Looking for L4150 info.

[Darren]

A local guy sells used tractors part time. The other day there was an L4150 4wd sitting out front with an FEL. Looked like a shuttle shift. Anybody know anything about that model other than hp? How reliable were the hydros back then?

In general the tractor looked heavier than the current L's but it was still a compact tractor.

 

[rbargeron]

Darren - The L4150 is one of Kubota's best products - I've been telling everybody how great they are for a long time now. If you do a search here you'll find several threads with information about L4150's. Your observation is right on - they are much stronger and beefier than the present L models - they were available with either mechanical or hydraulic shuttle (hydraulic is nicer - no clutch to change direction).
The L4150 was made back when the model number was the pto horsepower - it has about 50 hp gross from a smooth 5 cylinder engine. An inside guy at Kubota in Columbus once told me this model (the L3 chassis) was one of the most problem-free products they had ever produced - which is saying something because they're all pretty good ! He also clued me in to a hidden orifice valve that is a climate compensator for the hydraulic shuttle oil flow - made mine shift quicker in the winter. When I sold my L4150 it had 1400 hours with no problems, no leaks, no failures. I basically bought another rig just like it - but with a backhoe too.

Tell us more about this one - hours? overall condition? asking price? any leaks? still shiny on the bottom?

Take care - Dick Bargeron

 

[JohnMiller3]

TRACTORS from KUBOTA
Model = L4150DT 4WD SHUTTLE

SPECIFICATIONS
Years Mfg: 1988-1995
Fuel: D

Engine Make: KUBOTA 5 CYL

CID: 142

Engine HP: 40.64 PTO
50-E

Cab: ROPS

No.Speeds: 8/8
SHUTTLE
SHIFT

Weight(Pounds): 3,750

List Price: $22,000

PRICING

Year Ad Price Est.Loan Value
1988 $11,440 $7,550
1989 $11,880 $7,841
1990 $12,100 $7,986
1991 $12,540 $8,276
1992 $12,760 $8,422
1993 $13,420 $8,857
1994 $14,080 $9,293
1995 $15,180 $10,019

There are currently no Auction Results listed
in our database for this model.

 

[Darren]

Thanks guys! Overall the tractor is rough. It's got about 2300 hrs. No obvious leaks. I didn't run the tractor eventhough the keys are in all the machines. The owner wasn't around and on a Sunday I wasn't going to knock on the door. Have no idea of the price. He doesn't tag the machines. This one just came from an auction a few days ago.

The FEL is run off a pump mounted on the end of the engine crank The hydraulic tank is mounted on the right side. You won't be climbing on the tractor from that direction. The FEL is easily removable but the support stands are missing. The bucket was rough with none of the original paint. The steel crossover lines behind the bucket have been hit and dented by something. The tractor has one set of remotes with the original caps.

Paint is faded and worn to metal at rub points. No PTO shield. One plastic tail light lens is broken. Part of the plastic housing at the base of the steering column is missing. Plastic sure doesn't hold up with age like metal. Seat cover was shredded. Decals worn or partial torn away. Tires are maybe 70% or so. Underside of fenders are rusted. Metal is still solid. Nothing a wire brush and some Rustoleum won't fix.

In general it looks like a dog. He's got an old Cockshut/Oliver/Fiat that's probably at least ten or fifteen years older that looks better. I suspect the Kubota still runs good. Just looks tired. I don't know which shuttle it has. The gear shift was to the right of the seat. The F-N-R lever was to the left.

Anyone know what the lift capacity of the FEL is.

 

[rbargeron]

If the shuttle is hydraulic, the F-N-R would be on the column - left side of the steering wheel. The FEL would be maybe a BF920 model - lots of grunt - maybe 2600 or 2800 lb normal lift. The front pump was optional - bigger flow - faster FEL operation than internal hydraulics.

Check the dipsticks for any signs of water getting into the gear oil or engine oil.

