Old Kubota's as restoration projects ...

[gobbler]

Old Kubota\'s as restoration projects ...

My neighbor restores older JD L&G tractors. He usually restores them to like new condition, uses them for awhile, then sells or trades for another project. This got me to thinking if anyone thought that the older Kubota's would make an interesting project. I know that w/ the JD, there is an aftermarket parts source for those part that are no longer available through the dealer, but what about Kubota. Are parts for the older tractors still available.

I don't know if I want to do this or not, just curious.


Jim

 

[Turfman]

Re: Old Kubota\'s as restoration projects ...

Looks like you are at the ground level of a new collector's rage. If this takes off like Deere did, getting in now would be really good.

Problem I see is that the old Deeres are very simple to work on and fix, plus there are lots of after market parts. With the Kubotas parts are a dealer ($$$$) item and, while I'm not mechanic I've done a little bit, the Kubota is much too complicated for me to rebuild.

Collector Kubotas? Kind of makes me wish I had Ol' Drippy back for the start of my collection.

Turfman

 

[knucklehead]

Re: Old Kubota\'s as restoration projects ...

O.K., Turfman, now you made me spit coffee on the keyboard (Old Drippy, DAM).

Checked your profile: A State Trooper with a degree in horticulture.............I guess no one's gonna try to tell you that "they're just tomato plants, Officer".

I think those little diesel Kubs I see everywhere are the neastest things around. I also like the Bolens Iseki diesels. You mean the diesel part when you say complicated, right?

 

[Chuck52]

Re: Old Kubota\'s as restoration projects ...

Gobbler,

Feel free to come by my place and work on my "vintage" L210 anytime! It came to me with a nice new paint job, but with the headlights and turn signals disconnected and the oil light gone. It's still that way! Think of the fun you could have!

Chuck

 

[Carl_NH]

Re: Old Kubota\'s as restoration projects ...

Jim,

I saw a L185DT w/600BH in the paper a few years ago, went to take a look - it had sat outside it's entire life, was used by a contractor 800+ hrs, could put my finger through the back wheels to the tube, fenders rusted, and had an old IH Cab welded on- but it started and ran OK, so it was delivered a week later - and the wife says - what's that piece of junk?

Well that was my summer project - took it to the frame, the BH and loader apart replaced a lot of seals, hoses and cylinders, valve bodies etc. This was a 1980-81 vintage I think, and couldn't get wheels - so ended up welding patches where they were rusted through. Some other parts - like some cylinders needed to rebuild since new ones wern't available. Overall put about $3000 into it including sandblast and two coats of paint, decals etc.

It was fun - here is an after photo - none of original tho that was before I had a digital camera.

If you do it - have fun and take your time, it's worth it.

Carl

 

[looch]

Re: Old Kubota\'s as restoration projects ...

Nice work, man. I like seeing the older ones freshly painted and nice and clean. Reminds of those cool, metal Tonka toys I had when I was a kid.

 

[gobbler]

Re: Old Kubota\'s as restoration projects ...

Ok Carl, now I'm getting more motivated. Looks great. Ever wish you still had it.

 

[knucklehead]

Re: Old Kubota\'s as restoration projects ...

Real nice job, Carl. Got any before pix on film that could be scanned in? Didja use Kubota paint, or get it matched somewhere else, like a DuPont product?

 

[Carl_NH]

Re: Old Kubota\'s as restoration projects ...

Gobbler,

Now and then I visit and see how it's doing. Seems all is well, and I don't miss the two arm arm power steering, or taking the BH on and off the 3PH.

I do miss the occasional fixin that was needed. Maybe it's time to look for another one..

Knucklehead,

The paint was mixed by the numbers provided by Kubota - looks a lot like the color of the Hwy trucks here in NH. It could be dupont I don't remember. The new paint color on current units has more red than orange.

No old photos - since I didn't think to take any. Also, had the tractor down to the frame with BH and FEL off the second day after delivery.

pbenven,

Thanks for the comments and I had tonka toys and real tractors too growing up on the farm.

Carl

 

[knucklehead]

Re: Old Kubota\'s as restoration projects ...

Just for fun: When I came to work at the electric utility here, I was told at an orientation (because we used to get asked a lot, I guess), that the color of our trucks was Swamp Holly Orange. It's a little lighter than the State trucks over here to your East.