Buying Advice L245DT w/front end loader backhoe

joea99 · Sep 8, 2014

Greetings. I am a new boy to working tractors, but have rented and operated a mini backhoe and excavator from time to time.

Got a line on an L245DT with fel (?) and backhoe. It has seen a good bit of use has no ROPS and the meter is not working. It has a cracked fel arm and I believe I can repair myself. The backhoe bucket seems fine, but the front bucket has a breeze blowing thru several spots. It either needs a lot of welding or replacement.

However, what really concerns me is the engine. While I have heard it run and it starts up and runs fine, it seems a bit louder that diesels I am used to. Not sure if it sounds like a rod bearing or a wrist pin. Advice?
Also, it seems to me that, while well greased, some of the fel arm pivots have some visible gap in them. Is that normal and hard/expensive to repair?

Would 3500 be a reasonable offer for such a machine? Any other advice?

rbargeron · Sep 9, 2014

Welcome to TBN Joe - Try to find a local tractor nut to go look at this one with you - impossible to guess at value - too many variables.

joea99 · Sep 9, 2014

rbargeron said:
Welcome to TBN Joe - Try to find a local tractor nut to go look at this one with you - impossible to guess at value - too many variables.

Thanks. It's moot on this one, as it is reported sold. No idea how much it went for. I guess someone thought it was a good deal. Or doesn't know any better <g>.

I'll have to keep looking I guess.

rbargeron · Sep 10, 2014

seen this one? Looks like it has been kept up. The more of them you look at, the better you'll know when the right one comes along.

joea99 · Sep 10, 2014

rbargeron said:
seen this one? Looks like it has been kept up. The more of them you look at, the better you'll know when the right one comes along.

I did and thought it might be a good one. Says he sold it already. I don't know why people don't delete them when sold. The other guy posted SOLD on his ad. Just to rub it in?

Here's another, close to you, maybe, little over priced?

kubota farm tractor with backhoe

All these seem to be 2 hours or more away.

rbargeron · Sep 10, 2014

$8500 is not out of line with a backhoe. 1100 hours is a "young" tractor - 25 hours a year? The hourmeter cable on the early ones usually breaks around 500. Machines in CT tend to have an easier life than some.

joea99 · Sep 10, 2014

rbargeron said:
$8500 is not out of line with a backhoe. 1100 hours is a "young" tractor - 25 hours a year? The hourmeter cable on the early ones usually breaks around 500. Machines in CT tend to have an easier life than some.

Is the fact it is a Woods backhoe of any matter? I have seen that name around, but know nothing more.

rbargeron · Sep 11, 2014

Woods is a good brand. The sub-frame type is stronger and worth more, but 3-point hitch style is ok for a 6-footer on the L245.

joea99 · Sep 11, 2014

rbargeron said:
Woods is a good brand. The sub-frame type is stronger and worth more. Three-point hitch style is ok for a 6-footer on the L245.

I cannot (should not) view CL from where I am now, so cannot be sure. Only recall seeing it on the machine. The fellow has not responded yet, so may be away, uninterested, or has it sold. Only been two days . . .