s2600 M4500DT rod bearings

Fishfarmer

Member

Equipment
Kubota tractor M4500DT Kubota excavator KX161-3
Aug 8, 2021
103
5
18
4570
Has anyone had experience with bearing replacements on these tractor engines.
I have taken out the pistons, no scuffing and within spec, but I need to replace worn rings.
Bores are within spec.
The rod journals mic up fine but the bearings are worn so need replacing.
The main bearings cant be checked on these unless I pull the whole motor.
Do the main bearings hold up better than rod bearings, if anyone has experience with this doing an entire crank?
Its a much bigger job to replace mains as well, because I would have to pull it off the tractor and especially didn't want to, seeing that the rod journals are in good condition.

Also I need a full sets of rod bearings and piston rings. Does anyone know of any good quality aftermarket suppliers of these.? I live in Australia and there are Chinese sets available but I haven't dealt with them so I am wary because I don't know the quality.
 

GeoHorn

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
M4700DT, LA1002FEL, Ferguson5-8B Compactor-Roller, 10KDumpTrailer, RTV-X900
May 18, 2018
6,052
3,323
113
Texas
I don’t have experience on aftermarket/chinese bearings on Kubota engines…. but I do on a Ford 9N tractor… where I replaced only the rod-bearings, cylinder sleeves, pistons and rings on a very old tractor with good results. I ran that engine another 15 years and it went to a “new” owner a few years ago…..still running just fine. They were “Clevite” brand…

Mahle is a company which distributes Clevite bearings worldwide.


So Pacific/Asia: https://www.mahle-aftermarket.com/ap/en/products/engine-components/
 
Last edited:

Fishfarmer

Member

Equipment
Kubota tractor M4500DT Kubota excavator KX161-3
Aug 8, 2021
103
5
18
4570
I don’t have experience on aftermarket/chinese bearings on Kubota engines…. but I do on a Ford 9N tractor… where I replaced only the rod-bearings, cylinder sleeves, pistons and rings on a very old tractor with good results. I ran that engine another 15 years and it went to a “new” owner a few years ago…..still running just fine. They were “Clevite” brand…

Mahle is a company which distributes Clevite bearings worldwide.


So Pacific/Asia: https://www.mahle-aftermarket.com/ap/en/products/engine-components/
Thanks, I have been reading some information from the Mahle website and they talked quality.
I didn't realize they were based in China. I will contact them and see if they can match the bearings.
 

TheOldHokie

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
L3901/LA525, B7200DT/B1630, G2160/RCK60, G2460/RCK60
Apr 6, 2021
8,928
4,668
113
Myersville, MD
windyridgefarm.us
Thanks, I have been reading some information from the Mahle website and they talked quality.
I didn't realize they were based in China. I will contact them and see if they can match the bearings.
Mahle GmbH is a German company founded in 1920 as a manufacturer of pistons and rings and now one of the largest manufacturers of automotive parts in the world. They have international operations in Europe, Asia, South and North America. They manufacture parts under their own name and also own and manufacture a host of major brand names like Clevite and Victor Reinz.. They are an OEM supplier for BMW and probably others. They are not a Chinese company.

Dan
 

Fishfarmer

Member

Equipment
Kubota tractor M4500DT Kubota excavator KX161-3
Aug 8, 2021
103
5
18
4570
Mahle GmbH is a German company founded in 1920 as a manufacturer of pistons and rings and now one of the largest manufacturers of automotive parts in the world. They have international operations in Europe, Asia, South and North America. They manufacture parts under their own name and also own and manufacture a host of major brand names like Clevite and Victor Reinz.. They are an OEM supplier for BMW and probably others. They are not a Chinese company.

