Searching for an older one

[ironhat]

I'm not too familiar with Kubota model numbers so I need some help/ suggestions. I'm in need of/ can only afford, an older CUT in the $2-3,000 range with a FEL (don't tell me I'm nuts - it's a fact). I was thinking in the 15-18 HP range. I'm not real hopeful because I found a Ford 1200 w/ FEL locally for $4900. One poster said it was the going price and another that it was $2K too high. The thing is, at $49 it was beat. If it's the going price I guess I'm out of the market.
TIA,
Chiz

[Michael]

Have you thought about going into the gray market areas. I realize that you said Kubota, but with that limit the best you might do is a Kubota L185 or any of the L-series Kubotas but even the one I found I paid almost $4500.00 for it and it was a 1979 model.


I think a little Yanmar might be a better choice in this price range and there are a lot good dealers and folks who have bought these tough little tractors. If you a Yahoo on the gray dealers be sure to go in aware of the pitfalls. DO not buy anything that is Vietnam rebuilt. This is a scrap together tractor.

This dude in the link brags about the Vietnam rebuilts and the state of Washington and Kubota have been on him several times. I only put the link up for FYI

www.tractorco.com (http://www.tractorco.com)

[ironhat]

Thanks, Mike. I'll have to do my homework before feeling comfortable with a 'gray' unit. My sis-in-law has owned a gray Yanmar since the late 70's and has never needed a single part - aside from filters. So, I know that they *can*be good but SWMBO isn't too keen on my 'great deals' since they sometimes go wrong. Of course, she doesn't want me spending $5k either so what's a cheapskate to do.
Thanks again,
Chiz

[itsgottobegreen]

The worse part about kubota tractors when you are looking for one, is they hold their resale value. The best part about kubota tractors when you are selling one they hold their resale value.

You might just be able find a loader for $2000 to $2500. Then a tractor for another $6000 to $7000.

So $3000 for a kubota tractor and loader is not going to be an option.

I did fine one for $3500 once with a loader, but it had been rolled and needed about $3000 in work.

[mark777]

A good used (not reconditioned) gray market tractor, under 1000 hours (with a FEL + tiller or boxblade) in the 15-18 HP range will run $5500 to $8K. From a Zen-noh (Kubota) Shibaura, Mitsubishi, Yanmar, etc..and from an honest well established dealer.

Not sure what is available in your price range, but you may find something if you search long enough :). Good luck on your tractor hunt and I'll keep my eyes open for ya. What state are you located in?

Mark

[ironhat]

Hey Mark, thanks for not calling me a psycho cheapskate ditz. I have just started looking into CUTs and had no idea what they were going for. I'll start my education with some online searches so that I'm at least speaking the same language. I'm glad I didn't go to a dealer with this mindset. I posted on CUT forum that I had found a Ford 1200 with a FEL for $4900 and it looked beat. I 'bout had a coronary - glad I was talking to the guy by phone. Research shows it to be ca 1983 and sold for about $6K back then, but I gues you can't go by that at all. The steering was shot, sheetmetal rusty, every hyd fitting was leaky or had been, gas filler door missing but it did have a canopy (LOL).
Anyway, I'm in southcentral PA - west of Gettysburg.
Later,
Chiz

PS Thanks!

[Mith_J]

I had a budget near to what you have, I had a max of £2000 ($4000) for one without a loader.
In the end I found a Kubota B6000 for £1000 ($2000) with a mower on the back in real nice shape.
Keep looking, you might have trouble if you really want a loader but i reckon its possible, private sales are the ones to look for as you have more chance of bargaining
Good luck (but I hope you wont need it)

[bontai Joe]

Ironhat,
I'm glad you mentioned where you are at. Keep an eye on what this Ebayer offers right in your neck of the woods: http://stores.ebay.com/MCGREW-EQUIPMENT_W0QQssPageNameZstrkQ3amefsQ3amesstQQtZkm

I've seen him offer CUTs with loaders on a regular basis in your price range. Be sure to contact them with any questions BEFORE bidding. I've bought a couple of items from him and he is a decent guy, and fairly honest describing what he sells.

[ironhat]

Thanks, Joe, I just have to get a map out and figure out where Seven Valleys, PA is located. I liked the way the guy describes 'as is' :

On Nov-10-05 at 05:08:14 PST, seller added the following information:



WE ARE SELLING IT AS IS .......... If you do not understand what that means let me explain it for you!!!!!!!!! If you are high bidder, when you get here we are going to collect your funds. If the machine will not drive on your truck on it is own power we are going to take a loader or forklift and lift it on your truck. You are not going to whine, complain, or any such thing. When you get it home you are going to do whatever you want to with it and not call me and whine, complain, or any such thing. If there is more wrong with the machine then we have stated, then so be it. I am not trying to hide anything, we list every thing we know and that is all we found wrong, but there may be more. I am not trying to be a Jerk, I just want to make things clear from the get go, if you do not understand this please call or do not bid.

No bones and no bull. Thanks again for the source!
Later,
Chiz

[bontai Joe]

Seven Valley PA is south of York, PA real close to the Maryland border, about 15-18 miles east of downtown Gettysburg.

[modre]

there's another auctioneer from near Uniontown Pa sells stuff on ebay with no reserve...can't speak for the pieces, but he did impress me as a solid straight talking knowledgable type...name is quarrickequipment. he sold a nice HT-20 for $900-ish...I ran down and looked at it, but didn't have the cash at the time. he has a web site:
http://www.quarrickauction.com/

Joe...you might keep an eye on him as well. he auctions all kinds of treasures...big and small.

[ironhat]

Thanks Joe. I just dropped them a line. That would be about two hours from where I am - very do-able, and Uniontown is half that!
Thanks, gents!
Later,
Chiz

[bontai Joe]

Ironhat,
Glad to be of help. That's what we do here :fing32:


Modre,
Big thanks and a :fing32: for the info on the other Ebayer. I'm ALWAYS looking for good sellers with good deals. I'll add their site to my Ebay favorite sellers list.

[shimp]

i see both thim dealers, another in carolinas--their equipment looks werth the money,for 'as is'...but i dunno, jist an hobservation