I Still Hate My Tractor

[TomSeller]

In reading the reviews and knowing someone who owns an identical tractor, no one reports the problems described in this and other threads. So many advocate making sure there are no underlying problems.

Adding a turbo has been used for years and is accepted as a good way to produce more power, so no real arguments there, just that adding a turbo will only enhance performance not fix an existing problem.
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Correct, however, "gutless" is relative to the operator's opinion and/or due to unequal operating conditions. Since nobody has been able to pinpoint the "problem", his could be just as capable as the others.

I always bristled at the earlier negativity by some pretty prominent members and appreciate the more recent encouragement and helpful suggestions. Fred obviously is not taking this tractor back to Kubota and has created quite a following.

 

[Coyote machine]

Correct, however, "gutless" is relative to the operator's opinion and/or due to unequal operating conditions. Since nobody has been able to pinpoint the "problem", his could be just as capable as the others.

I always bristled at the earlier negativity by some pretty prominent members and appreciate the more recent encouragement and helpful suggestions. Fred obviously is not taking this tractor back to Kubota and has created quite a following.

Bristle away. Consider this; these forums are for members to share their opinions, whether or not they meet with your approval. As such, prominent members, who have much experience, can offer their take on any given situation, just like all the 'followers'; who, BTW, have NOTHING invested in this 'project'. This means that lacking any proof positive as to cause and effect, and gutless wonder being an ambiguous & subjective term at best, some, if not many question the efficacy of the reasoning behind, just bolt on a turbo and see what happens.
This is a valid concern, and not something to be labeled as 'negativity' or naysaying. It is because I care to not see TBNers do damage unnecessarily and avoidably to their equipment, that I take time to point this out. Members reasons for and justification of their opinion is not required, nor even warranted, it just is one's opinion based largely on their own personal experience.
If I, as one example, caution against or suggest that the tractor be thoroughly tested to meet specs, which it does NOT do in relation to compression; it is because I am of the opinion that the OP may be throwing away money and time, and may possibly cause damage to his tractor, which will then be kicked to the curb by Kubota, their subcontracted insurance, etc. Before you or others tell me it's the OP's money and he can do what he wants, yes he can, and is doing exactly what he wants, so differing opinions have not hampered his progress or process. If he succeeds and everything works perfectly, then he's showed us. If not, the following may have less to offer to him as to how to fix the 'solution' he chose to effect. Encouraging someone to bungee jump off a bridge with a rope of unknown length may be fun to watch, but the outcome may be unexpected and have long lasting consequences. I hope for the OP's efforts and expenses he gets what he's looking for, but I reserve placing any bets on outcome at this juncture. YMMV.

 

[TripleR]

Correct, however, "gutless" is relative to the operator's opinion and/or due to unequal operating conditions. Since nobody has been able to pinpoint the "problem", his could be just as capable as the others.

I always bristled at the earlier negativity by some pretty prominent members and appreciate the more recent encouragement and helpful suggestions. Fred obviously is not taking this tractor back to Kubota and has created quite a following.

I seriously considered buying an L3940 before deciding I needed to go bigger so I have followed the threads, one got pruned and closed. There were some negative comments, some trying to get clarification and so on, not all questioning should be considered naysayers. Fred stated, "Yeah I think it is a bit too small, the loader lifts very light loads only and engine makes little power. My old Cub Cadet 7260 will run circles around it." This leads me to believe his L3940's performance is not on a par with others, so while I agree perception can vary he does a direct comparison of two tractors he has owned.

I can understand why he has received a following as he is obviously very skilled mechanic and fabricator which is why I would have preferred myself a different approach and left out the "gutless wonder" "gutless pig" comments" and come a it from a purely mechanical standpoint.

One thing that has troubled me is the intent to modify this new machine, run it then if it doesn't work make it look as though no work was ever done to retain warranty coverage or pass it on to an unsuspecting buyer. This approach seems to be more common than I had hoped.

 

[The Fred]

which it does NOT do in relation to compression

Let's talk cranking compression vs. leakdown test which I did both. Since the leakdown test showed almost no leakage from the cylinders through the valves/rings then cranking compression can only be low due to lower compression pistons or larger chambers in the cyl head.
I am happy for this as the turbo will only help. I would much rather turbocharge a lower compression engine than a higher compression engine.

NO fighting you guys, NO FIGHTING. If Aaron decides to pull posts again you can bet you'll never see the outcome. I have done lots of hot-rodding over the years, some results are good some just lackluster. I have a really good feeling about this one. Everything is coming together, I painted the turbo and assembled for the last time. I still need to make my 4AN oil feed line and build the high pressure pipe to the intake, and a makeshift exhaust until I figure that part out.

Thanks for watching

Photobucket is down so I'll give ya a little taste from tonight.

Fred

 

[ptsg]

What an awsome work you are doing there!! Keep it going. Cant wait to see it working :thumbsup:

 

[kuboman]

Sweet install. Hope you straight pipe it.
By the way I went to pull the banjo bolt on mine and found it buried behind the block heater so I didn't dismantle things in the -20 and blowing snow. Sorry!

 

[Midniteoyl]

Let's talk cranking compression vs. leakdown test which I did both. Since the leakdown test showed almost no leakage from the cylinders through the valves/rings then cranking compression can only be low due to lower compression pistons or larger chambers in the cyl head.
I am happy for this as the turbo will only help. I would much rather turbocharge a lower compression engine than a higher compression engine.

NO fighting you guys, NO FIGHTING. If Aaron decides to pull posts again you can bet you'll never see the outcome. I have done lots of hot-rodding over the years, some results are good some just lackluster. I have a really good feeling about this one. Everything is coming together, I painted the turbo and assembled for the last time. I still need to make my 4AN oil feed line and build the high pressure pipe to the intake, and a makeshift exhaust until I figure that part out.

Thanks for watching

Photobucket is down so I'll give ya a little taste from tonight.

Fred

View attachment 350847

I would be interested in seeing what the compression specs are on the turbo version of this engine... Could you have turbo pistons or heads already for some reason? Hmm..

 

[Chilly807]

How is the turbo drain plumbed? Any chance the restricted banjo bolt belongs on the drain side, to hold pressure IN the turbo?

Sean

 

[Bluegill2]

Nice work man!

 

[Coyote machine]

Let's talk cranking compression vs. leakdown test which I did both. Since the leakdown test showed almost no leakage from the cylinders through the valves/rings then cranking compression can only be low due to lower compression pistons or larger chambers in the cyl head.
I am happy for this as the turbo will only help. I would much rather turbocharge a lower compression engine than a higher compression engine.

Agreed, that's been my own personal experience from Saab, and other foreign autos like Mercedes, and Volvo, with the VW diesels,:yuck:, (speaking of gutless dog engines!). Lower compression when turboed VS. normally aspirated engines, gas or diesel. You definately can't go wrong on that issue.

NO fighting you guys, NO FIGHTING. If Aaron decides to pull posts again you can bet you'll never see the outcome. I have done lots of hot-rodding over the years, some results are good some just lackluster. I have a really good feeling about this one. Everything is coming together, I painted the turbo and assembled for the last time. I still need to make my 4AN oil feed line and build the high pressure pipe to the intake, and a makeshift exhaust until I figure that part out.

There's no fighting going on, just people contributing to your thread, you should be pleased instead of threatening to stop showing your project progress- it gets old and is totally unnecessary. Lighten up, no one wants a shutdown....

Thanks for watching



Fred