Kubota L245 broken crank

[motmow]

I got a Kubota L245 in a partial trade for some repair work that I did on another tractor. The guy was doing some box blading and it just started smoking and died. When he went to start it he heard a knock as the motor turned over. I pulled the engine and the crank is broken in the middle of the rear rod journal. There doesn't appear to be any other damage, even the connecting rod is still in good shape. I don't know if I want to put the money into another crank unless I can source one cheap. Does anybody know what all engines will fit the L245? The DH1101 seems to be a tough engine to find used. I'm not above doing to modifications to make it work.

 

[rbargeron]

Can you post a picture of the break? Sure seems there would be other damage.

 

[motmow]

Of course the rod bearing is toast but I think he just got lucky. Other than the broken crank.

 

[rbargeron]

Wonder what caused the break. Had the engine been worked on recently? Are (were) the flywheel bolts loose?

 

[motmow]

He was using his box blade is all I know. I guess he hit something. I tore the engine down and everything is in good shape. All the main bearings and the other two rod bearings were in good shape. The break was in a V shape and the rod bearing kept everything in place. When I turned over it just had knock like a spun bearing.

 

[motmow]

Has anybody ever used a Diesel engine out of a light tower to re-power?

 

[Lil Foot]

Anything that you can use here?
https://phoenix.craigslist.org/cph/bfd/5486384836.html

 

[dfh1977]

As a last resort that is not a bad idea if the crankshaft cannot be replaced.


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[Daren Todd]

Might be able to use a light tower motor. Depends on if your engine is frame mounted, or is the frame. Would also need a matching bell housing


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[Russell King]

There is a current ad in the classified for 245 parts available


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[motmow]

There is a current ad in the classified for 245 parts available


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I sent him a message. Thanks

 

[JeffL]

The "V" shape is typical of a torsional break. If it was on one of the mains I would look for a failed or missing vibration dampener. Still could occur on the rod journal. Thinking more along the line of failing injector of miss-timed pump causing high cylinder pressure. This is a typical failure on gas engines when spark plug wires are swapped for long periods.
I would look for source of failure before I spent too much repairing. Hate to see it happen twice! Jeff

 

[rentthis]

Could he be an ether user?

 

[JeffL]

Too much either, Yes that will result in broken cranks, especially with Indirect Injection diesels. Should try to avoid either with these.

 

[Tooljunkie]

Someone suggested ether to me one time, i installed a good battery and cured my starting problem.
Hopefully a crank and related parts will solve the problem and there isnt some other problem that caused this.