Price Check used L35 price?

[MyCritterHaven]

Hello, Have not been here in a while, we are STILL shopping for a Tractor.... Hubby had a problem giving Uncle Sam hundreds of dollars in sales tax, so we decided to look for a used Tractor.

Of course every time hubby decides to buy the model we last looked at, when we go to buy we end up considering a BIGGER tractor. We started looking at a BX22, the last model we were considering was the B2910 (With MANY upgrades along the way) Someone on this board mentioned the L series.....which I thought might be tooo big....

ANYWAY today I saw along side the road a Kubota L35 with a FEL, 885 hrs. For sale sign said 17,000. The tractor look in good condition but the FEL was a little rusty. There was also a canopy over the tractor (is this standard for the L series?)

SOOOO is this worth pursuing? (I was drooling all the way home, wondering how I could convince hubby to upgrade yet again) What should we be checking & asking when buying a used tractor?

ANY Suggestions are welcome, THANKS!

MCH

 

[Turfman]

I have a few friends with L-35's and they love them. One issue is that they weigh a bunch, so if you are going to trailer it around you will need a hefty trailer and towing vehicle.

 

[Bird]

The L35 is specifically designed for a backhoe, so it's a good choice if you're going to do a lot of digging. And to the best of my knowledge they've never made an L35 with an HST transmission. I think you'll find it's a GST instead if that makes any difference to you.

 

[leoniru]

It's funny how different people approach things. For instance, where you and hubby have been shopping upward in size, I went DOWN to an L-48 TLB. I really began looking for a full-size 'hoe, say a Case or JD. But after seeing what's out there, and what they cost, and factoring in the 'used' aspect I went Kubota. And new at that. I nearly bought a 19 year-old 355 with 1,500 hours on it for $8200. It had a loader but I need a 'hoe. Would have cost another $4000-? to add one. Add in state sales tax, and we're into the $14,000 range for a nearly 20 year-old 30 hp. unit with an unknown service history. One reason I decided against full size the trailering aspects (CDL weight class rig). A full size 2wd 'hoe is at least 5 ton. 4wd add another ton. This is just for the smaller full-size units.

The biggest factor in my decision was the lack of any kind of warranty (at least in my area) for any used machine. I can't afford to take a $10-20 K hit if the machine pukes.

When I took into account Kubota's rebate, tax savings on out-of-state-purchase, and Steve Carver's willingness to work with me, I ended up getting a brand new L-48 TLB (new tractor and loader but demo 'hoe unit) FOR LESS THAN SOME USED L 35 TLBs that I've seen advertised! Even after adding in $775 shipping to Pa.
No, it won't outperform a full-size machine, but it will come close and do what I need it to do. I also have a warranty which I hopefully won't need, and not too far down the road I'll pick up a 5 ton trailer and a F-350 size truck to haul it around in---NON-CDL weight range.

The L 48 is also HST, and after only 5 hrs. on the tractor I can tell you that I wouldn't go without it. This after living with an old Farmall cub with manual transmission and MMM for 15 years. If you have lots of manuevering to do, it's the best way.

That $17000 doesn't sound too bad, but expect to pay $5000-7000 for a 'hoe for it, unless of course you don't need one.

For me a used machine equalled a big gamble. Different if you know it was a one owner machine with the basic service performed, or could somehow verify the machine's service history. Those kinds of used machines are few and far between, at least in my area.
I've heard too many horror stories of people getting burned with used equipment.

Caveat Emptor!

Jim S.

 

[frank_f15]

the L35 is a great machine, i think it was designed mostly for back hoe use. did the one u saw have a hoe on it? be advise tho that it is a little heavier than some , u may want to take tha into consideration, depending on what u need to do with it.

 

[littlediesel]

I purchased a new L35 about 4 years ago. The machine is a really great TLB. You can not purchase a better machine in that weight class.

If that price of $17,000 does not include a backhoe, it is only a fair price. You would not be getting any great deal.

Jon

 

[DavidInNH]

My neighbor had an asking price of $22K for an L35 with backhoe and 900 hours on it last year. I think he would have taken $20K. If this machine doesn't have a hoe, then I think Jon is right, it is only a fair price. I passed on the L35 because I was a little nervous about that many hours, I wasn't quite ready to buy and I REALLY wanted an HST. For what its worth - everybody that has one seems to really like the L35.

Just so you know that your husband isn't the only one that is can look at bigger and bigger tractors - I ended up buying a used L48 from the same neighbor this year. And I haven't stopped grinning yet./w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif

-david

 

[DavidInNH]

<font color=blue>There was also a canopy over the tractor (is this standard for the L series?)</font color=blue>

No, but it is standard with the B21, L35 & L48 Loader/Landscaper tractors. Kubota designates it as a Falling Object Protective Structure (FOPS) rather than as a canopy. Note that these models also have a 4 post ROPS. I doubt that I'll ever need to worry about falling objects other than rain and sunshine and it works fine for these.

-david

 

[MarkV]

MCH,
As the others have said the L35 is a great tractor that is specially designed for loader and backhoe work. Given the price I am guessing that it does not have the backhoe. They are a GST style transmission which is fine for many.(you do not need to clutch to shift gears) Because they are made for commercial use they are built very stout with a subframe and heavy axles. A couple of points you should know, if you don’t already, the loader in not removable on this model and there is no mid PTO for a belly mower. These may or may not be important items for your needs.

I would not be scared of 885 hrs on an L35 but I would check and make sure the hour meter is working. Being that these tractors are used commercially by many, that is not that many hours.

Good luck and ask away if you have more questions. There are a number of B21, L35 and L48 owners on the forum that would be glad to help.

MarkV

 

[karmakanic]

Hi MCH,

I've owned a L35 for four years now and I love the machine. It's perfect for what I do. But I purchased the L35 specifically because I was going to be doing a lot of backhoe work and I wanted a machine that would take the stress of the hoe.

The L35 is a commercial grade unit and that means more weight, permanently mounted FEL, and no mid PTO. The lack of HST was not a factor for me, since I prefer the GST, but it might be a factor for you.

If you're not going to use a backhoe that much, a standard tractor would probably be more suited to your needs. And I agree with the other posters, a L35 at 17k without a hoe is no bargain.

Sincerely,
Dave Perry aka karmakanic