Could My "New" Kubota L3902 Actually Be Used?

[ahr6912]

I recently bought a Kubota L3902 that was sold to me as brand new — the engine hour meter only shows single digits. But now I’m having serious doubts.

I’ve heard that Kubota repossesses financed tractors after a default, then works out a reduced payoff deal with the original buyer before auctioning the tractor off to dealers. That got me wondering… what if the “new” tractor I bought had already been owned and used, then resold?

Here’s what I’ve noticed:

The orange transmission fill cap had black dirt on the threads.

The transmission dipstick, which should be yellow, is faded almost white.

The seatbelt release button is pink instead of red.

The seat held water like it had been sitting outside.

The chrome emblems (“Kubota” and “L3902”) are cracked and weathered.

There are places where adjustments were not made, and some hydraulic fluid is spotting, too.

The hour meter says it's barely been run, but these cosmetic issues don’t match. I also called customer service, gave them the serial number, and the rep confirmed the tractor has been in the dealer's inventory for about 18 months. I asked if I was listed as the original buyer, she said yes.

What do you folks think? Could this tractor really be new but just stored poorly? Or was it possibly repossessed, lightly used, and resold as new? I’d really appreciate your thoughts or advice on how I can confirm its true history and get some peace of mind.
time from the rep.

 

[dirtydeed]

sounds like it was just stored outside on the lot to me.

Don't sweat it, just enjoy it.

 

[GrumpyFarmer]

Well pics say 1000 words, so in this case it’s hard for me to make a helpful comment.

It’s not my machine or money. (I assume dealer gave buyer opportunity to inspect machine and sign a document stating the buyer/owner have chance to inspect when delivery, correct?)

But if it was my machine, I would read the manual, find all the grease points and fluid levels, wheel lug torque check each, make sure it has adequate fuel, spend a few moments checking operation & function of each button, lever and light, and then go have an awesome day.

If I was not familiar with a center pivot axle and ballast, I would study that before getting too happy with the throttle.

Make sure to appropriately hydrate your self and think about how awful it would be to be using a shovel or wheel barrow in this first week of summer.

Keep the rubber side down. Congratulations on the NEWish machine.

 

[BBFarmer]

I agree with @dirtydeed .

She's just been outside a while. Not a kubota dealer in sight around here with covered storage.

Both of mine have been and were outside for YEARS now, they're just fine.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

If the records show your the first owner, your the first owner.
Having single digits very unlikely it's been off the lot, sounds like it didn't even get test driven a lot either.
18 months in the sun would make it fade pretty good.

 

[RCW]

I agree with the others. It's new and unused.

My little BX sat on the lot a while. The model had also been superseded, so I got a good deal on the "leftover."

To compensate for the weather exposure, I changed out all fluids and filters early, including the front axle, just in case there was some moisture in it.

There was no indication it had any moisture in it. I just felt better knowing it had been drained, and I did that myself at about 50 hours.

 

[ahr6912]

sounds like it was just stored outside on the lot to me.

Don't sweat it, just enjoy it.

Thanks for your answer.

 

[whatsupdoc]

When I was shopping around for my L, one dealer had one in stock and in the quote there was a line
item -500.00 faded paint.

 

[TGKY]

I agree. New but on the lot a while it sounds like.

 

[Orangeglow]

OP, why didn,t you notice all that stuff before you bought it ?

 

[dirtydeed]

Thanks for your answer.

Congrats on your purchase by the way.