Go BottomUsed B2150 - What questions to ask
 | Andyfr
Join Date: Posts: 1 
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2002-04-04 37040
I have spoken to a non-franchised dealer over here in the UK about a Kubota B2150 tractor. It is 4 wheel drive, hydro trans, with a FEL and backhoe, it has 1000 hours on it and is in very good condition. As the dealer is over 500 miles away it is very difficult for me to go and see it. He did say that if I bought it over the 'phone I wouldn't be disappointed - the company has been established over 75 years so I feel that I can trust them although I am trying to find someone in the area to go and have a look at it for me.
What questions - apart from the obvious ones - do I ask regarding the tractor?
When the backhoe comes off can I just attach an implement or do I need an additional linkage?
Can anyone tell me what the dimensions are with the FEL and BH attached as I am trying to price for delivery.
Is it still possible to get the operator and maintenence manuals for this model and are they expensive?
Thanks in advance
Andy.
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| TomG
Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 5406 Upper Ottawa Valley 
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2002-04-04 37044
Well, this is getting to sound pretty definite.
Since I know little about these tractors, I'll save words and let others comment.
The backhoe question can't be answered without knowing specifics. My hoe is a 3ph type that I run from a valve controlled rear hydraulic circuit by bungee cording the valve open. The hoses have quick connect fittings, so the hoses pull off and the hoe dismounts like any other 3ph implement. A mounting bracket remains on the drawbar, which prevents normal drawbar use. Sub-frame hoes can be a pain to take on and off. The sub-frame mounts that remain on the tractor can interfere with the use of other implements and also be difficult to take off. A power beyond type of hydraulic hook up often requires replacing the hoe connection with an adapter hose, which isn't a problem as long as the hose is with the tractor.
In my experience, dealers always can arrange transportation. They all seem to work with a trucking company or have their own transports. I'd expect just to just ask the dealer to offer a transportation price and make the arrangements.
It may seem a little strange to buy something sight unseen, but I guess I did a variation of that. My dealer offered to truck the tractor almost 200 miles on approval, and he came along as well. The deal was that he'd simply take the tractor back with him if I didn't like it. I imagine he sensed an almost certain sale, and I also don't imagine that the entire trip was just to take the tractor to me, but it was more comfortable to me than a sight unseen deal. Hope these comments suggest some approaches for you.
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| Andyfr
Join Date: Posts: 1
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2002-04-04 37048
Thanks for the comments Tom. I think that the hoe is a 3pt one.
I am hoping to speak to the previous owner as the dealer offered to let me contact them so that I could dispell any fears that I may have about it.
Regards
Andy. ....
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| TomG
Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 5406 Upper Ottawa Valley
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2002-04-05 37072
Andy: Talking with previous owners usually is good. I have a few comments about hoes.
If it's a 3ph hoe it's important to understand the mounting system. The mounts should lock down the 3ph so it can't accidentally go into lift while somebody is in the hoe seat. Fatal accidents have occurred. It's also important to know that hoe hydraulic connections have a definite input and return hose. A lot of damage can occur if a hoe is connected backwards.
Some power beyond hook up kits use different quick connectors so the hoe can't be connected backwards. I run my hoe from a valve controlled outlet where both connectors are the same. I code the hose on the hoe and tractor with plastic tie straps so I know which are the pressure hoses. If there's any doubt, the ports on most hydraulic valve assemblies are stamped 'P' or 'IN' for the pressure line. A stamp of 'PB' is a return line as is 'T'.
3ph hoes extend quite away back of the hitch. When properly mounted and locked down there's often not a lot of ground clearance. It's easy to drag the bucket when the front tractor wheels go over a bump. Inexperienced transport drivers and owners can easily damage a hoe when loading or unloading a tractor from a trailer by jamming the bucket into the ground.
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| Andyfr
Join Date: Posts: 1
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2002-04-05 37082
Tom
I am pretty sure that it is a genuine Kubota hoe so the mount should not be a problem. I don't think that I will be taking it off very often, if ever, but I would like the option in case I get some 3pt attachments sometime. I assume that with the hoe fitted it isn't possible to use a hitch for towing a trailer.
Isn't there a transportation position for the hoe. I have got the original brouchure and it is at 90 degrees to the tractor while the front loader is being used.
Regards
Andy. ....
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| TomG
Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 5406 Upper Ottawa Valley
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2002-04-06 37105
Andy: Many hoes have a latch that locks the boom and stick in fully retracted positions for transport or storage. With the hoe locked, the arms cannot move if a control valve is operated (hydraulic cylinders will drop if a valve is operated even when the tractor is off). In addition, the hoe is tucked behind the tractor and less subject to mechanical damage, and length of the tractor and hoe is minimal for shipping.
The bucket also has fairly low ground clearance when the hoe is locked and may jam the ground when the tractor is on an incline, such as backing down loading ramps. The solution is to provide more ground clearance or lower the ramp angle. Sometimes just finding a depression where the rear wheels of a trailer or truck can sit will lower the ramp angles enough. Ground clearance can be increased for 3ph hoes by disabling the hitch lock so the 3ph can lift. A sub-frame hoe can't be lifted. However, sub-frame hoes don't extend as far back from the tractor as 3ph models, so they have fewer ground clearance problems.
It might be good to look around for a place to unload the tractor when it arrives. Problems, of course, depend on delivery vehicle, but drivers often are happy is there's an embankment they can back to or at least a depression for the rear wheels to sit in. It wouldn’t exactly add to the joy of getting a tractor if it couldn’t be gotten off the truck. Most drivers are pretty good at finding ways of doing things though.
Generally, neither the 3ph nor the drawbar can be used for other purposes when a hoe is mounted. However, I keep a 1” clevis in a hole on my drawbar most of the time. The clevis enables me to attach a chain to the drawbar, and I am able to drag loads around by running the chain under most implements. That may not be possible with some sub-frame hoes.
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| Andyfr
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2002-04-06 37109
Tom
Thanks again for the info. I do have an embankment but I would have to do some measurements to make sure that it would be suitable.
I got in touch with an agricultural engineer who is going to have a look at the tractor for me. Although the dealer is probably trustworthy I will feel a lot better having someone look it over for me.
Regards
Andy. ....
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| TomG
Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 5406 Upper Ottawa Valley
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2002-04-07 37131
Good idea Andy. I missed the 4wd lever that had been broken off and welded on my 1710. I really needed the tractor and probably would have bought it anyway. The 4wd linkage broke in the differential cases almost two years later. Roger calls that the 'Dread Previous Owner Factor.' Almost all used tractors have a DPO cost so I'd plan for a maintenance budget irrespective of the engineer reports.
Repair of the 4wd required equipment I don't have, so I had an opportunity to ship the tractor back to the dealer. The shipping illustrates the loading ramp issue. It was wet with some snow on the ground. The transport driver and I couldn’t get the tractor (turf tires) to climb up the steel pipe loading ramps to the trailer in 2wd nor could we push it up backwards using the loader curl. Eventually we had to pack down some snow and press my embankment into service to lower the ramp angle, and we still had to push it on with the loader. Without the embankment, I'd probably would have had to offer the driver room and board and he'd still be here.
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