Used L45 looking for opinions on the matter

[Coboco]

Hello, I've owned a new L2501 with BH77 for about a year w/ 200 hours on it so far. Great machine, gets the job done. Here on my 30 acre farm there's lots of projects I've been working on like roads, swales, ponds, leveling areas out. Its hilly rocky KY land. The tractor feels very stable on the hills. I do take the machine out to do grading/landscaping work on other properties as well. Payoff would be roughly $28,000.

The local dealer has a used L45 w/750 hrs that he's been nice enough to let me put an hour or so on that machine around the back of the place to test out and I am impressed with the features like swivel seat and crawl function for the good amount of backhoe work I do. I can tell its been worked pretty hard though, the main boom is new because he took it in on trade bent, and there is noticable slop in the pins/bushings compared to my tight BH77. The power and reach are nice though. Cash price $31,500. Financing is available at a bit higher rate than new of course. There's no leaks and runs/sounds good. It has the 3 pt arms, and 3rd function setup.

I went for the 2501 because lack of complex electronics and emissions control, figured it would hopefully be simple and trouble free for many years. But now I'm wondering if I'm working it too hard...and the on/off climbing to the backhoe does get tiresome and take time, I'm not 20 anymore and feel it in my back, hips, knees and shoulders I feel like I could get work done at least 50% more efficiently in something like a L45/47 TLB.

I priced a new L47 and it's over 60k, which when financed isn't totally out of reach if I throw about 20k cash down at it...but it comes with a bit taller hood which takes some visibility away, double the price, and emissions controls over the used L45. The feeling of "new and tight" sure is hard to beat though, plus warranty.

Not taking the loader off is a bit of a downside when it comes to mowing, but the additional strength in a compact size is worthy of that shortfall. I've considered an MX5400 w/ BH92 but that tractor might be a bit large for some of the tasks I do on and off the property.

Do you guys think rolling the dice on a used machine is worth it in the long haul even though I'll most likely be replacing bushings and possibly some other things sooner than later on the L45? I'm looking for a long-term well rounded machine that wont require too much wrenching. There's a 60 day 50/50 parts and labor warranty offered on used equipment. Any and all opinions welcome...I've noticed there are not a lot of L45's out there for sale and they are more around the 40k mark with similar or more hours and of course far away so I can't go test and inspect them easily.

 

[Rebeldad1]

if you are somewhat unhappy with your tractor and the bigger one meets more of your needs.... yes get the bigger one.

700 hours isnt a lot. Maybe you can purchase a extended warranty with it if you are concerned. Dealer might throw a warranty in with the deal.

The bent boom is from someone doing something they shouldnt be doing with the equipment. not a machine issue.

 

[beckmurph]

That is a good price.
There are no L45’s on tractorhouse.
There is one in Johnson City Tn with less 200 hrs for $45,000.

All the L45s I found were over $40,000.

 

[4570Man]

There’s no doubt a L48 is a lot more capable than a L2501. But that L48 doesn’t seem like something I’d want.

 

[Teachu2]

I'd offer asking price with all the bushings and pins replaced with new genuine Kubota parts.

 

[Fallon]

If they neglected to grease the pins, & bent core components, what else did they neglect or abuse? Dirt, scratches & wear is one thing. Neglected maintenance is another.

You can make a sloppy hoe work. My friend has a 40+ year old John deere industrial hoe I've borrowed a few times. You can almost stick a finger between the pin & bushings on in a few places. Not great to operate with the hoe falling around in every direction all loose. But it still beats a shovel.

You seem to have your reservation on that one & want a tight new one. Listen to your gut.

 

[sea2summit]

Hello, I've owned a new L2501 with BH77 for about a year w/ 200 hours on it so far. Great machine, gets the job done. Here on my 30 acre farm there's lots of projects I've been working on like roads, swales, ponds, leveling areas out. Its hilly rocky KY land. The tractor feels very stable on the hills. I do take the machine out to do grading/landscaping work on other properties as well. Payoff would be roughly $28,000.

The local dealer has a used L45 w/750 hrs that he's been nice enough to let me put an hour or so on that machine around the back of the place to test out and I am impressed with the features like swivel seat and crawl function for the good amount of backhoe work I do. I can tell its been worked pretty hard though, the main boom is new because he took it in on trade bent, and there is noticable slop in the pins/bushings compared to my tight BH77. The power and reach are nice though. Cash price $31,500. Financing is available at a bit higher rate than new of course. There's no leaks and runs/sounds good. It has the 3 pt arms, and 3rd function setup.

I went for the 2501 because lack of complex electronics and emissions control, figured it would hopefully be simple and trouble free for many years. But now I'm wondering if I'm working it too hard...and the on/off climbing to the backhoe does get tiresome and take time, I'm not 20 anymore and feel it in my back, hips, knees and shoulders I feel like I could get work done at least 50% more efficiently in something like a L45/47 TLB.

I priced a new L47 and it's over 60k, which when financed isn't totally out of reach if I throw about 20k cash down at it...but it comes with a bit taller hood which takes some visibility away, double the price, and emissions controls over the used L45. The feeling of "new and tight" sure is hard to beat though, plus warranty.

Not taking the loader off is a bit of a downside when it comes to mowing, but the additional strength in a compact size is worthy of that shortfall. I've considered an MX5400 w/ BH92 but that tractor might be a bit large for some of the tasks I do on and off the property.

Do you guys think rolling the dice on a used machine is worth it in the long haul even though I'll most likely be replacing bushings and possibly some other things sooner than later on the L45? I'm looking for a long-term well rounded machine that wont require too much wrenching. There's a 60 day 50/50 parts and labor warranty offered on used equipment. Any and all opinions welcome...I've noticed there are not a lot of L45's out there for sale and they are more around the 40k mark with similar or more hours and of course far away so I can't go test and inspect them easily.

