Kubota L48 has sat for 12 years without starting, Tractor worked fine when I parked it.

[Wrayman]

I was wondering if any of you could give some advice on how to get this tractor runing again,

Thanks,
Scott

 

[DustyRusty]

I will start with buying a new battery and blowing up the tires. In my younger days, I bought a 1928 Buick Standard with 10,000 miles on the odometer that had sat since 1941 in a garage. I poured some gasoline into the fuel pump, put a battery into it, and stepped on the starter. The engine came to life and ran for about 3 or 4 minutes when it died and wouldn't start again. Most of the valve springs had broken from being in compression for all those years. New valve springs, and it ran perfectly again.
In your case, you might want to change the oil and filters, before trying to start it. If you are really lucky, there will be no mouse nests to chewed wires to deal with. Check everywhere for evidence those critters never inhabited your tractor. Remove all traces of them before you do anything. If you are so inclined, give it a good bath and also spray any moving parts on the engine to make sure that they are not stuck. Unlike a gasoline engine, once the diesel starts, if the stop solenoid isn't working, it will be difficult to shut it down. If it has a manual transmission, be certain that it is in neutral before starting.

 

[Nicksacco]

Just for clarification, have you tried to start it and it won't start?
Or are you asking for advice on things to do and/or check before trying to start it?
DustyRusty bring up a lot of good things to check for - especially critters - they make a mess with wiring and getting into engine internals via exhaust/intake

 

[fried1765]

I was wondering if any of you could give some advice on how to get this tractor runing again,

Thanks,
Scott

Good luck with your L48.
It is a great machine.
I have one with only 258 hours, that is now 16 years old.
Curiosity: What is the reason yours was allowed to go unused for 12 years ?
Was it parked in a dry, rodent proof, weather tight storage space?

 

[RCW]

Besides what’s been mentioned, I would also drain the fuel tank and put fresh diesel in it.

 

[Bmyers]

I don't know much about starting old equipment, but according to YouTube, you must have a Crescent wrench.

Apparently crescent wrenches have the ability to start equipment.

 

[ve9aa]

<humour>

We're not all dentists here !

Please don't make us pull teeth.
(ie: provide a little more info so we don't have to play 20 questions, please!)
</humour>

 

[radas]

I don't know much about starting old equipment, but according to YouTube, you must have a Crescent wrench.

Apparently crescent wrenches have the ability to start equipment.

Don't forget the seafoam

For OP, I'd drain the tank as previously mentioned, clean it out (probably full of algae and junk), change all your filters and fluids (oil/trans), fill up the tires (as previously mentioned), check all your wiring and fuel lines to make sure rodents haven't chewed through them (also previously mentioned), check belts/hoses for cracking/dry rot, could pull the valve cover and check the valvetrain for damage, and use a grease buster or replace zerks and pump some fresh grease into the fittings before using it. DustyRusty's post covers most of what I would have covered.

 

[RBsingl]

I would change the oil, drain and put in fresh fuel and fuel filter, and then check the coolant level. Give everything a good once over (wiring, anything loose in the engine compartment that could cause trouble if/when it starts, etc.). The battery is probably toast but a jump pack will provide cranking power for testing unless your battery has a shorted cell. Don't hook up the jump pack until you are actually ready to start or it will start draining itself trying to fast charge the battery. Once you find it works, replace the old battery right away so you don't beat up the generator/alternator that is trying to work with a deceased battery.

By changing the fuel filter and draining/replacing the fuel you will probably also accomplish something else that is desirable which is extended cranking to build a little oil pressure before it starts. With a gas engine this is easy to do by pulling a coil wire (or a fuel pump relay in newer equipment) but not that simple with many diesels. But a slow first start after filter change is a feature and not a bug in this case.

Rodger

 

[GreensvilleJay]

for sure , #1..fill tires with air and drag into the sunlight where's there's lots of open area around it
You'll need daylight to see everything, check 'linkages' do what they should, remove fuel tank to properly clean, check /replace battery cables... and rad level.

trying to work on anything in a dark,cramped garage or barn is NOT 'fun' ,usually leads to lots of 4 letter words and needing a box(or 2) of bandaids.....

 

[DustyRusty]

Sell it to me! I need a bigger machine and I don't mind getting it running.

 

[rbargeron]

L48's are pretty bullet-proof. It could well only need a battery to just start and go. If it has been outside, go over all the chromed cylinder rods with steel wool to smooth any pitting.

I would simply turn the key and watch the dash - if the yellow glowplug light comes on, and goes out again, turn the key further and turn it over briefly. It might just light and go. If so let it run a couple minutes and note how it sounds, try the loader stick a bit to verify hydraulics. Put the range shifter in L, and rock the foot pedal to see if fwd and rev are there. Then shut it down and look for any water or oil leaks, loose fan belt, mouse nests in the engine bay and under right side control levers. Leave changing of filters until you have verified everything is working. Have fun - and good luck, Dick B

 

[mcmxi]

Since it sat that long I would get some oil into the cylinders and turn the engine over by hand to get the rings, and cylinder walls lubricated before ever trying to start the engine. I would expect them to be dry as a bone.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

agree, it would be a good idea to MANUALLY turn over the engine.
if the PTO is mechanically attached to crankshaft, turning the PTO shaft will turn the engine over.
Obviously KEY OFF, no battery. This is just a 'see if it'll rotate' test.

Alternate to PTO, could be a nut on the pulley on the crankshaft up front ??

If it moves, I'd go 10-12 full revolutions..to get a feel of it. If smooth THEN do the fuel,filters,battery and try a 'live' test.