Kubotas at play. Er, I mean work!

Kubotas, I have bought 2 tractors. Both were John Deeres.
When looking to buy the first I went to the kubota dealer.
Told them I was looking for a tractor to move rocks about 2ft round.
The dealer had no clue. To be fair the dealer is a big seller of lawn tractors, 4 wheelers and chain saws.
But tractors, even tho he sold them, was not his strong suit.
So I looked else where.

3 years later when I was looking for a different tractor after selling my first Deere I went back to the same dealer.
They had a different guy handling the tractors. I was looking for one with about 30hp, so about 25hp at the pto.
Unfortunately that means emissions junk on a new one and no way was I going to have all that unnecessary complication.
They had nothing used, again tractors seem to be a side line with them. They are doing Kubota no favors when it comes to selling them.

There seems to be more JD's around here both new and used and alot more dealers.
I'm not a brand loyal type of guy. I'll get what I think will work best for me.
I really can't say anything good or bad about Kubota other than my local dealer.
Sad to say tho that concerns me if and when I need help, parts or service.


My biggest gripe on JD. The price of parts. They are ridiculously priced.
My daily driver is a BMW, their parts are dirt cheap compared to JD.
Are Kubotas parts reasonably priced? Man, I'll feel real bad if they are.

 

The few parts I've had to buy weren't too bad. Just had to replace both bearings and seals in the right front wheel. Cost about $80 for parts.

 

Keeping the tractor busy. These two jobs, plus snow removal, are how she pays her way.

 

Push it back to make room for more! Way to go Well Seasoned guess those chains are working well.
We only have about an inch of frozen snow on the ground now. Haven't had to move any snow with the Kubota. The weather guessers are predicting 3" - 5" on Friday and an additional 5" - 8" on Sunday. we shall see! Tractor is fueled up and plugged in I am ready.

 

'cmon dumper! Fingers crossed
Supposed to be cold enough for real fluffy snow, if delivered as promised it will be our first "nice" snow. We have some rock hard snow banks 'round here from the last few turned to rain snow's.

 

Just for the record, in case anyone is wondering why we had this drought in snowfall!!

 

Well everyone that's getting this weekend's blast, drop a pic. here of your tractor, (or any other machine) of your clean up on Monday.

 

X3!

 

I sheared off the old, icy snow banks as low as I could today with the bucket. I’m going to go get the last couple of logs and skid them down to the firewood processing area, and then I’ll put the scraper blade on the 3pt. I’ll be thinking of you and your frame-mounted blade when I’m moving snow with my 6ft bucket tomorrow, fuelrod , and am looking forward to pics (video?) of it clearing 2’ of powder!

 

Question for you guys...

I don't have a block heater in the 'bota yet, and it's supposed to get in single to negative temps here.

I obviously don't want to damage the engine, so is it completely ill advised to start it up in those extreme temps?

Don't necessarily think I'll need it from this "snow event", but did fire it up today and let it run for about 20 minutes or so.

Just don't want to be breaking the tractor.

 

Just use the glow plugs according to your manual. Once it's running and has a nice stable idle, go have a cup of coffee.
On hydrostatic (lots of hydraulics) I think it's important, I visualize a .89c o ring (that not so flexible because of the temps) breaking about 4 $hop hour$ deep into the hydro. A couple of my previous tractors I'd put the transmission or range selector in neutral, then throw the shuttle into forward. This would spin, warm and lube those parts. Not sure on a full hydrostatic tractor, but I'd think they are mechanically similar to my skid steer and once the engine has warmed up for 15-20 minutes I'd just take it easy using anything hydraulic real hard for a while. Some machines you can hear the hyd. pumps and motors complain when very cold, I believe the hydraulic oil is just thick from the temps.
I learned a little trick if your diesel is hard to start in the cold, it's called a hair dryer or a heat gun. Shoot that rascal right into your *air cleaner while your cranking it. Worked like a dream for me.

*pull the element out for a direct shot
I am not a mechanic and didn't stay in a Holliday in express last night, but that's my method (and reasoning) and I'm sticking to it.
You might dump a little kerosene or "anti gell" in your tractor right now and run it for 15 minutes to get it through the system and up to the in injectors. Most all auto parts/TSC will have it, I know Walmart has a fair selection also.

 

Do you plug your tractor heater in up there?

 

My stuff's "plugged in" a 60* shop

 

That's all it really takes. They do draw about 1500 watts!

 

Thx fuelrod


Always let it warm up a bit before use, but will add extra precaution as you recommend.