I'm recently move to a larger property and have decide that it's time for a little more horsepower. I purchased a L3130 (new) in 2004 that now has 550 hours on the clock. My primary use for this tractor for the last 10 years was the harvesting of the annual fire wood and snow removal (along with endless odd jobs).
The new location will require a great deal more snow removal along with about 50 acres fields to bushhog. We also have nearly a 4 mile network of skiing/game trails so I anticipate a lot more chipping. Last years I started some food plot for the whitetail and I can see that this little hobby could really become a big part of my summer seat time. (I love the whole food plot thing!)
There is currently very little available locally that I think will fill the bill but I did go look at a private sale this weekend. The gentleman has a 2009 L5240 HST with cab, front and rear remotes, new front tires,heavy loader, 1500 hours. He'll sell me the setup for $28,000. The tractor is in very nice condition. I tried it out and it seem to run perfectly. The "auto throttle" was new to me and I think I will like it once I've spent some time using it. The cab shows some signs of wear but over all looked pretty good. He had the entire air conditioning system replaced last summer.
Although the cab would be nice at times there are some negatives for me as well (it won't fit in my garage) and I suspect that there will be times in the woods that the cab could be a PITA.
I know that this bad boy will have all the power I'll ever need compared to my trusty L3130, but is $28k with 1500hrs a fair price and are my reservation regarding the cab reasonable; should 1500 hours be a concern?
Thanks in advance
The new location will require a great deal more snow removal along with about 50 acres fields to bushhog. We also have nearly a 4 mile network of skiing/game trails so I anticipate a lot more chipping. Last years I started some food plot for the whitetail and I can see that this little hobby could really become a big part of my summer seat time. (I love the whole food plot thing!)
There is currently very little available locally that I think will fill the bill but I did go look at a private sale this weekend. The gentleman has a 2009 L5240 HST with cab, front and rear remotes, new front tires,heavy loader, 1500 hours. He'll sell me the setup for $28,000. The tractor is in very nice condition. I tried it out and it seem to run perfectly. The "auto throttle" was new to me and I think I will like it once I've spent some time using it. The cab shows some signs of wear but over all looked pretty good. He had the entire air conditioning system replaced last summer.
Although the cab would be nice at times there are some negatives for me as well (it won't fit in my garage) and I suspect that there will be times in the woods that the cab could be a PITA.
I know that this bad boy will have all the power I'll ever need compared to my trusty L3130, but is $28k with 1500hrs a fair price and are my reservation regarding the cab reasonable; should 1500 hours be a concern?
Thanks in advance