L200 questions - noise?

[StorminN]

Hi guys,

Newbie to the forum - found this forum by searching for "Kubota L200", because there's one I'm thinking about buying. I'm up in Washington state and the tractor in question is in good condition. Not sure what year it is, but I'm guessing it's around a 1972? It has the lights on the fenders, not the in the grill...

My question for those guys on here that own an L200 or a similar older two cylinder Kubota diesel... I went to check out this tractor the other day and when the owner started it, it took a while to start... he had to crank it over for a bit. This was with a brand-new battery, on a 60F day. He used the glow plugs, but I didn't pull them to confirm that they were actually working.

If I recall correctly, it smoked white smoke as it turned over, and maybe black smoke once it started to catch. I'd have to pay more attention next time. I don't have any experience with these two cylinder diesels, just newer three cylinder Kubotas and bigger stuff like six cylinder John Deeres. The only two cylinder diesel I've run was a little Yanmar (and it made a racket!)

Anyway, it seemed like this thing cranked over for too long for my liking, and when it did get going, it ran noisy and rough for the first little bit, like you would expect on a cold day, not a 60F day. So my question is... is this normal for these little engines, or should they start up quicker and not have so much rattle and clank? The one little Yanmar I have run did clank like crazy, it sounded like a rod was loose, but the owner of that Yanmar told me that sound was normal...

Second question is - if this slow start / clanky behavior indicates something wrong with the top end on the engine, are these sort of parts still available for Kubotas of this age?

FYI, The owner is asking $1,200 for this tractor, which does start and run and shift and cosmetically looks good... it's not beat up, the tin is straight, looks like it's been kept mostly under cover, etc... it comes with a Rankin PTO mower, too...

Thanks in advance for any advice.
-Norm.

 

[Bulldog]

I'm not familiar with that model but I'll tell you about my old B 7100. It was a mid 70's model and it didn't matter if it was 100 degrees you had to use the glow plugs or it wouldn't start. It's hard to compair the way tractors start up now and be used to that and then go look at a 30 year old machine. Both my Kubotas have glow plugs but I never have been required to use them for cranking. I do use them if it's real cold just so it will be easier on the engine but it's never been a must.

Just guessing I bet they are using 15w40 oil in the engine and this does 2 things to the engine. It makes it harder to start because of the oils heavier weight. Because it's harder to pump it creates more strain on the internal components and it will be louder than it could be with a better choice of oil in it.

Probably 90% of the people here on OTT will say they are using 15w40 and it doesn't cause them any trouble. Even though you don't see any problem it's not the best weight choice for your engine. 5w30 or 10w30 is all that is needed and is the best choice listed in my owners manuals. I know 15w40 is also listed but it's not the first choice. I you really want to see a big difference in sound get used to or even record the way the engine sounds and then switch it over to Amsoil. I switched from synthetic mobil oil over to Amsoil and it was amazing how the noise level dropped. I wish I would have recorded mine so people could hear the difference for themselves. It's hard for most to believe it happened so I say don't take my word for it. Try it for yourself and then you will be in the same boat I'm in and you'll be the one trying to explain the difference it made and have people looking at you like you're full of bull.

 

[StorminN]

Hi guys,

Thanks for the info!

Yeah, Bulldog... I wasn't sure on the startup. I was trying not to compare this L200 to a modern Kubota, but it's hard, as you said. I've run a two-cylinder Yanmar of mid-1970's vintage, and it started easier, but it's been a couple of years and I can't even remember if it had glow plugs. I have 1971 a John Deere excavator – no glow plugs there either, and it starts on a couple of rotations, but that's a different beast altogether... six cylinder turbo, etc. It's good to hear that the lower-end racket on these two-cylinder Kubotas is not uncommon.

Vic, as you say, I can't buy a riding lawnmower for this price, but what I was leery about was buying a tractor that had an engine problem, and I can't get the parts to fix it. I called my local Kubota dealer, and he looked up a handful of parts for it, and they were all listed as "discontinued". Do you guys know of a source that would have parts for these older machines? Because $1,200 does sound like a good deal, but only if the tractor doesn't break...

Thanks,
-Norm.

 

[Michael]

Something I learned with my old Kubota was to glow the engine for a minute and then to pull the decompression cable out and spin the engine up until the oil pressure light went out. I then pushed the decompression cable back in and the engine normally only took a few seconds to start. I do not know if that was the way the gentleman did it but it always started my old tractor up a lot easier on it and it was also easier on the engine and starter to do this.

When I sold the tractor I showed the new owner this as he would started by not pulling out the decompression handle, he since he bought has had no issues with starting since he is a co worker and I do ask.

 

[StorminN]

Thanks, everyone for your replies.

Do any of you folks know what's involved in adding external hydraulics to an older tractor like this? I've seen some L200's in the internet with loaders, but it's my understanding you have to modify / replumb the hydraulic loop a bit to do it... just wondering if anyone knows what it takes?

I left a message with the owner that I wanted to buy this tractor, so wish me luck... I will post pics if / when I get it!

Thanks,
-Norm.

 

[StorminN]

Hi folks,

I finally bought and picked up the L200 this past weekend... I'm very excited. It's in great shape for a ~40 year old machine... better shape than me! This is my first 20+ hp tractor, and the first Kubota I've owned.

Here's some pics, I'm going to start another thread about tapping the hydraulics on this machine...

Thanks,
-Norm.

 

[StorminN]

The glow plugs are dead if it didn't start up right away, ....

Two glow plugs, $20, oil change and filter, $16, snagging a Kubota L-200 for next to nothing, Pricless!

Hi Vic,

Well... as you can see, I bought the old L200! Do you really sell the glow plugs for $10 each? The part number is 15101-65510.

PM if you would prefer...

Thanks,
-Norm.

 

[dusty-t]

Ya stole it. What a great deal. Welcome to OTT. Thre are some great people on here that will help you a lot. Kabotas are awesome little tractors. Again a great buy. Dusty

 

[StorminN]

Thanks, Dusty... I'm pretty happy with it!

-Norm.