Kubota L3400DT

[dinoedwards]

Wow! You guys know ur stuff!
2nd owner so differently will check serial number.
Says they have manuals, but will test drive it today.
I current great credit but no credit, go figure so buying new is difficult. If I did buy new would go for 25hp or less with Kioti CK2620HST.
Thanks, also mention I will be using it around my 6 acres for clearing small brush, moving things, 25-30 hrs a year.

 

[nybirdman]

My son has a similar L3000DT,about ten years.He uses it for everything,hauling logs,field work,snow removal.It has been a very good machine for him.
I prefer HST machines but to each their own.

 

[Gem99ultra]

I also have a 2009 Kubota L3400, but mine's an HST. I wouldn't consider anything now without the HST. But then, that's a personal preference; YMMV. Here's a pix of mine after a day's work running my chipper:

I now has 230 hours It's treated as a tool, not as a toy. And no , it won't be for sale for $16K. It's an inside baby and cared for it pretty much as one. It has served me well, especially when I need it most.

 

[arrow]

I also have a 2009 Kubota L3400, but mine's an HST. I wouldn't consider anything now without the HST. But then, that's a personal preference; YMMV. Here's a pix of mine after a day's work running my chipper:


View attachment 2796545

I now has 230 hours It's treated as a tool, not as a toy. And no , it won't be for sale for $16K. It's an inside baby and cared for it pretty much as one. It has served me well, especially when I need it most.

I see all kinds of “tractor trades” in my line of work and it is amazing how much better sheltered tractors are. I mean put a coat of wax on those and they look new.
The added benefits are of course mechanically speaking and they are numerous.
Wouldn’t touch an outside kept machine nor take any of these in trade.

 

[dinoedwards]

I also have a 2009 Kubota L3400, but mine's an HST. I wouldn't consider anything now without the HST. But then, that's a personal preference; YMMV. Here's a pix of mine after a day's work running my chipper:


View attachment 2796545

I now has 230 hours It's treated as a tool, not as a toy. And no , it won't be for sale for $16K. It's an inside baby and cared for it pretty much as one. It has served me well, especially when I need it most.

Does urs read "XTRA Power"

 

[arrow]

Wow! You guys know ur stuff!
2nd owner so differently will check serial number.
Says they have manuals, but will test drive it today.
I current great credit but no credit, go figure so buying new is difficult. If I did buy new would go for 25hp or less with Kioti CK2620HST.
Thanks, also mention I will be using it around my 6 acres for clearing small brush, moving things, 25-30 hrs a year.

Not sure l understand “you current great credit but no credit”???
You have 16k in cash right?
Do you have a Mahindra dealer near by?
We just sold a new XL type left over for 14k. With a mower deck and fel. This size would also do everything you mentioned.
Be to your benefit if you could find something like that.
Pay cash….brand new….be done.

 

[rScotty]

Wow! You guys know ur stuff!
2nd owner so differently will check serial number.
Says they have manuals, but will test drive it today.
I current great credit but no credit, go figure so buying new is difficult. If I did buy new would go for 25hp or less with Kioti CK2620HST.
Thanks, also mention I will be using it around my 6 acres for clearing small brush, moving things, 25-30 hrs a year.

I encourage you to be very particular about the test drive. Check everything. It should work like a new one with only that that many hours - which I'm not sure I believe given the tire and general wear - so be on your guard.
Because if it really is that low hours then it should be fine everywhere regardless of what it looks like cosmetically. You can deal with small things if it is basically a sound machine.

I assume you are reasonably mechanically adept or you wouldn't be looking at used in the first place. But I agree that if you are a decent mechanic then used is where to put your money. Any of the premium tractor s built in the last 30 years with low hours on them should last you a long time. Mine is a 2008 kubota. It lives outside and is worked hard. In 1500 hrs all it has needed is routine mainenance plus one cable and one battery.

You will want to change all the fluids. Judging by the condition, nobody did. A complete filter and fluid change for that tractor will run you $300 at least - so budget for that. Probably a battery too.

In your test drive: Is the steering tight and same both sides. Try the diff lock, but only at a standstill. Never engage diff lock when moving or tire spinning. Drive for 100 feet in 4wd and see how difficult it is to shift OUT of 4wd. Look on the inside faces of the front tires for front axle leaks. Check that the clutch freeplay is properly adjusted. A newish diesel should start from dead cold at 30 degres immediately - no heat required. If the owner has ever used ether, just walk away. Check that the 3pt stays up, same with the FEL.
All of then drop some given hours, but not over minutes.
You know the drill,
Good Luck

 

[big bubba]

as i've mentioned, i wouldn't consider purchasing without a qualified 3rd party to mechanically check it out on site.

