900 Hour Valve Adjustment

[KOLBRNR]

Hi I am closing in on the 900 hour mark on my 2005 Kubota L5030 HSTC . Kubota recommends a valve clearance adjustment at this interval. I am wondering about this. If anything the valves would be a bit loose which it better than tight. If I take it in and the mechanic sets them too tight a valve will burn. Why should I do this?
How important is this maintenance and how many of you guys had it done?

Thanks in advance Russ

 

[TripleR]

How important it is will depend on whether it is within specs or not. I had mine done and it was OK. I bought a vehicle that had not had it done and spent a lot of money fixing the heads.

 

[KOLBRNR]

Do you recall how many hours it was to check and adjust them?

 

[whistlepig]

My B7800 manual recommends a valve adjustment at 800 hours.

 

[TripleR]

Sorry, but no I don't, I traded the tractor in for a new L5740 this year because of the new Tier IV and left foot brakes and all the maintenance records went with it.

 

[KOLBRNR]

Sorry, but no I don't, I traded the tractor in for a new L5740 this year because of the new Tier IV and left foot brakes and all the maintenance records went with it.

Ahhh the 5740. That is one nice tractor. Maybe my next one. I don't use it very much as you can tell by the hours.
Thanks guys I guess I had better make an appointment.

Russ

 

[Leejohn]

Doesn't valve adjustment get tighter on a diesel engine the 1st 800 to 1000 hours?

 

[whistlepig]

The first valve adjustment for my tractor is recommended at 800 hours. I have 737 hours on it now. I had a Cummins diesel in a Dodge pickup that I used to adjust the valves myself. The first break in adjustment the valves were tight and needed adjusting on the Cummins. After that they seemed to be OK when checking at the recommended service intervals. I would consider the first valve adjustment critical on my tractor.

 

[texasjohn]

Well, different recommendation obtained here. I called the big long time dealer in Austin and discussed bringing in my L5030 (1200 hrs) for adjustment....he wanted to know why....I said manual says to...he said not necessary....wait much longer....I dunno...didn't take it in...bout 1.5 hr drive to get there....

 

[whistlepig]

Well, different recommendation obtained here. I called the big long time dealer in Austin and discussed bringing in my L5030 (1200 hrs) for adjustment....he wanted to know why....I said manual says to...he said not necessary....wait much longer....I dunno...didn't take it in...bout 1.5 hr drive to get there....

Wait for what?

 

[texasjohn]

I asked when it would be a good idea to check...he said about 2500 hrs...

 

[TripleR]

Ahhh the 5740. That is one nice tractor. Maybe my next one. I don't use it very much as you can tell by the hours.
Thanks guys I guess I had better make an appointment.

Russ

The L5030 is a nice tractor and kind of hated to see it go, as much as I like my L5740, it really won't do anything the L5030 wouldn't.

 

[texasjohn]

Interesting perspective, TripleR...I would have thought that the few more horses over the 5030 would have put it in a really sweet spot...I've used my 5030 for far more than I ever anticipated and only when using a dirt plane did I wish for more hp and traction....

 

[TripleR]

Interesting perspective, TripleR...I would have thought that the few more horses over the 5030 would have put it in a really sweet spot...I've used my 5030 for far more than I ever anticipated and only when using a dirt plane did I wish for more hp and traction....

It may have the "potential", but I use the same rotary cutter, cutting the same stuff as with the L5030. The loaders are essentially the same.

I use a Land Pride HR3584 on it that I didn't have when I had the L5030, so I don't know about that, but it will stop our M8540 if you dropped it all the way down with the scarifers down as well, so I just adjust it to the point where my L5740 will pull it and it works fine.

Both tractors had/have more power than traction, so maybe if I put more ballast on the L5740 I could see a significant difference. I thought about adding wheel weights to it, but then just decided if I need more power/weight, I would just go get the M8540.

I do like the swivel seat as my bones and joints are getting too old and stiff to twist around as much as they use to and the swivel gives me just enough rotation to make it a bit more comfortable. I just have to remember to, swivel back to the front when I am done. The first day I used it, I was sick as a dog, I hated the seat and had trouble reaching the HST pedal and all I could think of was the money I spent and my L5030 was already sold. I then looked down and noticed I still had my seat swiveled to the left to help me get in the tractor.:laughing:

I thought I would much prefer the new HST pedal to the L5030, but don't as it is harder to put my whole foot on and "rock" back and forth. The cruise control is easier to use on the L5740 as there isn't a direct connection to the HST pedal and I often use it instead of the pedal. The new one is easier to use backing up if you are twisted around looking back though.

I also love the HST+ and the AC is stronger, so it's not that the L5740 isn't an improved tractor, just that the L5030 is still a pretty good machine and there are really no overwhelming reasons to "trade up".

 

[case245]

if the valves are not adjusted right how is the air and diesel going to get in the combustion chamber when its suposed to fire and make the most power they need to be set so the engine works like its supposed to i learned the hard way on my truck about valve and valve springs i floated a valve of course i was 21 at the time it cost me a head

 

[john_bud]

I thought I would much prefer the new HST pedal to the L5030, but don't as it is harder to put my whole foot on and "rock" back and forth.

There really is no need to put the whole foot on. Just the ball of the foot for forward and the heal (only) when in reverse. At least that works best for me.

 

[TripleR]

There really is no need to put the whole foot on. Just the ball of the foot for forward and the heal (only) when in reverse. At least that works best for me.

Have you driven both John? It is kind of hard to explain if you haven't. We started out with a BX2200 after using the John Deere side by side for many years and the pedal on the BX2200 is the same shape as on the L5030. For much of the use, I did the heel toe thing, but could put my foot on the pedal and rock back and forth quickly to maneuver around obstacles. I sold the BX2200 for a while and brought a BX2660 home. My wife HATED it. The BX2660 is not a solid pedal and her foot was too short to bridge the gap. After a week or two, she decided I was a tractor genius (OK those are my words not hers) and she loves the BX2660.

Later we decided to buy a Grand L4240 and fell in love with the HST pedal. Before placing the order, we found the L5030 too cheap to pass up, so we "sucked it up" and got it with the same pedal we use to like, but had changed our minds.:laughing:

After using it a while, we decided we kind of liked it OK. Then, for a variety of reasons we traded it in on the L5740 and I am still getting use to the pedal. I have tried the heel and toe, but for some reason it just doesn't work well for me and I often use the ball of my foot for forward and reverse.

Thanks for the advice though and I will give it another shot if it ever dries up enough here to get to it; don' think it has anything to do with being old and worn out do you...:laughing:

 

[texasjohn]

I also love the HST+ and the AC is stronger, so it's not that the L5740 isn't an improved tractor, just that the L5030 is still a pretty good machine and there are really no overwhelming reasons to "trade up".

Thanks for the extra details...I do know that my L5030 is rarin' to go whenever I am!! Am sooooo glad I have it.

 

[Deano]

Did mine myself at 800 hours, as per the manual. Peace of mind and not hard at all.

 

[DK35vince]

Doesn't valve adjustment get tighter on a diesel engine the 1st 800 to 1000 hours?

Yes,
The valve clearance generally get tighter as they wear.