Which years/models are the best for compacts?

[timsch]

I'm putting it here because maintenance is foremost in my mind.

I have an L275DT 4x4 w/ FEL that has served me very well. Being from the '80's it's got some "modern" improvements without the extra stuff that I won't call improvements. It's been fantastically reliable for the condition I got it in. Build quality seems quite high. I don't need to upgrade it, but nonetheless....

I like keeping my eyes open for those things that people consider to be a high water mark in the maker's history, and snatch them up if feasible.

I've got several 2003 VW jetta TDI's that fit that category. Fantastic machines all the way around.
I've got a '98 Toyota T100 that were made in peak years for Toyota. Unbelievable build quality and reliability. Ugliest vehicle I have, but continually get random people trying to get me to sell it to them.

What Kubota's fit that bill? What years? I don't need larger machines, so anything in the 25-30hp range, give or take a few, are what i have in mind.
And what is it about the ones you'd recommend that makes them so.

 

[mikester]

The best ones are the ones you don’t have but wish for

 

[Runs With Scissors]

EDIT: Like you, I had a 2004 TDI and Two '2nd gen Cummins 5.9l ’s ‘ for the exact reasons you point out………….


And for this reason, for me “personally”, the 2502 would be on my “hit list” if looking now.

I like the simplicity of them, and the “legendary reliability” of that series.

My use's have never required more than the 25 hp, and if I did, I would have no problem “Turbo’ing” it.

I have been called an “old soul” (amongst other “less favorable” things )

Good luck!!

 

[Grandad4]

It's probably useful to know that agricultural equipment manufacturers like Kubota generally do not follow the automotive paradigm of having "model years".

A given model may continue in production for multiple years if it sells well and is well regarded by owners.

You can often use the serial number to find out the actual date a particular tractor was manufactured.

 

[timsch]

I'll keep that in mind. So, then what years for any given model, or even just what years in general are the best? Which configurations, i.e. transmission, etc?

We'd get along well, RWScissors. I'll have to look into "turboing". I also have a 2000 Ram 2500 w/ the 5.9 Cummins that should have been on my list. I don't know of a more highly regarded engine than that one, and it is fantastic. Can't beat an old school turbo diesel. I had a craigslist search saved for several years before this one came along that fit the bill, and I was lucky enough to grab it before someone else did.

 

[nbryan]

I think you'd enjoy having one like my 2017 B2650HSD. 26HP, no exhaust DPF, no turbo, running at 1300 hours better than I bought it.

 

[timsch]

That's good to hear. 2017 is later than I'd have thought for them not to have been designed with cheaper, less reliable components in general.

Looking at how many models they've offered, I can see how it'd be challenging to say "this is the good one".
I should have said that since I don't need to upgrade, I'd be looking for a good deal. One that likely needs some work, but is a diamond in the rough, similar to the L275 that I picked up 8 years ago for $6000, which even then was about as cheap as I'd seen for a comparable tractor. It was rough, but ran great. Wiring in horrible condition; lights gone, paint shot, etc. it was a great find. So the recommendations for the later models are appreciated, but not something I'd act on.

 

[JasonW]

So the recommendations for the later models are appreciated, but not something I'd act on.

With this I’m confused by your post. You ask for recommendations then say this? You already have an older tractor but want recommendations on different older tractors?

 

[timsch]

With this I’m confused by your post. You ask for recommendations then say this? You already have an older tractor but want recommendations on different older tractors?

That's understandable, but more or less, yes. For example, I had a 1997 Passat TDI that was a very good car that I really liked and it did me well. But the years I had it, I kept hearing about how the 2003 TDI's were the high water mark for these VW TDI's. As soon as i got one, I knew why.

Same thing here. Is the L275 my Passat? As much as I praise it, would there be another that I'd be happier with? One where Kubota really just did everything as well as it could be done. If there are some like this, I'll do the same thing I've done on the other vehicles. Save searches and wait for hits. I'm patient. I've waited years before, all the while keeping the old workhorses going, but then one comes along.

 

[Runs With Scissors]

I'll keep that in mind. So, then what years for any given model, or even just what years in general are the best? Which configurations, i.e. transmission, etc?

We'd get along well, RWScissors. I'll have to look into "turboing". I also have a 2000 Ram 2500 w/ the 5.9 Cummins that should have been on my list. I don't know of a more highly regarded engine than that one, and it is fantastic. Can't beat an old school turbo diesel. I had a craigslist search saved for several years before this one came along that fit the bill, and I was lucky enough to grab it before someone else did.

My “daily driver” is an 06 Ram 2500, Cummins 5.9l, with a 6 speed manual…….Now as far a tractors go, I am unsure of what “years” they have offered them….

