Tractor Sizing Help with a Kubota purchase

[varmint]

We've settled in on an L3400, same as the L3800 with a bit less hp, and so far I am finding it a good compromise between size/weight and ease of getting around without destroying the ground. Soil compaction was a big issue with my wife, but on the other hand, another 1000 lbs of tractor on a little bigger frame would obviously be a plus for some functions. If you buy it at a fair price, you should be able to resell it and move on once you have more experience with you needs without taking much of a hit, at least that's been my experience so far. The L3800 is a handy machine for a lot of tasks, but small for others...

One last piece of advice: I would call Barlow's in KY and see what they might have that they think would work for your needs. They sure get a lot of good press on this site, and they are close enough that delivery wouldn't be much of a factor. Surely less than Ohio sales tax, in any event.

 

[McREBEL]

I started with the B series with a loader. After two years I had only 96 hours on the tractor, and that was all from mowing. The bucket was to small to do a lot with and can only lift around 500lbs. I found I took off the loader and never really made use of the B for much more than mowing... Tried tilling with it, low ground clearance required the removal of the MMM to do anything int he garden, and the 26 HP was fantastic as a mower, but int he garden, all that HP was wasted as the little B would just spin the tires. The brake pedal was above the hydro control, so there was no way to do precise work with the loader... etc..

I assume you had a B2620. I have a B2920 (only 3 more HP) that I have put about 25 hours on. I have to say my experience has been somewhat different than yours was. It will spin the tires before the engine will bog so is more traction limited than power limited. I will give you that. I have heard of plenty of people tilling with their B2620/2920 with no problems even with 60" tillers and obviously a MMM will have to be removed before you till with it. And as far as precise loader work. A few days ago I was dumping a heaping bucket of composted sawdust over a 5ft garden fence with the tractor pointed downhill with no problems and I am far from experienced. I was able to ease within 2-3 inches of the wooden fence, dump the bucket and never touch the fence without using the brakes. I rarely need the brakes. The tractor can be moved forward, backed up, or held still all with the hydro pedal while pointed down an incline with a fully loaded bucket up in the air (for the safety police the bucket was only up in the air to dump over the fence then I immediately dropped it once I backed clear of the fence).

I don't begrudge you your opinion, mine is just somewhat different and I think you mis-characterized the B's a little. If you don't care for them for your needs that's fine with me, and I am glad you have got the tractor that suits you. A B may not even be ideal for the OP. I don't think he would go wrong if he chose an L series, but a larger B might fit the bill also.

 

[ultrarunner]

The L3800 has been a good fit for 65 acres... also seems to have the feel of the old Ford N tractors size wise...

Have a box blade with top and tilt that works well... loader is good with quick attach and have forks too...

Backhoe is OK... seems a little small for this size... works fine.

I think any remaining warranty would be a plus... as mentioned... it should have been serviced already.

Any reason why it's for sale???

Edit... of course look for signs of obvious damage... like being rolled or the loader being off kilter... things like that.

Still remember going to look at a tractor the the seller seemed full of it... he was saying how well maintained it was and they I asked him to show the oil and hydro dipsticks... he did not know where they were....

 

[Gafn]

McREBEL


My intention was not to characterize anything other than my OWN PERSONAL EXPERIENCE with a BX2660.
Your mileage may vary...

 

[FatTireFarm]

He says he hasn't had time to use it. Not sure what chores he bought it for. I should know more this weekend. He says its never had any issues. It's a 2012 with 70 hours and has the quick attach bucket. He's asking $17500 which from what I've seen sounds pretty good. Not sure if any warranty remains. I hope he has an implement to try out the 3 ph. If not I may have to just accept the jerkiness if it shows up. I plan to see where he bought it and talk to them but wonder if tractors have something like a carfax history? Thanks for the help everyone!

 

[ultrarunner]

Could be just the ticket... especially if it's been stored inside.

Another thing to consider is Kubota has very good resale value and a ready market.

Another plus to me is there is no regen to worry about...

If you arrive with cash in hand and a trailer... I bet you could shave a little off the price.

 

[The Deerslayer]

He says he hasn't had time to use it. Not sure what chores he bought it for. I should know more this weekend. He says its never had any issues. It's a 2012 with 70 hours and has the quick attach bucket. He's asking $17500 which from what I've seen sounds pretty good. Not sure if any warranty remains. I hope he has an implement to try out the 3 ph. If not I may have to just accept the jerkiness if it shows up. I plan to see where he bought it and talk to them but wonder if tractors have something like a carfax history? Thanks for the help everyone!

I believe there have been some threads on here that speak to the issue of finding out if a tractor has a lien;you can do a search for them. Speaking with the dealer is a good idea. You can also ask to see a copy of the bill of sale. You may also be able to contact Kubota with the serial number and see if they can provide any info that may be of help. In my neck of the woods that price would sound very good.

 

[McREBEL]

I started with the B series with a loader.

McREBEL


My intention was not to characterize anything other than my OWN PERSONAL EXPERIENCE with a BX2660.
Your mileage may vary...

No problems. A BX series and a B series are two different animals. Just as a B series and L series are. So you didn't actually have a B. I thought when reading your OWN PERSONAL EXPERIENCE it sounded more like a BX than a B.

