KX91 - question

The Gardener · Aug 31, 2007

Off topic from tractors, but I was wondering if any of you might have a guess as to why the back cowling is blue on this used 2002 KX91???

Assuming it was a repair/replacement need, why would they not get another orange cowling?

Would this type of issue be considered a red flag or is this a common place incident where the back is damaged? I am wondering what type of hidden issues could have happened. It also has new rubber tracks after only 1167 hours.

Overall gut feelings welcomed ...

Thanks,
The Gardener

bigballer · Aug 31, 2007

the '06 i rented last summer had a grey cowling, not orange. it only had 30hrs on it so i'm guessing it was stock. that section provides most of the counter weight and it's not a zero-swing so it could have been swung around into something very large and strong. seems that only serious abuse would warrant replacement. i would call around to some kubota service departments to see what they say.. attached is the pic of the 91 i used..

Ductape · Aug 31, 2007

Gardener, i looked at that same machine and wondered the same thing. My guess was the same... someone swung it into something. A tree, a house, a rock? I thought it looked ugly, but i didn't think it was a major cause for concern.

The Gardener · Sep 1, 2007

Thank you both for the feedback.

I am still keeping the option open to purchase a used KX as our first Kubota: hopefully around May 2008. W/ digging and rock work dominating our needs list, the KX still intrigues me. I doubt I could live with something as ugly as that light blue cowling, and I am always concerned by this level of repair/replacement.

The Gardener

Ductape · Sep 1, 2007

Heck..... a few hours with a scotchbrite pad, some masking tape, and a few rattle cans of Kubota orange paint will fix that machine right up.

Toolguy · Sep 1, 2007

For clearing stumps, rocks and brush nothing beats a mini-x. I have rented them 4 different times in the last 17 years. 3 Bobcats and the last time, a Kubota KX121-1 with a thumb. They also double as a mini-dozer. Great machines. Good luck.

curtisfarmer · Sep 1, 2007

Unless the counter weight is painted blue on the inside areas, I would suspect that someone used what they had to paint over scratches and dings. I keep a can of the matching Kubota Blue Grey to paint any scratch I get that same day. To damage a machine to the point of having to replace the counter weight seems like the machine would be totaled. The counter weight is a honking chunk of metal that seems indestructable.

The Gardener · Sep 2, 2007

For clearing stumps, rocks and brush nothing beats a mini-x.

Agreed. They are amazing at digging. I like the reach of their boom and their mobility while digging. Your image shows the perfect scenario. A scenario that I cannot afford all at once: a mini and a tractor. The FEL and a draw bar to trailer excavated items would be ideal. If I get a mini, I'll need to get very creative in my methods of transporting boulders and etc. around the acreage. Buying used is the way I will go to maximize my dollars.

The Gardener