Dan
Thanks Dan I did see that as I browsed the site, I saw they have the south east Asia office in China and I emailed them before I realized. They will probably forward it to their English speaking counterparts. Have you have any experience with the prices of their parts?
Barrie
 

TheOldHokie

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
L3901/LA525, B7200DT/B1630, G2160/RCK60, G2460/RCK60
Apr 6, 2021
8,928
4,668
113
Myersville, MD
windyridgefarm.us
Thanks Dan I did see that as I browsed the site, I saw they have the south east Asia office in China and I emailed them before I realized. They will probably forward it to their English speaking counterparts. Have you have any experience with the prices of their parts?
Barrie
If it carries the Mahle or Clevite brand name it will carry a premium price. Are the OEM Kubota bearings for that engine exorbitant?

Dan
 

Fishfarmer

Member

Equipment
Kubota tractor M4500DT Kubota excavator KX161-3
Aug 8, 2021
103
5
18
4570
If it carries the Mahle or Clevite brand name it will carry a premium price. Are the OEM Kubota bearings for that engine exorbitant?

Dan
Well the OEM rings are $85 per set priced in the USA, that's over a $120 AUD, so six times that. I haven't checked a price for the rod bearings, i guess they wouldn't be as much. The Kubota dealers here see you coming. I will check a few out but I think I could add 50% on to the American prices. It all starts adding up on an old tractor, and I have had a sticking Tappet which has some groove wear from sitting in the one spot not rotating, so that can be another problem in itself. The rest are fine and the price of one new lifter doesn't bother me, but I will have to check/measure the cam lobe if it needs doing, and if its bearings are out tolerances or wear I may need them. There is a Japanese tractor importer here I have just found, that has the head gasket overhaul kit with all gaskets for $385. I can ask him if he can get the aftermarket rings and bearings and then at least I can look at them first, I always prefer a physical address. He is 150 miles away but I don't mind driving before buying. Its just the risk of the eBay Chinese sets and Alibaba gear that you don't know what your getting after paying out a $1000. Appreciate your time and input. Barrie
 

TheOldHokie

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
L3901/LA525, B7200DT/B1630, G2160/RCK60, G2460/RCK60
Apr 6, 2021
8,928
4,668
113
Myersville, MD
windyridgefarm.us
Well the OEM rings are $85 per set priced in the USA, that's over a $120 AUD, so six times that. I haven't checked a price for the rod bearings, i guess they wouldn't be as much. The Kubota dealers here see you coming. I will check a few out but I think I could add 50% on to the American prices. It all starts adding up on an old tractor, and I have had a sticking Tappet which has some groove wear from sitting in the one spot not rotating, so that can be another problem in itself. The rest are fine and the price of one new lifter doesn't bother me, but I will have to check/measure the cam lobe if it needs doing, and if its bearings are out tolerances or wear I may need them. There is a Japanese tractor importer here I have just found, that has the head gasket overhaul kit with all gaskets for $385. I can ask him if he can get the aftermarket rings and bearings and then at least I can look at them first, I always prefer a physical address. He is 150 miles away but I don't mind driving before buying. Its just the risk of the eBay Chinese sets and Alibaba gear that you don't know what your getting after paying out a $1000. Appreciate your time and input. Barrie
A couple data points:

Messicks list rod bearings (STD) at $25.50 USD per journal
Kumar Brothers lists them for $17.50 USD per journal.

Not a lot of savings there.

Dan
 

Fishfarmer

Member

Equipment
Kubota tractor M4500DT Kubota excavator KX161-3
Aug 8, 2021
103
5
18
4570
A couple data points:

Messicks list rod bearings (STD) at $25.50 USD per journal
Kumar Brothers lists them for $17.50 USD per journal.

Not a lot of savings there.

Dan
That's okay thanks Dan, I imagine they will be dearer over here, I will check.
Do Kumar Brothers sell the OEM parts do you know?
I know about Messicks but I was told they wont ship out of the States?
$145 AUD plus freight is okay for 6 journals, Just that the rings will be closer to about $800.
I will just have to pay it I guess unless I cant match it here. Thanks for the help
 

kubotafreak

Well-known member

Equipment
GRAND l6060, L3560, B6100, gr2100, tg 1860, g1800, g1900, g2160
Sep 20, 2018
1,049
394
83
Arkansas, US
Im in the same boat friend. Just go with kubota if you can. Ill ship you whatever if need be. Im in the states.
I paid 97 a piston 67 a ring piston set, and 15 a journal for rod bearings us. Leave the mains alone if you can. Not that many gaskets, again kubota individually.

