B26 Suggestions and Recommendations Wanted

[pcproffitt]

About a year ago I purchased a 2011 B26 TLB with about 840 hours. It was reported to have been used in Maryland by a utility company. Everything works mostly and the machine has been very useful. I use it on my 3.7 acre property to move dirt and tree trunks mostly.

I changed the engine oil and filter and fuel filter shortly after the purchase, but only recently changed the hydraulic / transmission fluid and front axle fluid at about 900 hours.

All the oil filters I've changed on this were painted Kubota gray. It is making wonder if the filters were every changed in the first 840 hours. And if they were not changed, I wonder if the oil was every changed. Any experience with painted filters that were NOT original? Or is there reason anyone would paint an oil filter? It doesn't appear the gray has been repainted on the tractor, but I'm not certain about that.

On the right side of the support frame for the backhoe (the part under the tractor that also supports the loader (TB820 backhoe, TL500 loader) there is what appears to be a diverter valve. It has a short (5" long) actuator arm that is attached to nothing. There are three hoses that appear to connect to or near the upper portion of the transmission housing as well as to the backhoe hydraulic control assembly. I don't understand what this valve is or should be doing and I can't find any information on it from Kubota or in the Maintenance Manual I purchased. It is not a 3rd function valve, not involved with a thumb for the backhoe (which is not present). It may be involved with splitting hydraulics for simultaneous operation of the boom and dipper arms or something like that on the backhoe. Anyone have a clear understanding of what this valve is doing? And how do I know if it is doing it correctly?

The previous owner had seen fit to disable all the safety switches. Not having them is OK in that things work, but I continue to wonder if I should put all that back. In some cases (such as the seat switch) the entire switch was removed. It other cases the wires are simply disconnected. Are there many good reasons to revive the safety switches besides the intended safety aspects?

The exhaust pipe is notably rusty and part of it is 'gone' and the muffler is also quite rusty. At some point I think I should replace the muffler and pipe, but at north of $400 I haven't done that yet. It isn't overly loud, so enough muffler and pipe are in place to do that. Other than the cost, are there good reasons to replace the muffler and pipe sooner rather than later?

Thanks all for your time. Paul

 

[lynnmor]

You are simply learning why it is a real risk buying anything used. Many people do not take care of basic maintenance on their cars, trucks or anything else. I would do a complete baseline maintenance now.

Safety systems are there for a reason, restore anything that pertains to your use. The exhaust is just a matter of noise and the direction the exhaust travels, you might be able to get a muffler shop to improve it for a better price.

Someone might understand the hydraulics question, I have no answer.

 

[lugbolt]

probably was not a state-owned deal prior to you owning it. May have been at some point a while back, though. States usually only keep equipment for so long and then dump it. The state is usually required to keep up with maintenance regardless of usage. As I was managing a service dept, the (state agencies) would often bring us equipment that had not had one hour put on them since the last service but they were required to have them serviced once a year, and they had a hefty budget for that service--which meant we (shop) did FULL service, as requested by the state employee(s). And, safety switches are/were a huge issue, if one didn't work they would flag the tractor and they'd call us to either come get it or fix it there--on site sometimes--they could NOT use it with even one switch nonfunctional per the state's rules. My assumption is that the liability issue is taken seriously. But the nice thing about working on government property was that it was almost always clean. They hire people who have no other task but to wash equipment regardless of how dirty it is. Many times the person dropping it off had a "buddy" with them, who is/was the cleaning person (they're also required to haul equipment as a "team").

 

[SonofOrange]

I've got new in box, Kubota factory painted filters sitting on the shelf in my work shop. Not sure how they got out into the wild, but they exist.

We've all seen utility companies with customized implements. The extra valve is probably for something they removed before selling the unit.

As for the safety switches, I've used 1960's tractors that had none of them. You just have to pay more attention when operating. But, is that worth it? Accidents happen. There might be some liability if you ever lend the unit out or work on someone else's property.

 

[pcproffitt]

I've got new in box, Kubota factory painted filters sitting on the shelf in my work shop. Not sure how they got out into the wild, but they exist.

We've all seen utility companies with customized implements. The extra valve is probably for something they removed before selling the unit.

As for the safety switches, I've used 1960's tractors that had none of them. You just have to pay more attention when operating. But, is that worth it? Accidents happen. There might be some liability if you ever lend the unit out or work on someone else's property.

Do the factory painted filters have any label or printing on them or are they just the solid color? The ones I removed had no indication there was ever any labeling or printing on them. They were just the solid gray.

Whether the filters were original or not is of course a moot point now. I already bought the tractor as it was knowing there were no maintenance records. So I know you just take what you get. Hopefully with fewer hours fewer things could have gone wrong either way. Fingers crossed.

 

[SonofOrange]

Do the factory painted filters have any label or printing on them or are they just the solid color? The ones I removed had no indication there was ever any labeling or printing on them. They were just the solid gray.

Whether the filters were original or not is of course a moot point now. I already bought the tractor as it was knowing there were no maintenance records. So I know you just take what you get. Hopefully with fewer hours fewer things could have gone wrong either way. Fingers crossed.

No labels or anything. Same box though.

 

[jkrubi12]

FWIW I would recommend that the exhaust system be repaired with OEM Kubota or acceptable aftermarket components; I wouldn't want the exhaust system to detract from the performance or running health of the engine.

I second the call for full fluids & filters, drain it all. Front axle too.

Good luck!