Hello from a new guy in Texas.

[Flying V Ranch]

Just a brief hello from a new guy from Texas. I am retired at 67 and about to start another restoration - fun project. I have an original L200 I want to see if I can get running again. I have restored two tractors previously; a Ford 8N and a big old Case 1070. Both were as close to perfect as I could get.

This little Kubota has been sitting about 15 years on my FIL's property. It was running when parked. I was the one who parked it 15 years ago. LOL I have two other newer and larger Kubota tractors for daily use around the ranch. This little guy was calling out to me to rescue him from being swallowed up by briar vines and exposure. I am aware of the gray market tractor problem, so I hope it will need minimal parts. I know it will need a new starter and alternator as they are missing in action. I vaguely remember that something happened to the clutch linkage, as we used to pull start it and I remember a small mishap when my dear wife took off across the pasture doing about 40 mph in my truck pulling me on the tractor. I was flailing about trying not to fall out of the seat while screaming for her to stop. LOL

Anyway, I would appreciate any and all advice as I get deeper into this project over the Winter!

 

[Flintknapper]

Welcome to the Forum (fellow Texan) here. Looks like quite the project....but you have the experience to pull it off. Look forward to progress reports.

Flint.

 

[Russell King]

I don’t think the L200 was gray market so you might want to verify that it is or not.

Good luck with the restoration. The fuel tank is probably rusted on the interior and will cause trouble if you don’t get it cleaned up and coat the interior!

There is a salvage yard in California that has many parts if you get into trouble with obsolete parts.

 

[Flying V Ranch]

Thanks for the welcome! I will for sure clean up the whole fuel system before trying to start it. I don't think it had a water intrusion problem as I had the exhaust covered, but I will still pull the glow plugs and take a peek into the cylinders with my bore scope. I don't see any water in the oil, but I will know for sure when I drain it. I do remember that it had a really good and strong lift for the rear arms, and I'm hoping that is still the case.

I was under the impression that the L200's were gray market and the subsequent L210's were not. I know that this one is an original L200 with the headlights on the fenders etc, and it was the very first model of Kubota Tractors sold in the USA. I think that these are fairly rare these days when compared to the L210 model. Gray market or not, the parts are still getting hard to find. I can manufacture minor items, but major assemblies might be a problem. One way or another, it looks to be a fun spare time project!

 

[GeoHorn]

Just a brief hello from a new guy from Texas. I am retired at 67 and about to start another restoration - fun project. I have an original L200 I want to see if I can get running again. I have restored two tractors previously; a Ford 8N and a big old Case 1070. Both were as close to perfect as I could get.

This little Kubota has been sitting about 15 years on my FIL's property. It was running when parked. I was the one who parked it 15 years ago. LOL I have two other newer and larger Kubota tractors for daily use around the ranch. This little guy was calling out to me to rescue him from being swallowed up by briar vines and exposure. I am aware of the gray market tractor problem, so I hope it will need minimal parts. I know it will need a new starter and alternator as they are missing in action. I vaguely remember that something happened to the clutch linkage, as we used to pull start it and I remember a small mishap when my dear wife took off across the pasture doing about 40 mph in my truck pulling me on the tractor. I was flailing about trying not to fall out of the seat while screaming for her to stop. LOL

Anyway, I would appreciate any and all advice as I get deeper into this project over the Winter!

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View attachment 162160

Whoever parked that thing last should be given 30-lashes with a wet-noodle!

Are you the Flying V Ranch at Decatur..?? .. or the one near Wharton…? (I am the Flying X River Ranch, W of AUS)

 

[Flying V Ranch]

Whoever parked that thing last should be given 30-lashes with a wet-noodle!

Are you the Flying V Ranch at Decatur..?? .. or the one near Wharton…? (I am the Flying X River Ranch, W of AUS)

I am located in Huntsville, Texas. I grew up flying airplanes, and I had a short landing strip on my ranch, thus the name...

 

[GeoHorn]

I am located in Huntsville, Texas. I grew up flying airplanes, and I had a short landing strip on my ranch, thus the name...

Hopefully ….OUTside of The Wall…

(I retired from State of Tx aircraft-pool…. and many times flew the Atty-Gen to UTS to witness executions, etc., and wife is a Sam Houston State U. grad…. have friends “outside the wall” and friends with Wendell (used to be C.P., now retired, do you know him?) at the prison hangar who live in the area.) No longer a strip at your place?

