinion). The additional hydraulic ports can be added later if necessary - like for a hydraulic top link. Whatever you buy try to stay with something that's supported locally. I understand living in Montana locally may be a hundred miles. Avoid older gray market tractors as parts can become difficult to find. A bigger, heavier tractor will help you get your work done faster but it uses more fuel and there's a greater initial expense. I thought of getting something larger but my little L2501 serves my ten acres quite well, I just get stuff done more slowly.

Yeah, I really shouldn't be in a hurry, but I also dont want to miss a good opportunity... Does 12k sound like a "good deal" if the tractor is in great condition, for its age? (92, with 3000 "easy" hours)... with bucket loader of course.

If I miss it I miss it...

Quick detach would be nice when wanting to use pallet forks, but how often I'd switch around, I really dont know.

 

[jimh406]

3000 hrs is getting up on hours but shouldn’t be worn out completely. They sell kits to make older loaders quick attach, so that’s a possibility. Used tractors have been going pretty quickly.

Take a look at all of the other recent threads about buying. There’s a different thread right now that is similar to yours. https://www.orangetractortalks.com/forums/threads/first-time-tractor-buying-advice.49847/

 

[Hayes Creek]

Thanks Jim. THe way I understand it, the tractor has had very light use and has been maintained meticulously, and stored inside at all times. 3000 is no big deal for motor right? just all the other moving parts? How do the hydro-trannys hold up over that amount of time and hours?

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Just to be clear, the L5450 is not a HST (hydro transmission)
It's a hydraulic shuttle gear drive tractor.
Honestly, That's a really good price on a really big tractor.

Parts for these older tractors are getting harder and harder to find, this was a one model tractor with no sub models so that makes getting parts even harder.
If your not very mechanically inclined and willing to do all your own work on the tractor, I would steer clear of it.
While it may be in great shape and run great, things happen, and that big of a tractor makes it very pricey to pay to have it fixed,
And moving it, like taking it to be serviced, you'll have to have a big truck and trailer to move it.

Operating a gear drive tractor in the snow for a newbie is not a good suggestion, especially if your property has any grade like most of the land up here.
Heck even dry sloped land is a task with a gear drive tractor.

You can add the Quick attach to that loader for fairly cheap.

An HST Tractor is a much better choice all around
And a front mounted Quick attach snow blower with a rear blade is even a better choice all around.

Kubota's are pricey, but they hold their value.
While I'm not a big buy new and finance it guy, this is one purchase that can really pay off in the long run, especially is your not the mechanical type.

 

[random]

I'll surely be using it to move dirt, gravel, firewood and logs.

And within a week or less, you'll be using it for things you never even thought of!

I have 11 acres, but only 2 clear, and about a mile of road. Pretty happy with my L3301 which is about where you were saying with the mid-range L series. Personally, I would probably go with at least a 3901 if I had that much more space.

You'll get a lot of good input here. Good luck with the hunt.

 

[Nicfin36]

Just chiming in here, but I don't think anyone has mentioned a cab. I would think where you are, that could be very important.

Skid Steer Quick Attach and a third function is just a necessity to me. Other than an older 68 hp tractor, mine is a L2501, The L2501 does everything I need on my 10 acres, but I use my bigger machine to do some things the L2501 could not do. HOWEVER, would I like the same setup as the L2501 but in a 60 hp machine? Absolutely. I didn't go that route because of a few considerations, money being the biggest one.

I think you kind of have the right idea on leaning towards a bigger machine, but what you plan to do with it will dictate what you need. Random is completely correct on saying you'll be using it for things you did not think about at the time. And, with many of us as, our imagination starts kicking in, we realize those things would have been more suitable with a bit bigger and more capable machine.

 

[Hayes Creek]

Just to be clear, the L5450 is not a HST (hydro transmission)
It's a hydraulic shuttle gear drive tractor.
Honestly, That's a really good price on a really big tractor.

Parts for these older tractors are getting harder and harder to find, this was a one model tractor with no sub models so that makes getting parts even harder.
If your not very mechanically inclined and willing to do all your own work on the tractor, I would steer clear of it.
While it may be in great shape and run great, things happen, and that big of a tractor makes it very pricey to pay to have it fixed,
And moving it, like taking it to be serviced, you'll have to have a big truck and trailer to move it.

