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I've had a couple of non-starts with my L4200GST that I attribute to the shuttle-shift neutral switch. I jiggle the shuttle shift and it starts right up. Now I'm wondering if I'm supposed to have a seat switch too. I do know I can put the tractor into gear and it will drive away without...

I found a split on the bottom of my FEL bucket which needed a weld repair. The best I could do was to get the bottom of the bucket just past vertical, so I had to weld onto a vertical surface. I got it stuck together, but it's REALLY ugly. I was using an AC stick welder and have 7014 and 6013...

Kinda small project, but lots of fun with my tractor: My side yard was unusable - wooded and sloped. I decided that I wanted to turn it into usable yard (wife wanted a pool and that's the only place I would put it - took a year, but I managed to talk her out of it). Attached are "before"...

My Woods 9000 backhoe subframe mount has some wear - the top link mount pin hole is ovalled, and one of pins near the rear axle (that drop in vertically) has flat-spotted where it rubs against the 'hoe bracket. There is a slop in the mount, such that the hoe can rock back and forth maybe 5...

My 680's HD bucket is getting pretty beat up - the cutting edge is spent, and I just found a hole that formed in the bottom layer of the bucket. I can weld the hole, and replace the cutting edge, but once I buy a new edge, and pay whatever I need to cutting off the old one (I can weld the new...

I vaguely recall a mention regarding Kubotas using generic ignition keys somewhere. I am considering leaving my tractor in an unsecured location for a while, and was wondering if leaving the ignition key out actually prevents someone from driving it away. JayC

I was backed onto an extremely steep grade last week, using my backhoe to reach down the slope to retrieve a prized rock-wall rock that had rolled down. As I was hanging over the edge, wondering what my odds would be should my machine end-over, I started to wonder if there is a pitch limit for...

Saw two of these in the Agri-supply catalog for $220 and $130 (looked the same to me, but what do I know). Folks on here have said that the Harbor Freight quick hitch works. Seems like a good price at ~$80? Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices JayC

My L4200 is in serious need of a new seat - my cover has all but disentegrated and my garbage bag auxilary seat cover is just a little too getto for my tastes ;). I don't really like the Kubota stock seat shape, but I've seen several decent looking "universal fit" seats, for example the...

When I got my L4200, I had to add a couple of gallons of hydro-fluid (due to a long-seeping sight glass), and I changed the hydraulic-fluid filter, but didn't replace the bulk of the fluid. I'm ready to change out the mess, but can't for the life of me figure out what to use to catch the...

I have a rotten time picking up rocks on occasion with my Woods 9000 w/ 16" bucket. Sometimes they come up like nothing, other times they just slide in until I have to back up again and again. The problem usually comes when the rock is flatish and bigger than my 'hoe bucket, say 2ft or better...

This is slightly off-topic, since I'm planning on using a utility ATV as a puller, but pretend it's just a teeny tractor (it's tires are pretty close to AGs), and we'll be all set... I need to flatten a lumpy yard. Ideally, I'd like the run the whole thing over with a Harley rake, but I don't...

I found the swing pivot bushings on my Woods 9000 backhoe damaged when I pulled the main pins this past weekend. One is particulary trashed with a gap in the teflon (or whatever is in there) about a third of the way around. Can they be punched out (like motorcycle wheel bearings), or do they...

I need to change out the swing pivot bushings on my Woods 9000 backhoe. What is involved in changing them? How do you get the trashed ones out and new ones back in? Can it be done w/o de-plumbing the machine? Thanks - JayC

My L4200's 3pt hitch arms were stuck in the up position for a year. I finally was able to get them to go down (I think I had the valve under the seat closed before). Now, however, they won't go back up. I have a single control lever on the right of the seat. Someone suggested that there was...

My lower swing pivot pin evidently walked up about 1/8" and stuck that way. It's been like that ever since I owned it, and I wouldn't care except that it is high enough that the swing piston shaft crushes the zerk fitting. Greasing the pin requires removing the crushed fitting, replacing with...

I have a HD bucket on my LA680 loader with an integral cutting edge. The edge is pretty worn, probably from plowing snow (previous owner). How are these things replaced? Do they just get torched off then a new one welded in place? What would be a typical cost of such a thing? Thanks - JayC

I mentioned this in a post last year - in the first season I owned it, my tractor's left front tire lost pressure (down to ~6psi), gone flat sitting, gone flat running, and held pressure for weeks w/o problems. When low or flat, it always pumped right back up. THEN my right one went flat...

