KUBOTA L3130 RADIATOR DAMAGE

[ENIGMA]

Couple of days ago I snapped off the little nipple on the bottom tank. Given that a new radiator is $438, I got to thinking of alternative repair methods. Current thought is to tap the hole left where the nipple broke off and epoxy a 3/8nptX1/2 nipple into place. Is the lower tank material thick enough for this fix? What pressure does the radiator operate at? The tractor is 8 years old so I am not as reticent to try this repair as opposed to when it was brand new. Perhaps it is just me, but Kubota seems especially prone to damage from sticks and roots. I have broken off the switch for the GST on the side of the transmission [very poor design of shield for same], the oil pressure sensor [stick from underneath], stick through the radiator, and my last breakage, a root came up under the front guard, over the axle and caught the nipple. Perhaps the way I use my tractor is the cause, but it does look like some of these parts would be better shielded. Thanks for any help.

 

[art]

Kubota tractors have some the highest ground clearances of all tractors but when things come up from the tires some times things can never be high enough! You must be in the back forty quite often to have had that much trouble already. There is no sure cure for your issue with what you are breaking.

 

[Bob77064]

You might see if a radiator shop can change out the bottom tank. Plastic radiators have been around for a long time now.

 

[ENIGMA]

Kubota tractors have some the highest ground clearances of all tractors but when things come up from the tires some times things can never be high enough! You must be in the back forty quite often to have had that much trouble already. There is no sure cure for your issue with what you are breaking.

Pushing a lot of brush from fallen trees and pushing over dead pines has been the prime source of the problem. I did get the grill guard open areas closed with welded steel plate with expanded metal for the headlights to shine through. It isn't pretty, but haven't put any brush through the radiator or broken grill parts since.

 

[ENIGMA]

You might see if a radiator shop can change out the bottom tank. Plastic radiators have been around for a long time now.

I talked to one but they weren't very encouraging about finding a bottom tank, much less installing one. Kubota won't sell anything but the full radiator. Thank you for your suggestion.

 

[dfkrug]

Since you have a local rad shop, ENIGMA, you might ask them what they charge to make
an all-new aluminum unit. These often cost 1/2 of a new OEM.

My local rental yard has replaced several radiators on their newest CUTs, and I have
suggested they try the custom approach next, as they are spending close to $500 for
new OEM.

We often did this with custom cars, esp when we wanted to move up to a 3-row unit.

 

[ENIGMA]

Good news, folks! I tapped the hole as planned and used epoxy cement to secure a 3\8nptx1\2 hose barb in place. Let it set for two days and reassembled my tractor. Pressure tested it by running it with the radiator covered until it ran hot for five minutes. Thankfully, no leaks,not even any seepage. I don't know if this fix will last but I went out and bushhogged for four hours and pushed over several dead trees, and it is still holding. Whole lot cheaper than replacing the radiator. I'll repost if it it fails.

 

[Bob77064]

Good job!