Maintenance on low usage tractor

TomIn · Feb 21, 2020

I've been considering buying a compact loader tractor. I ran across a local listing for a Kubota L3400DT (gear drive) tractor. The tractor appears to be a 2009 model with just over 200 hours showing. The original owner apparently traded it for another vehicle (car or truck) about three years ago when it had about 100 hours on it. The current owner has put about another 100 hours on it.

I inquired about maintenance records. The current owner said that he had regularly greased everything, but had not changed any of the fluids or filters. He had no idea what had been done before he bought it. I figure that the worst case scenario is that nothing has been changed in over 10 years and 200 hours. How afraid of this tractor should I be???

caterpillar guy · Feb 21, 2020

If it fits into your plans size wise, price it based on those factors. Then go from there.

tractorsam · Feb 21, 2020

While it wouldn?t be good to have never had a fluid change unless they look really nasty I probably wouldn?t worry. Kubota usually recommends a 50hr initial service, so maybe it?s had one. I?d also be less concerned if it?s been kept indoors.

Mutt and Jeff · Feb 21, 2020

Not an antique but an infant.

I'd be more concerned of the too good to be true aspect.
The ads that are just too good to be true.
I hope you expect to pay about ten thousand dollars.

urbancase · Feb 21, 2020

I picked up a low hour caseih c80 few back with 400 hours, it sat inside most of its life but still had case filters in it except for the oil. this was a 2000 model and I bought it in early 2018, I changed everything and now put a 100 hours on it myself and have not had any problems.
just look it over good and make sure things work like they should.

Fawteen · Feb 21, 2020

I wouldn't worry too much about it.

I WOULD immediately change all fluids and filters as it's due for a 200 hour service anyway.

Steve in VA · Feb 21, 2020

Buddy bought a compact 4wd with very, very low hours. Great deal until the front end went out. I found no oil in the swivels or diff. We had to rebuild the whole front end. He told me that given the low hours, he never though to check or even look.at the sight glass. Yes, it's pretty much his fault but my caution to up is to check EVERYTHING.
Good luck to you.

showcrop · Feb 21, 2020

Tom be aware that moisture gets into all gear cases and housings as well as hydraulic brakes by way of condensation because all housings are vented to keep seals from blowing out. When a machine is being used regularly this is not an issue because the oil soon gets heated up to where the moisture evaporates. Every other week there is a post here about someone finding that their transmission or hydraulic oil is milky or like a milkshake. This happens because the tractor has been used little so the moisture keeps building up. Oil with a high moisture content is not a good lubricant.

Mike M · Feb 21, 2020

if stored indoors I would be somewhat less concerned. Look at all the fluid levels and conditions ( like milky from water ) Before you buy it. Look at the engine oil filter. If original I think they are painted blue like the engine. Kubota replacement filters are white. And if an aftermarket you should see a name and part number to identify it. Maybe look at the drain plug too. It might have some sort of paint to identify if it has been unscrewed too. If it looks like the engine oil was changed I'd feel a lot better about it.

MarkB_MI · Feb 21, 2020

If the price is right, buy it! If you bought a ten year old tractor with a thousand hours on it, chances are good it's only had a couple of oil changes in that time. And probably nothing else has been serviced other than a few shots of grease.

Traditional Farmer · Feb 21, 2020

It might not have ever had oil in the front end from new.

Traditional Farmer · Feb 21, 2020

Only difference to me would be that it has less hrs than most tractors a good thing.I look for low hr vehicles and tractors to buy most of the stuff and fears I read about them is
just a bunch of repeated internet stuff.I'd just change the fluids and filters and use it.

Dean · Feb 21, 2020

It should have had a 50 hour service. The subsequent service is not yet due, by operating hours at least.

Examine both engine oil and hydraulic filters. If they are white, with Kubota logo, they have been changed at least once. If they are chassis grey, they are the filters on the tractor when it was shipped from the factory.

Dean

Texasmark1 · Feb 21, 2020

Last year I bought a 1988 tractor with only 900 hrs in an estate (deceased) sale. What I found was sludge in the bottom of the engine pan where the contaminants in the oil had settled out due to non-usage. A little snake oil and a couple of oil/filter changes and the sludge was gone and the oil stayed clean. The other fluids I changed (didn't bother checking for sludge) and they weren't all that bad. Contaminants in fluids will separate or settle to the bottom in long term sitting. Most fluids contain detergents to contain contaminants (and possibly other additives) in suspension. As a result, I try to run my seldom used tractors for half an hour about every month and that seems to keep things running for me. In short, I don't have a problem with it.

Other than the above, the only other thing needing attention were the wet brakes but a little usage and they quit making grinding noises (rust removal from parts not submerged in the oil sump) and the slight jerking smoothed out, and I had to slip the clutch a bit to get the rust worn off the flywheel. Again, not a problem.

David G · Feb 21, 2020

I would just plan to change fluids and not worry about it.

Tom in Mo. · Feb 21, 2020

I would buy it and change the fluids and it'll probably last your lifetime. Great little tractor.

Stephen Newell · Feb 21, 2020

If I bought it I would just do all of the maintenance and go from there. No more hours it has it would be alright.

Bruce(OR) · Feb 21, 2020

I have '98 B7500HST with about 375 hours on it. Do the fluid changes. You will be happy.

Maintenance on low usage tractor

TomIn

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caterpillar guy

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tractorsam

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Mutt and Jeff

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urbancase

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Fawteen

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Steve in VA

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showcrop

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Mike M

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MarkB_MI

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Traditional Farmer

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Traditional Farmer

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Dean

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Texasmark1

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David G

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Tom in Mo.

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Stephen Newell

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Bruce(OR)

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