The fuel shutoff solenoid on my L4200GST has never worked since I bought it (at ~2000+ hours) - It runs like a swiss watch, but I have to pull the kill knob to shut off the machine. I actually never knew that the tractor was supposed to turn off with the key, but once I found out, figured I'd...

I have an L4200 that I bought (quite) used a year ago. I bought it for use as a mini-backhoe, and it's been set up with a Woods 9000 backhoe ever since I got it - the backhoe is still mounted. Now there's a couple of things that I would like to do that use a hitch-mounted implement, and I want...

While doing a series of dirt FEL jobs this summer, I had flattened a front tire at least a half-dozen times. The seal appeared to blow at the bead when the FEL was loaded up - silly crooked tractor wheels. It was always the same tire, until the last time, when the other one went, which then...

I have a Woods 9000BH (or BH9000, whatever) Groundbreaker backhoe. The lower swing pin on the boom is up about 1/8" or so from where it should be (was that way when I got it), and I can't move it back down. The zerk fitting on that pin is crushed, either by the previous owner bashing it while...

Funny that this came up last week. My tractor's left front tire has lost pressure (down to ~6psi), gone flat sitting, gone flat running, and held pressure for weeks w/o problems. When low or flat, it always pumped right back up. Looked fine, but it's air storage capability is completely...

My tractor had one completely blown tie rod ball joint (1/8" of play, at least) and three shredded boots, so I got new tie rods and changed them. No big deal - I'm just excited because I FINALLY got motivated and changed them after having the new replacement parts (via Tractorsmart) sitting in...

Every once in a while, usually while backing up and looking over my shoulder, I'll feel a clunk, and I turn back around to find my LA680 FEL all the way up over my head. Never ceases to scare the **** out of me. It appears that the weight of the control lever is adequate to engage the 'up'...

I don't know that you can see anything meaningful in the picture I attached, but in any case, this is my LA680 FEL bucket. It is a double-walled HD bucket (rocks are our biggest cash crop, after all). It looks as though the previous owner(s) used the FEL to plow snow for a long time, as the...

I've been toying with the idea of dumping my L4200 and getting something smaller. I got the L4200 specifically because I wanted to carry a 9' backhoe. Well, I made the right decision about the big backhoe, definately, but after working with it for a while, I've decided that what I really want...

Hi all - As I've been using my L4200GST more and more, I've drifted away from using the clutch, and now don't use it at all. I use the glideshift lever for everything now, and I'm wondering if there might be any reason to actually use the clutch instead, other than PTO engaging. I don't use...

I'd like to get some information on PTO-driven 3-pt power rakes (or Harley rakes). I know absolutely nothing about them, other than I want one, and would appreciate any web links that point me to info and pricing for various models. Thanks - Jay

It took me two weekends to finally get grease into all of the fittings on my Woods 9000 'hoe and LA680 loader. I had to pull more than a couple of the pins to clean them up and get grease flowing through the passages. The previous owner didn't do much maintenance, not to mention that his...

Questions regarding my backhoe and the health of it's hydraulic system. Woods BH9000 using tractor's hydraulics, BTW. Power -- Out of the three main degrees of digging freedom, power from strong to weak goes: bucket curl, boom lift, dipper. Dipper joint hold-off strength -- the dipper joint...

I'd like to replace all of the grease fittings on my Kubota tractor. I hit the local discount stores and Autozone, but couldn't find any - Autozone had little assortments, but all SAE. I need to buy a 50-pack of the same fitting, but don't have a clue of where to go. And no, I haven't checked...

Bear... Big bear... Big bear chase me... I started to pull out a rock yesterday - I'm cutting down the grade in the area a couple of feet and this rock was sticking up a few inches. I expected something a couple - three feet across. When I got to the bottom, well, here's the pic. I tried to...

My L4200 tractor w/ Woods 9000BH backhoe is too long to load/unload with my 16'/10 ton trailer. The problem is that the trailer does not have a beavertail, making the climb onto the trailer using the intergral folding 3' ramps too steep. The rear of the backhoe mount is at least 5' behind the...

