Price Check L35 Price opinions?

[hutch4472]

Hello, I am in the market for a small TLB that also has a small price tag. (Im the first one Im sure). I found a 1996 L35 with 2345 hours for 16k here in CA. Its the cheapest (and of course the oldest) I have found so far. Can some of ya'll give me your thoughts on this price tag? Looks good in the pictures (I know that pictures dont tell all but it's 6 hours away at a used equipment dealer) and looks to have about 50% left on the tires. Thanks a bunch for your time, Tom

 

[machmeter62]

I purchased a new L35 over 11 years ago, and still have it. I paid roughly $30,000 plus tax, which included an extra 12" bucket. It came standard at that time with the 18". Everytime I use it, it still impresses me with the total performance. The only down side, is the front tires, with the outside wheel on a tight turn skids, which creates excessive wear on a hard surface. If you check in the "REVIEW" section at the top of the front page, another owner complained of the tire wear also. If you use a larger radius of turn it's no problem. Reversing the seat can be a (PITA), until you get use to it. The performance of the tractor speaks for itself, and after 11 years, and not a single problem, I will never replace it.

The asking price of $16000 seems like a bargain to me, but I would check the service records, if available, also the pins and bushings on the loader and backhoe. The Kubota engines are "bullet proof", unless fluids/filters haven't been changed, or the engine has been overheated for some reason. They are a popular tractor, and if it has had reasonable care, I would jump on it for that price. I live in Northern Calif. also. If you have any further questions about the tractor, just send me a PM. Good luck!

 

[hutch4472]

Thanks alot for the reply, and I do have some more ?'s. I will send a PM. Regards, Tom

 

[john_bud]

At 2300 hours, the bushings and pins may be toast. Even with greasing. They are a PITA to change and are expensive too. I would check for cracks in the frames, housings, mounts, hoe and loader. Also look at the condition of the bucket. Suspension may be getting worn too. Check for leaks in the hydraulics and if the pump is putting out enough pressure. Should be 2500 psi.

jb

 

[hutch4472]

Ya I know over 2300 hours has me worried. Especially if it spent some time as a rental, I dont know that it did nor that it didnt. I will try to check out all the things you mention. Another thing that worried me is the tractor is listed for $17,900.00 and when I emailed him that I was 6 hours away and asked him to give me his bottom line he soon came back with $16,000.00. So I dont know if he is just being generous with his price drop because he just wants to move tractors or if he wants that peice of junk off his lot asap?? Anyway thanks for the replies so far.

 

[machmeter62]

Tom---After reading your bio and previous posts. If you are semi-serious about an L35, you can go to most rental yards in "Kalifornia", and there is a good chance they have Kubotas for rent including the L35's. The reason, and I have asked, "THEY DON'T BREAK," unless extremely abused! I still have my first one, which is a L295DT, which I purchased new nearly 30 years ago, and added a Kubota loader and backhoe to build a new home with many of the problems you are facing. A lot of times, it was "worked hard and put away wet," and has required no wrenching other than fluid changes and minor adjustments. I started out looking at a beat 580 case in 1981 for 10K, but TLC was not part of it life. It looked like it had entered a Destruction Derby, and another 10K to make it reliable! Once the road building, major tasks become history, and you start on your home; a bigger tractor becomes clumsy, and you start looking for something that can get to the job site for the septic systems, under ground utilities, and other projects in confined spaces. I had even looked at trackloaders, before reality contained me! I also like the fact of the ease of transporting the L35 (6000#) on a 10K tandem trailer; it gives you a lot of options. I'm not promoting the L35, but checking with the mechanics at these rental yards on the hard life they suffer; your education will be enhanced for future search for the life expectancy of this class of tractor. Again, good luck on your search!