 

[rScotty]

as i've mentioned, i wouldn't consider purchasing without a qualified 3rd party to mechanically check it out on site.

I get a qualified inspection on everything mechanical that I buy - and that's in spite of ...or maybe because of... my being a lifelong mechanic.

There are mechanics now who do nothing but pre-purchase inspections. Extended warranty insurors use them every day. For a reasonable fee you get a complete written and signed report.

If you don't like the inspection report, throw it away. But at least get one done.

rScotty

 

[big bubba]

good point. wonder if a K dealership service dept would allow an individual like the OP to hire a mechanic for inspection w/o conflict of interest. regards
obviously outside of hrs, etc

 

[arrow]

good point. wonder if a K dealership service dept would allow an individual like the OP to hire a mechanic for inspection w/o conflict of interest. regards
obviously outside of hrs, etc

A dealership might provide a checklist of some sort.
A mechanic moonlighting to inspect another brand is up to that mechanic.
Now if a customer is trying to avoid going to the dealership to say do a 50 hr service but asks a tech of that dealership on the private to come to his house to do it, that would be a conflict.

 

[rScotty]

good point. wonder if a K dealership service dept would allow an individual like the OP to hire a mechanic for inspection w/o conflict of interest. regards
obviously outside of hrs, etc

All you can do is ask. I don't see why not. In the past I always used independent mechanics - but good independent garage mechanics are rare today.

To my surprise I found out there are now independent mechanics who do inspections instead of repairs.
I found out about mechanical inspectors back in 2020 when buying an extended warranty on a used RV.

The extended warranty company required an inspection and sent me a list of mechanics that did inspections in my area. I was surprised to see how many there were. I called one at random, agreed to pay a couple hundred bucks, and the guy - an older retirement age mechanic - showed up the next day. He went over everything. Later in the day he emailed me a lengthy report including about 10 pages of a standard checklist and dozens of photos. All very professional. Surprisingly complete. He included things I wouldn't have thought of.

 

[big bubba]

that's the rational way to go on a 16k tractor purchase regardless of minimal hrs

 

[dinoedwards]

Front dash looked changed from dealer so I passed, private owner and no XTRA Power under L3400 so they were lied too by dealer, it's like "06-07

 

[old and tired]

No serial number?

2009 should be around 84,000

Sorry about having to pass on it, hope you can find one...

 

[big bubba]

you'll find the right machine & wise decision on this one. patience brings rewards

 

[saxtonhill]

I had a new L3400 DT for about 2 years that I used heavily. It was a great tractor but was underpowered for my needs. I traded it in with about 300 hrs for a new L4700 DT. I now have 1400 hrs on that one and love it.

I like having the shifter and find no issues using the loader due to the shuttle. Also the clutch has held up well, no issues whatever at this point.

 

[nacl9163]

Currently own this model w/ manual & FEL. Terrific machine; powerful for its size, never an ounce of trouble. And with those hours and only $16k, I'd jump on it if it checks out.

 

[old and tired]

Front dash looked changed from dealer so I passed, private owner and no XTRA Power under L3400 so they were lied too by dealer, it's like "06-07

So I know I have been negative about this... on the flip side, I would point out what has been pointed out (dash, hours, paint, sun exposure, hoses might need to be replaced - BIG $$$...etc.) and see about negotiating a lower price. Maybe 12k-13k, saying that the clutch has unknown hours and that is $3k at the dealer to replace.

They may say no but leave your contact information in case they change their mind.

My tractor is the lower HP version of this one. It's bullet proof... I wouldn't list it for under $22k (lots of hydraulic upgrades) but the fact is these tractors are designed to live outdoors. (just make sure there is not water mixed in with the hydraulic fluid).

You can see in the Sight Glass which is about where your left heal would sit on the floor board. If it's low, you might have to tilt the tractor by driving on a hillside (or rocks) to have it seen in the glass window.

Did you actually get a chance to drive it? or Look at it closely? It's possible that your best action is to walk away from this one but it gives you the chance to look over and assess a tractor (more knowledge is better).

Good luck...

PS,, I would find that dealer and drill him about the hour meter, to see if they would come clean about the actual hours...My GUT feeling is that this was a rental unit, and they sold it to unsuspecting buyers!!!

 

[YLee Kioti]

I've got 1200 hours on my 2017 Kioti.
So for its age it would be rather low hours.
If you can find out about its maintenance history I'd give it a hard look.
Course I do annual oil changes and hydro fluid every 400 hours or so.
Plus coolant flushes and well winter time, I'm all over it.
But that's just me, others maybe not so much.
Which dealer is closer to your home and how well is your rapport with the dealers?
To me that would be a large factor as well for making a decision.
Enjoy your new toy! cough er ah tool....heh...