L5450

[rbargeron]

The bolt is probably a zoot alloy or has been heat treated so it needs extra steps to repair to full strength. Easier to just buy a new one if available.

The L5450 does have two clutches but not a conventional 2-disk progressive setup. The travel clutch is the multi-disk hydraulic clutch pack they call the Ever Clutch. The foot pedal actually just operates a fancy hydraulic valve. The pto clutch is a separate dry disk, operated by a linkage and hand lever beside the seat, disengaged up, engaged down.

It's a little unhandy - lever has to be up to start the tractor, then it's supposed to normally run engaged, lever down, to reduce wear on the release bearing.

 

[Sumner Sapough]

That's what my father in law and i believe is since it is such a high pressure point that when wielded back together it just wasn't able to handle the high pressure. That's why we decided it would be best if we just bought a new one. On a different note the PTO clutch handle that is beside the seat never has operated correctly. It is either because the linkage is bent unhooked or broken but for whatever reason if you put down the handle the clutch will engage and you will no longer be able to operate the PTO without intense maintenance to repair the issue. He did buy this tractor used I feel that it may have been used hard before he bought it. It did have some blow by when he purchased it but since then has rebuilt the engine. I feel that the bolt shearing off and the PTO clutch handle not operating correctly may be a result of poor maintenance or lack of TLC. But I wanted to check to make sure that these issues we're not a common failure on these particular tractors. I have used John Deere, Kubota, Case IH, and LONG tractors and each tractor has their own set of issues some more than others however they are all great tractors. I have been thoroughly impressed by the Kubota l5450. Is there anything else that you could tell me that might give me a heads up what to expect? What are some of its strengths and what's are some of its weaknesses?

 

[rbargeron]

The L5450 and other L3 models using the same chassis are among the best-built, most trouble-free Kub machines ever offered. At one time I had an inside contact in Columbus who said the L3 machines were very well regarded by the company. Dealers were fans too.

For general PTO interest this thread describes conversions I've done on two L540s to add a second pto speed like the older L3 models had. If your FIL's rig has an ailing pto, the problem could be in the gearbox - it's located at the back end of the machine and is readily accessible.

Searching TBN and OTT for L5450, L4850, L4350, L4150, L3750, L3350 it's clear they have very few problems. Dick B

 

[rbargeron]

...... On a different note the PTO clutch handle that is beside the seat never has operated correctly. It is either because the linkage is bent unhooked or broken but for whatever reason if you put down the handle the clutch will engage and you will no longer be able to operate the PTO.........

How many hours are on the machine? Maybe the prior owner was in the habit of leaving the pto lever UP most of the time and the release bearing eventually failed. With the lever up it's the same as stepping on a regular clutch pedal - it loads the clutch release mechanism and bearing. Can you hear noise coming from the middle or back end of the tractor?

 

[Sumner Sapough]

Only 2500 hrs. It is possible that the bearing failed. I will mention it to my father in law. Thank you

 

[geneP]

Hi Sumner - and Gene !

.

Hello Dick! Not to hi-jack this thread and take it in another direction, but just wanted to let you know that since I changed the hydraulic filter again and changed the hydraulic oil to the Wal Mart brand I haven't had the hydraulic light come on any more. Thanks for your advice! Still enjoying retirement?

 

[rbargeron]

Glad your oil light is staying off. I recently looked into this circuit further than before - thread here.

Retirement is still good - nice to have the day's best energy for whatever I choose. Thanks for asking - take care, Dick