L3400 decisions, resale, depreciation....

MOKobota · Mar 27, 2009

I have a 4wd L3400HST, FEL, loaded r4's and Woods 60" rotary. I've had it a little less than 2 yrs (about 75 hrs on her), and have recently relocated to NC. The problem is, we are only on about 2.5 acres now and will only be here for about 1.5 yrs. Then another relo. Additionally, this house is a rental and we will probably get another rental for the next relo.
Long story short, how fast do these tractors depreciate? I don't want to keep it using it only as a lawn mower. Is it worth it to go ahead and get rid of it now and replace it with a zero turn mower or something more suited for 1-3 acre rental property mowing?
Any idea on the current values of these tractors? I've searched the site, but haven't really found much rescent pricing info. Checked the popular used tractor sites, but not much selection on there and still doesn't help too much on what I could expect to sell it for on my own.
Mowing season is right around the corner and want to know whether it would be best to invest in a finish mower for the tractor or go ahead and sell it for a zero turn. Having both really isn't an option at this point. Not enough garage space (don't want to put the Kubota outside), I doubt I could get "approval" for both, and even if I could, the Kubota would just sit the entire time we're here as there would be no need for it. Any thoughts and options would be great. I'm sure that others of you have been in this same problem at some point. Just wondering what you did and how you liked your decision.

teg · Mar 27, 2009

Hey, welcome to TBN...

One thing is that you have to "compete" against 0% financing and warranty of new tractors so that's a problem. They do not lose a lot of value and since it looks like the new tractors are going up in price - that will help. You can try and sell it on Craig's list (and here, too) and since you don't HAVE to sell it, just wait till you find someone at a good price. Sorry, I don't know what that is...15-20% less then what you paid for it (just a wild *** guess). Is it very clean or does it look like mine... Used! PS, What part of NC are you in?

.

JOHNTHOMAS · Mar 27, 2009

First, it will cost you some for taking it off the lot. Next, I've traded tractors several time with Barlow Equipment. Several people on this board have traded or bought from them. I bought a B7800 from them 4 years ago, well actually I traded them my 1 year old BX2200 toward it. Last year I traded them my B7800 for a L3240HST. This year I traded them the L3240HST for a B3200. They will trade. I gave them boot before and they gave me boot this time. Since you need a replacement mower, tractor, what ever, I suggest you call or email them and tell them what you have and what you want. Let them tell you what they will do. They deliver all over the country. You have a tractor that's to big for mowing a small lot, that's why I traded back to a B size tractor, the L was just to big for my needs. As one person mentioned the 0% interest Kubota is offering will hurt your sale but if you trade with Barlows you will pick up the 0% on your new purchase which helps offset some of your loss.

MOKobota · Mar 27, 2009

Wow...thanks for the quick responses. I am about 45 nw of Charlotte. About the tractor, I take very good care of my stuff, but it is definitely not a dealer demo. I did use it to help clear about 3 acres in sw Georgia, push some brush around, light FEL work, etc... Many of the hrs on it was spent loading the bucket by hand and moving trash to a container. There was a broke down shack and lots of junk yard type garbage around the property we purchased. I had to sort most everything by hand. As a result, alot of the hrs on that tractor were at idle.

LBrown59 · Mar 27, 2009

MOKobota said:
I have a 4wd L3400HST, FEL, loaded r4's and Woods 60" rotary. I've had it a little less than 2 yrs (about 75 hrs on her), and have recently relocated to NC. The problem is, we are only on about 2.5 acres now and will only be here for about 1.5 yrs. Then another relo. Additionally, this house is a rental and we will probably get another rental for the next relo.
Long story short, how fast do these tractors depreciate? I don't want to keep it using it only as a lawn mower. Is it worth it to go ahead and get rid of it now and replace it with a zero turn mower or something more suited for 1-3 acre rental property mowing?
Any idea on the current values of these tractors? I've searched the site, but haven't really found much rescent pricing info. Checked the popular used tractor sites, but not much selection on there and still doesn't help too much on what I could expect to sell it for on my own.
Mowing season is right around the corner and want to know whether it would be best to invest in a finish mower for the tractor or go ahead and sell it for a zero turn. Having both really isn't an option at this point. Not enough garage space (don't want to put the Kubota outside), I doubt I could get "approval" for both, and even if I could, the Kubota would just sit the entire time we're here as there would be no need for it. Any thoughts and options would be great. I'm sure that others of you have been in this same problem at some point. Just wondering what you did and how you liked your decision.

One thing you have to think about is will landlords allow you to have a tractor .
I've never owned a pice of rental property that I would have let the renter have a tractor on it.

newbury · Mar 27, 2009

After looking at a LOT of used tractors the biggest depreciation occurred when you bought it. IF you have space to keep it like new they seem to depreciate very slowly.
That being said you seem to have the next few years of your life planned, and they don't have much room for a $15K trophy. I'd suggest you try to sell it to a trusted relative/friend that will keep it as well as you do with the understanding you have visitation rights, and the right to buy it back when you have room for it.
The Kubota won't mind.
And maybe in the next relocation you'll get a gardener.

MOKobota · Mar 30, 2009

Update: decided to sell the L3400 and get a zero turn if and when it sells. However, until then I still need to mow. That means a new PRD7200 or RD72. For resale, which is a better choice? The 2 best options I've found around here are about $2325 out the door for the PRD7200 (in woods orange) or around $2050 for a RD72 (Kubota orange). Both equipped with the front roller and chain guards, delivered, after taxes. Are either of these very good deals and which would hold better for resale? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Also, since I'm new to the area, I don't have a "regular" dealership for parts/services.

teg · Mar 30, 2009

Buy used... there are several finish mowers for sale in the Charlotte area for $500-$800 on Craig's list. You just need something to get the job done. Shoot, for less then the price you are talking you can get a good zero turn used: 2003 Cub Cadet 44" Zero Turn - $1500 (Huntersville)

MOKobota · Apr 3, 2009

Thanks for the comments. About the landlord, no worries there. He was actually kinda glad when he found out about the tractor. Wonder if he has some chores around that he may want help with?
About getting used, I would be fine with that. However, the suggested craigs listings seem to be a little out there. Most don't know the brand, let alone the model. Nearly every item needs some sort of work: blades, wheels, shaft, etc... After some debate with Household 6, we've come to the conclusion to pay out the extra money. That way, we know exactly what we are getting. Just can't justify spending 750 for a mower that I am gonna have to work on and put at least a few hundred into it just to get it operational.
Additionally, if we can't sell the tractor, I may have the mower for some time.

medicshawn · Apr 3, 2009

I have a landpride RFM on my tractor that I like and you can do zero percent financing for 36 months with no money down. They have longer terms with higher interest of 15% down. You may be able to get a 6 foot for 1800 or so. To bad you weren't closer I have a 5 foot landpride I'm trying to get rid of