Price Check: Kubota L3800 and suggestions

[torsinadoc]

I will be purchasing my first tractor in the very near future. I have 13 acres (hilly) and will be maintaining 4 acres (garden, mowing, driveway, etc) with the plan of planting an orchard on the rest once we get settled. I was considering a Kubota B series but am concerned that I will want to upgrade in the next few years. I found a used 2012 L3800 4x4 HST with 70 hours. Has cimarron box blade, land pride RCR 1860 brush hog, front loader. Asking 16500. Is that reasonable? Anything in particular I should ask for a used tractor? I will likely add a grooming mower. My land is currently to rough for a zeroturn as it is pasture. Other thoughts or suggestions?

Also how concerned should I be with hitch issues with the L3800? How to assess it? I want something that will be fairly easy to maintain and operate

 

[peterc38]

That sounds like a pretty good deal. I just sold an L3200 for more than that without any implements. I'd want to verify they did the 50 hr service and if not do it yourself when you get it. The hitch won't be a problem for bush hogging but may be a problem with the box blade when you need to make finer incremental adjustment. Maybe you can try it out. It is a very reliable and capable tractor. Since you have hills I'd also fill the rear tires and add wheel spacers for stability (if it doesn't already have those).

 

[mddorange]

:welcome:
To TBN from Alabama. Why are they selling it? With only 70 hours, it is just barely broke in.

 

[LD1]

What tires? For hills I would want R1's. They can be set wider. R4's arent adjustable.

As to the hitch, the L3800 is "supposed" to be fixed. But have him hook up the blade or bushhog, then try raising it SLOWLY. Down is never an issue. But going up SLOW is when it gets jerky. If it is smooth you are good. If it jerks, only you can decide if you can live with it.

New that tractor would have been around $19k or so. And a few grand worth of attachments. So yea, its a pretty good deal. Just be sure the tractor is his to sell? You can search threads here about how to do transactions with someone when they still owe money on the machine. Could be he dont owe anything, could be the payoff is 16.5k and he just wants out of it, or it could be he owes more? Point is, you want a way to ensure the loan is satisfied. IF you had him 16.5k cash and decides to not pay it off, the bank or kubota is gonna come looking for you and the tractor and you are screwed.

 

[teg]

You can always use the jerky 3 point hitch as a reason to offer less but it seems to be a good deal with the extra attachments.

About the 50 hour service, if it's done, you should have 2 white filters on the hydraulic side. IF it wasn't done, If I remember correctly, they will be gray. (can anyone confirm this? it's been a while...)

LD1, I think the widest R1 can get are equal to R4's outside measurements, but R4 are shorter (lower CG). I can measure my R4's tomorrow to double check.

To the OP, with that few hours, just the "looks" of the tractor should tell you if it was abused or not. Post some photos if you can...

 

[LD1]

LD1, I think the widest R1 can get are equal to R4's outside measurements, but R4 are shorter (lower CG). I can measure my R4's tomorrow to double check.

Possible. I dont have my manual handy and I think it lists all that stuff in there. I though sure that you could get wider with the R1's. I also though overall height was pretty close to?

Either way, going up or down hills, if they are at all steep, I like R1's

 

[Bluegill2]

Sounds like a good deal. I've been very impressed with mine!

 

[varmint]

I think $16,000 is a good deal, too. I just today bought a rear blade from a guy who recently had bought a used 2010 L2800, with the SSQA bucket but nothing else, less than 70 hours but also $16,000

 

[Fallon]

That's cheaper than I'd be asking for my L3200 with no implements.

Jerky 3pt...

It only shows up when lifting small distances under load. Put a implement on & try to lift it in 1/2" increments. You will likely find it not smooth but very usable. It generally won't show up lifting it a long ways & doesn't show when lowering.

 

[jeff9366]

I found a used 2012 L3800 4x4 HST with 70 hours. Has cimarron box blade, land pride RCR 1860 brush hog, front loader. Asking 16500. Is that reasonable? Anything in particular I should ask for a used tractor? I will likely add a grooming mower. l

That is a good, fair price. Consider on a new purchase of same equipment you will have sales tax.

After your purchase see your Kubota dealer for KTAC comprehensive tractor insurance.