Old school Kubota rebuild

HatchetFF · Dec 10, 2009

Hello all,

First post, looks like a great forum here! Just marking the beginning of what im sure will be a long job - restoring this 1978 Kubota M4500DT

It is in great mechanical shape, and really only surface rust.

What I plan on doing first is taking off all the sheet metal and wheels then sandblasting and repainting them with Kubota orange.

The rest of the plan is kind of up in the air, based on what kinda info I can find. If any of you have done resto jobs and have any advice lay it on me, I am thinking about how hard it would be to really pull her apart and repaint the engine/trans/diff/axles as well as regular checks to ensure hydraulic systems work as they should and regular engine maintenance.

Thanks for looking!

rpraymond · Dec 10, 2009

Since not many folks are restoring old Kubotas you might want to check the forums of sites like Unofficial Allis Home Page that deal with older tractors and restoration all the time. It's great that you want to save the old machine and you will find that people will appreciate it when it's finished. Some ideas for the main engine/frame;
Soda blasting will remove alot of crud without getting abrasives into places that can cause damage.
It's a good idea to replace as many seals and gaskets as you can while it's apart.
Plan on spending at least twice as long as you're planning.
Have a suitable workspace where you can walk away from it and it won't be in the way.
Good luck, hope some of this info helps and post pics as you go.

Couple of Achers · Dec 10, 2009

Glad to see I'm not the only one. It's hard to find others that are restoring Kubota's. I restored a 1973 L210 a few years ago now. I pulled off all the tins/seat/rims and tires/radiator/steering wheel/etc. Once you get all of that off the chassis, there isn't much left that isn't Kubota blue. What wasn't blue, such as the starter/generator/fan/etc. I painted with spray cans.
I did not want to sand blast the chassis since the sand gets into everything. So I spent weeks with degreasers, soap and water. At the end I was down to tooth brushes and dental pics. After that I wiped the entire chassis down with alcohol. Then everything I didn't want blue, I masked or covered with clothes or rags. Even the hoses and wires. A trick the painter gave me was to cover the hoses and wires with tin foil, not tape. Tape is impossible to remove. The tin foil is very easy to remove. Once it was ready we wheeled it into the spray booth and put it up on jack stands and pulled the wheels and tires. The next time I saw it, it was Kubota blue. It came out better then expected. The tins I did have sand blasted/primed and painted.
I was also surprised at how many of the part are still available from Kubota. Very few parts I needed where not available. Right down to the decal kit. If you have trouble finding the Kubota part numbers for the correct color of paint, I'm sure I can help you. I look forward to following your progress.

Randyj · Dec 10, 2009

Welcome!
Your M4500DT looks to be in very good condition! You should have a very easy restoration.

Thomas · Dec 10, 2009

Welcome to TBN.

Keep us updated,and tip of the hat to you keep yesterday iron alive.

Deano · Dec 10, 2009

That thing is freakin COOL lookin!!!!!

Deano

Ductape · Dec 10, 2009

Honestly..... a bunch of chrome lug nut covers and a chrome stack and i say its good to go !

BotaBigot · Dec 10, 2009

If you have a digital camera, take lots of pics as you disassemble, and bag hardware for each component. By the time you get around to putting it back together, you'll be older...

DmansPadge · Dec 10, 2009

Thats a big, mean looking tractor! Although I've yet to do a tractor restoration it is something I will do one of these days. It looks like you got a real good one to work with. Tons of knowledge on TBN and everybody is willing to help... so anything you run into just ask. Definitely keep this thread updated with progress and pictures.... a lot of us will enjoy following your work.

It looks like the hour meter shows 2716. Do you know if that is correct?

bota jim · Dec 10, 2009

cool project for sure. someone mentioned soda blasting. do yourself a favor and DO NOT soda blast. you cannot paint over sodablasted metal. the paint will peel off in sheets. its a long boring explanation but i am a custom painter and classic car restorer by trade and no paint company will warranty anything over a soda blasted surface anymore. its a big no no. it was the greatest thing to do a few years ago now half of the big resto shops across the country are out of business from failures.