Used B2150 - What questions to ask?

[Andyfr]

I have spoken to a non-franchised dealer about a Kubota B2150 tractor. It is 4 wheel drive, hydro trans, with a FEL and backhoe, it has 1000 hours on it and is in good condition. As the dealer is over 500 miles away it is very difficult for me to go and see it. He did say that if I bought it over the 'phone I wouldn't be disappointed - the company has been established over 75 years so I feel that I can trust them.

What questions - apart from the obvious ones - do I ask regarding the tractor?

When the backhoe comes off can I just attach an implement or do I need some kind of linkage?

Can anyone tell me what the dimensions are with the FEL and BH attached as I am trying to price for delivery.

Is it still possible to get the operator and maintenence manuals for this model and are they expensive?

Thanks in advance

 

[jdrotert]

Re: Used B2150 - What to ask?

Andy,
I paid $8000 (USD) for a b2150 (600 hrs) with rear finish mower and FEL. Being on the wrong side of the pond from you, I have no idea what that tractor is worth over there. I hope this helps a little.

 

[billfires]

Andyfr, I don't think I would be comfortable spending that amount of money on a used tractor without at least seeing it and probably trying to hire a local mechanic to inspect it. It would probably be very difficult to resolve a major problem when the dealer is 500 miles away. Just my opinion, for what ever it is worth. Good luck.

Bill C

 

[Turfman]

What Billfires says make sense. If you pass on this tractor and have to buy a similar one for $500-1000 more you missed a great deal a paid more for another you could see, test and check out. Dealers know the value of the tractor. They seldom offer "great" deals on a used tractor. They know what they are worth or they won't stay in business long. If this dealer wants X dollars for the tractor, chances are he's within a few hundred dollars of another dealer for the same tractor. Chances are you'd buy from them and they'd stand behind it and you'd get a nice tractor----but they are 500 miles away and if the tractor isn't as good as it seemed....that's a long distance to cover to straighten it out or have them repair it.

I bought a B9200 last year with "400" hours on it (private party purchase). Got it home and a week later when I try to use it there are problems. Another 4 weeks while I wait for my appointment at the Kubota dealer (didn't buy it from him, so he takes care of those that did first) and after they had been into it for a week I learn the transmission is shot. The hour meter had been changed out twice. Traded it this spring for a new B2710. The guy I purchased it from sold his place and moved out of state. Hard to get anywhere with him when he's out of state.

Best of luck on the purchase or continued hunt, whatever the case.

 

[Kelvin]

Andy,
Even though the B2150 has an outstanding reputation, I wouldn't buy one without a reasonably thorough inspection or a least a 30 day WRITTEN “money-back” satisfaction guarantee (even though you may lose shipping costs). 1000 hours isn’t bad, though.

If you decide to pursue the purchase, here are some items to consider...

Are all of the implements (FEL and backhoe) Kubota brand implements designed for the B2150? The Kubota LA350A is the FEL designed for the B2150; I don’t know about the backhoe. You should be able to contact a Kubota dealer for that information.

Manuals: I have never had any problems finding both operator and shop manuals for older Kubota tractors. I bought a used B2150 with Kubota FEL loader about 2 years ago and had no problem ordering all of the manuals.

3-Point Lift Arms: Most backhoes that I have seen require the 3-point lift arms to be removed during backhoe installation. Are the B2150 lift arms included (or have they been “lost”). If they have substituted lift arms from another tractor then you could have some problems attaching 3-point implements.

Overall Dimensions: For shipping purposes, my B2150 with FEL and rear finish mower will barely fit onto a 16 foot trailer (I’ll let you convert feet to metric as needed). I would guess that the backhoe in its “curled” position would be slightly less in length than the 16 feet that my setup occupies.

Weights (according to the operator’s manuals):
Tractor with turf tires: 845 kg (1861 lbs)
Tractor wit AG tires: 833 kg (1835 lbs)
Loader 326 kg (720 lbs)
50.2 inch Loader Bucket: 80 kg (176 lbs)

I am reasonably sure that the above tractor weights are with air in the tires.

Hope this helps,
Kelvin

 

[frank_f15]

i think i would be a little leary, unless the dealer agrees to give u a return if it is not up to spec. but that might be difficult from 500 mi. i bought mine used , but that was 170 mi away and i drove up and looked at it and ran it, was well worth the one day i spent traveling back and forth. nothing like seeing it in person.

 

[Andyfr]

Sorry for the delay in responding to your replies, I er had a mishap with the 'phone line...I er set it on fire /w3tcompact/icons/blush.gif. I was burning some rubbish and standing up wind not realising that down wind the grass had caught fire. I was running round jumping on the flames /w3tcompact/icons/crazy.gif and then had to get a shovel to beat it with. Then tried to get the hose but it wasn't long enough /w3tcompact/icons/blush.gif so started beating it with the shovel again. Fortunately I managed to get it under control without injury to anything but my pride. The 'phone line is above ground and got caught up in it so had to get the 'phone company to come and fix it this morning.

Back to the post. I know what you are saying and I do feel nervous about buying over the 'phone, if I can I will go and see it. Compact tractors in this area are as rare as hens teeth so I will have to travel at least 200 miles and more likely further. As it is a bank holiday over here I can't speak to the dealer until Tuesday anyway.

One thought is that I could get the dealer to deliver it and give him a bank draft if the tractor is okay and if not just pay for expences. /w3tcompact/icons/hmm.gif Worth a try!

Thanks for the info Kelvin regarding the dimensions, it will be helpful when arranging for transportation, also about the lift arms.

Regards

 

[hwp]

Hi Andy:
Is there a possiblity of employing the services of an appraiser knowledgeable in tractors? Do you have what we call "yellow pages" in your telephone directory, i.e. a directory of commercial enterprises? If so, can you access them for the area that the tractor is located in, either via the internet or through your local library or telephone office? If so, you might find a listing for someone that knows something about tractors, even if it is another tractor dealer. At least that way you will get a second opinion. I would want something more than the sellers word that it is a good deal. It will cost you a few pounds but you will have a bit more peace of mind. At the very least I would want a 50/50 warranty on parts and labour for a month from date of delivery arranged with a dealer in your area.

 

[Andyfr]

Hi hwp

That might be worth looking into /w3tcompact/icons/hmm.gif. As you say it would be worth paying someone to have a look at it, even if I went I wouldn't really know what to look for beyond the obvious. We do have a Yellow Pages on-line so I will have a look at that.

Regards