L345
- Thread starter DMP-1980
- Start date
Hmm.
According to Tractor Data the L345 was only made between 1978-1985. So, either it's not an 88 model, or Tractor Data is wrong, or it's not an L345. . .
That would cause me to start asking more questions right there.
According to Tractor Data the L345 was only made between 1978-1985. So, either it's not an 88 model, or Tractor Data is wrong, or it's not an L345. . .
That would cause me to start asking more questions right there.
Russell King
Well-known member
Lifetime Member
Equipment
L185F, Modern Ag Competitor 4’ shredder, Rhino tiller, rear dirt scoop
I have a L185 which is a similar vintage and same family of tractors.
The only problem with them is the lack of parts availability for some of the key parts, like the head. I believe the L345 has a water pump system which is good to prevent overheating. But the heads are easily cracked by any overheating episode. On the other hand many of the parts are still available for the maintenance items.
Also the fuel tanks can rust out and start leaking fuel.
You will not be able to get any front end loader to add onto the tractor. So if it doesn’t have one, then assume that you will never get one.
If the serial nameplate is there in English it is a valid imported tractor. If the serial nameplate is missing or is in Japanese then it is a gray market version. That means that the dealers can’t support it if they know it is gray market. Search on information about that just to be aware of what happened in the past with imports.
I like mine and am glad I bought it, and it was inexpensive. They are old school and easy to maintain so that is definitely a plus.
There are some used parts dealers and some people even buy an extra tractor for the parts.
The only problem with them is the lack of parts availability for some of the key parts, like the head. I believe the L345 has a water pump system which is good to prevent overheating. But the heads are easily cracked by any overheating episode. On the other hand many of the parts are still available for the maintenance items.
Also the fuel tanks can rust out and start leaking fuel.
You will not be able to get any front end loader to add onto the tractor. So if it doesn’t have one, then assume that you will never get one.
If the serial nameplate is there in English it is a valid imported tractor. If the serial nameplate is missing or is in Japanese then it is a gray market version. That means that the dealers can’t support it if they know it is gray market. Search on information about that just to be aware of what happened in the past with imports.
I like mine and am glad I bought it, and it was inexpensive. They are old school and easy to maintain so that is definitely a plus.
There are some used parts dealers and some people even buy an extra tractor for the parts.
Russell King
Well-known member
Lifetime Member
Equipment
L185F, Modern Ag Competitor 4’ shredder, Rhino tiller, rear dirt scoop
Here is an ad for a different tractor that showed up recently. It is in Florida somewhere so may be too far away. May not be large enough.
It looks to be in near showroom condition.
For Sale: GREAT CONDITION! Kubota B7100 HST 4WD 622 running hours
For sale: Kubota B7100 HST 4WD 1993 621.5 hrs 16hp tractor with front loader, mm belly mower, and boxes of new parts, new filters, fluids, etc. Price OBO. Always been garage kept, super well maintained, and it’s never seen hard labor in any of its 622 running hours. 60inch finish mower...
www.orangetractortalks.com
Russell detailed the good and the bad. Make sure you personally inspect the machine before releasing any funds. You might contact "007kubotaguy" on this forum and see what/if he has parts tractors of that model and his opinion of parts availability.
Those are excellent tractors, you just have to consider parts and your desire/skill level working on them. You are not going to find a dealer to even give you a estimate for repairs because their techs (at least a large percentage of them) are not familiar with older models.
Those are excellent tractors, you just have to consider parts and your desire/skill level working on them. You are not going to find a dealer to even give you a estimate for repairs because their techs (at least a large percentage of them) are not familiar with older models.
The L345DT was a great tractor. A few of the things that I would look at closely. When I'm looking at an older tractor like this I always remove the intake hose from the intake manifold. Any signs of dirt will indicate how it has been maintained. Check to be sure it is easy to start. Should not take any longer than 30 seconds on the glow plugs before starting. The longer it takes the lower the compression typically is. This tractor has a two-stage clutch. Push it in halfway to release the transmission clutch. Push it in till it bottoms out to release the PTO clutch. Many times the PTO clutch does not work and people still grind the PTO in gear. Causing much damage to the gears. I would look at the function of the PTO closely. If it has a front loader chances are you will find the final drives on the front axle leaking. If they are not leaking I would be sure that they're full of oil. If they don't have oil in them they won't leak. Parts are getting a little hard to find for these older machines. Seals gaskets and bearings are no problem. I have three of them that I am partying out.1500 hours on a well maintained machine should be nothing. I see many of these tractors still running in my area with five to six thousand hours on them. This was a very common tractor and a lot of them were sold. Would not be too concerned about getting parts. Good luck .
