Buying advice: L series

pigdoc

Active member

Equipment
G1800S L2500
Aug 19, 2022
275
203
43
SE Pennsylvania
Hi Folks,

I've pretty much decided to sell my 1954 Farmall Cub, and get something a bit more capable. I have about 1/4-mile of steeply sloped driveway to maintain - winter snow removal and summer grading (asphalt grindings). I am also aiming to sell about 9000BF of timber from my 12-acre woodlot, and am expecting to fell the trees (black birch) and skid the logs. Have a grading project in my future, too - a terraced hillside garden with native rock retaining walls (my mountainside property is very rocky).

So, have kind of settled on the Kubota L-series as a good compromise between power (enough) and size (not too massive) for what I want to do. Thinking I want at least 25 hp, and a loader. Don't need it for mowing, as our yard is <1 acre (I have a G1800 for mowing). I generally inclined to sacrifice convenience and creature-comforts for reliability and dependability. So, no fancy electronics. Probably don't need HS transmission. Cab sounds nice, but will be a clearance issue in the woods, so I'll make do without that. Probably need 4WD. Looking to avoid the later emissions-burdened models. Would like to buy a used tractor, ideally something with less than 1000 hours on it.

What are the best Kubota engine models for dependability?
What are the transmissions least prone to trouble?

One model I've thought about is the L2350 (1991-1998, D1105 motor, I think), though it's at the bottom end of my preferred power range.
They seem to be very reasonably priced, used ($5000-$7000). An L2350 is selling at auction nearby in a couple of weeks, with 978 hours on it.

I welcome any recommendations, general to specific.

THANKS!
-Paul

PS, there's a non-running L2550DT selling at that same auction, but without a loader. Has the D1402 motor, very good rubber, and I bet it will go CHEAP! Worth a chance?
 
Last edited:

Flintknapper

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Premium Member

Equipment
L2350DT
May 3, 2022
1,558
1,991
113
Deep East Texas
L2350DT is what I settled on when I was looking for a compact tractor.

It has served me well so far. Didn't want HST (for this tractors use) but I'd submit you'll want 4wd.

Kubota Purchased.jpg
 
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D2Cat

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Lifetime Member

Equipment
L305DT, B7100HST, TG1860, TG1860D, L4240
Mar 27, 2014
12,895
4,263
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40 miles south of Kansas City
Check out something in the xx40 series tractors. Last series before the government mandates (2007-2013). I've got an L4240 with nearly 1000 hrs. that I've had for 5 years with nothing but start up and run! You can get them from 32-57 HP.

And Oh, don't buy a tractor without 4 wheel drive! It in effect give you about 25% more workability over 2 wheel drive.
 
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North Idaho Wolfman

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L3450DT-GST, Woods FEL, B7100 HSD, FEL, 60" SB, 743 Bobcat with V2203, and more
Jun 9, 2013
28,286
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Sandpoint, ID
D1402 is an easy motor to get parts for, if that's what is needed to get it running.
If you are looking for an older tractor and want a loader, get one with a loader, getting one without that and trying to find one down the line is going to be dang near impossible, or at least not cheap.
 
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pigdoc

Active member

Equipment
G1800S L2500
Aug 19, 2022
275
203
43
SE Pennsylvania
D1402 is an easy motor to get parts for, if that's what is needed to get it running.
If you are looking for an older tractor and want a loader, get one with a loader, getting one without that and trying to find one down the line is going to be dang near impossible, or at least not cheap.
Ya, Wolfman, I had concluded that finding a loader to match a 30-year old tractor would be tough...

One thought I had was:

1. Buy BOTH the L2350 and the L2550.
2. Repair the L2550.
3. Swap the loader from the L2350 to the L2550.
4. Sell the L2350.

Your posting encourages me to snap up the (non-running) L2550 on speculation of getting it running...
I would just about bet that all it needs is a injector pump rebuild, worst case scenario. And, my son and I have done a number of Bosch pump rebuilds. Pretty straightforward.

-P
 
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JasonW

Active member
Jan 29, 2015
232
98
28
Al
Unless you’re just wanting an project, take a look at a L2501 HST. Brand new with a warranty and no emissions.
 
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pigdoc

Active member

Equipment
G1800S L2500
Aug 19, 2022
275
203
43
SE Pennsylvania
Unless you’re just wanting an project, take a look at a L2501 HST. Brand new with a warranty and no emissions.
Ya, what stops me on that idea is the Suggested Retail Price: $17,683.
Just not in the budget, if I want that Hemi this year, too.

Thanks,
P
 

TGKY

Active member

Equipment
L4701DT
May 24, 2018
109
35
28
US
I recently sold an L300DT. 30ishHP at the engine. I think the engine series was D1503. I think it was a year 2000 or 2001.

I would highly recommend one, even though I know they are not the most common or popular.

It was bullet proof and reliable. Never had anything close to an issue in putting just over 1000 hours on it. I sold to go larger and get a loader, but i still worry a little that my new tractor may not be as reliable.

For what its worth I sold it for $7,500 with no loader. 4WD and R1 tires
 

fried1765

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Equipment
Kubota L48 TLB, Ford 1920 FEL, Ford 8N, SCAG Liberty Z, Gravely Pro.
Nov 14, 2019
6,311
4,001
113
Eastham, Ma
I recently sold an L300DT. 30ishHP at the engine. I think the engine series was D1503. I think it was a year 2000 or 2001.

I would highly recommend one, even though I know they are not the most common or popular.

It was bullet proof and reliable. Never had anything close to an issue in putting just over 1000 hours on it. I sold to go larger and get a loader, but i still worry a little that my new tractor may not be as reliable.

For what its worth I sold it for $7,500 with no loader. 4WD and R1 tires
"for what it's worth" ???
Gotta believe that the $7,500 was.... "what it's worth"