Picking up a nice little T1600 this weekend

[artfull dodger]

We are picking up a nice little T1600 this weekend. I know its not one of Kubota's best efforts, but I wanted both diesel power and small insize to better fit our small yard and the 2 that i mow for some extra income. I know of its weak points and the keep a sharp eye on the U joints and any bearing play in the HST pump. We nearly 30 years as a master tech for a L&G shop before I got hired at the local FCA auto plant(way better $$ and benefits), rebuilding anything is not a problem. We are looking to buy the optional snowblower or blade(prefer the snow chucker). I know they are rares as hens teeth. But if someone has a nice one taking up space and gathering dust that is somewhat close to Indian, please let me know. I would have loved to find a G4200 with the small deck and the uber rare 3pt hitch on it, but nothing to be had. Most older G's are beat to death and priced like gold in my area. So the smaller T series, which actually fits my yards I mow better, is what my wife and I am buying. Hopefully someone here knows of a snowblower or as a back up, the blade, that is for sale. Thanks Mike and Michele T

 

[artfull dodger]

Do they offer Gator blades for the mower deck on this model?

 

[artfull dodger]

Pic taken while we stopped for dinner at a Frische's Big Boy over in Dayton. First time towing since I put the 5 cylinder turbo diesel in my Wrangler as well. Took the back roads over to the sellers place in Ohio, ran the interstate on the way home. No problems at all. Now to start the rehab of the tractor and mower deck. Deck has the usual cracks and needs the gear box back lash set as he rebuilt it but didnt know how to shim to set the backlash. Just a tiny amount of play in the hydro pump input bearing, so while the deck is on the saw horses, I will drop the drive shaft, inspect the U joints and so forth. She has all new tires and the diesel has been professionaly overhauled. The owner before the seller owned a diesel rebuilding shop, so he had his guys overhaul the little engine a couple years ago. Has about 2 seasons use mowing 3 acres. Once rehabbed, she will have an easy life, I dont think the 3 yards I mow add up to even a half acre. Now I need the snowblower or a blade for it.

 

[artfull dodger]

And here is a cool decal that is on one side of the hood. Looks to have been there since the tractor was new.

 

[artfull dodger]

Here are some better pics after I cleaned it up. I do need to rebuild the left spindle, its howling like crazy. It came with the bearings and seals to do this repair. Runs excellent, HST is strong. Just need to get a rattle can of Kubota orange to respray the mower deck after all the welding I had to do, and some blue to touch up the engine. I also plan to replace the pull cable shut down with a new solonoid off ebay here shortly. Mike