 

[hutch4472]

Thanks for the insight mach, I think I will call this guy tomorrow and see what he has to say about the machine over the phone, if he says he doesnt think I will be extremely disappointed with its condition after driving 6 hours I will probably go buy a trailer and head south.....which brings up another question......any advice on a trailer? Bumper pull or Gooseneck? If I went the cheaper bumper pull route would I need sway bars? I think I would like a dump trailer but I know they are hi $$$ and not sure how the tractor would even fit in one??? Thanks a ton again.....Tom

 

[machmeter62]

Tom---If you have the time, even call some of the rental yards for their opinion on any major maintenance problems with the L35 for piece of mind, and ask about any 4X4 problems they have. This tractor was built from the ground up as a tough "smaller industrial tractor", and should have been painted yellow.

For towing, I have only a 16' tandem trailer 10K rated, wish it was at least 18' or greater, but only paid $1500 many years ago! The tow vehicle is my Ford F-350 diesel 4X4 dualie with a fake "jake brake" (exhaust brake). The trailer is a bumper tow, and works well for me. I have towed the tractor many times and have had no problems.

I also would use extreme caution in your purchase, and give the tractor a good exercise for an hour, and make sure everything works including the 4X4. Leaks have never been a problem with any of my four Kubotas, which I purchased new, and still own them all.----LEE

 

[machmeter62]

Tom---I solved the problem for moving dirt; look for a good used dump truck. I purchased one when building our home, and it was the best investment I've made, bar none!! It was a former PGE F-350 dump truck that I only paid $4500, and I have carried up to four yards of material on it, and costs less than a dump trailer? I don't have any sway problems either on the trailer.-----LEE

 

[machmeter62]

Tom---Another factor about Kubotas, if you follow info about these tractors through researching; Kubota is an inhouse tractor, and every component is manufactured by Kubota to the perfection for longevity. I would not be concerned about the 2345 hrs. on it, if it looks like it had reasonable care. Some times that care is covered up with a cheap coat of new paint! My 295DT has 4000+ hrs and still runs like new, and has never been un-buttoned!
I truly think it will out live me, or as my father said to me about my portable cement mixer, "you will never wear it out; it will wear you out first!"---LEE

 

[hutch4472]

Thanks again Mach. Since youve been quite helpful so far.......I am going to PM a link to you. It is the used equip outfit that has the L35 Im looking at. I know its tough to judge a whole lot by picture but could you look at them for me and see what you think? Thanks, Tom

 

[machmeter62]

Tom--The L-35 has seen a paint shop recently. It is missing two grill guards, the primary one you could push a dump truck with, and is externally mounted and cross braced. The secondary one, mounts at the opening of the front, just ahead of the radiator with quick disconnects for battery access, but is heavy and strong enough you could use for a drain basin on your driveway. The next question could be why, and how far did the damage extend into the engine compartment. The price of a new radiator would eat up a $500 bill easy. The sheet metal looks bent in that area as well. I am going to study the pictures and give you more thoughts, but read this message, while I look this thing over. It looks like it was a rental and they may have purchased it at a auction? Did they give you any accurate info on the prior owner to contact? I will give you more of my feelings after I study the photos more.

 

[machmeter62]

Tom---- After reviewing it for the second time, the canopy also has damage on the top and sides, but probably not a structural problem. I don't know if you are perfectionist type or not, I have a tendency to want everything to work as advertized, or buy it with the idea of making it right; but you need a starting point called the "law of diminishing returns", where it will cost you more to fix it, without increasing it's value. I believe tractor dealers, franchises, work on a limited profit margin, but when you walk in for replacement parts, you might think you are buying fine jewelry, and may need a liquid pain reliever when you return home. If that radiator starts to fail, unless a new one was installed, replacing the original grill guards, and any pins and bushings that have to be replaced, will cost a couple thousand dollars. Just a original "rattle can" of Kubota orange paint at the dealerships, will cost $10. They make money on parts and supplies in my honest opinion. There are tractor junk yards also, that may have the replacement parts, but this tractor maybe too new. It could also be in good mechanical, and the owners disreguarded the cosmetics? Before you go see it, have some numbers in your back pocket for the visual needed replacement parts, and also use it as bargaining chip after testing the tractor. Personally, I would not buy or tow a trailer that distance on a whim, and be totally disappointed. I was deceived early in life by a person embellishing an aircraft over the phone, and wouldn't hold it for me, without a moderate deposit. The A/C was in Montana and I lived in LAX. After a long and costly trip and a flight test; he was trying to sell me junk, which required a lawyer to get my refund! These are just my opinions only, and I don't want to "rain on your parade!" ---LEE

