I am looking at a 1995 Kubota 4150. It has 1071 hours on it. It has its normal dents and scratches. I couldn't find any major leaks...I did see a small drip of oil on the gravel below the fill neck/dipstick area, but nothing major. Is there anything I should really be looking at in this model. His asking price is $10,000.00. My apprehension is that he has only had it for 1-2 monthes. He claims it is too big for what he wants to do, but he is selling the tractor with a brushhog, so my susp. mind says Why would you sell your implements if you might be purchasing another tractor? I hate to pass up a good deal if it is one, but is this toooo good of a deal? He said that the tractor books for $11-12 thousand. He purchased it from a tractor dealership, so I wonder if I should go there and ask about it? Any suggestions would be appreciated
Kubota 4150
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rbargeron
Elite Member
The L4150 is one of Kubota's best tractors. The asking price may be a great deal - does it have 4wd? Hydraulic Shuttle? Any remotes? FEL? - Which model? Also, it would be good to call Kubota in Columbus with the serial number - they can tell you when it was first sold at retail - I didn't know any L4150's were still unsold in 1995 - the next models (L4350, L4850 and L5450) started in 1992 I think. But I may be wrong. (RaT ??)
Most of the L4150's were on Ag rubber - Bridgestones - and the tires are large, making the tractor stand tall. It is a little less convenient to jump onto and it may just seem too big to the present owner. If he had a small tractor before, this one would seem pretty hostile to the lawn.
A L4150 has a 5-cylinder engine, still used today in the M4900/M5700 I believe. The 4150 model number in those days corresponded to the pto horsepower - so it has a lot of grunt. I've been singing the praises of this Kubota chassis (L3) series forever here.
While they are extremely well-built and durable, it is always possible this one has some issues.
There are several things you can do to check it out. (1) Does the engine sound smooth (no knocks on cold start?) - a small amount of blue smoke is normal for these - but internal knocking is not. Tell the owner you want to come over sometime when the tractor has been shut off for 12-18 hours and start it up. If you get there and it is even slightly warm, he's not meeting your request. With the lever set to lowest speed, it should start and idle smoothly - no skips, no vibration. A little wisp of blue smoke may persist for a few minutes - not a problem. A lot of blue smoke is a problem - even if it eventually clears up, it's an indicator of worn rings.
(2) If the hours are original, the tires should be too. They may be getting worn, but should still be decent. If they are badly worn or have been replaced, maybe there are more hours on it - or harder hours. It is completely reasonable to go to the former dealer and ask about it - how was it used by the owner before - farm, landscaper, hobby vineyard of a webmaster ?
(3) I always suggest taking the air filter apart to have a look. There is an outer element, inner element, and both are cleanable. If either is broken or missing, or if there are any bad gaskets or housing seals, that's a dead give away of poor maintenance and possible grit-eating engine. (Deal breaker). Pull the dipstick on the main gear case - oil should look clean - maybe not transparent but should have NO visible contamination.
(4) sometimes you can tell what kind of former life a tractor has had by looking at the very bottom - underneath the gear housings and engine - is the paint beat up? It might be shiny and clean, indicating a history of no leaks and light use.
If you can post whether it has the hydraulic shuttle I can suggest other things to check.
Also if you are afraid this one might get away if you wait too long, maybe you could suggest giving him a deposit with the understanding that the deal is contingent on obtaining satisfactory answers to the questions you have. (sorta like a home inspection)
Good luck and have fun - you may be on the trail of a real keeper.
Dick B
Most of the L4150's were on Ag rubber - Bridgestones - and the tires are large, making the tractor stand tall. It is a little less convenient to jump onto and it may just seem too big to the present owner. If he had a small tractor before, this one would seem pretty hostile to the lawn.
A L4150 has a 5-cylinder engine, still used today in the M4900/M5700 I believe. The 4150 model number in those days corresponded to the pto horsepower - so it has a lot of grunt. I've been singing the praises of this Kubota chassis (L3) series forever here.
While they are extremely well-built and durable, it is always possible this one has some issues.
There are several things you can do to check it out. (1) Does the engine sound smooth (no knocks on cold start?) - a small amount of blue smoke is normal for these - but internal knocking is not. Tell the owner you want to come over sometime when the tractor has been shut off for 12-18 hours and start it up. If you get there and it is even slightly warm, he's not meeting your request. With the lever set to lowest speed, it should start and idle smoothly - no skips, no vibration. A little wisp of blue smoke may persist for a few minutes - not a problem. A lot of blue smoke is a problem - even if it eventually clears up, it's an indicator of worn rings.
