Recent content by Jim L.

First, please identify whether your tractor is an HST or manual. You will need a Workshop Manual for L3200, L3800. Check above listings at top of this forum for free downloads. The wiring diagram does not show a glow plug relay, but the parts diagram does. Go to KubotaUSA parts, select the L...

Get your post count up and show pictures of the mating connector from several angles. There are replacement connectors out there, but narrow it down to get advice.

It's all relative. What would a new 38 hp tractor cost? How much would you use it? Can you do the work yourself or would you send it to a mechanic? What's a ton of money? Used to get hamburgers for $0.18 and now restaurants charge $25 (not fast food, anyway). Work on my own L3800HST, not hard...

Using gas for heat is essentially what is shown in the video. Note that besides the hand hammers, the ring is moved under a drop hammer. Since the tractor welds seem to be breaking at the weld line maybe try using a ball peen hammer when still hot. It would compress the material for strength...

Observation on welds. I understand that this is about experimentation, but consider this. Nails are purposely made ductile. They are also coated with zinc for outdoor use. Ductile means that strength is sacrificed. Zinc will make for poor welds, as it interferes with the bonding. Rebar comes...

Is this L3800 an HST? Because the wiring is different than the non-HST, and both are covered in the WorkShop Manual. To find the short, unless there is an obvious burn mark, could mean sectionalizing the harness(es) to fault isolate.

Thinking that while waiting for seals to arrive it would be good to read up about seal and o-ring tricks - such as using hot water to make some seals more flexible - and how to not cut seals while installing.

Does anyone know for the safety switch on the clutch of an L 3800 hydrostatic One side of clutch switch goes to ground, one side to HST switch - all part of Operator Present circuit on HST machine. Our confusion is that the above is not true for a D with manual transmission. I think it’s the...

I'd get a small clawed parts grabbing tool and get the stick out of there. If it gets chewed up it will clog somewhere and that's bad.

Thread chasing or tapping should be done by hand so that one can feel when to back off. The tap or chase should be held by a handle made for the cutting part. The routine is to start and make sure the tap is in sync with the thread cutter, turn forward carefully a partial or full turn, and then...

My new plan, have big towel close by that I toss onto intake port and choke it. The engine when running will suck that towel in and eat it. Then it's tear it apart to clear valves and such. Check other above suggestions. Good progress!

By the way, it is critical to tighten head bolts in sequence shown in WSM; do them in stages; and have the bolt threads oiled. One of the few places that really need the torque wrench.

In general, How old is the battery? Take battery out and have free load test performed. Conductors to battery, plus and minus, both battery end and tractor ends. Clean all four. Clean battery terminals. Check conductors for corrosion - may also be corroded inside of cables due to age of machine...

Also tried smacking starters with hammer, both doing same exact sound and manner Knowing that engine spinning fine and can't get starters to spin, move on with gear assembly Some "why" about the assembly lube. It does come in a bottle marked "assembly lube" and you chance seizing the engine if...

Rig up starter to have power, spin engine and see how it sounds WHOA! Maybe think about this. Have all moving surfaces been oiled or had assembly lube applied? The starter is sized to turn much more mass than what is there now. Maybe better to hand turn now and leave starter for later.