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 | DWolfram
Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 1 Connecticut 
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2007-04-24 141494
Hi all, I have been reading your posts for the past couple of weeks and decided to join and post a question. I am in the process of purchasing a B2150HST 4wd with loader and brush hog. The tractor is a 1989 with about 1200 hrs. What are the major things to look for in a tractor this old? Are there known Kubota/2150 issues that I should pay special attention to? Because of distance, I am going to decide to purchase based on owner info, and a quick once-over at time of sale. I appreciate any advice. Thanks Dan in CT
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| hardwood
Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 3583 iowa 
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2007-04-24 141498
Dan; Art can get lots more specific than I can on Kubota questions, but regardless of brand there are a few basic things about buying used. First, 18 years old and 1200 hours is a long way from being an old tractor, Kubota has a great dealer network that can supply you with parts and service for a long time. If you have little knowledge of tractors in general this can be depending on the price you pay compare to new a real boom or a real bust. How far are you traveling to buy this tractor, do you know the seller? 1200 hours is only 66 hours per year, were these hours all put on in the first couple years of the tractors life and it has sat in a barn or worse in a back yard since? If this tractor has set for years unused, be carefull, that means the fluids could have been in the engine and Transmission for 15 years, that is not good. I urge you to be carefull, this may be totally legitimate or it could be someone unloading a dresset up abused tractor, and also very important, make sure you aren't dealing with a stolen tractor, make the seller provide some proof of ownership, or take the serial number to a Kubota dealer, or law enforcement to check for stolen equipment before you buy. Best of luck. Frank. ....
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| 8x56mn
Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 167 Watkins Glen NY
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2007-04-25 141512
Well I happen to own a B2150 4 cyl, it's not hydrostatic. Mine is a tank, bought it 6 years ago with 1200 hrs for 6,000, it only had a belly mower.It starts no matter how cold it gets here in upstate NY. I have since sold the BM and addeed a Bush Hog FEL, Bush Hog brush mower, Bush Hog back blade, Bush Hog PHD. The only thing I had go wrong was the Mid PTO seal leaking, I couldn't use the MMM with the FEL anyway, so I removed the spline and made a blanking plate to stop the leak and sold the Bely Mower for 900.00 and bought a comercial grade Ferris zero turn to mow the lawns. I did put 3 new tires on her and she now has just short of 2,000 hrs. Oh and I had to replace the water pump last year. I don't know how much their asking, but the tractor was a winner for Kabota. Like any tractor maintainance is key.Hope this helps ....
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 | kthompson
Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 5275 South Carolina
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2007-04-25 141517
If you are able to load test it and the equipment that would be good. As Hardwood pointed out look at the fluids for level and contamination. Also smell. You could pull air filter easy to see how that looks and such. I purchased a B2710 with HST about 5 years ago with just over 300 hours and very pleased. Paid less than 50% of brand new. kt ....
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 | Art White
Join Date: Jan 2000 Posts: 6898 Waterville New York
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2007-04-25 141531
The 2150 is a great tractor and was very successful as far as being a good reliable tractor without weaknesses other then thru operator error or misuse. ....
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| randywatson
Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 109 texas
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2007-04-25 141533
look closely at the tractor, if it is running or not, pull the air filter, is it new, or at least in acceptable condition, had the seal dry rotted? if the tractor ran with excessively dirty air filter or loose filter dirt gets sucked into the engine, killing it.
look and make sure a fuel filter is in place, if it one time it got plugged and the guy simply pulled it and did not put in a new one and ran the tractor, dirt enters fuel system killing the fuel pump and injectors,
look at the oil and filter, is the filter kubota or off brand, look at the tranny filter, has it ever been off the tractor, look for discoloration of the hyd fluid or water in oil
look at battery make sure it has been maintained,are water levels ok, does it crank the engine easily?
does it start easily, color of smoke on startup, under a load,
do all the hydrolics operate as they should, smooth with no hesitation, are there any fluid leaks, tires dry rotted, is the exhaust sucking, all of these things will tell you has the tractor been maintained properly.
all new fluids, filters etc could mean great maintnance or it could indicate the guy dressed the dog for sale.
look for oil blowing out the vent tube on the valve cover, or steam if engine is up to operating temp, indicates cracked head or gasket, oil indicates possible bad rings, or valve seals,
Hold a dollar bill firmly near the exhaust while engine is running, if at any time it sucks to the exhaust indicates stuck or badly burned valve,
pull off the radiator cap while engine is cool, look at coolant level and color, muddy or rusty looking coolant indicates poor maintence, could be a clogged radiator, causing overheating. look and feel radiator hoses for soft spots,
did the guy start and warm the tractor up just before you got there? is the engine warm to touch prior to starting? if it was prewarmed before you got there it could indicate hard cold starting, and or weakness in the engine which will fire off easily when warm but be grevious to start cold.
press the clutch, change hi to low ranges, should be no grinding, engage PTO, with clutch engaged at low engine RPM should be no grinding,
Clutch should move free, if it was parked for long period, the clutch disk could be stuck to pressure plate,
check brakes, look at adjustment, if adjusted all the way out indicated shoes are at end of service life.
look at grease fittings/zirks, have they been greased properly, ungreased fittings on loaders, and hogs cause excessive wear and tear.
I know this has been long, but you gave no indication of previous experience/mechanical, It can be fairly easy to fool a novice with a few simple tricks, used car salesman have been doing it for years.
best of luck, let us know how it comes out. ....
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| kthompson
Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 5275 South Carolina
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2007-04-26 141561
Art's checklist just might should have a direct link to it for all's use. Well worth reading. kt ....
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| Art White
Join Date: Jan 2000 Posts: 6898 Waterville New York
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2007-04-26 141573
Randy did an excellent job with his list I think!!!!! ....
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| reassembler
Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 1 Lexington, IN
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2007-05-17 142178
Is there a checklist? If so, I'd love to read it.
I searched for one on this site, but couldn't find one.
Any help is appreciated. Thanks. ....
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 | candoarms
Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 1932 North Dakota 
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2007-05-17 142179
Reassembler,
First impressions are often accurate. If you see things that cause you some concern, such as make-shift welds, shoddy repair practices, homemade remedies of any sort........stay away from the tractor.
Many people repair their tractors (and everything else they own) using any old junk lying around that can be made suitable for such a repair. These repairs are generally made for the purpose of saving a few pennies, which means that they likely saved a few pennies in other, more critical measures, as well.
If changing the oil costs money, some people won't do it. Or, they will change the oil, but not bother changing the filter. This is one of the most common problems you'll find on any used equipment.
Look for splices and hose clamps that shouldn't be there. Look for tape, stovepipe wire, and other haphazzard repairs of this sort. This will give you a clear indication of the type of care the tractor has received in the past.
If you see bolts and screws and where a latch should be, it's a fair indication that the previous owner didn't take the time to do a proper repair on anything else involving the care of the tractor.
You can also examine the condition of the loader's bucket, as a way of judging how the tractor was used, or abused, just by seeing the dents, dings, and bends in the metal. Is the hitch badly worn, with oblong holes, or do the three-point arms have any sign of damage or abuse? If so, you can bet that this tractor was used for some very heavy jobs, probably better suited for a tractor twice its size.
If your tractor comes with a mower, check to see if the blades have ever been sharpened, or replaced. Neglect in this area is a good sign that neglect is prevalent thorughout.
And after deciding that the tractor looks well-cared for, it would then be a good idea to dig a little deeper, by following the suggestions provided by the fine members who have commented previously.
Take care.
Joel ....
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