Listen to it run - these engines all put out some blue smoke when cold, then it clears with warmup.

The cosmetic roughness you describe could be an indicator of the kind of upkeep it's had - might be wise to check it out carefully. Listen closely for any noises in the gearboxes, check for smooth PTO running in both speeds (with a load if possible) make sure the clutch is ok. If the tires are at 70%, its likely they've been replaced at least once. Open the air filter canister and see what's in there. If it's reasonably clean in the center element that's a good sign. If either element is torn or missing, it's usually a deal breaker - especially on an auction machine whose history is unknown.


Good luck - Dick B.

 

[Darren]

According to Kubota it's an L4150HDT-1 and it does have the hydraulic shuttle. It was sold 5/9/89 to a guy in Kentucky. I have his name and location. I may try to look him up if I get serious about this. A service guy at Kubota said there had never been any warranty work required on the tractor. He also volunteered that they're solid trouble free machines.

I did notice the FEL seemed to be well greased. Wasn't done recently though. I didn't check all the fluids but the transmission fluid was clear. It may have been changed for the sale. Thanks for the info about the FEL. It's good to know it has an optional setup. I get the feeling this tractor did a lot of loader work.

 

[JATO_RaT]

Darren, I still have the brochure which describes the L4150, L4850 and the L5450. The L4150 I believe is the one without a wet clutch. It sounds like the one your looking at has been used and used hard. I am not familiar with the hydraulic tank on the side. On the L4850 I use, its all stored in the transmission. I did replace the seat last year, the price for the original was about 80 dollars. Our L4850 is a 1993 model or so. The engine is very nice indeed, strong, reasonably quiet and still starts with about 1/2 second turnover, even when it sits for many months. I would love to have it. Rat....

 

[Darren]

Rat, there seems to be something that until you get interested in an item it's not on an individual's radar screen. Now that I've started looking for info, I'm seeing L4150's other places. There were two that seemed to be in better shape in a recent issue of the Heavy Equipment Trader located in area codes 864 and 706. Both were listed for $9,500. The better deal seemed to be one with 4wd, FEL & brush hog. The other was bare with 2wd.

I'm guessing the tractor went cheap at the auction and that's why the guy bought it. I know it runs because the guy doesn't buy basket cases. How well it runs is another question. I've been thinking about price. If the guy is in the $5,000 or $6,000 range, it's a no-brainer. If he's near $9,000, I may wait and see what he wants if it's still there in December. He got stuck with three medium sized Ford/New Hollands with FEL's last year that he carried over the winter.

From looks alone his 4150 doesn't look like a $10,000 machine. I did find one auction listing of $4,000. Most of the others were right under $10,000 with a few that were around $15,000. After wrestling the mmm onto my L3710 the other day and facing the task of getting it off today and then repeating the process in a few weeks, another tractor of that size would be nice.

Of course this may all be mental masturbation. The tractor could be sold by now

 

[rbargeron]

Hi Rat - I believe the brochure you describe (which we both have) covers the 4350, 4850 and 5450. The 4350 had a 4-cylinder engine. The wet "Ever Clutch" was offered in that line.

The 4150 came a few years before and had the five cyl. and dry clutch. First produced back in the early '80s, Kubota had L4150's stored in their warehouses in the US. The tractors were not given model "years" but Kubota keeps a list of dates & owners as they were sold.

Power and weight wise the 4150 was closer to the later 4850 that you have. I also have a brochure for the 4150 but it covers only that model.

Darren - you are right about more examples becoming visible when you start noticing them - the 4150 was made when Kubota's market share was still small - so there aren't as many around as other models, but they show up used now and then. Still a great machine capable of a lot of work.

 

[knucklehead]

Rather than start another thread, I thought I'd add to this one. This L4150 on Ebay has a great set of pictures and I thought it would fit in well as an info resource here on TBN.

I have saved the pictures on my hard drive in case Ebay purges them, if anyone would like them in the future. Here's a little tickler: