average_gardener
New member
Equipment
Kubota L1501,Tiller 48,Finish Mower 48,Disc 48,Blade 48, Bush Hog 48, etc
First, I would like to say what a great community this is. You guys here are giving great advise. I hope to contribute to this someday. For now, I am totally uneducated with the orange tractors. But, thanks to you, I am learning fast. For years, I have been wanting to invest in a small tractor. I have been watching my local Craig's for about a year. Then all of the sudden this spring and within one week, I found three consecutive good deals for the orange mules. Each one was better than the previous. BTW, I don't hesitate on good deals with the Craig's, I pounce on them. If you snooze, you lose. It's a strong market place. I was only looking for one good deal, but I never expected three in a row so soon. My wife has been understanding so far. What have I done? It's going to be her turn next.
*** I think this is going to be long. So, stick with me if you can. I am opening beer #6.
My first find was an L175. It had been garaged for 2 years. The paint is a little faded. But, the wash job was hard for this new buyer to detect. I did notice that the front crank seal was leaking a little, a small water leak on a cover plate on the front of the engine, and it had some blow-by. The owner knocked a couple hundred off for the leaks. I thought this was OK. A front seal and a gasket can fix this. But, the blow-by is risky. It has been parked for 2 years. The owner had 2 other large tractors and I saw where this one had been sitting. So, I am hoping that the rings may be stuck due to condensation from sitting. I read that soaking the combustion chamber with Marvel Mystery Oil for about a week, with a few turns of the motor every now and then may free stuck rings. I also read somewhere that just changing the oil and filter may fix it. Perhaps the oil is thin from age or diesel. I do need to change it, since it is old. Anyway, I bought it and talked him into throwing in a nearly new Howse 48" grader blade. I plan to fix her up, paint it, and sell it (blade not included). The blow-by did get a little better after running it some at home. Now, it is not dripping like when I bought it. It is just blowing a little steam. The vent tube does still have oil if I wipe it with my finger.
Now my next find was a B6100E with a very nice finish mower. There's not much to say about this one. It needs a little steering work. The owner bought the steering shaft and new bearings. He installed it. He didn't have a manual. It still has slack. He didn't do something right. It should be an easy fix. It is in excellent condition otherwise. It is very clean and runs great. I plan to fix it and sell it (mower not included). I bought it and now for my keeper.
My keeper is an L1501. I now know it is gray from reading this website. Actually, I thought I was buying an L185 like the decals read. But, after reading this site, I am not worried about it. Since I don't plan to sell this one, I don't mind telling the deal that I got on it. I paid $4300 (financed for 24 mo. at $184/mo.) It included the L1501 (flawless in appearance, it runs great, no leaks or blow-by.), a 48" landpride tiller (like new), a 48" Howse bush hog (good condition), a 48" disc (like new), a boom pole with homemade dump pan attachment, a trailer ball hitch attachment, and a 14' dual tandem trailer with ramp (very nice). From what I have read on this site, I think that I did good. I am OK with it. I plan to keep this one in top condition.
I now have an arsenal with 2 tractors to sell and recoup. They will sell. They are nice tractors.
I am glad that I found this site. I look forward to sharing experiences and knowledge as time goes by.
When I have time I plan to restore my keeper with new paint and wash. It deserves to look new. Everything else is in tip top condition. I really like these orange tractors.
*** I think this is going to be long. So, stick with me if you can. I am opening beer #6.
My first find was an L175. It had been garaged for 2 years. The paint is a little faded. But, the wash job was hard for this new buyer to detect. I did notice that the front crank seal was leaking a little, a small water leak on a cover plate on the front of the engine, and it had some blow-by. The owner knocked a couple hundred off for the leaks. I thought this was OK. A front seal and a gasket can fix this. But, the blow-by is risky. It has been parked for 2 years. The owner had 2 other large tractors and I saw where this one had been sitting. So, I am hoping that the rings may be stuck due to condensation from sitting. I read that soaking the combustion chamber with Marvel Mystery Oil for about a week, with a few turns of the motor every now and then may free stuck rings. I also read somewhere that just changing the oil and filter may fix it. Perhaps the oil is thin from age or diesel. I do need to change it, since it is old. Anyway, I bought it and talked him into throwing in a nearly new Howse 48" grader blade. I plan to fix her up, paint it, and sell it (blade not included). The blow-by did get a little better after running it some at home. Now, it is not dripping like when I bought it. It is just blowing a little steam. The vent tube does still have oil if I wipe it with my finger.
Now my next find was a B6100E with a very nice finish mower. There's not much to say about this one. It needs a little steering work. The owner bought the steering shaft and new bearings. He installed it. He didn't have a manual. It still has slack. He didn't do something right. It should be an easy fix. It is in excellent condition otherwise. It is very clean and runs great. I plan to fix it and sell it (mower not included). I bought it and now for my keeper.
My keeper is an L1501. I now know it is gray from reading this website. Actually, I thought I was buying an L185 like the decals read. But, after reading this site, I am not worried about it. Since I don't plan to sell this one, I don't mind telling the deal that I got on it. I paid $4300 (financed for 24 mo. at $184/mo.) It included the L1501 (flawless in appearance, it runs great, no leaks or blow-by.), a 48" landpride tiller (like new), a 48" Howse bush hog (good condition), a 48" disc (like new), a boom pole with homemade dump pan attachment, a trailer ball hitch attachment, and a 14' dual tandem trailer with ramp (very nice). From what I have read on this site, I think that I did good. I am OK with it. I plan to keep this one in top condition.
I now have an arsenal with 2 tractors to sell and recoup. They will sell. They are nice tractors.
I am glad that I found this site. I look forward to sharing experiences and knowledge as time goes by.
When I have time I plan to restore my keeper with new paint and wash. It deserves to look new. Everything else is in tip top condition. I really like these orange tractors.
