Kubota Newbie! L245DT/1200 FEL

[dook]

Just purchased an old L245DT with a 1200 Kubota loader. It has some issues...the clutch is stuck to the flywheel, working on that. Steering box has slack, oil coming out weep hole probably due to rainwater coming in.
The most confusing problem is speed control. It won't idle below 1500 RPM governed or 1200 with me feathering. Any speed below that and it gradually drops off and dies. I changed fuel filter and bled, filled tank with fresh diesel.

One thing I don't understand and can't find any information on is maximum RPM. "Rated" RPM I think is 2600, at least it is on L235DT, anyway. The tachometer goes up to around 3800. I don't think it's a good idea to run any diesel engine that fast.

Is there a shop manual available online or will I have to fork out big bucks for one?

 

[dook]

I got the clutch freed up this morning and worked the tractor/loader. The 1200 loader is a bit of a dissapointment. Maybe I'm spoiled on newer industrial loaders I've rented. The bucket doesn't curl more than about 7 degrees from level! :confused2: All I can do is get a half load in it and lose much of it on the way to my destination unless I boom up about 3 1/2 feet which is dangerous unless traversing hard level ground in a straight direction. It would probably be OK with snow since it packs together.

I guess this is why the newer buckets have an "L" profile instead of the old "C" profile.

Also, this loader has the old valves...two handles and no float. Maybe it wouldn't be too difficult or expensive to replace it with a new style valve.
The cylinder hoses are 3/8 ID and the speed OK.
There are no support collars for the pins, just holes stamped in the 3/16" plate. I guess ag tractors are lighter-built than industrial loaders.

 

[repete]

Do your loader cylinders travel the full distance of the shafts?

 

[dook]

Do your loader cylinders travel the full distance of the shafts?

Almost, they travel from stops to stops. There are mechanical stops on the bucket before cylinder bottoms out.

 

[repete]

Almost, they travel from stops to stops. There are mechanical stops on the bucket before cylinder bottoms out.

So you are getting the full action it appears.

 

[dook]

So you are getting the full action it appears.

It appears to work the way it was designed, I just don't like the way it was designed. I just ran it a couple more hours. It's a challenge just to get the bucket half full. I'm doing road repairs on a rocky mountain road.

 

[repete]

Pictures.

 

[dook]

Pictures.

I'll try one at a time.

 

[dook]

These pictures are at full curl.

 

[dook]

One more, inside the bucket.