I just priced an MX with the 9’ BH and it came in 20% less than your L price. The MX is the economy line but when I compare what I do with mine compared to what I do with my M4 there’s no features the M4 has that I miss having on the MX. Just a thought.

I can’t imagine there’s many spots you can’t take the MX you could take an L. But at 15k savings you could keep the B. I still regret letting my BX go and it’s been almost six years now.

 

[BeezFun]

I used to rent an L45 and an L35 all the time, they're great machines. If the bushings are worn and the boom was bent on a machine with only 700 hours I'd think twice. Some day the world will return to normal and you'll have a much better selection of used machines.

 

[crashz]

What about trading the backhoe attachment in on the L45 and keep the L2501 for mowing? Two tractors are always better than one!

 

[rScotty]

I'd offer asking price with all the bushings and pins replaced with new genuine Kubota parts.

You know...that's exactly what I was thinking. I was wondering if it had a thumb, and also wondering about replacing the pins and bushings. I don't know how many of the loader and BH pins have replaceable bushings, but it's worth floating the idea past the dealer. Easy money for him, & just the type of heavy work best done by a young mechanic in a shop.

It's nice that the L45 has the the 3pt. arms, but if you are old as I am and starting to feel the weight of things, it could make sense to have a dedicated 3pt tractor as well. And since the 3pt tractor wouldn't have to have a loader and BH - or 4wd - the possibilities are fascinating as they are endless. Our 3pt tractor is an old JD 2 cylinder. Probably not worth anything on the market, but runs fine.

If you can do 30 acres plus some extra work with the L2501, you are going to enjoy a little more tractor - whether this one on a new one.

 

[Coboco]

Great replies, especially the 2 tractors are better than one lol. Im leaning towards just keep working the 2501 and keep paying it down til I can more logically purchase the right TLB setup. My thoughts are keep the 2501 as the garden and mowing machine since the loader comes off, and sell the BH77 and frame when its deal time Its a light enough but heavy enough,

agile and stable tractor that I do love, and either finace in the future an L47 or nice L45 for more of a dedicated digging tool, but could still throw something on the back if an off-my-farm job calls for it.

 

[Coboco]

Sometimes you run into stuff where you could just use a little "more" to get er done scooter

 

[4570Man]

If you’re going to keep the second tractor I’d look into a mini x.

 

[rScotty]

With the impressive work you have done with the L2501 and 77BH you deserve to have a real Kubota TLB.

BTW, even our M59 wouldn't pick up that rock in post #12 pinched between BH bucket and thumb - lthough it would easily flip it over and over into position.
Probably be able to lift it in the loader - 4000 lb capacity.
What do you think that rock weighs?

 

[Captain Dirty]

BTW, even our M59 wouldn't pick up that rock in post #12 pinched between BH bucket and thumb - lthough it would easily flip it over and over into position.
Probably be able to lift it in the loader - 4000 lb capacity.
What do you think that rock weighs?

The LA525 bucket is 5' wide. Taking the rock as 6' x 4' x 1' = 24 cubic ft, and granite at 170 lbs./cuft puts the rock as 4080 lbs.

 

[4570Man]

The LA525 bucket is 5' wide. Taking the rock as 6' x 4' x 1' = 24 cubic ft, and granite at 170 lbs./cuft puts the rock as 4080 lbs.

I doubt it’s half that heavy. For one it’s closer to a circle not a square. Also it tapers to a lot less than a foot thick. 3rd if it was 4000 pounds the L2501 couldn’t handle it is well as it did.

 

[Coboco]

If you’re going to keep the second tractor I’d look into a mini x.

Its crossed my mind and would be useful as heck, but equally unuseful where a TLB dimly shines across the board, especially when it comes to trailering a do-all machine to a multi-tasked job. The mini ex would dig out a great spot but theres always more to it than that, like loader buckets of material hauled in and out and final grading on larger areas seems not great on a mini x? I cant logistically haul 2 machines and id rather not have a mini x

 

[Coboco]

If you’re going to keep the second tractor I’d look into a mini x.

Its crossed my mind and would be useful as heck, but equally unuseful where a TLB dimly shines across the board, especially when it comes to trailering a do-all machine to a multi-tasked job. The mini ex would dig out a great spot but theres always more to it than that, like loader buckets of material hauled in and out and final grading on larger areas seems not great on a mini x? I cant logistically haul 2 machines and id rather not have a mini x

 

[workinallthetime]

went from a B3030 to an L45 back in 2013, now I am wanting M62, it is a slippery slope. Looks like we do similar work around the place and with the power of the L45 I have been able to do quite a few things the B3030 would never have been able to.
The Thumb and pallet forks really help with rock moving, front hydraulic hookups give you the ability to run a grapple. I finally purchased a grapple a couple of years ago and man that thing has been a back saver. Storm clean-up, woods clearing, rock collection, and firewood are all much more enjoyable now.
i hear L47's and M62's will be available around Feb / March then mid-summer. Usd L45's are not sitting on lots very long.

 

[Coboco]

went from a B3030 to an L45 back in 2013, now I am wanting M62, it is a slippery slope. Looks like we do similar work around the place and with the power of the L45 I have been able to do quite a few things the B3030 would never have been able to.
The Thumb and pallet forks really help with rock moving, front hydraulic hookups give you the ability to run a grapple. I finally purchased a grapple a couple of years ago and man that thing has been a back saver. Storm clean-up, woods clearing, rock collection, and firewood are all much more enjoyable now.
i hear L47's and M62's will be available around Feb / March then mid-summer. Usd L45's are not sitting on lots very long.

I decided to check back in at the dealer and the L45 has been sold. No surprise really...Lmk if you decide to sell yours!