The 300B is putting some work in today moving some topsoil/dirt first and now some clay. Running gooder. The weather is beautiful! Best time of the year, next three months.
Good machine. I've used a buddies JD 410 for years and it has been very reliable with little maintenance to speak of.
I remember when I bought my first Kubota Tractor Loader Backhoe (TLB) series with the flip around seat. I thought these guys really think of good ideas. The smaller tractor was to small to have a platform big enough to stay seated and just turn the seat around like you do in a full size backhoe. But by standing up and turning the seat 360 degrees you don’t have to climb down off the tractor and then back up onto the backhoe. Pretty cool. Fast forward to the first “smaller” John Deere backhoe I’ve owned that had the same idea a loooong time ago. This is a 1979 300B. And they were doing it back then. Use one lever to slide the seat forward toward steering wheel, then use the other to release and begin turning. Not only does it spin 360 degrees, but it ends up in a higher position for running the big backhoe. Pretty cool way back in 1979! All I had to do was spray it with some liquid wrench and work it for a while and it loosened right up and it works as easy as when it was new. Now I just need a new seat! Checking into that at United Construction and Forestry. They have bought out all Nortrax, who use to have all the John Deere construction and forestry dealers up here. Already got a couple parts from them, seem quick and price was okay. But they haven’t called me back on a couple other parts I’m waiting on a price for it yet. We’ll see.
The 310C I used to be partnered with had a nice spin 'round seat (Full Cab) that I didn't even have to lift my skinny 20yo azz out of! Gee whiz, that was a little while back! I absolutely detested the "mousetrap" seat mechanism on the 260 hoe for the 2-series compacts. Thing was better at turning my fingers black and blue than anything else. Creeper function on the 110 TLB was the bomb for moving the machine along a trench up/down hill. A shame Deere threw in the towel on those.
I have owned a 210C cab. Liked it, good workhorse. Owned 310J Cab. Loved it. I have considered buying a J.D. 110 several times but didn’t end up in one. Now all the low hour TLB prices have gone crazy. So went with the older 300B. First two wheel drive I’ve bought. I’ll just work when things are dryer so I’m not fighting the mud.
The 3540 was on kid duty today. A whole bunch of nieces and nephews with their kids went for a ride through the woods! I think that means I’m getting older. Maybe.
Sold the John Deere 300B! Got a good amount done with the old workhorse. And then was able to get 95% of my money back, including everything I had into it.
Fantastic! But what are you going to buy now??? Those old hoe’s still bringing $5000-10,000? That’s what they are around here IF you can find them!
I sold mine for more than your high. I had just installed a new plug in heater on it. Replaced the old one. Worked sweet. A few guys came and looked and offered. I liked the last guy, so we settled on price just barely below my firm price. I was sticking to getting my all money back. Close enough. I pulled quite a few stumps with it. Cleaned out a few sections of drainage ditch. And moved some clay/dirt. Probably should of kept it! LOL
This depends on if the Kubota sells. Maybe an older, 4x4 cab backhoe with heat. 15-22K range. I have a couple jobs I’d like to do over the winter. Heated cab backhoe would be nice for these big jobs. But, if it doesn’t sell, the heated cab with radio in the L3540 will be sweet for moving snow and fetching firewood from the property for next year!
Get a small excavator and use it it’s sold unless you wait too long or wait until I get one and borrow it because I don’t sell stuff
Sorry. I missed this post DNH. This is a very valid question. And I don’t know. My neighbor often asked me why I sell when I get something so nice. (He has seen this happen a “few” times.) He thinks I might be a bit . I think he may be on to something.
Well guess you better get busy finding the cab TLB ASAP and figure out what your going to do for a tractor!
I had my eyes on this beauty https://www.tractorhouse.com/listings/farm-equipment/for-sale/209288161 and called them the other day to ask how much they want for it. Too much for what it is. Darn.
