I Still Hate My Tractor

[TomSeller]

In reading the reviews and knowing someone who owns an identical tractor, no one reports the problems described in this and other threads. So many advocate making sure there are no underlying problems.

Adding a turbo has been used for years and is accepted as a good way to produce more power, so no real arguments there, just that adding a turbo will only enhance performance not fix an existing problem.
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Correct, however, "gutless" is relative to the operator's opinion and/or due to unequal operating conditions. Since nobody has been able to pinpoint the "problem", his could be just as capable as the others.

I always bristled at the earlier negativity by some pretty prominent members and appreciate the more recent encouragement and helpful suggestions. Fred obviously is not taking this tractor back to Kubota and has created quite a following.

 

[Coyote machine]

Correct, however, "gutless" is relative to the operator's opinion and/or due to unequal operating conditions. Since nobody has been able to pinpoint the "problem", his could be just as capable as the others.

I always bristled at the earlier negativity by some pretty prominent members and appreciate the more recent encouragement and helpful suggestions. Fred obviously is not taking this tractor back to Kubota and has created quite a following.

Bristle away. Consider this; these forums are for members to share their opinions, whether or not they meet with your approval. As such, prominent members, who have much experience, can offer their take on any given situation, just like all the 'followers'; who, BTW, have NOTHING invested in this 'project'. This means that lacking any proof positive as to cause and effect, and gutless wonder being an ambiguous & subjective term at best, some, if not many question the efficacy of the reasoning behind, just bolt on a turbo and see what happens.
This is a valid concern, and not something to be labeled as 'negativity' or naysaying. It is because I care to not see TBNers do damage unnecessarily and avoidably to their equipment, that I take time to point this out. Members reasons for and justification of their opinion is not required, nor even warranted, it just is one's opinion based largely on their own personal experience.
If I, as one example, caution against or suggest that the tractor be thoroughly tested to meet specs, which it does NOT do in relation to compression; it is because I am of the opinion that the OP may be throwing away money and time, and may possibly cause damage to his tractor, which will then be kicked to the curb by Kubota, their subcontracted insurance, etc. Before you or others tell me it's the OP's money and he can do what he wants, yes he can, and is doing exactly what he wants, so differing opinions have not hampered his progress or process. If he succeeds and everything works perfectly, then he's showed us. If not, the following may have less to offer to him as to how to fix the 'solution' he chose to effect. Encouraging someone to bungee jump off a bridge with a rope of unknown length may be fun to watch, but the outcome may be unexpected and have long lasting consequences. I hope for the OP's efforts and expenses he gets what he's looking for, but I reserve placing any bets on outcome at this juncture. YMMV.

 

[TripleR]

Correct, however, "gutless" is relative to the operator's opinion and/or due to unequal operating conditions. Since nobody has been able to pinpoint the "problem", his could be just as capable as the others.

I always bristled at the earlier negativity by some pretty prominent members and appreciate the more recent encouragement and helpful suggestions. Fred obviously is not taking this tractor back to Kubota and has created quite a following.

I seriously considered buying an L3940 before deciding I needed to go bigger so I have followed the threads, one got pruned and closed. There were some negative comments, some trying to get clarification and so on, not all questioning should be considered naysayers. Fred stated, "Yeah I think it is a bit too small, the loader lifts very light loads only and engine makes little power. My old Cub Cadet 7260 will run circles around it." This leads me to believe his L3940's performance is not on a par with others, so while I agree perception can vary he does a direct comparison of two tractors he has owned.

I can understand why he has received a following as he is obviously very skilled mechanic and fabricator which is why I would have preferred myself a different approach and left out the "gutless wonder" "gutless pig" comments" and come a it from a purely mechanical standpoint.

One thing that has troubled me is the intent to modify this new machine, run it then if it doesn't work make it look as though no work was ever done to retain warranty coverage or pass it on to an unsuspecting buyer. This approach seems to be more common than I had hoped.

 

[The Fred]

which it does NOT do in relation to compression

Let's talk cranking compression vs. leakdown test which I did both. Since the leakdown test showed almost no leakage from the cylinders through the valves/rings then cranking compression can only be low due to lower compression pistons or larger chambers in the cyl head.
I am happy for this as the turbo will only help. I would much rather turbocharge a lower compression engine than a higher compression engine.

NO fighting you guys, NO FIGHTING. If Aaron decides to pull posts again you can bet you'll never see the outcome. I have done lots of hot-rodding over the years, some results are good some just lackluster. I have a really good feeling about this one. Everything is coming together, I painted the turbo and assembled for the last time. I still need to make my 4AN oil feed line and build the high pressure pipe to the intake, and a makeshift exhaust until I figure that part out.

Thanks for watching

Photobucket is down so I'll give ya a little taste from tonight.

Fred

 

[ptsg]

What an awsome work you are doing there!! Keep it going. Cant wait to see it working :thumbsup:

 

[kuboman]

Sweet install. Hope you straight pipe it.
By the way I went to pull the banjo bolt on mine and found it buried behind the block heater so I didn't dismantle things in the -20 and blowing snow. Sorry!

 

[Midniteoyl]

Let's talk cranking compression vs. leakdown test which I did both. Since the leakdown test showed almost no leakage from the cylinders through the valves/rings then cranking compression can only be low due to lower compression pistons or larger chambers in the cyl head.
I am happy for this as the turbo will only help. I would much rather turbocharge a lower compression engine than a higher compression engine.

