SevenWonders
New member
- Joined
- Jun 1, 2004
- Messages
- 9
Quick background info:
Had an '88 Kubota G6200H which I loved -
always cared for - 530 hrs, exc condition...
but I wanted a tractor that could mulch, as I am
doing lawncare on the side, and no mulching blades
exist for this deck that I am aware of. IF you know this to be incorrect, do me a HUGE favor and just keep it to yourself at this point /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif
Sold the Kubota for $1850. the first day I showed it /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
and needed a "replacement" (ans I use that term VERY loosely) for about $2k.
Considered JD L118, CC LT1018, and Troy-Bilt
Horse or Super Bronco.
Well, decision has been made...
and I will get my SECOND new JD in a few days /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif
Went to the only dealer within 100 miles who had L118s in stock - the first one had 10 hrs, and LOTS of scuffs on the body and hood. Also, it would not idle well, and had WAY too much vibration.
They went to the back and pulled out a nice fresh one -
no gas smell in the tank even. Purred like a kitten!
Then, I noticed that the seat frame had been scraped down to the metal under the paint... not the end of the world.
However, on the rear fender, there were about 15 chips ranging from tiny to over 3/8". Then on the back behind the seat there were 3 "chunks" missing (literally) from the edge of the body -metal gone - obviously something nailed it - it was rusted, and deformed. They offered me a $50 discount and a bottle of touch up paint. I laughed, shook his hand and went to Home Depot.
The one out front had a ton of scuffs and scratches,
so I opted for the one in the store. It had serious scuffs on the hood, as well as a chip in the paint on the body - but no smell of gas in the tank. I asked if they had more in stock. Yes, they said, but they won't be prepped for several days. "Can I take this one now, and come back in a few days and switch hoods for one that is not scuffed up?"
"No way - I am not butchering my tractors,"
said the Department Manager /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
Is there no way I can convince you to do that -
it is only 4 bolts and I will be glad to do it myself while you watch. NOPE, he said. I responded: "OK, I will buy this one today and return it in a few days to get one that looks New."
He was shocked, but said "OK - If that is how you feel" (Yep.)
As it turned out, we gassed it up, and it wouldn't crank...
dead battery. Then they put a new battery in, and to my surprise, it had 25.5 hours on it... obviously someone left the key on until the battery gave out. Then, it still wouldn't start...
after playing with all of the controls, the PTO cable must have gotten bumped while they changed the battery - after I engaged it and disengaged it, it started.
Guess what - it has a HUGE miss - idles worse than the one at the dealership. (Yes, even after it is warmed up... shakes my 1000 lb trailer as if I were bouncing on the seat. But by this time, I was so frustrated, I just took it and left and said "See you in a few days."
First lap at a customer's house I TOTALLY scalped a section that the Kubota never even cut unevenly... and I had the deck set at 3.5 inches! ($#!^) Just realized, the Kubota had FIVE anti-scalp rollers, and my new JD has... two /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif
Well, guess it is time to search the aftermarket for some addl rollers, and find a local welding shop to add them to the deck -
on the replacement tractor that is - not gonna keep this scuffed, chipped one that doesn't run close to right.
However, I noticed that I can drop the 2 existing rollers down a little... that will help some at least.
Well, it did cut very nice on the level areas...
now I just need some neon lights to put under the frame to match these wide rear tires /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
But I gotta say, I REALLY miss my Kubota.
In fairness, if I had $5k to spend, it wouldn't have been an issue with either brand I am sure.
Well, I will update this if I get any more surprises,
or when I get my next new JD in a few days!
Had an '88 Kubota G6200H which I loved -
always cared for - 530 hrs, exc condition...
but I wanted a tractor that could mulch, as I am
doing lawncare on the side, and no mulching blades
exist for this deck that I am aware of. IF you know this to be incorrect, do me a HUGE favor and just keep it to yourself at this point /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif
Sold the Kubota for $1850. the first day I showed it /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
and needed a "replacement" (ans I use that term VERY loosely) for about $2k.
Considered JD L118, CC LT1018, and Troy-Bilt
Horse or Super Bronco.
Well, decision has been made...
and I will get my SECOND new JD in a few days /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif
Went to the only dealer within 100 miles who had L118s in stock - the first one had 10 hrs, and LOTS of scuffs on the body and hood. Also, it would not idle well, and had WAY too much vibration.
They went to the back and pulled out a nice fresh one -
no gas smell in the tank even. Purred like a kitten!
Then, I noticed that the seat frame had been scraped down to the metal under the paint... not the end of the world.
However, on the rear fender, there were about 15 chips ranging from tiny to over 3/8". Then on the back behind the seat there were 3 "chunks" missing (literally) from the edge of the body -metal gone - obviously something nailed it - it was rusted, and deformed. They offered me a $50 discount and a bottle of touch up paint. I laughed, shook his hand and went to Home Depot.
The one out front had a ton of scuffs and scratches,
so I opted for the one in the store. It had serious scuffs on the hood, as well as a chip in the paint on the body - but no smell of gas in the tank. I asked if they had more in stock. Yes, they said, but they won't be prepped for several days. "Can I take this one now, and come back in a few days and switch hoods for one that is not scuffed up?"
"No way - I am not butchering my tractors,"
said the Department Manager /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
Is there no way I can convince you to do that -
it is only 4 bolts and I will be glad to do it myself while you watch. NOPE, he said. I responded: "OK, I will buy this one today and return it in a few days to get one that looks New."
He was shocked, but said "OK - If that is how you feel" (Yep.)
As it turned out, we gassed it up, and it wouldn't crank...
dead battery. Then they put a new battery in, and to my surprise, it had 25.5 hours on it... obviously someone left the key on until the battery gave out. Then, it still wouldn't start...
after playing with all of the controls, the PTO cable must have gotten bumped while they changed the battery - after I engaged it and disengaged it, it started.
Guess what - it has a HUGE miss - idles worse than the one at the dealership. (Yes, even after it is warmed up... shakes my 1000 lb trailer as if I were bouncing on the seat. But by this time, I was so frustrated, I just took it and left and said "See you in a few days."
First lap at a customer's house I TOTALLY scalped a section that the Kubota never even cut unevenly... and I had the deck set at 3.5 inches! ($#!^) Just realized, the Kubota had FIVE anti-scalp rollers, and my new JD has... two /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif
Well, guess it is time to search the aftermarket for some addl rollers, and find a local welding shop to add them to the deck -
on the replacement tractor that is - not gonna keep this scuffed, chipped one that doesn't run close to right.
However, I noticed that I can drop the 2 existing rollers down a little... that will help some at least.
Well, it did cut very nice on the level areas...
now I just need some neon lights to put under the frame to match these wide rear tires /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
But I gotta say, I REALLY miss my Kubota.
In fairness, if I had $5k to spend, it wouldn't have been an issue with either brand I am sure.
Well, I will update this if I get any more surprises,
or when I get my next new JD in a few days!