used L175

ehartner · Apr 8, 2000

I am looking into buying a used compact tractor, and found a 1980 Kubota L175 with turf tires, that seems to be in decent condition and runs good. It has 1750 hours on it and $3900.00 is being asked for it.

Is the L175 a good tractor and is $3900.00 a good price for it?

Thanks,
Eric Hartner

Bird · Apr 8, 2000

Eric, I'm not familiar with the L175. http://www.tractortips.com lists an L175F as only being made from 1973 to 1976 (and I have no idea how accurate their data is). In my part of the country, any halfway decent tractor will sell for $4,000. Everything I've seen for less was junk.

Bird

Muhammad · Apr 8, 2000

Eric,

The L175 is a solid machine in general. No known problems (that I have heard of) - stats I have are as follows: (subject to error, as always)

L175F 2WD - 1972-1978
Engine: Kubota 2-Cylinder Diesel
Cubic Inch Displacement: 45.3
Engine Horsepower: 17
Transmission: Gear Drive 8F/2R
Weight (lbs): 1870

L175DT 4WD - 1976-1978
Engine: Kubota 2-Cylinder Diesel
Cubic Inch Displacement: 45.3
Engine Horsepower: 17
Transmission: Gear Drive 8F/2R
Weight (lbs): 1960

1750 hours in 20 years is about 88 per year - not a lot. As for price, depending on condition, you might be able to say it is worth between $100 and $500 less than the asking price. Probably not much less, though.

Hope this helps,

>>Muhammad
Administrator

scruffy · Jul 8, 2000

I just purchased an L175 that matches the stats posted for the two wheel drive. It came with a loader and spreader box, aggressive ag tires on rear, and overall great condition with 792 hours on it. Total price was $1100. Now if I can just find the synchros for the reverse gear! Even though it does run well, and there are no other problems. BUT how do you tell the year? Or tell if it is not a grey market tractor?

scruffy · Jul 8, 2000

Forgot to add the only number I could find was on the transmission case and it was L1500-23916.

W5FL · Jul 8, 2000

You jest. I just got a 2000 model Kubota and it has synchronizers in all gears. Haven't heard a gear grind yet. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

scruffy · Jul 8, 2000

I wished I did jest! The reverse gear synchro's on this tractor have been 'flattened' by the previous owner not stopping prior to shoving it into reverse...thus flattening the synchros. I need to verify its year and whether or not it is a 'grey' prior to going further in the repair department. The tractor is in great condition otherwise, with a headlight switch shaft broken off, and the work light wiring hanging down and frayed badly. (I cut them off for now, and will rewire when I install lights on it) I walked it home from the neighbors (half mile) and it ran fine, with everything working as designed except for no reverse gears...just grinding when you attempt it. When I shut it off and shift to reverse, the gear doesn't slide up the shaft far enough to engage, although you can feel it in the gearshift lever when you start it back up...its almost there, but not quite. Which reminds me, I haven't found a way to shut this thing down gracefully! I have to put it in a higher range gear and ease out the clutch while braking it to kill the engine, not a preferrable way I know, but if I didn't, it would still be idling away out there!
Has anybody ever split one of these in half to repair a tranny?
Will the L175 handle a 48" tiller? When its up and running 100%, I would like to find a tiller for it. Used preferrably...cheaper!
Tractor has no rust (stored indoors until two years ago)no dents, looks good except for oxidized paint.

Edited by scruffy on 7/8/00 08:34 PM.

scruffy · Jul 8, 2000

If I can accomplish it, I will post a pic of the little jewel (maybe it will be anyway). I need a light switch, steering wheel, and seat cushing plus elbow grease to clean up (wax,etc) to make it look almost like a new one.

Edited by scruffy on 7/8/00 08:40 PM.

W5FL · Jul 8, 2000

Have you checked a shop manual. My 82 Model Massey didn't have a synchronizer for any gear on the tractor. You just had to push the clutch and wait and wait and wait to shift into reverse. If the forks are not pushing the gear far enough that is a different problem. The gear in line with reverse must move completely out of the way for the reverse gear to slide in place. Didn't realize Kubota had anything synchronized that far back.

No experience myself, but my dad split his John Deere by his self in his one car garage to replace the clutch. He will be 85 next month, so guess it can be done if you go about it correctly. Will be a lot cheaper to work on the transmission if you remove it than if they do.

I also never saw a tractor of that vintage that didn't have a cable (or some type of fuel cutoff) to cut off the diesel fuel to kill the engine.

Bird · Jul 8, 2000

scruffy, I agree with Wen. There's bound to be some kind of fuel shut off to kill the engine. On some tractors it's a separate lever or knob to pull out, on my 1995 B7100, when you pulled the throttle lever back to idle, there was a "stop" or detent, and you pulled back harder to pass that detent and shut it off.

Bird