 

[FatTireFarm]

If the seller of this used tractor still has a loan on that tractor, what do I do to protect myself when I hand him a wad of cash? Can the bank come after me for the tractor if I have a hand written bill of sale?? Seems kinda scary to me.

 

[McREBEL]

Talk to the loan institution. They may not talk specifics with you but you could give them a theoretical and ask how it would work. I believe you would want to arrange it so that you write a check to the loan institution so the loan is paid off. Then pay the seller the difference if there is any. I would do all of this at the loan institution if possible. Otherwise, I think you would have some potential problems.

 

[FatTireFarm]

Thanks McREBEL. That sounds like a good plan.

 

[ultrarunner]

Many buyers with loans do so through Kubota which also requires Kubota insurance.

If there is a loan... the original documentation from the sale will show it and then the question is what is the payoff.

Here... the bigger problem is shady people with stolen equipment...

That said... most tractor folks are that are local are very honest... hey, they work for a living and you know where they live.

I've asked for and received bill of sales where the seller warrants and guarantees clear title and there is a place for the sellers driver's license number...

 

[Gafn]

All that said...

Treat it like a Craig's List sale
1) Don't go alone
2) Be mindful of your surroundings
3) Don't tell the guy you are carrying cash - many many folks have been killed for their cash Craigslist sale (guy in Dallas TX was killed for less than $2k and your carrying a whole lot more than that)
4) go armed
5) ensure your friend is armed as well
6) Leave the minute you feel the "uh-oh" or "oh-chit" chill running up your neck
7) the most important one - don't get killed buying a tractor - a few grand extra at a dealership - in the end well worth it

If this guy knows you got cash - your are now a target - if the guy is not on the up and up - for your protection Expect the absolute worse to happen, so you can be pleasantly surprised when it does not. At least that way you are prepared.

 

[ultrarunner]

When I sold my Dozer the buyer brought cash... he almost left before he got to the property because he didn't like what he saw getting of the interstate in Oakland...

Once he met me and saw the tractor and Mom was there two... all was good... I did not know he had the cash... only when he said he wanted it did we go sit down at the kitchen table...

 

[FatTireFarm]

After talking more with the owner, I feel less comfortable about the deal. I think he expects me to hand him a bunch of money and then wait around hoping he pays of the loan. I emailed him saying I wanted to involve the lending institution (no cash) and so far all I've heard is crickets. Glad you folks are around to give advice and watch my back!
Who knows, maybe he'll contact me with a legitimate way to work the deal but in the mean time the tractor hunt continues.

 

[Poopdeck Pappy]

Tell him to get a current payoff statement from the lender. Let's assume the agreed tractor price is $17,500 and the loan balance on the payoff statement is $12,000. You take a $12,000 cashier's check made out to the lender for the payoff amount and $5,500 cash to him for the balance. Have him sign a bill of sale that represents and warrants to you that the tractor is free and clear of any liens, security interests and other encumbrances.

Be careful about any "per diem" listed on the payoff statement. Some of them will say the loan balance is $xxxx as of xxxxx date, plus $xxx per day for each day thereafter until payment is received. You would need to factor that in.

Tell him the loan has to be paid off as part of the purchase or no deal.

 

[McREBEL]

After talking more with the owner, I feel less comfortable about the deal. I think he expects me to hand him a bunch of money and then wait around hoping he pays of the loan. I emailed him saying I wanted to involve the lending institution (no cash) and so far all I've heard is crickets. Glad you folks are around to give advice and watch my back!
Who knows, maybe he'll contact me with a legitimate way to work the deal but in the mean time the tractor hunt continues.

If he is very interested in selling his tractor and is being on the up and up then he shouldn't have any problem with this. I sure wouldn't. He could have hatched an idea to spend the money on something else and just keep making the tractor payments or he could have every intention of paying off the loan. Who knows. A bill of sale, as some have said, guaranteeing the tractor is free and clear is a good idea. But, if something goes wrong, I am afraid that would only help you in court when you try to get your money out of the guy who stuck you. You don't want to have to go there. If Kubota or whoever stops getting payments they are sending someone after their tractor wherever it is and I am not certain a bill of sale of any flavor is going to stop them from getting it.

Signed Chicken Little

 

[FatTireFarm]

I agree McREBEL, I'm not sure a bill of sale would mean much if someone came to repo the tractor. I'm surprised that tractors don't have "titles" considering their value. Even my Kawasaki Mule has a certificate of origin and can be titled. I'm starting to favor purchasing from a dealer unless I find a used tractor that doesn't have a lien on it. I'm gonna drive down to Barlow's next week to check out some of their used inventory.

 

[Yamaha2112]

I've been maintaining 100 acres with mostly a B series for over 20 years. It can be done. It's definitely no slouch.
I still want a bigger/newer one though. But then again, who doesn't?

And welcome to TBN!

 

[grm61]

If the seller of this used tractor still has a loan on that tractor, what do I do to protect myself when I hand him a wad of cash? Can the bank come after me for the tractor if I have a hand written bill of sale?? Seems kinda scary to me.

Absolutely they can!

Never buy a used tractor..especially late model without a paper trail showing it paid off.
There is one member on here that makes a habit out of selling tractors that aren't paid for..thinks he's smart using the banks money, very unethical IMO. Lucky for the buyers he makes the payment.

So yes you could get hosed...make sure you have a paper trail, or pass on it.

My :2cents: