Oil & Fuel 4150 Maintenance

[sawmkw]

Yesterday I bought a L4150 with a BF-900 loader and 4540 backhoe and had it delivered. The tractor seems to run well and looks pretty decent with some surface rust but no dents and all the lights are still attached and unbroken. The hour meter says 681 which sounds kind of low. I bought it from a broker who got it from a woman who knew little about it. Sounds as though her husband passed and the tractor had been sitting since then. I intend to use it for some landscaping and digging a foundation for a small barn. I'm in central NJ where we have pretty rocky soil below 6".

I have been trying to find a shop manual and there seems to be more than one available with prices all over the place. Is there a place to go for reprints that is reputable? Also, what is the first thing to do with this tractor besides change check the fluids and change the oil and filter? Any help is appreciated.

 

[volunbeer]

I bought a used 4150 with FEL and some implements a few months ago. My hour meter is not working but his dad bought it new in 1992. Hour meter stopped at 560 and our best guess is around 700-800 hours on it. I really like it and think you got a great machine! I would love to have the backhoe.

First thing I did was buy the service manual and parts manual from JenSales online. Luckily for me the owner still had the owners manual and it was serviced at the local Kubota dealer so they had the service records.

Kubota L4150 Manuals - Tractor Manual & Tractor Parts

Quick service and I have been very pleased with the manuals. I am not much of a mechanic, but I have been able to figure out everything so far with the manuals.

 

[sawmkw]

I found a shop manual on eBay that came from a dealer that went out of business and received it last week. I have not had a lot of time to go through it yet but now know how to change the fluids. The engine oil is pretty black and I'm guessing that it has not been changed for some time. I also have a couple of cylinders that need resealed but can live with it for a while. My wife has already had me use the backhoe to "hoe" her garden and it made short work of it! I'm looking forward to freshening up the machine.

The hour meter does work and I'm now up to 620. I suppose it is possible that the meter quit working and was repaired although the machine looks like it does not have many hours on it.

 

[rbargeron]

......... I would love to have the backhoe................

Noticed a CL ad here

 

[volunbeer]

Nice catch on the backhoe, but the price is 2/3 of what I paid for the tractor! I have a few neighbors that have full size backhoes so my plan is to buy a land leveler that is heavy enough to groom gravel driveways and swap services with them. We are on heavy clay here, but from what I have read I should be able to break it up with the boxblade after a rain and groom with the leveler.

If that plan does not work, I think I will be better off renting a hoe or hiring one because I won't need one very often once my french drains, utility trenches, and frost-free's are put in.

While I have the attention of the guru of L models I do have one question. One of the hydraulic hoses for the FEL keeps making a clicking sound. You can put your hand on it and feel it jump a bit. It's the only hose that does this and I don't know if it is something to worry about. It does not seem to make a difference if the FEL is under a load or not, it still clicks regularly and it seems to be localized at the hose connection. I have bled the line and there are no leaks anywhere. It works fine, but I am guessing it's indicative of a problem?