MAHLE is the name of the game, and clevite is good. I would caution using tri metal bearings on small journal asian anything. Ive used clevites on chevys and such as they have larger journals. The asian design tends to fair better with aluminum acular bearings(high load). Kubota will be reboxed branding, but will be 100%
right for your application.
 
Last edited:

TheOldHokie

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
L3901/LA525, B7200DT/B1630, G2160/RCK60, G2460/RCK60
Apr 6, 2021
8,928
4,668
113
Myersville, MD
windyridgefarm.us
That's okay thanks Dan, I imagine they will be dearer over here, I will check.
Do Kumar Brothers sell the OEM parts do you know?
I know about Messicks but I was told they wont ship out of the States?
$145 AUD plus freight is okay for 6 journals, Just that the rings will be closer to about $800.
I will just have to pay it I guess unless I cant match it here. Thanks for the help
Kumar Brothers parts are not OEM.
 

TheOldHokie

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
L3901/LA525, B7200DT/B1630, G2160/RCK60, G2460/RCK60
Apr 6, 2021
8,928
4,668
113
Myersville, MD
windyridgefarm.us
Im in the same boat friend. Just go with kubota if you can. Ill ship you whatever if need be. Im in the states.
I paid 97 a piston 67 a ring piston set, and 15 a journal for rod bearings us. Leave the mains alone if you can.
I was going to volunteer but you beat me to it. The exchange rate is still stiff.

Dsn
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

Fishfarmer

Member

Equipment
Kubota tractor M4500DT Kubota excavator KX161-3
Aug 8, 2021
103
5
18
4570
Im in the same boat friend. Just go with kubota if you can. Ill ship you whatever if need be. Im in the states.
I paid 97 a piston 67 a ring piston set, and 15 a journal for rod bearings us. Leave the mains alone if you can.
Thank you so much, that's very kind of you. I will do as much research this week and let you know. Do you have a Kubota supplier that have stock on these old tractor parts? basically need the sets I mentioned and then head gasket overhaul kit one Tappet and a couple of rocker bushes so far. I will do my homework this week and send you a list, next week. Many thanks.
 

kubotafreak

Well-known member

Equipment
GRAND l6060, L3560, B6100, gr2100, tg 1860, g1800, g1900, g2160
Sep 20, 2018
1,049
394
83
Arkansas, US
Thank you so much, that's very kind of you. I will do as much research this week and let you know. Do you have a Kubota supplier that have stock on these old tractor parts? basically need the sets I mentioned and then head gasket overhaul kit one Tappet and a couple of rocker bushes so far. I will do my homework this week and send you a list, next week. Many thanks.
I would search the messicks parts listings, as theirs tends to be the most user friendly. Most kubota parts are individual unfortunately. Sometimes you get lucky, but not usually. Get me a list and pm me.
 

Fishfarmer

Member

Equipment
Kubota tractor M4500DT Kubota excavator KX161-3
Aug 8, 2021
103
5
18
4570
I was going to volunteer but you beat me to it. The exchange rate is still stiff.

Dsn
Thank you just the same, help is so much appreciated when you get stuck with a rare tractor over here.
I have only seen one rear end at a wreckers, nothing left on it, and a couple of whole ones on the other side of the country, too expensive. I think a lot more got shipped to the states. I do have some USD in an account so I can probably send USD directly, as the banks take more cents per dollar off the exchange rate which is shocking over here at the moment, 1AUD 72cents US.
Thanks to you and Kubotafreak for the help.
 

Fishfarmer

Member

Equipment
Kubota tractor M4500DT Kubota excavator KX161-3
Aug 8, 2021
103
5
18
4570
I would search the messicks parts listings, as theirs tends to be the most user friendly. Most kubota parts are individual unfortunately. Sometimes you get lucky, but not usually. Get me a list and pm me.
Not used to forums, how do i private message you?