(2) If the hours are original, the tires should be too. They may be getting worn, but should still be decent. If they are badly worn or have been replaced, maybe there are more hours on it - or harder hours. It is completely reasonable to go to the former dealer and ask about it - how was it used by the owner before - farm, landscaper, hobby vineyard of a webmaster ?
(3) I always suggest taking the air filter apart to have a look. There is an outer element, inner element, and both are cleanable. If either is broken or missing, or if there are any bad gaskets or housing seals, that's a dead give away of poor maintenance and possible grit-eating engine. (Deal breaker). Pull the dipstick on the main gear case - oil should look clean - maybe not transparent but should have NO visible contamination.
(4) sometimes you can tell what kind of former life a tractor has had by looking at the very bottom - underneath the gear housings and engine - is the paint beat up? It might be shiny and clean, indicating a history of no leaks and light use.
If you can post whether it has the hydraulic shuttle I can suggest other things to check.
Also if you are afraid this one might get away if you wait too long, maybe you could suggest giving him a deposit with the understanding that the deal is contingent on obtaining satisfactory answers to the questions you have. (sorta like a home inspection)
Good luck and have fun - you may be on the trail of a real keeper.
Dick B
I do believe it is Hydraulic Shuttle. I think it even says so on the hood. It is 4WD. It does have ag tires that looked pretty good...not worn down, and no major side rot. It does stand pretty tall and he has the tires turned out, so it is pretty wide. He says he had some timber cut and tries to use it on the log roads, but keeps hitting stumps because it is too big or wide (which makes me wonder why he just doesn't turn the wheels back in). He told me it does have the 5 cyl engine. He started it up cold for us that day and it didn't seem to knock and no smoke that I could notice. I had my hands on the hood and it didn't seem hot, it was under a shed roof. I looked underneath and it didn't seem oily or extremely banged up. I can't say it was clean and shiny, but he had said he only had it for a few monthes, so if it really did come from a dealer they probably did a pretty good cleaning job on it when they brought it in. Now don't mean to sound like a green horn, but Im not sure what remotes or FEL mean? Im not sure of the model, but I may be able to call the fella back and get it. The big problem is that I saw this one a bit too late to get my brother in law up to see it before this weekend. Supposidly he has someone coming to look at it this Saturday. Will have time to go see it again next week if its still there and take the Brth in law who is pretty mechanically savy with me. I wish I wasn't so susp. but when something seems to good to be true, it normally is. Most people don't just give you a good deal out of the goodness of your heart, but you never know. Thanks sooo much for the info. If it makes it through the weekend, I'll be better prepared to inspect what Im looking at.
BillG_in_TX
Veteran Member
cheatmtn - where do you live? If I were you, I would just get Dick to go with you and check it out. I asked him to move to Texas and be my next-door neighbor, but he wouldn't budge. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
rbargeron
Elite Member
I've found it's better if I make comments from a distance and be thought a fool - rather than to get up close, offer an opinion, and remove all doubt !!
The hydraulic shuttle on the 4150 makes for clutchless reversing - a nice feature and it adds years to clutch life. The speed of the hydraulic shuttle can be adjusted for cold, warm or hot climates.
Another thing I liked about my 4150 was the 2-speed pto. It was often possible to run my mower and snowblower on the higher speed with the engine loafing along at 1700 rpm. (less noise, less wear & tear). I was so sold on that feature I added it to my L5450
By the way, FEL just means front end loader - and remotes are extra hydraulic connections - usually tied in to the loader valve piping.
If this rig has a loader it sounds like a very good deal. Without one it may be just a sorta good deal. The Kubota loader for the 4150 was a BF920 (I think). It is a large unit and a new comparable one would not be cheap - maybe 5k or more. At the Kubota Prior Products page It shows the L4150 as introduced in 1984 and the L4850 added to the model lineup in 1991. There is similar info at Tractor Data, suggesting the 4150's model run was 1984-1990.
What kind & size rotary cutter is it? The 4150 will easily handle a heavy duty 6 or 7 foot cutter. Age, weight & condition are everything (seems I've heard that somewhere else too /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif.)
The hydraulic shuttle on the 4150 makes for clutchless reversing - a nice feature and it adds years to clutch life. The speed of the hydraulic shuttle can be adjusted for cold, warm or hot climates.
