Goldie locks & the 3 bears (which Kubota to buy L245DT, L185DT or L2850

wes1983

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Nov 1, 2017
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Hi all, first post here. I’ve been in the market for a CUT for a little while and there are a few good options available on the local CL. I’m just looking for a little feedback as to which of these tractors might suit my needs best.

I’ve recently purchased a little over 5 acres and will be building a home in the next couple years. It’s probably about an even split between wooded and cleared, and is relatively flat (think 2% grade). Primary use for the next couple years would be to keep the cleared areas maintained well enough to be able to get around the property. After the house is built would need the tractor to maintain gravel drive (about 300 ft), snow removal, mowing although I may go the zero turn route and odds and ends. I’d like to have a front blade at some point, maybe a loader.

The 3 bears

L185DT (4WD)
Price $2,700 ( Includes 4 ft TSC bush hog and 4 ft blade)
2100 hours
Looks to be in pretty good shape and well maintained, diamond tires front and rear seem to have some life left. I like the 4wd, also like that I would have a the implements that I would need initially. Just wondering if the HP is enough.


L245DT (4WD)
Price $3,000 ( includes danuser auger w/ rear hydro for down pressure)
Hours unk ( email out to the seller currently)
Looks to be in decent shape, maybe not as good of shape as the 185, diamond tires. Don’t think I really need the auger all that much.. don’t really know enough about hyrdo’s fab work to know if moving the hydros to the front for blade or loader would be easy switch or not. Would still need to buy a cutter.


L2850 (2WD)
Price $3,850
Hours unk
Looks to be in decent shape, rear tires look pretty worn though. Comes with ROPS, no implements. May be more that I’m looking to spend right now, maybe more tractor than I need… or is it?

Sorry, I would have posted links but wasnt allowed as this is my first post. Maybe I'll go post on some other threads and add them if need be...

From what I’ve seen in the market these are some good contenders that are in my budget. A little nicer ones with loaders are going for $6-$9 and I just don’t have that to spend. And I’m thinking this is probably the right time of year to buy, so I kind of want to jump on one. My only hesitation on any of them would be whether or not something with HST would be better, but then again that might be out of my budget. Any thoughts/feedback is welcome and appreciated.
 

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bcp

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BX2360
Apr 20, 2011
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SW WA
Re: Goldie locks and the 3 bears

Welcome to OTT.

Any tractor is better than no tractor.

Bruce
 

Daren Todd

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Massey Ferguson 1825E, Kubota Z121S, Box blade, Rotary Cutter
May 18, 2014
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Re: Goldie locks and the 3 bears

I have the grey market equivalent to the l185. My L1501 is a tank for only being 2wd. Power is pretty decent for as little as it is. Asking price is pretty good. Especially with all the implements. 4ft blade is a little small for it and wont cover the width of the tires. You didn't specify if it's a box blade or grader blade.

The L2850 would be on the bottom of the list since its 2wd. You'll get better pulling power the the other two tractors.

The L245 would probably be my first choice though. Can pull a 5 ft box blade good, handle a 6 ft back blade, and 5 ft brush hog. 3k is a good price for it. And you can always sell the auger or trade it for a brush hog. Blades are pretty in reasonable used, and can be found used quite often for a good price. Both the L185 and L245 are pretty simple to work on as well.
 

wes1983

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Re: Goldie locks and the 3 bears

Thank you both for the quick replies
The blade included w the L185 is a grader blade. I've read other posts about the L185 being "spunky" for its size. Also tractor data shows that the rear lift lbs on the L185 is greater than the L245... not sure if that is accurate or not.
 

Daren Todd

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Massey Ferguson 1825E, Kubota Z121S, Box blade, Rotary Cutter
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Vilonia, Arkansas
Re: Goldie locks and the 3 bears

The grader blade is too small for the l185. Tire width is around 54". I have a 5 ft grader blade for the L1501. When turned to the 22 degree setting it just covers the tire tracks. At 45 degree, it's inside the tires around 8" on either side. If you decide on the L185. You'll want to get a bigger blade. It can handle a 5 ft box blade as well :D

4 ft Bush hog is about max. Be prepared when using it, that it will take around 2 hours per acre if the vegetation is high. But it will get the job done :D
 

coachgeo

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L225 w/woods Few Mowers & Back Blade, D722 in Motorcycle (Triumph Tiger), LMTV
Nov 16, 2012
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Re: Goldie locks and the 3 bears

Best deal...... is the one with best compression average across the cylinders and least minimal change between them. Go to Harbor freight and get a Diesel engine compression gauge kit. Make sure the kit list metric fittings (or metric vehicles) to better your chance of having correct fitting. Might have to get an adapter??
 

D2Cat

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L305DT, B7100HST, TG1860, TG1860D, L4240
Mar 27, 2014
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So Coach are you suggesting the man is going to go the the CL sellers and ask to remove the glow plugs so he can test the compression?

If I had a tractor for sale and someone came to me and asked to remove parts to test the compression....the answer would be "no way". Might be an ideal idea, but not practical.
 

xmikew

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L1500DT
Apr 15, 2017
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1
16
Charleston
Also in case you didn't know kubota still does the rops safety program so you should be able to get a rops for the l185 and 245 for a couple hundred. Not sure if the rear remote will get in the way since can't see it but I will say the rear remote is pretty cool esp if you are going to have a grader. Looks like maybe one port so maybe you can have a way to angle you blade without getting off the tractor. I don't have rear remotes but seems adding them would be similar in cost to a cutter depending if you hire out any work.

Also keep in mind a decent 5ft cutter for the 245 new is going to run you 800-900 dollars at tsc depending on any specials.

No plans for fencing? That auger sure will be nice if you plan on doing any down the road.

If you are not mechanically inclined get the one with the least leaks / better shape :)

I think I'm with Daren. I like the 245 on surface ( have a l1500 ) but really depends what you plan on asking from it in the future.

- Mike




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wes1983

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cincinnati, oh
Thanks for the replies everyone. I'm going to try to check out at least one of the tractors this weekend. I'm leaning to either the 185 or the 245. It will probably come down to which one is in better shape, I like the extra ponies of The 245 and the ability to run a 5ft cutter as opposed to the 4. That would prolly suit me better in the long term. After picking up a used cutter/blade for the 245 I'd prolly be into it about a grand more than I would with the 185 as is.


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