Operating a gear drive tractor in the snow for a newbie is not a good suggestion, especially if your property has any grade like most of the land up here.
Heck even dry sloped land is a task with a gear drive tractor.

You can add the Quick attach to that loader for fairly cheap.

An HST Tractor is a much better choice all around
And a front mounted Quick attach snow blower with a rear blade is even a better choice all around.

Kubota's are pricey, but they hold their value.
While I'm not a big buy new and finance it guy, this is one purchase that can really pay off in the long run, especially is your not the mechanical type.

That seems like sound advice...

I honestly dont think I can afford a new Kubota! Although geesh, their value holds so well... maybe I cant afford a used one either! ;0)

What model do you reccomend... snowblowing, moving... dragging and lifting logs, packing palllets of firewood and moving gravel and dirt??

Thanks much!

 

[Hayes Creek]

Just chiming in here, but I don't think anyone has mentioned a cab. I would think where you are, that could be very important.

Skid Steer Quick Attach and a third function is just a necessity to me. Other than an older 68 hp tractor, mine is a L2501, The L2501 does everything I need on my 10 acres, but I use my bigger machine to do some things the L2501 could not do. HOWEVER, would I like the same setup as the L2501 but in a 60 hp machine? Absolutely. I didn't go that route because of a few considerations, money being the biggest one.

I think you kind of have the right idea on leaning towards a bigger machine, but what you plan to do with it will dictate what you need. Random is completely correct on saying you'll be using it for things you did not think about at the time. And, with many of us as, our imagination starts kicking in, we realize those things would have been more suitable with a bit bigger and more capable machine.

Thanks! Appreciate the advice!

 

[Hayes Creek]

And within a week or less, you'll be using it for things you never even thought of!

I have 11 acres, but only 2 clear, and about a mile of road. Pretty happy with my L3301 which is about where you were saying with the mid-range L series. Personally, I would probably go with at least a 3901 if I had that much more space.

You'll get a lot of good input here. Good luck with the hunt.

True, undoubtedly will be using it for various random things!

 

[UpNorthMI]

Based on your 10 acre use, I think mid L series could be good for you. Personally I like at least 25 pto HP. You said maybe your budget does not include a new tractor. I suggest you keep your eye out for a used unit. As you see a reasonable used unit holds their value well. Good luck finding a used tractor.

 

[D2Cat]

From my prejudiced point of view, if you're looking for a used Kubota I'd be searching for a xx40 series tractor. There are several HP ratings in that series. There are a "Grand L" and have features other of that era did not come with. They are the last series before the govt regulations took over.

Here's a link to give some idea of what's available. https://kentanmachinery.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/GL40L3240_3540_4240_5740.pdf

 

[Nicfin36]

D2Cat, I almost bought a L3940 years ago from the dealer, but I was too nervous about my job. I really regretted it ever since, especially after finding out about the new emissions standards. Nice tractors indeed. I looked for a Grand L before I bought my L2501. They're simply nonexistent around here. Maybe the OP can have better luck there. Funny that your brochure does not include the L3940.

 

[jimh406]

One other thing that I didn’t mention is you should consider sitting on and driving a few tractor models you are interested in. That along with some discussion with salesman was pretty helpful.

 

[PaulL]

I honestly dont think I can afford a new Kubota! Although geesh, their value holds so well... maybe I cant afford a used one either! ;0)

The way to think about it is you're just borrowing it. When it comes time to sell it you get a lot of your money back, the actual yearly depreciation isn't that bad. Sure, you have money tied up all that time, but it's not like a car where many of them are worth almost nothing when you're done with them.

 

[Nicfin36]

The way to think about it is you're just borrowing it. When it comes time to sell it you get a lot of your money back, the actual yearly depreciation isn't that bad. Sure, you have money tied up all that time, but it's not like a car where many of them are worth almost nothing when you're done with them.

So true. Most tractors actually resell for more than what they cost new, at least the pre-emission models do.

 

[D2Cat]

I posted this in another thread for someone else to look at, but maybe it suits you. 408hrs, cab, Grand L, 6' mower, box blade, forks.

2012 Kubota 5740 HSTC - farm & garden - by owner - sale

2012 Kubota 5740 HSTC 59hp, original owner, 408 hours with loader/bucket, Landpride 72”rotary cutter & Landpride 72” box blade, pallet forks

loz.craigslist.org