LB1914 w/loader ... ?

doc49633 · May 4, 2009

1998 model ... 300 hours looks good ...what is it worth ?

Anything I should look out for on a test drive ? ...should I rent this for a weekend ? ??

IslandTractor · May 5, 2009

Without doing any research I'd guess about $6000 in good condition. 300hrs is nothing and the tractors have a good reputation but it is 10 year old out of production model with gear and a relatively modest loader compared to current models. You'd have to compare it to the older Kubotas of similar size/vintage. The Kioti would be about 20% less.

JoelD · May 5, 2009

island's estimate sounds about right, with that said I get the impression there are not a bunch of those machines around therefore you'd likely have some barganing power.

I'd also consider something a little more recent, support would be a lot easier.

The new machines, the 20's which I think have a considerably stronger loader are going around 10-11K I think new. With low financing available.

Give some thought to going a little newer and I think you'll find things easier in general.

I bet you can get a great deal on a used 20, to me I'd rather pay 20-30% more for a newer machine that has a lot more capabilities and resale would be a lot easier if that's a possibility.

The CK20's are much better known.

Good luck either way,
Joel

doc49633 · May 5, 2009

SOUNDS like you guys are not all that enthused ... so what would be an extra special "deal" on this?

I am planning on moving from MI to FL ...and then building a earth-sheltered home ...so I think I will need a bigger one than a 20 HP unit to do that.

What I think I would like to do here is to buy this "right" ... then use it for a year or so .. then sell it for maybe what I have in it - in a better "selling market than it is now.

So what did this sell for new ? Should I insist on an extensive test-drive? Is there anything I should look-out for ?

IslandTractor · May 5, 2009

I did not mean to say that the LB1914 was not a capable machine, it is. I think Joel was also just pointing out the additional advantages of the CK series too. The LB will certainly do all the things a 20hp tractor can do and as there are guys who have used even smaller Kubota BX machines to do the sorts of things you are discussing I would not want to disuade you from trying. I agree with Joel about the CK but I think it would cost you about $8000 or more to get a decent CK20 with loader even in this economy.

You might consider offering $5000 or maybe less if you want to low ball. I was assuming it has a loader and frankly would not want it for even a small building project if it doesn't. My point was just that you'd have trouble finding much else on the market in that condition/hours for less than 6K unless you get into tractors with very little dealer or parts support.

I'd just look the tractor over generally for evidence that it has been cared for and not abused. In a machine with 300hours I would not worry too much so long as there was evidence that the oil had been changed and grease fittings maintained. Air filter, fuel filter and HST filters are about all the other maintenance items. As a ten year old machine with an average of 30 hours/year it may not have had much annual maintenance but with so few hours it is hard to imagine much damage could have been done. If you buy it I'd just do a 50hr type service (change all fluids and filters, check for loose nuts etc) and then be happy.

JoelD · May 5, 2009

As mentioned previously, if you've got a chance to rent for short money I'd definately do that, great way to test out the machine not to mention to see if you like it.

$5K sounds like a good starting point.

Good luck,
Joel

doc49633 · May 5, 2009

THX guys .....

The seller is supposed to bring the tractor by this early evening.

The CK models? ... what year did these come out? ...what are the bennies over the LB's?

IslandTractor · May 5, 2009

doc49633 said:
The CK models? ... what year did these come out? ...what are the bennies over the LB's?

CK20 came out I think around 2003/2004. It has a more open operator station, much stronger loader, a bit more power and is heavier and I believe a bit wider. It has power steering and I am not sure if the LB does. The early CK20 models still had your basic seat like on the LB but after about 2005 they all came with a suspension seat which is a major plus. Many CK20 tractors have hydrostatic transmissions whereas all the LB tractors are gear.

doc49633 · May 5, 2009

Thx I T .... I a NOT sure if this has power-steering but it certainly would be of a benefit to my GF who would like to use this also. BTW ... is a non-PS unit tuff to use?

The suspension seat is that big of a deal ?

doc49633 · May 5, 2009

To add ..

Does the CK loader have more capacity ... is it a beefier frame? ...or is it both ?

IslandTractor · May 5, 2009

I don't think power steering would be necessary for a small tractor but it is nice especially if you do a lot of loader work. A suspension seat likewise is a luxury not a necessity.

Regarding loader...it is more capacity.

JoelD · May 5, 2009

As a former owner of a small non-power steering tractor, let me tell you, even with just 300-400lbs in the bucket, steering is TOUGH. I can't believe the difference with power steering.

There are more variables when it comes to tractors than one would think.

Joel

doc49633 · May 6, 2009

Hey guys ....

JUST to let you know .... the guy never called or came by. Maybe that is better - since I have learned a lot here ....thanks.

The need for PS ? ... I think that would be the ticket - at least for my small-framed girlfriend. She would like to do stuff like this ...and I would imagine that most of this would be loader work.

Is there anything tell-tale about a bad clutch ...other than the pedal being at a high engage ?

What is the diff in the loader capacities?

IslandTractor · May 6, 2009

The loader specs for the LB1914 loader are no longer on the Kioti website. A dealer might have access to those numbers but they were pretty clearly lower by a few hundred pounds as I recall than for the CK20/KL120 combo. You might check that out (kioti dot com) to see the CK20S which is the current version of the CK20. Loader specs are pretty much the same as with the older CK20.

mielkemanor · May 6, 2009

I have a 2003 LB1914. It has power steering from the factory, A loader that does not crack and will go up hills in high gear high range. Yes it is old school design but in my opinion that's a good thing." You can't go wrong with any Kioti tractor! Good luck on your tractor purchase!

IslandTractor · May 6, 2009

mielkemanor said:
I have a 2003 LB1914. It has power steering from the factory, A loader that does not crack and will go up hills in high gear high range. Yes it is old school design but in my opinion that's a good thing." You can't go wrong with any Kioti tractor! Good luck on your tractor purchase!

I believe you are now officially the ranking member of the LB1914 subcommittee. We'll turn to you for experience as there are relative few active TBN members with LB1914s these days.

BTI · May 6, 2009

If the money and year was the same I would take an LB1914 over a Geardrive CK20.
The 1914 was a non-synchronized shuttle-shift, the lever was on the dash where the CK 30's are.
The 8 speed was synchronized.
PTO is transmission driven like on the CK20 geardrive.
The loader (KL102) was rated at 770lbs.
Some early models did not have power steering.
Around 98 I believe they all did, but ya better check.
Wet disk brakes, 7 gpm Hydraulics.
They aren't really more narrow but the back tires are taller, giving the appearance of being more narrow.

BTI

JoelD · May 6, 2009

IslandTractor said:
I believe you are now officially the ranking member of the LB1914 subcommittee. We'll turn to you for experience as there are relative few active TBN members with LB1914s these days.

I second.

IslandTractor · May 7, 2009

BTI said:
If the money and year was the same I would take an LB1914 over a Geardrive CK20.

I'm interested in why. I've never used a LB1914 but from your description I cannot see any significant advantage over the CK20 gear. I know from sitting on one that the operator station was not as roomy. For the same money and year, why would you choose the LB?

BTI · May 7, 2009

I like the 8 speed trans in the LB1914.
I like the shuttle shift on the LB1914.
The CK20 gear has no shuttle and is a 6spd.
Deeper loader bucket also, unless it was one of the last few sold.
BTW I do like the CK20S HST.

It was also one of the first tractors I ever sold......
Maybe I'm just sentimental LOL

BTI