Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions

Well, I grabbed another one - an 8 year old Kubota T1400H, 13.5hp lawn tractor with hydrostatic drive, 40" cut with dual bagger, needing work for $500.

The engine sounded like it had marbles rolling around inside - the valve clearances were ULTRA excessive, but a quick adjustment quieted things down nicely & the engine runs sweetly. The deck is a mess - it needs all new spindle bearings, new blades, & 2 deck hangers rewelded back on. The blades are SO BAD that they look like they were ready to disintegrate in hand grenade fashion at any time (I kid you not). The tractor loses speed going uphill or around turns, so I changed the hydro fluid with genuine Kubota fluid. Its not as bad, but could use improvement. I'll check the drive belt to see if it might be slipping, but have no other ideas on how to proceed if the belt tension is good - can anyone please give me some direction?

Thanks!
Marty

Bill_D wrote:
Bill_D,
If you knew much about Marty, you would realize that it is unlikely he over-paid.

Marty,
Did the belt tightening do any good? The transmission supply house might do a lot better on the bearings than a dealer. You just need the sizes, how many $#%*, ect. I shop at Transply, but there are a lot of them, Motion Industries, Applied Technologies,ect. Do you need the whole housing or shafts? Maybe someone would have a line on spindles complete rather than buying parts if you need more than just bearings. Make sure the hydro fan is spinning. How did the oil look, and smell? A lot of hydro systems now a days get Mobil1 from the factory, I think.

I have used a Kubota Diesal GT in my past that was top knotch quality so I know what you get in there units and how much they cost. If you asked me, he got a deal. My landlord bought a 20HP Kubota Diesal with a 60inch deck some time back with hydrostatic drive and everything! That sucker costs 10,000 brand new, my landlord got it used for 5,000. So if you got a unit for 500, its a deal no matter how much bad shape its in.

Marty I am a fan of Kubota machines.  If you have a minute to post a pic it would be appreaciated. 

Thanks,

C

Marty, at the rate you're going, you'll need a bigger shed soon.

Good find by the way.

Pics baby, pics! The old before and after Marty. LOL

You are getting higher up the ladder everyday.  Wash it up nice then please, post some pics. 

Bill D - If you were closer, I would snag that old Toro!!

I went back to the Kubota dealership Friday to obtain all my parts (4 deck spindle bearings & 2 blades) for the whopping cost of $44. The counter man told me this tractor retailed for over $3200 back in 1999 WITHOUT the bagger!

I didn't get to work on it as my lawn was in dire need of a cut. I'll try to get some pics up later today...

Marty

Sorry - I didn't take a before pic , but here's a finished product:

I changed the hydro & differential fluids, cleaned the filter screen & no change. I checked the plastic idler & it was about 90% GONE. A new Kubota idler was installed ($45 for a plastic pulley - OUCH!) & that cured it. I have a few hours in this one, hence my absence lately - sorry it took so long to post a pic...

Marty

You'll get you $ out of this one, plus some! Very nice looking Marty!

$500 bucks for that??? You lucky dog!!! That was a SCORE!!! You can make good money off that for sure!