Well..I finally did it....I bought a Kubota!

ttowne66 · Jan 31, 2006

Hey Guys

I bout a 2003 L4330 HST with 600 hours, 823 QA loader with low profile bucket and set of pallet forks for $17,000. I feel like it was a fair deal as the tractor is in fine condition. I have been lurking/posting questions on TBN for quite some time now. Just wanted to thank everyone on TBN for all the great info that lead to the purchace of my first tractor. Oil needs changing soon any ideas on that subject would be welcome. Thanks again.

Tom

aiken · Jan 31, 2006

Congratulations on your purchase. I'm sure the tractor has many hours of work left in it. I too just bought my first Kubota[2002 L3010 91 hours] and spent most of yesterday changing all filters, coolant, and oil. It was a good day and now I know everything is up to date. If you look over in the oil forum some say type of oil doesn't matter but if you spend good money on the tractor go with the good stuff. I use Rotella Synthetic in my truck PSD and I put it in my tractor also. Tomorrow I'm going to give all the fittings a shot of grease.

Good Luck!

texbaylea · Jan 31, 2006

Congratulations and welcome as a Kubota owner. For your location and that tractor, Kubota SUDT is a must for the transmission fluid. I know it is early for the HST fluid change but if it were me I would change all fluids and filters and start fresh. It will cost in the region of $300 but you will know exactly what the status of every thing is.

Vernon

IslandTractor · Jan 31, 2006

Tom,

Sounds to me like you got a great deal on a great tractor. 600 hours just means the first owner just finished breaking it in for you. Lots of life left that that tractor. Welcome to the forum and good luck.

CT_Tree_Guy · Feb 1, 2006

Tom -

Good lord, that's a great "score" you just made there! Six hundred hours on that tractor is like nothing, in a way. I bought my 5030HST in April '04 and it has 580 hours on it, and I still think of it as a new tractor. I'm hoping to put at least 6,000 hours on it before it needs an overhaul (or it just gets replaced with a new machine).

Looking at it that way, yours might as well be new, and you just saved yourself about 7 or 8 grand. Nicely done! Enjoy that machine, you're going to love it I'm sure. I totally agree with the others about using nothing but Super UDT, or Amsoil synthetic. There was just a post about a BX23 hydro that went bad at 500 hours or so (VERY unusual), but it might have been prevented by using SUDT (cold weather was a factor). Also, seriously consider an auxiliary hydraulic oil cooler if you're going to work it really hard. On a hot day, the temps get a little too high for comfort (220 F. plus ?), and your hydro will probably last a lot longer with a cooler to supplement the stock one. Maybe not critical, but it can only help.

Again, nicely done!

Have fun, John

cheesehead · Feb 1, 2006

Welcome to the family! I'm in violent agreement with the answers that synthetic fluids have definite advantages in our tractors. It's equally important (if not more important) that the engine oil be diesel rated to ensure compatibility with the unique chemical environment of your engine. Don't be lulled into saving a few dollars on hydraulic fluid at Walmart as other posts indicate there can be consequences in longevity and I've experienced a severe drop off in performance when my dealer put UDT in my tractor. Lastly, if you don't have a grease gun buy one now and liberally grease your fittings on the loader and front steering pivot points. The manufacturer recommedns doing this every 10 hours on the clock whether you're using the loader or not (I do it after every day when using the loader heavily). You have a fine piece of machinery and will be surprised how many nieghbors become "friends" when you buy a tractor. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Big_Cajun · Feb 1, 2006

Congrats ttowne66:

Have fun driving the new unit. The gents are right, that tractor is still brand new at 600 hours.

BC

AB4D · Feb 1, 2006

Tom,

Congratulations, I'm sure the L4330 HST will serve you well.

Jim

Diesel_Boy · Feb 1, 2006

i'm happy for you. sounds like you got a sweet deal. i'm sure you're going to like it. how about some pics of your tractor?

ttowne66 · Feb 1, 2006

Thanks Guys

Just changed the engine oil to Amsoil15w-40 desil rated synthetic today. Also, I forgot to mention that the tractor came with one factory aux hydro at rear, mid-pto and engine block heater. Will the synthetic hydro oil smooth the operation of all hydro functions? Thanks again. Here is a photo.