Kubota LA302 being mounted on a Kubota B6100 - old tractor with new tricks

SilverLakeFab · Sep 28, 2013

I've gotten some more work done. I've welded in a bung to mount the block heater (right on the bottom of the radiator so it's well protected and out of the way), built a new aluminum grill (1/2" square stock frame, .120" perferated aluminum sheet with 1/2" holes, and 1" round aluminum stand-offs), finished welding up and primed the front subframe, completed the radiator mount (had to weld the top mount for the grill onto it), and am very close to completing the main loader frame (still have to weld on the loader valve mount and the top mounting hole supports - make the top pin holes each 1/2" thicker). All and all, I've put another three nights and a solid day into it today. I'm getting there, so here are some new pics.

I'll post more pics when the loader mounting frame is completed. I can't wait to paint everything and work on the new plumbing updates.

P.S.
Would anyone be interested in purchasing the stock radiator? It works just fine and I can provide pics. I'd trade it for a loader valve.

2458n · Oct 4, 2013

Make sure you trade for a three handled loader valve. It will help when you attach your grapple. Nice work. You will love the loader. Kubota made a heck of a product back then. Well worth your time and attention.

SilverLakeFab · Oct 5, 2013

More pics of progress

SilverLakeFab · Oct 13, 2013

I finally got to get some final paint done today. I'll be able to paint the underside of the main mounting brackets, along with the remaining parts of the connecting bars and front frame on Wednesday. I should be able to bolt everything to the tractor next weekend. I can't wait to make this machine roll again!

SilverLakeFab · Nov 6, 2013

I've made good progress and this project is very near completion for the winter, as I need it to plow snow with. The loader mounting frame has been mounted up, the auxiliary hydraulics have been fabricated/plumbed in and I'll be picking up a batch of powdercoated parts on Friday (and dropping off the very last batch of small there on Friday too - my fabrication shop is super busy with snowplows right now, so I can't justify stripping and painting the remaining parts myself at the moment). That said, it'll be like Christmas next weekend when I get to bolt the remaining parts together. I do still have to clean up the wiring a bit, but I'm super close to completion. I fully plan to clean and paint the remaining parts in the spring, along with have the bodywork, wheels, and any other piece I can remove from this machine powdercoated as well. I have a ton of work into this little machine, and I plan to hold onto it forever, so I want it to be beautiful.

Here are some pictures of the recent progress:

ddb123 · Nov 6, 2013

Pretty awesome.

Mendonsy · Nov 7, 2013

Nice job!!!
The most amazing part is that you actually found a used LA302 for sale. Those are downright scarce!!

Mendonsy · Nov 7, 2013

Nice job!!!
The most amazing part is that you actually found a used LA302 for sale. Those are downright scarce!!

SilverLakeFab · Nov 12, 2013

So my fabrication shop has been super busy, and time is money, so I decided to hunt down a local place to do powder coating. I found in place in Bow, NH by the name of RS Powder Coating and brought a batch of parts to be coated. I picked up the batch of parts and the work is fantastic! The price was great too! This project has to be tied up yesterday at this point, as I need this beast to plow with this winter (did I mention that I still need to build the plow too?). I have one more batch of parts that need to be picked up from RS on Friday (along with a batch of other fabricated items for SLF) and then I can tidy up the wiring, hopefully in time to start this thing before Thanksgiving.

Here are some fresh pictures taken this evening to show the progress.