$10K L5030 Plus Restoration, or $25K Newer Tractor With Perilous Electronics?

[4570Man]

M59 Help: Dealer Wants $6K to Replace the Wiring Harness

Kubota M59, unknown year, ~2600 hours. I've had it about 10 months, have close to $40K into it including major service, new brakes, and completely rebuilt loader and loader hydraulics. I just point this out to say I've been operating with an open checkbook to get this puppy sorted, but I'm...

www.tractorbynet.com

That M59 IS a pre emissions tractor.

 

[rScotty]

I have bought used cars, trucks, and tractors all my life. I also prefer pre-emissions. In fact, that's all I have.
you do NOT want a beat up one to restore. that never comes out right financially,
Instead, you want to find the best low hour well cared for example of the tractor you want and give the seller top dollar.
Instead of asking why an old ractor is cheap, ask instead nice why his nice one is expensive.
You'll come out ahead.
rScotty

 

[Suburban Plowboy]

I am thinking about the claim that emissions systems are good for 60,000 cycles.

Has anyone else here ever replaced a "15,000-hour" LED bulb after a few months?

To save everyone the math, 15,000 hours are 20 months, 24/7. They routinely fail after 6 months in light (no pun intended) use.

My Ford's water pump, a type of part that often lasts 300,000 miles in better cars, went out at 75,000. Ford put it inside the engine, so there went $2,500. The AC died at about 60,000. They commonly last 200,000 miles. Another two grand. The $340 unnecessary ECM on my mower should have lasted 6,000 hours. Nope! Nowhere close.

Warranties exist for a reason. Consumers forced manufacturers to supply them, because parts fail early.

And of course, now, manufacturers make a lot of parts that are designed to last just a little longer than the warranty periods.

 

[2manyrocks]

As much as one might want a preemissions tractor, could be a challenge to find someone willing to sell theirs because they probably don’t want an emissions tractor nor want to pay today’s prices to replace what they already have and prefer over the dpf machines.

 

[Suburban Plowboy]

Emissions devices are so great, but somehow lots of people want to get pre-emissions tractors, and nobody sold their pre-emissions tractor to get a post-emissions tractor!

 

[4570Man]

Emissions devices are so great, but somehow lots of people want to get pre-emissions tractors, and nobody sold their pre-emissions tractor to get a post-emissions tractor!

I don’t think anyone thinks they are great. But equipment old enough to not have it tends to be clapped and the old equipment that not clapped brings big money. I do have to say that driving my emissions complaints skid steer in the barn to stack lumber is a lot nicer than my old diesel. Starting a 7.3 truck in the house garage kinda sucks too.

 

[rScotty]

SNIP -

And of course, now, manufacturers make a lot of parts that are designed to last just a little longer than the warranty periods.

I've never seen any evidence to support that idea. It would be a lot of work to design that way - probably more work than it's worth.
Without evicence, I gotta put that down as just another "urban legend".
rScotty

 

[2manyrocks]

Idk, cars used to go 200k with reasonable care, but not so sure the CVT transmissions today might be intended to fail at 100k miles.

 

[jmc]

Instead of asking why an old ractor is cheap, ask instead nice why his nice one is expensive.
You'll come out ahead.
rScotty

Could you clarify this?

 

[rScotty]

I have bought used cars, trucks, and tractors all my life. I also prefer pre-emissions. In fact, that's all I have.
you do NOT want a beat up one to restore. that never comes out right financially,
Instead, you want to find the best low hour well cared for example of the tractor you want and give the seller top dollar.
Instead of asking why an old ractor is cheap, ask instead nice why his nice one is expensive.
You'll come out ahead.
rScotty

Could you clarify this?

Maybe I can. I'll try.

For example the OP back in message #1 had budget of $25,000 to buy an older pre-emissions tractor to last him the rest of his life. And he had found an L5030 for $10,000 that was a little bit beat which he figured he would need about $15,000 restoration on top of the purchase priice.

That's the right type of tractor he wants, and he was wondering if he should buy it.

What I am saying is that I think he would be dollars and time ahead to take more time and look for a cleaner low hour L5030 that is selling at a higher price - even though that tractor in better condition might cost $20,000 instead of $10,000.

He ends up with the same tractor and propbably spends the same amount, but I think the second way is the better.
rScotty