New to me G5200

[300zx]

My son and I have been into the B series Kubota's for a while and used Wheel Horses for the lighter work. My 9 year old grandson decided recently that he would like to have a Kubota garden tractor. We have been looking for a while, and yesterday we pickup a 1980 G5200 with 1600 hours. It is the 14 hp 3 cylinder diesel and so far I am really impressed with it. We stripped off some of the tin work and fiberglass fenders yesterday to give it a bath. The pump and transmission were coated with about an inch of oil soaked debris. It does have the optional 3 point hitch and hydraulic lift which is something we wanted. The deck lift is mechanical. Things we need to fix: two holes in the 48" deck, the mechanical lift has a tooth broken, some grease fittings are frozen, replace the metal seat that is cracked, remove dents in the hood (or replace) and some cosmetics. If anyone has any suggestions on anything else we should checkout, let us know. We could use a another hood and mower deck skin if someone has them laying around.

John in VA

 

[Big Kahuna]

They made G5200's from 1984 to 1994, so it would not be a 1980, it should be a blue framed early model since it has the 3 point hitch as the G6200 was the only one to get the 3 point as standard equipment.
You can still get a new mower deck for them at about $ 2,000.
They are great mowing tractors, just keep the steering sector lubed, they tend to wear out. Mom has my G5200 a 1994 model, great machine.


Big Kahuna

 

[efharg]

They are real work horses for the size. I had a G6200 a few years ago, and I recently finished a complete restore on a G4200. The steering gear usually shows the most wear, but can easily be rebuilt by replacing 3 brass bushings as long as the gears are not damaged. All of the ones I have seen will usually have some cracks in the fiberglass, but that can easily be repaired. The decks are prone to rusting out if they have been left outside. I took mine completely apart, sandblasted it and welded up a couple of rust holes, took the spindles apart, cleaned and repacked the bearings with new seals, installed new blades and belt, and it mows like new. The little 4200 only has the 2 cylinder, 12 HP motor but yesterday I mowed 2 acres of 12 inch tall grass without any problems.

 

[300zx]

Big Kahuna, you are right, it isn't a 1980. I have the original bill of sale and I thought it listed the date, but it didn't. I had read it wrong. When ever it was purchased, the price was $7800 for the tractor and $1600 for the mower. The serial number is 31977, but I haven't found any reference between the year and serial number.

efharg, I will probably take the same approach on the mower deck. Mechanically it is sound. The gear box was loose and missing two hold down bolts. We had to heat the ones holding it down to the deck to get them out and finally had success. I think a tear down, sand blasting and welding sheet metal into the rusted areas will put the deck back in a good sound condition.

The steering shaft bushings probably need to be replaced, but we will put that off until we are ready to do some restoration on the tractor. We were fortunate that the fiber glass fender pan is in good shape. The hood is really dented in, so I will be looking for another one before the restoration.

Here are some pictures of the project and a happy Grandson:

https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/110263893958737890068/albums/5934604757521433313

John in VA

 

[lsmurphy]

Your album is private.

 

[300zx]

Your album is private.

Sorry about that, it should be fixed.

John in VA

 

[Apogee]

Still not fixed...

 

[300zx]

Still not fixed...

Well, hopefully, the third time is the charm! The new Google+ had me fooled.

John in VA

 

[Profnohair]

They made G5200's from 1984 to 1994, so it would not be a 1980, it should be a blue framed early model since it has the 3 point hitch as the G6200 was the only one to get the 3 point as standard equipment.
You can still get a new mower deck for them at about $ 2,000.
They are great mowing tractors, just keep the steering sector lubed, they tend to wear out. Mom has my G5200 a 1994 model, great machine.


Big Kahuna

I have to disagree with you on the 3 point being standard equipment. I have a 6200 and there is and never was a 3 point on it. It is listed as an option on the Kubota parts site.

 

[Big Kahuna]

I am 100% wrong about 3 point lift and hydrualics, for some reason the 6200 that are around here had them, I think it was a dealer preference.


Big Kahuna

 

[300zx]

I found a hood locally! Really a surprise and it was for a B5200, so the decals are right. Everything is in good shape on the tractor now and it is ready for delivery to my Grandson tomorrow.

The mower deck is another issue. It is torn down and ready to be sand blasted. Then the process of cutting out the two bad areas and welding in some 1/8 sheet metal. Once that is done, it will be ready for paint and reassembly. He probably won't need it until next season anyway.

John in VA

 

[Big Kahuna]

Great when you find what you need, at a fraction of the cost.

Big Kahuna