Buy new (L3302) or used (2009 L5240)?

[TuckR]

Howdy folks. First off thank for all the information I've received here already. I've posted two general questions so far and the information has been extremely helpful. I was about 90% ready to purchase a new L3302 from my local Kubota dealership. There's some implement incentives and the zero percent financing is attractive. But then I found what appears to be a pretty good deal on an L5240 with most of the attachments I need (less the box blade and maybe a grapple).

The pros:
The 5240 seems to be in great shape, the guy is a second owner and has good documentation for all the maintenance. My local Kubota has done all the service and I trust those guys. It has a cab, which is huge because I have a 500yd driveway and 500yds of county road that me and the neighbor will be splitting snow clearing maintenance on. It's a lot more tractor than the L3302.

The cons:
It doesn't have a second remote in the back which I will need, it doesn't have a box scraper which I will need. The bigger size is also a problem because it's more than what I can fit on my trailer, so I'll be reliant on finding alternatives to moving this thing around when I need to. It wont fit where I was going to store my 3302 so it'll have to live outside for the time being. I'll need to spend some money right away on remotes, cylinders, and a box scraper.

So I dont know. What are your thoughts? New machine that's smaller but I get to baby it and have very low monthly payments, or a 14 year old machine with all the perks of having a cab?

For context, I have 20 acres, 10 of which I wont be doing anything. I'll be plowing roads, mowing once a year (10 acres), and a lot of box scraper work to get a site prepped for home construction.

 

[Jimbo16720]

I'd go with the older bigger machine. For one no emissions to go bad. You'll wish you had more power down the road somewhere. You didn't state the price difference, which if you are saving with the older tractor you'll have extra cash for other parts you want. Doesn't take much to add a lean to for parking the tractor under. Plus a new tractor can break down as easy an older one. By what everyone says the new tractors need fixed mostly by a dealer because of computer junk.

 

[Williy]

The way prices are IMHO I would think that to
purchase new with a warranty would be better
than to pay a little less with no warranty.

willy

 

[jjeff]

Curious is the 5240 hydraulic shuttle? Box blades aren't to pricy nor is a hydraulic splitter which will turn your one rear remote into two but can't use simultaneously. I have the manual lever type splitter and if your handy you can mount it so the circuits can be switched from the OS. Or pay more and get one with an electric solenoid to switch. I'm biased towards old kubota tractors (a lot older and more abused than what your looking at lol.
good luck.

 

[Yander]

Cab tractor is a game changer for snow removal. I'd go that way.

 

[RjCorazza]

The L5240 is a solid machine, and pre emissions. I sold my L3410 7 years ago to get a cab tractor. I do not regret getting a slightly larger cabbed machine for a second.
My primary use is snow removal of 20 or so long rural driveways.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Hands down the L5240. Way more machine and guessing for the same or less money?

Pictures shows a customer's L6060 that had a single rear remote and needed 3 sets. He purchased a double diverter set to get the 3 sets that he needed. This are all usable without every taking his hand off of the single factory control lever.

Top & tilt set can also be seen in the picture of the double diverter set.

The valves can be added to the L3302 and I believe that Kubota is going to have top & tilt sets for this model soon if they don't already. And of course 3rd party T&T sets with valves are available also.

I would think that it would be pretty hard to pass up a tractor with close to double the capabilities though, and a cab.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[TuckR]

Curious is the 5240 hydraulic shuttle? Box blades aren't to pricy nor is a hydraulic splitter which will turn your one rear remote into two but can't use simultaneously. I have the manual lever type splitter and if your handy you can mount it so the circuits can be switched from the OS. Or pay more and get one with an electric solenoid to switch. I'm biased towards old kubota tractors (a lot older and more abused than what your looking at lol.
good luck.

Both tractors are HST. Not a bad idea on the splitter, with a box blade I'd never need to run both simultaneously.

 

[Cahaba Valley Farm]

Howdy folks. First off thank for all the information I've received here already. I've posted two general questions so far and the information has been extremely helpful. I was about 90% ready to purchase a new L3302 from my local Kubota dealership. There's some implement incentives and the zero percent financing is attractive. But then I found what appears to be a pretty good deal on an L5240 with most of the attachments I need (less the box blade and maybe a grapple).

The pros:
The 5240 seems to be in great shape, the guy is a second owner and has good documentation for all the maintenance. My local Kubota has done all the service and I trust those guys. It has a cab, which is huge because I have a 500yd driveway and 500yds of county road that me and the neighbor will be splitting snow clearing maintenance on. It's a lot more tractor than the L3302.

The cons:
It doesn't have a second remote in the back which I will need, it doesn't have a box scraper which I will need. The bigger size is also a problem because it's more than what I can fit on my trailer, so I'll be reliant on finding alternatives to moving this thing around when I need to. It wont fit where I was going to store my 3302 so it'll have to live outside for the time being. I'll need to spend some money right away on remotes, cylinders, and a box scraper.

So I dont know. What are your thoughts? New machine that's smaller but I get to baby it and have very low monthly payments, or a 14 year old machine with all the perks of having a cab?

For context, I have 20 acres, 10 of which I wont be doing anything. I'll be plowing roads, mowing once a year (10 acres), and a lot of box scraper work to get a site prepped for home construction.

For 10 acres the 5240 is more tractor then you need. What I hear, is your excitement for the bells and whistles of it, there was no mention of it's utility specs. However, there will not be any small monthly payment for a new tractor until there is a market price correction which I anticipate is on the horizon.

 

[Yander]

For 10 acres the 5240 is more tractor then you need. What I hear, is your excitement for the bells and whistles of it, there was no mention of it's utility specs. However, there will not be any small monthly payment for a new tractor until there is a market price correction which I anticipate is on the horizon.

I would want that big of a tractor if I had to deal with that driveway and that county road. We also don't know where he lives it could be a lot of snow. Cab tractor all the way.

I can tell you that for years I never had a cab tractor and I would have to time when I got out there to keep from freezing my @$$ off.

Now that we have a Massey Ferguson with a cab it doesn't matter. I even do the neighbors for fun. I promise you, a cab turns a snow event from drudgery and Dread to enjoyment.