NO fighting you guys, NO FIGHTING. If Aaron decides to pull posts again you can bet you'll never see the outcome. I have done lots of hot-rodding over the years, some results are good some just lackluster. I have a really good feeling about this one. Everything is coming together, I painted the turbo and assembled for the last time. I still need to make my 4AN oil feed line and build the high pressure pipe to the intake, and a makeshift exhaust until I figure that part out.

Thanks for watching

Photobucket is down so I'll give ya a little taste from tonight.

Fred

View attachment 350847

I would be interested in seeing what the compression specs are on the turbo version of this engine... Could you have turbo pistons or heads already for some reason? Hmm..

 

[Chilly807]

How is the turbo drain plumbed? Any chance the restricted banjo bolt belongs on the drain side, to hold pressure IN the turbo?

Sean

 

[Bluegill2]

Nice work man!

 

[Coyote machine]

Let's talk cranking compression vs. leakdown test which I did both. Since the leakdown test showed almost no leakage from the cylinders through the valves/rings then cranking compression can only be low due to lower compression pistons or larger chambers in the cyl head.
I am happy for this as the turbo will only help. I would much rather turbocharge a lower compression engine than a higher compression engine.

Agreed, that's been my own personal experience from Saab, and other foreign autos like Mercedes, and Volvo, with the VW diesels,:yuck:, (speaking of gutless dog engines!). Lower compression when turboed VS. normally aspirated engines, gas or diesel. You definately can't go wrong on that issue.

NO fighting you guys, NO FIGHTING. If Aaron decides to pull posts again you can bet you'll never see the outcome. I have done lots of hot-rodding over the years, some results are good some just lackluster. I have a really good feeling about this one. Everything is coming together, I painted the turbo and assembled for the last time. I still need to make my 4AN oil feed line and build the high pressure pipe to the intake, and a makeshift exhaust until I figure that part out.

There's no fighting going on, just people contributing to your thread, you should be pleased instead of threatening to stop showing your project progress- it gets old and is totally unnecessary. Lighten up, no one wants a shutdown....

Thanks for watching



Fred

 

[90cummins]

Fred make sure the oil supply for the turbo is after the filter otherwise it will be short lived!
On my Ford I had to install a filter plate to get an oil supply port then add a 10 micron hydraulic filter for the turbo.
90cummins

 

[The Fred]

Fred make sure the oil supply for the turbo is after the filter otherwise it will be short lived!
On my Ford I had to install a filter plate to get an oil supply port then add a 10 micron hydraulic filter for the turbo.
90cummins

Will check this, I have to remove the oil cooler to button up some lines, wiring, front diff vent. I can blow air back though the block and see what side of the filter the oil is routed to. Thanks!

Not great pix, in a hurry tonight. Honeydoo list and beer caught my attention. there's enough room on the left side lower to drop the high pressure pipe out the old exhaust hole to use the brushguard as an intercooler. Hard to see but I kind of figured it this way. Even the hood prop rod doesn't get in the way. Everything should work as the factory intended including the windshield washers. ..well everything but the warranty

Fred

 

[Green Power]

Nice work Fred!:thumbsup: Just curious how many hours are on the tractor now?

 

[The Fred]

52.2

Fred

 

[kuboman]

You have taken the oil supply line off the same port that kubota uses which is filtered unrestricted oil. You will have full flow full pressure oil from that port. As for the hole in the banjo bolt you will have plenty of oil feeding the turbo. Keep in the mind the holes feeding the crankshaft or cam are smaller than that.

 

[90cummins]

Fred after reading and thinking about the posts the thought occurred to me that this particular engine may have been built for turbocharging and was possibly installed in the wrong application, or the pistons intended for a turbo charged version were mistakenly installed.
So installing this turbo will most certainly give you HP & Torque bragging rights without adding excessive stress to the engine.
90Cummins

 

[TomSeller]

52.2

Fred

Very impressive for only 52.2 hours.

 

[Member]

[...] Everything is coming together, I painted the turbo and assembled for the last time. I still need to make my 4AN oil feed line and build the high pressure pipe to the intake, and a makeshift exhaust until I figure that part out.

Thanks for watching

Photobucket is down so I'll give ya a little taste from tonight.

Fred

View attachment 350847

I, for one, am getting excited. Please, please tell me you have the capability to do movies and there will be movies of it running and working.

 

[crazyal]

I would just cut the side panel out. A trick I like to do when cutting sheet metal is bend up some round bar that follows the contour of the sheet metal and the new cut and weld it to the back side of the sheet metal. If you leave the sheet metal about 1/4" longer than the round bar you can massage it with a hammer so it curves with the round bar. It also adds stiffness. 1/4" round bar is a little small but is easy to work with. I wouldn't go larger than 5/16" though.

 

[The Fred]

Very impressive for only 52.2 hours.

For me Tom adding the power is no different than taking a new implement that doesn't work for you and modding/adapting it to your needs, other than the 30k price tag. There are some die hards on the forum in regards to my wreaking havoc on a new machine. I could have waited until after the initial warranty expired to do this but what's the difference? At least now, IF this works, I will be happy....errrrr. It's like I took an original Van Gogh and spray painted it with camo paint.

Al I will leave the panel off for now but If I can be sure a 5740 panel is a direct fit I will simply order a new one. Available at $318 dollars. I could sell my old one for $1,000 after I sign it pending successful turbo install and subsequent video burnout and wheelie. HAAAAAA You should be able to hear it at your place when I fire it up! Just kidding but Ebay might bring $150 for the panel.

Ordering factory banjo bolts today before starting, NO way I am taking a chance on the oil supply.

Good information here:

Turbo Failure 101

Fred Van Gogh