Is Mid-90\'s Orange the same as current models? I need to do a whole bunch of spray-bomb touch-up on my L4200GST (~'95) and attached Woods BH9000 backhoe. Folks here claim that Chevy Engine Orange is a perfect match, as I suppose is the Kubota paint (WalMart is WAY more convenient though)...

I have a fairly substantial hydraulic fluid leak coming from the site glass on my L4200. From what I can gather, the things pop in and out and are simply sealed with come kind of goop. I'm hoping I can just pop out the glass, re-goop, and stick it back in. True? If so, what is used for the...

My L4200 has problems with it's balls. I bought the machine last winter with tie rod ball joint damage - and now that it is spring, it's time to fix it. The tie rod ends show damage on both sides - one ball joint is completely blown (w/ ~1/8" of play), and the other three joints, while still...

In the current TLE post, everyone seems in agreement that a little diesel motor will run 10,000 hours or so. But what about the rest of the tractor? There are a lot of complex mechanical assemblies in these things. How long is the typical lifetime before major overhaul/repair of the rest of...

Hello. I discovered that my recently-purchased L4200 is missing the (evidently) removable legs that hold up the LA680 loader frame (used the wrong number in a previous post on the topic - duh) when removed from the tractor. I can make new legs in no time, provided I can figure out what I need...

OK - dumb question of the month candidate... and I am embarrased to ask. How do I take the 463 FEL off of my L4200? I am not asking how to disconnect it - the pins and hose parts are obvious. What I can't figure out is how to support the physical structure once it is free from the tractor...

My backhoe seems to only move one piston at a time. I haven't dug with it yet, but was playing around with the general movements the other day. When, for example, I pushed both control levers forward, I expected the primary boom to move down, and the secondary boom (where the bucket attaches -...

My L4200's steering is pretty sloppy - it has a toasted tie rod end on one side (which I'm gonna get to eventually), but even w/o that, the steering is quite sloppy. Someone posted that there is a slop adjustment on the steering box - but I haven't been able to find it. Could someone please...

I noticed some hydro fluid seeping from around my L4200's tranny site glass. I've been told that it uses an o-ring seal, so no biggie. I want to replace the o-ring (or maybe I just need to tighten the glass?) - I don't know how to get the site glass off/on. Please advise. Thanks - Jay

My L4200GST clutch pedal is pretty stiff - depressing the clutch is definately a "whole leg" operation (like doing a leg press), as opposed to a 'pivot from the ankle' poke the pedal thing, like when driving a car. I had to move my seat up a couple of notches so I had a good platform to push...

Before I brought my L4200 home, I was really worried about towing it. I never towed a heavy trailer before, so I was asking all kind of questions about towing and trailer brakes, etc, in places like here and RV forums. Most in the RV forums were fairly paranoid, suggesting not going beyond...

I was playing around with my tractor yesterday, making sure the things I haven't tried actually work. I have a subframe-attached backhoe on my tractor, so the 3 pt hitch and/or PTO isn't used, and haven't been for at least a few years. I got the PTO spinning (w/o load), so at least it moves...

I noticed some hydro-fluid weaping from the site glass area on my L4200GST transmission after topping it off recently. I know that the site glass is replaceable, so I'm hoping that it simply needs to be tightened or re-o-ringed or something like that. Anyone know what to do? Thanks - Jay

This is just food for thought - maybe a Spring/Summer project, if at all. I know ROPS modifications are typically a no-no, but I really want to fit my L4200 in my garage, and my single-piece ROPS makes it impossible. I have the length, but I'm coming up a couple of inches shy on height, thanks...

Does anyone know why tractors are designed with such extreme positive camber (front wheels sloping out at the top, in at the bottom)? It seems that is the last thing one would want, considering the weight that the wheels have to support, especially with FEL work, not to mention that positive...

My L4200's steering is a little sloppy - I want to replace the tie rod ends. Questions: 1) Can I just replace tie rod ends or end ball joints, or does the whole tie rod assembly have to go? 2) If just ball joints or ends, does any one know of any a common automotive (non-Kuota) part that might...

At least one of the joints on the outer tie rod end of my L4200 is toasted and wobbles, and the boots on both inners are torn, so I might as well replace all of them. Questions: 1) Can I just replace tie rod ends or end ball joints, or does the whole tie rod assembly have to go? 2) If just ball...

