I recently purchased a non operating L285 tractor from a online auction. The guy I bought it from said a valve had dropped and locked the motor up. I get the tractor home and and pull the valve cover and everything was fine, I pull the oil pan next to check for any bent rods and so on, everything looked great. So I assume the previous owner probably ran the tractor out of oil and smoked the main bearings. I continue on by splitting the motor from the tranny preparing myself for a complete rebuild because this thing is locked up smoking tight. Just as soon as I am able to see into the bellhousing I see a bunch gnarled metal and ball bearings, I immediately think the throw out bearing had fallen apart. But to my surprise the throw out looked brand spanking new along with pressure plate. "someone had been in here before" and didnt remove the debris when the repair was made and one of those ball bearings had wedged itself between the flywheel and bellhousing. I had to use a angle grinder to cut the bearing out. Once the ball bearing was out of the way the motor is free spinning. I've never seen or heard of this happening and I hope this story helps someone whoever comes across a stuck motor.
L285 Engine Stuck!!
- Thread starter wiseco 84
- Start date
I would be doing a victory dance right about now....so moral of the story-dont sign off on a dead unit until you have exhausted all possibilities.
Great find.
Great find.
thanks guys, I am very excited to bring this old kubota back to life. just wondering if anyone knew where to buy a complete gasket set for this machine?? or is having the dealership order it for me my best bet??
You could order a gasket set from an aftermarket supplier, but then when you're ready to use them they may all be there, or some of them there, or some not cut just right. Then you're back on the hold pattern until you get the correct part. Probably best to get them from the dealer. JMO
Isn't it nice to discover someone else made a foolish mistake...and you didn't have to pay for it?
Those old L's are nice solid tractors. Nice find. Welcome here, post up some pictures.
Isn't it nice to discover someone else made a foolish mistake...and you didn't have to pay for it?
Those old L's are nice solid tractors. Nice find. Welcome here, post up some pictures.
after further investigation I've found that the ball bearings came from the steering shaft, someone has been here too. so I guess if you have steering problems, don't let debris fall to the bottom..
Ok, spill the beans, how much did you pay?
"Consider" pulling the pressure plate & flywheel while you have it apart, just to be sure there are no other bearings caught up waiting to drop and bind again. Can check the rear main while you are there. YMMV
"Consider" pulling the pressure plate & flywheel while you have it apart, just to be sure there are no other bearings caught up waiting to drop and bind again. Can check the rear main while you are there. YMMV
Nice, especially if you don't have to give it a rebuild, however you have spent some extra time already, but of course you factored it all in to the purchase.
Are you going to have some grief with the steering?
I'm gong to leave the steering alone for now,it's tight and somebody has put in new bearings. hopefully my parts will be in this weekend and I can put it back together.