As @Grandad4 suggests, the “year" is not really how they are separated,…… However, when it comes to tractors I guess they go by models primarily, but the “years” are a secondary consideration.

In regard to turbos, a well regarded member that makes the turbo kits is @Rdrcr

He offers kits and has a long running post that has tons of good info….

Lastly, I am a Yuge “manual transmisson” fan in trucks/cars…..BUT ….I went with a HST in my tractor VS. a DT……

The HST’s have a “legendary” good track record, and in my opinion are the “way to go” when talking about tractors…..but “to each their own”.

I guess if you are cutting “miles and miles” of grass,…... the DT’s really shine, whereas, if you are doing lots of “back and forth” movements using the loader, a HST is the way to go?

Good luck, sir!!!!!

Here is the “main thread” for turbo info…..

L2501 Turbo: A Journey Defined - The tractor, The comparison, The modification, The results...

 

[BergyPatty37]

Just get one of each of the L2X5 and L3X5 series tractors.
So L235, L245, L305, L345, L355.

Then you will have that whole series of Kubota's!

 

[timsch]

I'm a manual guy too. All of my VW TDI's have been manuals, as is my T100. The Ram is auto though.

The L275 is manual. My knees might appreciate the HST. They're not there yet, but they are starting to talk to me.

I'll be looking into the link you provided, hoping some of that will apply to mine. Much appreciated.

 

[TheOldHokie]

I'm a manual guy too. All of my VW TDI's have been manuals, as is my T100. The Ram is auto though.

The L275 is manual. My knees might appreciate the HST. They're not there yet, but they are starting to talk to me.

I'll be looking into the link you provided, hoping some of that will apply to mine. Much appreciated.

I have owned and operated manual transmission cars, trucks, and tractors for 60+ years. I will never buy another pure manual transmission tractor. Powershift and HST in their various forms have way too many advantages.

Dan

 

[KubotaHawg]

‘04-‘10 standard L series—L2800, 3400, and 4400–are pretty much bulletproof.

Have owned all 3, currently L2800 DT. Pre-dpf crap, easily owner serviceable, and fairly simple mechanically.

 

[JasonW]

I would say it’s more dependent on how it was used/treated by the previous owner than one model being better than another.

Pick a model with features that you like, then find one in the best shape. But that won’t always be the cheapest.

 

[PoTreeBoy]

I'm a manual guy too. All of my VW TDI's have been manuals, as is my T100. The Ram is auto though.

The L275 is manual. My knees might appreciate the HST. They're not there yet, but they are starting to talk to me.

I'll be looking into the link you provided, hoping some of that will apply to mine. Much appreciated.

GlideShift is the Goldilocks transmission. Not hydro and not quite manual. Let the GS wizard shift the gear and range and work the clutch for you. The first ones had 8 gears, all mechanical. The later ones have 12 gears, I think, with some electrical assistance.

I don't know when they first came out, late '90s maybe, and went 12-speed 2005 or so. There are a few models still available with it, I think, in the 30 hp range.

 

[skeets]

1970, 340 Duster is a pretty good one

 

[timsch]

Let the GS wizard shift the gear and range..... I think, with some electrical assistance.

Sounds good, but "with some electrical assistance", raises red flags for reliability to me. How robust are they?

 

[TheOldHokie]

Sounds good, but "with some electrical assistance", raises red flags for reliability to me. How robust are they?

Glide Shift is Kubota's marketing name for a quasi-powershift transmission. Its a gear drive transmission equipped with electro-hydraulic wet clurches paired with an ECU to provide "clutchless" shift on the fly. Its not a true powershift in that the transmission briefly disengages during a gear change. Obviously more complicated than a synchronized gear drive or HST transmission. It offers the mechanical efficiency of gear drive but lacks the control and manuverabilty of an HST. I can't answer the "robustness" question.

Dan

 

[PoTreeBoy]

The 8-speed in the L35 has a 4 speed section, hydraulic wet clutch, f-r shuttle, hi-lo section, all gears synchronized and hydraulically controlled (no electronics). The operator selects 1-8 with a selector and f-r with a lever to the left of the steering wheel. One quirk is the operator has no control of the clutch release speed. If you're going up a hill and need to downshift, this calls for some manual brake and foot clutch intervention. The early versions had an issue with weak clutch drum fingers breaking, but this was corrected on later models and replacement parts.

The later 12-speed has 12 forwards and 8 reverses. It is more refined, electrically controlled. Several people on here own them and I don't recall many/any reported problems.

One thing they share - they are relatively rare and trouble free. So if you do have a problem, the probability of finding a competent dealer mechanic to repair it is not great.