Buy or Trade Yanmar for a LK3054

Pozzman · Jun 4, 2009

I have been looking at Kubotas and stumbled across a Kioti. I have never heard of Kioti but after doing some reading on this site it appears everyone who has one likes it. My only concern is the closest dealer is 100 miles away.

Anyway, I found a 1999 Kioti KL3054 w/K122 FEL, 4wd, 877 hours and front tires are foam filled. The dealer is claiming 30 hp but from what I have read anything pre 2000 is actually 26 hp and has weaker hydraulics than later models. Since this will be my first tractor with a FEL, I probably will not notice this being an issue.

They are asking $8750, is this a good price?

I currently have a Yanmar YM1702 which I am thinking of trading in, the dealer said he give me in the ball park of $2300 for the Yanmar which he has yet to see. Is the trade a good deal?

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

kentrodngun · Jun 5, 2009

Sounds a bit pricey to me. Check out similar models on TractorHouse:
KIOTI LK3054, Used KIOTI LK3054, KIOTI LK3054 For Sale At TractorHouse.com

Much newer models for the same price as he's asking. But, as always, let the buyer beware. Have someone really knowledgeable check over anything you're considering before you buy. There's plenty of horror stories out there from guys that didn't do the due diligence (sadly, I'm one of them

).

Hope this helps. Good luck.

DWDFARMS · Jun 14, 2009

We have a 2001 LK 3054 Kioti tractor for sale incl. mower, blade and frontloader, 4-wheel drive, actual 30 HP, in great shape, asking $7,500.

Pozzman · Jun 15, 2009

DWDFARMS I sent you a PM.

Pozzman · Jun 24, 2009

Thanks for the input, I ended up passing on the original tractor. He was asking to much for the year and hours and did not want to give anything for trade.

However, I found a 2006 LK3054XS with 146 hours, 4wd and FEL from a Kioti dealer. I sent him pictures of my Yanmar and he is interested in a trade if we can agree on a price. He is asking $10,900, I am thinking of offer $7,500 with trade. Does that sound reasonable? The only thing is, he is 3 hours away and I am concerned about repair work. Is there anything I should specifically watch out for with this tractor. Anyone have any experience with an XS model, good or bad.

As usual any input is much appreciated.

Patches · Jun 25, 2009

I have an '04 xs TLB, bought new, and feel it's a stout little tractor, but does have some warts. I experienced hydraulic problems early-on, which eventually led to changing out the hydraulic pump under warranty;(the original pump was aluminum, the replacement, cast iron). I don't know if Kioti is still using the aluminum pump, but easy enough to check with a magnet. If the unit is in good shape, and it should be with those few hours, I wouldn't be overly concerned with repairs. I would have to question: (1) why the previous owner got rid of the tractor with so few hrs. (2) has the required 50hr. maint. ever been done (3) what kind of warranty is the unit being sold with? As an aside, these are hard starters(read; must use glow-plugs in almost any temp), but having said that, I've never had mine fail to start, and I use it year-round

jim_n_nh · Jun 25, 2009

Get the vin and have the service history done at another dealer. Check for dervice bulletins that might not have been performed.

Jim

JoelD · Jul 3, 2009

I also own a 2004 LK 3054 XS TLB. I've had no problems to date, I purchased with 151 hours I now have 225. Strong machine, great loader, the backhoe is strong. I like the design and size, perfect for me, I can load a pickup truck, but fit into spaces a bigger machine could not.

The machine requires the use of glowplugs on every start, my prior Kubota was the same way. There are machines that require glowplug all the time and machines that do not and then there are machines with no glowplugs at all (diesel). My JD 350B dozer had no glowplugs.

I am very pleased with my 3054 and am happy with my purchase and would do it again.

I understand there were pump problems, I also understand they went right away if bad. I've had wallace check my history and there have been no warranty work performed on my machine, not sure if I've got the aluminum pump or not, will check today though as I had not thought of the magnet trick. Either way, even if I did need to replace the pump sometime down the road I'd be ahead of the game. I'd also chase Kioti to see if they'd help me out as it was a known problem.

2006 I'd expect for your pump to be of a newer version.

Again, I'd buy mine over again without hessitation. Take a good look at the loader bucket on the 1231 loader, much heavier built than the others I've seen.

Good luck,
Joel