Is there a Holy Grail of used compact tractors?

MAArcher

Member

Equipment
Kubota B8200
Oct 6, 2022
70
24
8
New England
Kind of like the 1999-2003 Ford 7.3 powerstrokes or the 1998 Dodge 12v quad cab are considered by many the "holy grails" of used diesel pick ups.

Is there an older model compact where Kubota just seemed to knock it out of the park and the tractor just keeps ticking no matter the hours put on it?
 

N3BP

Active member

Equipment
B7200DT, B7200HST-D, L2900GST, L3010 HST TLB
Sep 20, 2016
392
148
43
Lebanon, PA
As an owner of a 98 12V, I get your question and often wonder the same. I've come to the conclusion with Kubotas, anything pre-emissions, non-computer controlled seems to be equally well built. In terms of machines manufactured during the same timeframe, that would be the B10 series and Grand L10 series.
 
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SDT

Well-known member

Equipment
multiple and various
Apr 15, 2018
3,084
926
113
SE, IN
Kind of like the 1999-2003 Ford 7.3 powerstrokes or the 1998 Dodge 12v quad cab are considered by many the "holy grails" of used diesel pick ups.

Is there an older model compact where Kubota just seemed to knock it out of the park and the tractor just keeps ticking no matter the hours put on it?
Bought my B1750HST new in 1993 (94?) and it has been just about flawless since.

Good care, maintenance, no abuse, and stored inside

No problems of any kind in the past 30+ years.
 

edritchey

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
A bunch of cute little Kubotas
Jul 19, 2014
1,080
754
113
Wellsville, PA
My favorite was my B21 the L45 and the M59 all great machines.
 
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MAArcher

Member

Equipment
Kubota B8200
Oct 6, 2022
70
24
8
New England
How about this, what would be the best used machine that is hydrostatic and makes over 20 hp at the PTO, is 4WD and compact in size?

I'm asking because I have a B8200 and while I love it, the steering is failing and its gear shift and has less than 16hp at the PTO and I'm considering trading up to something that can run a readily available snow blower and tiller and changes direction when I turn the wheel (and I don't have to down a can of spinach before trying to turn the wheel when there's something heavy on the FEL). So I'm tryin to figure out what the best used machine to keep an eye out for might be. I have a small property so hydrostatic is a must for mowing and blowing with all the forward and reversing I do going in and out of tight spaces. I just had to sell off a nice Loftness 60" rear mount snow blower because my machine wasn't strong enough and would hardly get up to full RPMs before I had to switch gears again.
 

N3BP

Active member

Equipment
B7200DT, B7200HST-D, L2900GST, L3010 HST TLB
Sep 20, 2016
392
148
43
Lebanon, PA
If you can find one in nice shape, you might consider a B2710 (20 PTO HP) or B2910 (22 PTO HP)
 

ve9aa

Well-known member

Equipment
TG1860, BX2380 -backblade, bx2830 snowblower, fel, weight box,pallet forks,etc
Apr 11, 2021
1,202
974
113
NB, Canada
BX2680 (19.5 HP @ PTO)

BX2380 slightly less

Love mine. Do I want a bigger machine? (nope!)