I found this very interesting: http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/images/lucas/lucas.htm While it is about an additive, it plainly shows that dino oil is superior to synthetic (both with and without additive). I found of particular interest that the extra slipperyness of the synthetic causes it to...

I think it's ATF. What do you guys think is in that bottle? Jay

More bad stuff uncovered - I don't know how I missed this one...I was sure I checked all of the shafts... I found a couple of significant gouges in one of the stabilizer pistons on my backhoe. It looks like a boulder fell off of the bucket and landed on the piston shaft (downside of a 180...

Ugh - I keep finding more and more nasty things with this used L4200 tractor purchase of mine...note: dinged piston shaft post elsewhere... When I got the tractor, there was a leaking hose on the attached BH9000 backhoe - one of the lateral movement criss-cross hoses. I replaced the hose today...

Sorry for all of the recent posts, but I'm trying to learn as much as I can about all of these newfangled tractor thingies... I read a post from a few years ago - the poster said that the hour meter on his Kubota (B-series, I think) was only accurate with the motor running at PTO speed, and...

Kubota \'L\' Series Thermostats I haven't run my L4200 much, but I noticed that the temperature gauge has yet to move more than about an 1/8" past the cold mark. Granted, it was only ~30 degrees, but I figure it should've heated up more than that. The gauge might not be accurate, or maybe the...

There used to be something on the market that, when applied to rust, reacted with it and created a hard black material. This effectively sealed the metal, which could then be painted. I used to have a spray can of the stuff, and I've seen it in normal liquid form for brush application. I...

A hydraulic line on my backhoe sprung a leak, and I need to get it fixed tomorrow morning (11th). My tranny level is down at least an inch (maybe two) so I need to top it off. I can't get the Kubota stuff until next week. Do I have to worry about adding some (probably only a couple of quarts)...

I noticed a bit of play in my L4200's front wheels - when driving they seem to shimmy or jerk slightly every once in a while, such as just when starting to reverse direction of steering. Power steering works great, BTW. I can't feel this movement in the tractor or steering, but if I look at...

I'm trying to figure out approximately what the load liquid volume is for my L4200 w/ turf tires. Kubota specs a rear tire size of 44x18-20 for the L4400. I can assume they are the same (or at least close enough) as what's on mine. I've seen a few loading charts on the 'net, but can't find...

I have aquired an L4200 tractor with one loaded tire - the other one got a flat, and the previous owner had someone put a tube in it, but did not have it reloaded. I would like to take the fill out of the loaded side. I have a 1300# backhoe on the tractor, so I technically don't need the tire...

I bought some PS additive for my first foray into the diesel world, but I wasn't sure which one to get. I got the stuff in the silver can since it seemed the better cleaner (and my new-to-me tractor has been poorly maintained for the last ~300 hours). I need stablizer and probably need...

My tractor has a FEL and backhoe, so obviously the pistons/lines etc are all full of fluid. If I want to change to a different type of fluid (and everybody warns against mixing fluid types) how do I get all of the old fluid out? Jay

Everyone that uses Fluid Film seems to rave about it. A friend gave me a can a few years ago - I actually never saw the stuff for sale until I went into the local tractor dealer - evidently a popular item among tractor folks. I'm leery of it because I used it to lube a gov't model 45 pistol...

Another rank newbie question: I have ready several tales of tractors ending up shiny-side-down. I haven't driven on my land yet, but my lot is sloped with multiple grades of varying steepness (is that even a word?), so before I make an ugly mistake, I figured I'd ask about it. How easy do...

I'd appreciate some opinions on the dual-control trailer brake controller from Valley. Specifically, this model: http://www.off-road.com/dodge/news/2003_07/valley.html I know everybody likes the other two controllers, but I need some real-world input for one of these - pros/cons, etc. Thanks...

Pricing reference for anyone interested, any comments also encouraged: I just bought my first tractor - an L4200 w/ FEL. It has high hours (2300), but is in pretty good cosmetic condition (little rust - torn seat) and runs/operates fine. It has a 3-pt mounted Woods BH9000, which is also in...

Hi all - newbie tractor owner here. I just bought an L4200 w/ FEL - high hours (2300), but in pretty good cosmetic condition. I also got a Woods BH9000 backhoe in good shape, and an almost new 4-5 ton utility trailer with it ($15k total). As soon as I figure out how to wire an electric brake...