Go BottomWhat to check for when buying used
 | David Burton
Join Date: Posts: 1 
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2003-02-16 49377
What should I be checking for when looking at a used Kubota for sale? I can look for leaks and cracks, loose parts and obvious damage, but what about the engine and transmission? I plan on buying one with an HST. How much smoke is normal? Hard starting at 50 degrees? B 7100 fan hit the radiator? Is is a problem if someone has welded on the middle of the frame rails? Thanks for any tips! I know gas engines, nothing about diesels.
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| TomG
Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 5406 Upper Ottawa Valley 
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2003-02-17 49385
A diesel at 50F should start right up with a short burst of the starter and probably not even require pre-heating. Most compact diesel engines have some sort of pre-heating system.
A diesel can be expected to puff some gray smoke at start up and until it comes up to operating temperature. Most continue to puff a bit on acceleration even when they're warm. Exhaust smoke should not be heavy or be black, white or blue. Most diesels have some knock or ping to them, and it's louder when an engine is first started. Direct injection diesels make more noise then indirect injection engines. I think most Kubotas have indirect injection engines and probably are fitted with glow-plugs for pre-heaters. Somebody probably knows for sure.
I have no experience with HST's but I'd check that the ranges shifted smoothly and everything works and there are no abnormal sounds (same with 4wd and pto). The question with an HST is whether it will do the work expected of it. For example, will it pull an accustomed load with a known hill in high range? I guess that's really not much of an approach if there's no way of knowing what a tractor is supposed to be able to do.
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| Smahler
Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 25 Oneida New York
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2003-02-18 49442
I think you really need to do significant homework to successfully buy a used tractor. Hang around on this and other sites reading, reading, reading. Then hit the field. I would run away from anything with weld repairs on the frame or axles etc, unless you are buying a very cheap tractor. The fan on a B7100 should not hit the radiator, if that is what you are asking - and a replacement radiator would be pricey, so if it is damaged look elsewhere. B7100s and other older kubotas have a thermosyphon cooling system that you should research. Try the hydro in both ranges and try to find a hill to climb up. Anyhow, if all of the things you mentioned were present on a single tractor, it is a hunk of abused junk. ....
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| ruger454
Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 39 lapeer, MI
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2003-02-20 49641
When I started looking for my first compact I was told to try to check several things. Like the others said make sure the hydro has good pedal range and tractor speed for the range and make sure the pedals return to position properly and the tractor doesn't lurch. Next was I tried to put the tractor engine under load while idleing like lifting the front up with the bucket and make sure it doesn't stall.
If it does there might be a injector pump problem. Don't be afraid of a little black smoke under load. Try to lift something with the hydraulics and make sure it doesn't bleed down real fast. If your worried about a tractor it would pay to have an experienced tractor mechanic look at it, after all these things are expensive so a little $ up front could save you a lot down the road. Just a little
advice hope it helps some.
Mark ....
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| DavidB
Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 2 Sammamish, Washington (Seattle)
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2003-02-21 49719
Thanks for the replys. Sounds like the gray smoke on startup is normal. The tractor has been sitting for over a year so the hard starting may have to do with the condition of the battery and state of tune. The owner has welded a couple of brackets onto the frame between the front and rear axles to mount a subframe backhoe. I was wondering if the Kubota frame is hardened steel and does it matter if he has welded onto it? I know that this is a problem with Semi trucks and their trailers. Mark mentioned that I should watch out that the tractor should not jerk (7100 HST) it seems a lot more jerky then my Bolens. I also wondered how big a problem not having power steering with a FEL is with this tractor? My MM is awful with a full bucket. I frequently pick the front wheels off the ground with the FEL and spin the wheel if I have to turn sharply in limited space. I move lots of dirt with the tractor and don't want to buy a Kubota and find out that my wife can't drive it too. ....
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| TomG
Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 5406 Upper Ottawa Valley
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2003-02-22 49756
You might check with a dealer to see if there are issues about welding on the frame. I'd be surprised if the frame was anything but mild-steel because I can't see a particular advantage of using a more expensive design bit I've been surprised many times before. Transport trailers have to support huge loads over considerable spans between axles so hardened steel probably cuts down on the size of the rails needed. Of course, anything hardened is going to be more brittle and more subject to cracking than mild steel and might be that great for use in long-lasting tractors.
An incidental issue related to the frame welding is that a used tractor that was extensively used for heavy back hoe use may be less desirable than ones that were used for other types of work.
I don't know about the steering. I have gimpy PS and I still have to use the lift the wheels trick or pile on the 3ph ballast. You might check if PS and standard models use the same gear ratios in their steering sectors. Standard steering may use higher ratio gearing, which would take more turning but the effort might be comparable to PS models.
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| ruger454
Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 39 lapeer, MI
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2003-02-23 49813
I would no way buy a tractor with a fel without power steering, not only is it a pain to steer it can be dangerous
if you load the steering with a lot of weight in the fel.
mark ....
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| Chesapeake Boy
Join Date: Posts: 1
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2003-03-06 50654
I am new here... Last year I bought a 1993 B7100HST. I was very concerned about no PS. I have not found it to be an issue for me at all. I use it for maintaining an 8 acre acerage. I have a blade and 60" 3pt mower for it.... I think the lack of PS would be much more of an issue if you have a loader, or anything putting weight on the front. ....
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