Looking to buy new trade old

[Kickstart59]

Personally, I'd save a bunch of money and either build or have someone build a cab for your father's Kubota. Old diesels like that are far more dependable than any newer one with all the electronics they are loaded with these days.

Never gave that much thought. Hmmm

 

[paulsharvey]

Personally, I'd save a bunch of money and either build or have someone build a cab for your father's Kubota. Old diesels like that are far more dependable than any newer one with all the electronics they are loaded with these days.

To each their own. My L285 was dependable; as in, you could depend on Something being wrong every time. Now, it could be electric today, fuel tomorrow, hydralics the next day, or the 45 year old steering components; but you could Always count on it being hard to start. Even on a 95 degree day, better give it 30 seconds of glow plug before you think about hitting the start button. This isn't a case study of 1 either; everyone I know who had a 3 digit Kubota says they need glow every time.

He he sells, he likely can count on the sale paying a solid year of payments on his new machine.

That's not even counting the joy of HST vs the hunt and peek transmission, the eventual need to split for a clutch, or the fact that Many parts for the L235 are out of production.

On my L285, I was able to find parts that could be made to work, like a L245 Steering box, but reusing the existing pitman arm, that didn't fit, but could be forced to work with a BFH and a couple tack welds or the water pump.

 

[paulsharvey]

I'm not beating the Kubota up, but it was real value right now, but its a single discontinued part from being sold for $0.08/lbs.

 

[5030]

I'm loving the financing offers on tractors now. That's the only reason for going new

I don't finance anything ever. Just me though.

 

[5030]

If it was me, I'd list it on Tractor House and not have to deal with low ballers and riff raff.

 

[rScotty]

Original sale price was $4,000 for the L245, in 1977, and that is probably in the ball park for a private sale. Trade in, I would think $2000-2500.

It would bring close to double those figures in the Denver area - but only if it has the power steering option. It wouldn't be on the market lon .
Frankly, you could do worse than keeping it. If you want a cab, there may still be one made to fit. It's worth the search.

rScotty

 

[airbiscuit]

A new tractor is night and day difference in terms of refinement, ergonomics, and ease of use.

 

[paulsharvey]

There used to be a fair number of the L245s on the market, I think it was more popular than the 285/305 ect, but this is i believe L245, but could be a 285/345, for $5000. The ROPs makes me wonder if it's the next series up, like a 275/295/355? I think the 2450 generation had a different hood? Anyways, he's asking $5000, so likely sale on that would be $3500-4000. OPs machine does look cleaner, and has 4 Ag tires, vs this ones turf over car tires

 

[Carl_NH]

Never gave that much thought. Hmmm

Fixing stuff like hoses, changing the fluids, a battery, and doing some maintenance annually might cost you $500-1000 the first year or two. Then decide if you want to trade or keep it. A simple lexan sheet on the front to keep the wind off and maybe the back would make a difference.

Replacing the seat with a new one could make it more comfortable too.

if you find it's taking more maintenance then sell it and buy new, but keep the rear blade and box blade (assuming you buy a rear blade for snow. You won't lose any money, either way vs taking a 3 or 4 year loan at $5-600 a month.

 

[paulsharvey]

So, if you budget $1500, can you fix/repair/update it to the point it services your needs? If the answer is, not really, get it posted. If the answer is, probably, go ahead and run it, as is, and fix what bothers you. In the mean time; you could post it for, say, maybe $6500, and just see if anyone bites? At $6500+ sale; I would take the money and run, that's 25% down on a new machine. That's just me, though.