used L175

[ehartner]

I am looking into buying a used compact tractor, and found a 1980 Kubota L175 with turf tires, that seems to be in decent condition and runs good. It has 1750 hours on it and $3900.00 is being asked for it.

Is the L175 a good tractor and is $3900.00 a good price for it?

Thanks,
Eric Hartner

 

[Bird]

Eric, I'm not familiar with the L175. http://www.tractortips.com lists an L175F as only being made from 1973 to 1976 (and I have no idea how accurate their data is). In my part of the country, any halfway decent tractor will sell for $4,000. Everything I've seen for less was junk.

Bird

 

[Muhammad]

Eric,

The L175 is a solid machine in general. No known problems (that I have heard of) - stats I have are as follows: (subject to error, as always)

L175F 2WD - 1972-1978
Engine: Kubota 2-Cylinder Diesel
Cubic Inch Displacement: 45.3
Engine Horsepower: 17
Transmission: Gear Drive 8F/2R
Weight (lbs): 1870

L175DT 4WD - 1976-1978
Engine: Kubota 2-Cylinder Diesel
Cubic Inch Displacement: 45.3
Engine Horsepower: 17
Transmission: Gear Drive 8F/2R
Weight (lbs): 1960

1750 hours in 20 years is about 88 per year - not a lot. As for price, depending on condition, you might be able to say it is worth between $100 and $500 less than the asking price. Probably not much less, though.

Hope this helps,

<font color=blue>>></font color=blue>Muhammad
<font color=blue>Administrator</font color=blue>

 

[scruffy]

I just purchased an L175 that matches the stats posted for the two wheel drive. It came with a loader and spreader box, aggressive ag tires on rear, and overall great condition with 792 hours on it. Total price was $1100. Now if I can just find the synchros for the reverse gear! Even though it does run well, and there are no other problems. BUT how do you tell the year? Or tell if it is not a grey market tractor?

 

[scruffy]

Forgot to add the only number I could find was on the transmission case and it was L1500-23916.

 

[W5FL]

You jest. I just got a 2000 model Kubota and it has synchronizers in all gears. Haven't heard a gear grind yet. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[scruffy]

I wished I did jest! The reverse gear synchro's on this tractor have been 'flattened' by the previous owner not stopping prior to shoving it into reverse...thus flattening the synchros. I need to verify its year and whether or not it is a 'grey' prior to going further in the repair department. The tractor is in great condition otherwise, with a headlight switch shaft broken off, and the work light wiring hanging down and frayed badly. (I cut them off for now, and will rewire when I install lights on it) I walked it home from the neighbors (half mile) and it ran fine, with everything working as designed except for no reverse gears...just grinding when you attempt it. When I shut it off and shift to reverse, the gear doesn't slide up the shaft far enough to engage, although you can feel it in the gearshift lever when you start it back up...its almost there, but not quite. Which reminds me, I haven't found a way to shut this thing down gracefully! I have to put it in a higher range gear and ease out the clutch while braking it to kill the engine, not a preferrable way I know, but if I didn't, it would still be idling away out there!
Has anybody ever split one of these in half to repair a tranny?
Will the L175 handle a 48" tiller? When its up and running 100%, I would like to find a tiller for it. Used preferrably...cheaper!
Tractor has no rust (stored indoors until two years ago)no dents, looks good except for oxidized paint.

<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by scruffy on 7/8/00 08:34 PM.</FONT></P>

 

[scruffy]

If I can accomplish it, I will post a pic of the little jewel (maybe it will be anyway). I need a light switch, steering wheel, and seat cushing plus elbow grease to clean up (wax,etc) to make it look almost like a new one.

<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by scruffy on 7/8/00 08:40 PM.</FONT></P>

 

[W5FL]

Have you checked a shop manual. My 82 Model Massey didn't have a synchronizer for any gear on the tractor. You just had to push the clutch and wait and wait and wait to shift into reverse. If the forks are not pushing the gear far enough that is a different problem. The gear in line with reverse must move completely out of the way for the reverse gear to slide in place. Didn't realize Kubota had anything synchronized that far back.

No experience myself, but my dad split his John Deere by his self in his one car garage to replace the clutch. He will be 85 next month, so guess it can be done if you go about it correctly. Will be a lot cheaper to work on the transmission if you remove it than if they do.

I also never saw a tractor of that vintage that didn't have a cable (or some type of fuel cutoff) to cut off the diesel fuel to kill the engine.

 

[Bird]

scruffy, I agree with Wen. There's bound to be some kind of fuel shut off to kill the engine. On some tractors it's a separate lever or knob to pull out, on my 1995 B7100, when you pulled the throttle lever back to idle, there was a "stop" or detent, and you pulled back harder to pass that detent and shut it off.

Bird

 

[scruffy]

Wen, Bird, I agree with you on the fuel switch, but without manuals, I am shooting in the breeze here. The previous owner has the manual somewhere, (probably in a 30 foot conex) and will be looking for it when she has everything put into storage. There are several items known to be around her property that haven't been located yet. Hitch pins for the 3pt class 1 hitch for one (can't bring the spreader/box with blade home until I get some), manual, hydraulics (new in box) for the 3pt hitch, PTO cover, and various odds and ends. I'm working on a shop manual at ebay, and a parts catalog, and user manual would be ideal also...need a new steering wheel, seat cushion, work lights, light switch - at least I assume its a light switch on the lower right side of the instrument panel, gear shift knob...you know the biggie stuff!
Nothing I have pulled so far shut it down! Course I pulled a few things, and had no idea what they were supposed to do, and they did nothing visible to my extremely well trained eye! ;o) Shucks, the only tractor I've owned was an old 8N, and I ran my father in laws Oliver 550 many an hour. My dad had an old Cle Track and an Oliver that I put a lot of time in on as a kid.
At this point, manuals are the ticket to a successful repair. I do not want to tear into it until I have some information to work with.

 

[Bird]

Yep, scruffy, I'm the same way; hate to have to work on anything without the written instructions.

Bird

 

[scruffy]

Bird,
It certainly is cheaper and most expediant that way! I just hate to hear myself say "I wished I hadn't done that", or "If I had only realized....." Nope, manuals! That way I can find out what I pulled, and what its SUPPOSED to do!

 

[Hertenstein]

What you have is a L1500 and it is a grey market. I also verified this by looking at the photo. This tractor will have 4 PTO speeds instead of the two on the US equivalent L175. I am very happy with my L1500. If you need parts this link list various suppliers: http://www.andrew.cmu.edu/user/kb13/ans_grey.htm

Best regards,

 

[scruffy]

Hertenstein, I surely didn't want to hear that, but I did suspect it. The L175 manual does correspond, except for that pesky 4 speed PTO gear shift, I wonder if I filed 3 and 4 off if I could.....naw, what the heck, it will still work out just nicely for what I want. Thanks for the link!

 

[easy_guy]

I hope you bought that L175. Mine is just dandy. I also have the manuals and other printed information that came with the tractor in case you are interested.

 

[mjhahler]

I would agree with your thoughts about the L175. I need to find a manual for mine. Would you consider helping me out with a copy.
Let me know how we might arrange.

Thanks

Mark