L 405 DT Kubota
Model Year: 1982
This L405DT (40 HP) tractor has been ours since new in 1993. It's still running fine, but the electrics we have pulled to bits as the key 'socket' became useless, and the replacement was as bad. Now we start it by shorting out the starter motor with a big screwdriver, and have done it that way for about 10 years. The front axle 'fell off' when the tractor was about 4 months old/ I guess someone did not do the bolts up properly when it was built. The dealer begrudgingly came out & repaired it, but they fell apart again about a year later. I guess the 'apprentice' also didn't tighten it enough? It fell off again last month, breaking the coupling/spline. Fortunately parts are still available. Thew most useful aspect is the front-end loader bucket, which we bought with it, but which was not a Kubota make. We had the arms rebuilt as they disintegrated quickly. Now that it has no electrics to speak of, the battery stays charged. The lights quicky broke when it was a few months old. One detent ball & spring fell out inside the gearbox about 17 years ago, which stopped the PTO from working. We eventually fixed that. The 2-stage clutch wore out 3 years ago, and the genuine replacement part was about $2600, so we just had new pads affixed to the old clutch-for $820 inc freight, and fitted it ourselves. It doesn't work in the 2 lowest ranges for some reason. It would be prettty useless without having the front-wheel drive with it. Overall it's a handy tractor.
Pros: See above-parts are still available. Still a handy tractor.
Cons: Electrics, seat broke, some original factory defects I guess.