Buying Advice L3800 or MX4700 or MX5100?

[ravencr]

I appreciate the response. For someone that may only put around 100-200 hours on that tractor, do you think that would be an issue? Lots of maintenance needed on something like that? What if it was around $16K'ish? Would any of that matter? I mean, I don't want to be servicing the heck out of it, that's for sure, so would it still be reliable with that many hours?

Chris

 

[crazyal]

Now you're starting to get into how much will a used tractor cost me. 3000 hours is going to be at the point where you may start having to replace parts due to wear. If you're handy and can live without your tractor then it shouldn't be an issue, if not then it may end up costing you.

Equipment dealers usually say that an hour translates to about 40 miles. That would mean a 3000 hour tractor would be equal to a truck with 120k miles on it.

 

[gwdixon]

I agree with the crazy guy. 3000 hrs. is a long time. By that time it is well broken in. But it is a tractor after all.

You'll start seeing things that are worn out. Fuel injectors for instance. Tires are likely gone. Joints and pins are probably well worn - functional but loose. If you can live with that then go for it.

You might want to have a dealer give it a once over before purchase to estimate what it would cost to get it in A-1 shape. It will probably be in the neighborhood of $4000.

IF it was well serviced the power train should be OK but there is always a question without having the detailed records. Sometime during the 3000 hrs. it is likely that something has been abused.

There will almost certainly be several things that come up as you use it. One day this, another day that. My old Allis-Chalmers WD40 was that way. Twenty minutes to get it started, an hour of operation, and a half hour of repair.

After driving around the new one, then go see the old one. Plunking down the cash will make it hard to undo your choice. It more similar to a truck purchase than buying something from Walmart.

 

[Verticaltrx]

I appreciate the response. For someone that may only put around 100-200 hours on that tractor, do you think that would be an issue? Lots of maintenance needed on something like that? What if it was around $16K'ish? Would any of that matter? I mean, I don't want to be servicing the heck out of it, that's for sure, so would it still be reliable with that many hours?

Chris

It all depends on how it was taken care of and maintained. If it was serviced exactly how it should be and never abused it isn't crazy to think you could get another 3000hrs out of it before having to replace a thing. A lot of tractors will go to 10,000hrs before a major overhaul. There are some items like belts, hoses and the occasional seal that go bad with age, but a lot of that isn't related to the amount of hours. IF you are mechanically inclined and the tractor is in great shape it may be something to consider.

 

[k0ua]

When you test that 3pt on the L3800 try to get an implement on the back if at all possible. boom pole would be great, but box blade or rotary cutter would work ok too. Now if possible set the brake and get off and stand on the right side of the tractor next to the RR wheel and use your right hand to raise the 3pt as slowly as you possibly can while watching the implement. Do not raise it all at once, or let the dealer do it. That proves nothing. They all raise smoothly if the handle is pulled up all at once, they may be one little jerk at the end of its travel. This is not the problem nor is the lowering, They all lower as slowly as you want and as smooth as silk. The problem is trying to move the position control lever, slowly. If you try to move it slowly and continuously it will jump up with multiple jerks. See Chilly807 video. It is typical for the group. If you can raise it slowly without bouncing the heck out of the tractor. Then buy it. It is an excellent tractor and will serve you very very well. and is reasonably priced under 20K with loader, and maybe even a blade thrown in. Be sure to get hydro and cruise control if at all possible and be sure to get SSQA on the front bucket..Remotes can be added by others. both rear and front. If you can get it fixed like the thread started by jokergerm (search for them) then be happy and buy it but dont hold your breath on getting it fixed.. he is the only one that I know that had a good experience like that.. Please report back what you find. We have heard a few stories that some of the L3800's dont have the problem, yet we are not sure. and we have asked some new owners and have gotten conflicting results. We would very much like to hear what you have to say about this. Thanks

James K0UA

 

[foreman Etexas]

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[TripleR]

I appreciate the response. For someone that may only put around 100-200 hours on that tractor, do you think that would be an issue? Lots of maintenance needed on something like that? What if it was around $16K'ish? Would any of that matter? I mean, I don't want to be servicing the heck out of it, that's for sure, so would it still be reliable with that many hours?

Chris

I pretty much agree with what the others have said. I am in my 60's and frankly tired of working on tractors/cars/trucks/motorcycles, so while I use to think nothing of driving a car/truck/tractor etc. into the ground and dropping another motor etc. and keep going, I will be trading when things start going wrong.

If you are comfortable doing a little work on one then the 3000 hour tractor will be worth it, I know my brother would jump all over it.

At only hundred hours per year, it is going to take a long time to wear it out, so if it is in good shape now it still will be ten years from now or more.

My only caveat is have someone knowledgeable check it out. I think I know a little bit about tractors, but still have my brother who is a mechanic check one out for me. Over the years, we have gotten some pretty good buys.

 

[ravencr]

K, thanks guys. I wonder if the dealer would let me video the two tractors side x side today to help some others out that are in my same shoes?

Chris

 

[kuboman]

I think I would be a little nervous to buy a 3000 hr machine. It depends on how they were used. Some machines run 18 hrs a day and some run 5 hrs a day at 10 minute intervals. I know any of my kubotas will not run 3000 hrs because of the way they get used and I do not abuse them. They just get used for short periods often. I'll bet every hour clocked has 3 or 4 starts in it. All this will wear a machine faster than a long steady day running.

 

[ravencr]

Yeah I'm leaning away from it at this point. I'll keep everyone posted on what I discover today between the 3800 and 3540.

Chris