Little Old L185DT

Anonymous Poster · Mar 11, 2003

I've described my dilemma in the general buying/pricing forum, but though someone might be interested in heaing the the <font color="orange">'Bota</font> I looked at earlier this evening...

Found it in the local paper's classified, in the "garden equipment and supplies" section not "farm equipment". Figured I'd at least take a look since I'm getting pressure to buy. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

The description was "KUBOTA Tractor #L185DT, no attachments, 2035 hrs, 17 hp diesel" and it was only a few minutes from my house. Since small tractors seem to be less common, and more expensive, here in California than other places, the $2495 price seemed pretty tempting, particularly for a 4WD non-grey model. The hours were high, and I knew it was a 20+ year old model, but I read every post that mentioned this or the related models and went to see.

Cosmetically the unit was very nice- the sheet metal was straight, the paint in good but faded shape. Some surface rust, but overall well preserved.The tires were weather but all seemed firm, although I noticed some deep rust around the valve stem on one front wheel. The seat was in near perfect condition, but seemed to be a replacement, with a bit of welding and fiddling on the mount.

The compression release knob was seized, apparently pretty common, but overall the controls seemed intact and in reasonable order.

The lift arms seemed complete, but there was no top link. Of course as noted there were no implements or attachments.

The first big problem noted was the steering. I had read that these were prone to getting water in the steering box and rusting out. The steering wheel could be swung 4-6 inches without moving the linkage. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

The drive shaft running to the front axle seemed to have about 5-10 degrees of play when rotated by hand. I don't know how this should feel, but it seemed the universals were sloppy. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

The engine had the all too common layer of oil covering it, but seemed visually intact, and various linkages seemed in good shape.

Time to fire it up. Preheat on for about 15 seconds, compression release manually opened, crank for a few seconds and she catches. Good bit of black smoke on startup, but it clears up quickly, and no apparent blue or white seen by floodlight against a white background.

Uh oh- no reading on the tach. Oh yeah, the seller had mentioned the meter didn't work. Figure 2035+ ?? hrs... /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Engine idles OK, seems to crank up happily. PTO spins, time to try lifting the hitch- no go.

<font color="blue">"Yeah the previous owner said it just quit."</font> We fiddle a bit, look through the clean, original manual, but the hich just hangs there. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

About this time I notice that although the stack is still blowing clear, the crankcase vent is shooting a pretty solid jet of white smoke straight down. Doesn't look good. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Oh well, poke around a bit more, and decide to walk away for now before the itch make me stupid(er). He's got someone else coming to look at it in the morning, and if it doesn't sell I can always call him back. Seemed like a good guy, wasn't trying to hide anything...

So did I make a mistake? I certainly don't need another project, but...

Anyone have any thoughts? Smart move or missed opportunity? If nothing else, I'd just a soon give it a little help in finding a proper home.

njrqs · Mar 11, 2003

Now I thought they were L185 over here and L175 over there.

On the odd occasion mine (L1501 = L185 here) won't lift the 3PL (with an implement on) until it warms up a bit and I give the implement a bit of a shove)

When it is warm the 3PL works faultlessly but just sometimes when cold it sits there.

And don't forget it is a lot warmer here than maybe where you are so might just be a cold thing?

Yes have heard much on the sterring box issue but not enough to work out if I should drain mine.

Any help on that one would be appreciated.

It is out of the weather now but suspect it sat around for a while before.

Great little unit !!

Cheers

/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

frank_f15 · Mar 12, 2003

i don't know? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif seems to be a few to many little things wrong with it. i do understand that it is 20 years old so it is not going to be factory new. think u will have to go with your gut feeling.

Anonymous Poster · Mar 12, 2003

Plus no ROPS/seatbelt (although Kubota can apparently supply for $150)

And I didn't mention that he had a charger hooked up to the battery- maybe it was just flat from sitting, but who knows the condition of the electrical.

I'm comfortable with walking away. Still kind of hoping it finds a good home. I'm sure that someone could make a nice unit our of it...

Anonymous Poster · Mar 12, 2003

Thank you for your words of experience, and wish you luck with yours. I'll try to see if there was any more specific information about the steering box among the various sources I found.

As for the models, it appears that there were both L175 and L185 models in the states. I have noted some confusion, particularly with different grey models being matched to the same US model or vice versa...