Is the Mt. Zion Church/BBQ still operating over there?

 

[Flying V Ranch]

No more strip. It's all pasture now.
I had some heart issues that put a stop to my flying. I still love airplanes though and I keep up with aviation stuff.

 

[Flying V Ranch]

Hopefully ….OUTside of The Wall…

(I retired from State of Tx aircraft-pool…. and many times flew the Atty-Gen to UTS to witness executions, etc., and wife is a Sam Houston State U. grad…. have friends “outside the wall” and friends with Wendell (used to be C.P., now retired, do you know him?) at the prison hangar who live in the area.) No longer a strip at your place?

Is the Mt. Zion Church/BBQ still operating over there?

Yes it's still going I think. I have not been in a good while. I don't enjoy being out in public, so I stay on the ranch as much as possible They did have some really good BBQ for sure, if you could overlook the greasy tables and chairs!

 

[ken erickson]

Welcome and definitely looking forward to your restoration!

 

[BBFarmer]

Welcome my brother! Glad to have ya!

 

[Russell King]

I looked at the Kubota USA illustrated parts lists and it does show the L200/L210 in a combination list so I believe that it is a valid USA model.

But while looking through the illustrations, I think I saw that the large round tank is both the fuel tank and a hydraulic fluid tank. Then the transmission and rear end are also a wet sump but not used by the hydraulic system. That is interesting since my L185F uses only the transmission/rear end as the sump.

Would you confirm that the fuel tank is also the hydraulic tank?

They also have a wiring diagram in the parts lists- another interesting thing.

 

[Flying V Ranch]

I looked at the Kubota USA illustrated parts lists and it does show the L200/L210 in a combination list so I believe that it is a valid USA model.

But while looking through the illustrations, I think I saw that the large round tank is both the fuel tank and a hydraulic fluid tank. Then the transmission and rear end are also a wet sump but not used by the hydraulic system. That is interesting since my L185F uses only the transmission/rear end as the sump.

Would you confirm that the fuel tank is also the hydraulic tank?

They also have a wiring diagram in the parts lists- another interesting thing.

You are correct about the fuel tank and the hydraulic tank being one piece-dual tank design. The hydraulic system has separate lines that run along the exterior of the tractor to a self contained lift cylinder mounted under the seat. Could you send me a link to what you are looking at? Thank You!

 

[NorthwoodsLife]

Welcome! Nice tractor project!

 

[Russell King]

Here is the Kubota USA site for illustrated parts lists (KPAD). You have to agree to their terms and search for your model number.

Kubota Tractor Corporation - Illustrated Parts List

- K-PAD - Parts Lists - Illustrated Parts Lists - diagrams

apps.kubotausa.com

There is also a version at Messicks (on line dealer in the north east US). It has the advantage of linking to their parts database for availability and pricing. You can also (sometimes) see what other models of tractor use the same part as yours.

OEM Kubota Parts & Accessories (In-Store & Online) | Messicks

Messick's has the industry's largest ready-to-ship, in-stock inventory of OEM Kubota parts and accessories for sale online. We ship nationwide, often same day.

www.messicks.com

 

[Runs With Scissors]

Welcome and I look forward to following your restoration as well.

I always kinda wonder about how/why running tractors get “left out” like this?

Should be a cool proiject though.

 

[Flying V Ranch]

Thanks much for the useful links! Also thank you all for the warm welcome to this forum! The response was much more than I anticipated.
As soon as I get started with the actual tear down, I'll start a separate thread for that and go from there. I am going to set up a temporary work area inside a 12x20 carport canopy arrangement, Today I will bring in some dirt and rocks and build a level pad on the ground using my big Kabota and FIL, and set up the canopy shed this week sometime. I will also need to run electricity out to the shed. After that I will move all of the shop tools inside and push the tractor in and start work.

 

[Tx Jim]

Welcome to this forum

 

[Vincecj]

Welcome from Wales, a long way from Texas.

 

[D2Cat]

Welcome to the forum. After reading your introductory all I could see is a starter hanging off the side of a tractor being dragged through a field way too fast as someone is trying to hang on to the steering wheel, stay in the seat, trying to get the transmission in the correct gear and yelling to stop!

Have fun resurrecting the ole girl.