 

[hutch4472]

Hello Lee, well I called about the L35 today......he says the tractor was not a rental and spent its previous life as a skip loader......the backhoe was from a rental yard and is much newer (as it looks in the pictures). He said a local rental place had it sitting in its yard not attached to anything and he bought it from them for the L35. He didnt know how many hours might have been put on it. He said only one stabilizer ram seeps hyd fluid, not much according to him. Said the loader pins were about what youd think of a 2300 hour machine but surely wouldnt need to be replaced anytime soon. He also said they checked 4X4 and all hyd functions and all worked fine.......and they would change all fluid and filters (I doubt he meant coolant and hyd fluid also) as soon as it sold if it hadnt been done already. Anyway thats about what I know so far......Thanks again, Tom

 

[machmeter62]

Tom---One other point while my mind is engaged. The GST transmissions are a great asset to the tractor, which allows shifting without clutching. The down side, shifting with clutching is easy too. If the operator uses the tractor in the clutching mode, while loading dirt in the loader, and "rides the clutch", instead of selecting a lower gear; it will cause premature clutch wear. I read awhile back on this board, a Kubota mechanic said, "the life of the clutch can be as short as 1000 hours, or even less, if the clutch is abused." Check the clutch in both modes in all gears with the shift lever only for cavitation, and the manual mode for the same reason. There is a slight delay in the non clutching mode, which is normal. Have you had too much info yet?----I just want to cover the important things that are pricey to repair, and I think this is a two stage clutch also? I have never used the PTO, and I maybe wrong.
LEE

 

[machmeter62]

Tom---That sounds like good news overall. However, for your own piece of mind; it is easy to remove the side cowlings, and I wouldn't buy it till I looked into the engine compartment focused on the radiator/fan/ forward exhaust area/water pump, and etc. To destroy those grill guards, required a massive hit!! Plus the sheet metal area is a heavy gauge also. After looking at my original purchase paperwork, the primary grill guard was a $200 dollar option that I added to the tractor, SORRY, MY MISTAKE! I would still look for residual damage, since a big battery sets just forward of the radiator. It was probably purchased without the primary grill guard, which explains the damage. Another plus, the tractor hasn't eaten a lot of dust and dirt in the construction environment.-----LEE

This also explains the damage on the FOPS (FALLING OBJECTS PROTECTION STRUCTURE) with boxes and crates falling. Also, sounds like an honest dealer with legitmate answers. Starting to sound like a fair deal.

 

[machmeter62]

Tom----I will give more good news on the clutch, which is a single stage, and you can do your own wrenching when it is time to change it, since it doesn't require special tools and procedures to install. I hope things turn out good for you.---------LEE

 

[hutch4472]

Hey Lee thanks so much, I am going to call the guy back tomorrow to let him know if I am heading down to look it over. Thats grood news on the clutch too if it needs one. One of the things I plan to use it for is to cut the pad and dig footings for the new shop, and I have quite a tool addiction plus I enjoy turning wrenches. Also as far and the L35's apperance......I really dont care much what any of my stuff LOOKS like......but I am very **** about them being mechanically sound and reliable......In the end after all your imput I will probably head down to see the tractor and if it is not in horrible condition I will probably tow it home,......Thanks for all your time with this,,.....I have wanted a tractor for some time and I hope it works out.......Tom

 

[machmeter62]

Tom---Another fact on backhoe operation, the engine at idle is between 850-950, and will provide all the hydraulics needed for the backhoe, providing good smooth operation, if the cylinders on the hoe are good. Higher RPM will result in too fast of movement, causing bucket banging. Your fuel usage will be less than 1/2 gallon per hour for the hoe, and maybe 1 gallon/hour at max rated power, which you will probably seldom use? It seems to run for weeks on 9.2 gallons for my operations with the 100.5 cu. in. engine, that is extremely smooth. Please post the final scenario of the L-35, and any misleading info that I gave you.-------------LEE