B-8200: Seeking Maintenance Suggestions

[PaulK]

A friend asked me what maintenance should be done on his 12 year old B-8200 with only 250 hours on it. My B-21 has 250 hours in just over a year. Lack of use concerns me. Since it is used only 20 hours per year, some small thing might go unattended and cause a major repair bill down the road. He's going to change the oil, air, hydro filters. Any suggestions?

 

[chrisjbell]

Wow, second time today I've had to pull out the ol' WorkShop Manual Tractor /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif. I'd suggest running through pretty much the entire list of stuff they recommend and pretend the tractor has, say, double the actual hours (intermittant use can be worse than longer hours - kind of like short trips in a car). Here's Kubota's official suggestions - I've combined 300 and 400 hour services:

Engine oil changing (every 100 hours - but I'd say once a year, at least)
Engine oil filter cartridge replacement (recommended every other oil change)
Transmission fluid changing (every 300 hours)
Trnasmission oil strainer changing (ditto)
Greasing (50 hours)
Engine starting system checking (50)
Wheel bolt torque checking (50)
Battery condition checking (50)
Air cleaner element cleaning (100, but more often in dusty conditions)
Air cleaner element replacement - once a year
Fuel filter element cleaning (100)
Fuel filter replacement (400)
Fan belt adjustment (100)
Clutch adjustment (100)
HST pedal spring checking (if you have it - 100)
Radiator hose and clamp checking (200)
Radiator hose and clamp repacement - every two years
Fuel line checking (200)
Fuel line replacement - every two years
Toe-in checking (200)
Front axle case oil changing (300)
Front axle pivot adjustment (400)
Engine valve cleanrance (sic /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif) adjustment (800, recommended that a dealer does it)
Cooling system cleaning - every two years
Cooling changing - every two years

That otta keep him out of trouble for a while /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif.

 

[PaulK]

Many thanks for the thoughtful reply. I've tried to emphasize that upkeep is crucial. I researched "what not to do" on my B-21 by stopping and looking at every B-21 owned by Public Service Gas and Electric here in New Jersey. There seemed to be filters worthy of the Antiques Roadshow. Again, thanks for taking the time to help. Paul.

 

[RobertN]

The big thing is seasonal oil changes. My B8200 manual just shows by the hours, as Chris mentioned in his post. But, most other manufacturers of things that use engines(cars, trucks, lawn mowers ect) recommend a seasonal oil change even if you do not put many miles/hours on the unit.

You'll get condensation in the engine. There are also corrosive elements to the byproducts of combustion process, which get in the crankcase.

For the rest of the fluids, I watch them closely. I'm ready for a hydro fluid change after two years. The fluid is still clear and clean. The tractor is shedded most of the time, so it stays dry, and less moisture gets in vents ect.

The owners manual was only $16 when I got mine four or so years ago. Well worth the money for the info in it.

 

[PaulK]

Thanks for the tip. I had often wondered if oil had the potential to create problems in the same way that old gas does for lawnmowers stored over the winter. My friend maintains a couple diesel engines - so he's aware of the condensation problem in the gas tank.