New owner of an old L305, with questions of course.

Schneeky · Apr 16, 2014

Hey folks. Got in an old 2WD L305 last week off the back row of a dealership. Looks like it oughtta be about perfect for the l'il piddly mess I hafta do on my 4.25 acres. Seemed like a fair enough deal @ $2600 with a 30 day 100% trade-in warranty. Runs great and everything seems to work. After I got it home and started going over it I found a few l'il funky things to 'rassle, but nothing too major yet.

The lower lift arms on the 3PH are 2 different lengths. One is 31" and the other is 33.5". Both are Kubota blue/grey and look like they've been on it forever. Is that normal, tho'? I hafta position the QH way left to get it square with the tractor.

What kindof oil do I put in it? Hydraulic fluid?

I've got grand plans to get the Owners and Service manuals for it, but any help with these issues or any other tips for this old tractor would be greatly appreciated. Couldn't find too much with search, but my search-fu may be lacking. Thanks.. d:^) Schneeks..

Kub · Apr 17, 2014

Both of the lower lift arms should be the same. The p/n is 37307-71310 Assy Link Lower - 2. I never owned the L305F, but I did own the L295DT, which is the next size smaller, although both models share a lot of the same parts. The L305F has larger tires and a 2 stage clutch, and is about 7 inches longer in total length than the L295DT. As for the hydraulic oil, I would check with my dealer, but I can tell you that Kubota called for SAE 80 gear oil in the owners manual for the L295DT and I'm sure it would be the same for the L305F.
Kub

Schneeky · Apr 17, 2014

Thanks, Kub!
I went to Junebug's yesterday and picked up a few lift arms. One matched set @ 31" and another single @ 33.5" to go with the longer one that came on it. Found out that the 33.5" is the original, but hooked up the 31's last night figuring that the QH will give me the extra clearance the original 33.5's provided.

Also noticed that the upper lift arms were very sloppy while messing with this. One had a broken clamping bolt and was just sitting on the spindle. The other had the bolt but it wasn't torqued down. Got all that tightened up but there's still about .200" side-to-side motion with the upper lift arm spindle.

I did get to talk with the previous owner yesterday as well. Very helpful. He said they had replaced some gears in the tranny last year and had nothing but good to say about the l'il tractor. Said he just needed something a bit bigger is why he traded it in.

One other thing. These rotating "balls" in the ends of the arms. Is there a reason they're never greased? And at what point are they too sloppy to use? Thanks.. d:^) Schneeks..

Kub · Apr 17, 2014

I guess greasing the lower link arm balls is up to the individual, I always keep mine greased and free moving and having them under roof doesn't hurt either. As far as sloppy goes, never had that problem. One thing I can tell you is that the L295, L305 and the L345 models are great little tractors. I bought mine new, back in 81 and it never gave me a minutes trouble during the 18 years I had it.

Kub

Kub · Apr 17, 2014

I guess greasing the lower link arm balls is up to the individual, I always keep mine greased and free moving and having them under roof doesn't hurt either. As far as sloppy goes, never had that problem. One thing I can tell you is that the L295, L305 and the L345 models are great little tractors. I bought mine new, back in 81 and it never gave me a minutes trouble during the 18 years I had it.

Kub

Schneeky · Apr 17, 2014

I got to work the l'il bugger today with some of the new implements I bought. Outside of having to hassle with the gear shifting it just cruised along nicely gettin' it done. The only reason I can come up with to NOT grease the balls down here is to avoid gettin sand stuck in the joint and acting as an abrasive.
But I'm thinkin I'm gonna grease these cuz I don't have a lot of free flyin sand on this particular property.
I had a ball today playing with the landscape rake. Lookin forward to some destruction tomorrow with the box scrape. d:^) Schneeks..

Kub · Apr 18, 2014

Glad you're having fun. I should have been more clear and said that I use WD40, not grease.
Kub

Schneeky · Apr 19, 2014

Aaaight then. I'm thinkin that having something schlick on'em can't be too bad of a thing.
So far, so good with Rusty (the l'il tractor's official name around here). There's a little bit of coolant weeping out the petcock after it's been running a while and a coupla drops of oil under it. Nothing I wouldn't expect from a 30+ yo tractor.
Found out the local NAPA store has most of the maintenance items for it in stock. Schweet. d:^) Schneeks..

Kub · Apr 21, 2014

I don't think you did so bad. Did you see the Red Kubota posting on Kubota Buying/Pricing section. Check out what he is asking for a 2 cylinder Kubota with one ag and one turf tire. All I can say is you got a lot more tractor for less, my opinion.
Kub

Schneeky · Apr 22, 2014

One thing I can say that I've learned about tractors since my search started, there's some funky stuff out there.
Had a weekend of rain and piddled with Rusty in the garage. My SO rolled her eyes and laughed at me for it, but Ol' Rusty got the toothbrush treatment in all the nooks-n-crannies, the wiring covered and secured, the sheet metal compounded and is sportin some tire black. :laughing:
Thus far the 'ol tractor has performed flawlessly for what it is. I'll call myself lucky. Seems like a good place to start. d:^) Schneeks..