Another thing I liked about my 4150 was the 2-speed pto. It was often possible to run my mower and snowblower on the higher speed with the engine loafing along at 1700 rpm. (less noise, less wear & tear). I was so sold on that feature I added it to my L5450
By the way, FEL just means front end loader - and remotes are extra hydraulic connections - usually tied in to the loader valve piping.
If this rig has a loader it sounds like a very good deal. Without one it may be just a sorta good deal. The Kubota loader for the 4150 was a BF920 (I think). It is a large unit and a new comparable one would not be cheap - maybe 5k or more. At the Kubota Prior Products page It shows the L4150 as introduced in 1984 and the L4850 added to the model lineup in 1991. There is similar info at Tractor Data, suggesting the 4150's model run was 1984-1990.
What kind & size rotary cutter is it? The 4150 will easily handle a heavy duty 6 or 7 foot cutter. Age, weight & condition are everything (seems I've heard that somewhere else too /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif.)
rbargeron
Elite Member
Noticed a 1987 L4150 listed at Young Farm Machinery for $14,500.
What shade of orange is the one you are looking at? The shade like this or the shade that is more red?
BF900 is the correct loader model - lifts 2000 lb. at the center of the bucket.
Also found a picture -
What shade of orange is the one you are looking at? The shade like this or the shade that is more red?
BF900 is the correct loader model - lifts 2000 lb. at the center of the bucket.
Also found a picture -
gotcha on the FEL...Im just so used to the term loader...didn't think to add the other 2 words to it. The seller did say that it was clutch less and has the 2 spd pto, but obviously he didn't know much about that part, because he said it was a Japanese thing to run their type of eqpt. My Dads Yanmar backhoe has a 2 speed pto and it makes it much easier to run different types of eqpt.
This one doesn't have a loader on it, but is eqpt to accept one. It has external hydr. connections that were visible on the back. The color is much more of a faded orange. not really to the red. The brush hog he has to go with it is a 6ft. ....if they are showing a 4150s run from 84-90, wonder why he is saying its a 1995? guess I really need that serial number to find out for sure...Hopefully it will be there after Saturday for me to go check out again....with your suggestions in hand. Are there many used loaders out there that you have seen, or is this something Im going to have a hard time finding?
This one doesn't have a loader on it, but is eqpt to accept one. It has external hydr. connections that were visible on the back. The color is much more of a faded orange. not really to the red. The brush hog he has to go with it is a 6ft. ....if they are showing a 4150s run from 84-90, wonder why he is saying its a 1995? guess I really need that serial number to find out for sure...Hopefully it will be there after Saturday for me to go check out again....with your suggestions in hand. Are there many used loaders out there that you have seen, or is this something Im going to have a hard time finding?
btolle
Platinum Member
I sure woudn't plan on finding a used loader, they are pretty much non-existent. I don't know anyone who would sell theirs.
There are some aftermarket loaders that are excellent and might be a little cheaper than the Kubota loader.
Bill Tolle
There are some aftermarket loaders that are excellent and might be a little cheaper than the Kubota loader.
Bill Tolle
rbargeron
Elite Member
Finding a used BF900 loader for it could be a project. The tractor models the BF900 fits are the L3750 and L4150. i would think the LA950 loader for the 4350 and 4850 tractors would also fit the older L4150. Even the larger BF1100 or LA1150 made for the L5450 should fit frame-wise, but would be a little slow because the cylinders are bigger.
It is remotely possible that Kubota still has a new BF900 or LA950 loader in a U.S. warehouse somewhere. Long after my L345 was "out of print" a dealer found a new old stock Kubota loader for it - even got a good deal.
Then there are after market loaders from Woods and Bush Hog (and others?) to consider. They might even have self-leveling linkage.
The reason I sold my 4150 was that I wanted a backhoe for it and while I was scouring New England dealers' yards (unsuccessfully) I found an L5450 with loader and hoe already on it. So I bought that instead (pic attached).
It is remotely possible that Kubota still has a new BF900 or LA950 loader in a U.S. warehouse somewhere. Long after my L345 was "out of print" a dealer found a new old stock Kubota loader for it - even got a good deal.
Then there are after market loaders from Woods and Bush Hog (and others?) to consider. They might even have self-leveling linkage.
The reason I sold my 4150 was that I wanted a backhoe for it and while I was scouring New England dealers' yards (unsuccessfully) I found an L5450 with loader and hoe already on it. So I bought that instead (pic attached).
