Compact Tractor Servicing - part 1

Often when speaking to customers Masterco get asked about servicing “Grey Import” Japanese compacts. It seems many people feel that you can’t get service parts for these tractors.  There are no problems with parts although it’s not always best to run off down to your local Kubota Dealer. I recently meet a chap who was charged £14.50 for an Oil filter by his local dealer! I buy them in for about £4.00.....

This is how we service a tractor............ Grey or Not!

Engine.

 There are normally 3 filters to deal with here. Oil, Air and Diesel. Many different Japanese tractors use the same filter. Often Shibaura and Iseki use the same unit and some Yanmar filters will also fit Kubota.

Oil and Filter.

If we know the correct filter number it’s easy to swap. If not we remove the original filter and cross reference to MANN filters. If the numbers don’t work you can measure the filter and find a unit.   If you go to a motor parts factor with your original filter they will often find something compatible for you.

Once you filter is sorted you will need between 2 and 4 litres of engine oil. I use Total 15 w 40 Multiagri oil. However any equivalent should be fine. We always use a mineral oil.

Air filter.

Virtually all tractors have a cleanable air filter. You will often find the cleaning instruction on a label on the filter. Various methods can be used to clean the filter. Sometimes just a good tap on the front tyre is enough. Or use an air line to blow the dust out. It’s also possible to wash the filter in warm soapy water and allow to dry.

Diesel filters.

Most tractors have a clear bowl with a filter element inside. These elements come in different sizes and are quite cheap to buy. (Often on eBay for a few pounds they are easy to change and worth doing.) If very blocked, the engine may stall or lack power. As a “keep you going “measure filters can be washed in soapy water and reused, but it’s not the best thing to do long term. Some Kubota’s and Hinomoto use a screw on canister filter - these are available from Mann filters who in their parts book actually list Kubota Fuel Filter - so it is easy enough to get. The only thing to note is that you may get air in the system when changing a filter and therefore you will need to bleed or purge the air. I will deal with this in my next article.

In the meantime, feel free to contact Masterco Compact Tractors if you need any Compact Tractor help or advice.