Recent content by DSDispatch

Here is the regulator I'm messing with...

Ordered a different regulator with a slightly different part number, still says it is compatible with a L345DT. Same issue - not lighting the lamp circuit at dead-engine key on. No actuation power to the alternator, the f-post. Hmmm. Some web research indicates the Lamp and IG circuits can...

Has anyone put a new regulator on one of these tractors? The new regulator has the 6-pin connector, but also has an external blue wire. It will start fine, but the chg light never comes on and the alternator doesn't seem to be activated. Does this blue wire need to be on a 12v pos circuit...

Next, I went to work investigating why the tach gauge is not working. I replaced the cable a few weeks ago, but neglected to address this issue while the cooling system was off the tractor and the tach driver easily accessible. I removed the new cable from the back of the tach gauge and set it...

So I re-sheathed the wiring, repaired a few weathered connections, added new battery cables (thank you Amazon), replaced the alternator with a new one, and got the tractor running again. Good. However, this pesky error-light named "chg" keeps illuminating. Running or not, rpms high or low, the...

The hood isn't perfect, but it is functional, so with upgraded lights it's almost ready to go back on the tractor:

I think it's neat that some of the parts you could order from Messicks, or even your dealer, were put in a package many years ago and sat on the shelf for potentially many years. They're "new old stock". I ordered this left side cover. Note the faded labels and old-style packaging...

Wanted to get a better seal and would have used the "black" gasket maker, but high-temp was all I had on hand. Used a few q-tops to dab gasket maker in place. Careful not to get it on the center or near that hole. Directions indicate the need to hand tighten and then let sit for an hour...

With everything back together and tightened up it was time to fill the new radiator. In goes the coolant. Manual says 2 gallons. Once full, I noticed the thermostat housing was weeping fluid. I used a new gasket and cleaned the top and bottom of the thermostat housing, but apparently...

Here it is with a coat of that older Kubota blue And mounted with a set of Kubota 55lb suitcase weights:

We made a few adjustments, used some custom-calibrated washers to get it to hold steady, and welded all four portions on each side. I think it's beefier than stock and should hold the four weights just fine. Stay tuned for more updates as the cooing system is nearly back together.

From here we moved the 3/8" thick rectangle over to the press. Two 90 degree bends were placed at precise positions. Remember, calculate to four significant figures, measure with a tape, and cut with an axe. :-) Some adjustments were made on the fly. A test fit after bending revealed we...

Next, the fun begins! The bumper is made of 1/4" steel, but we didn't have any on hand, so 3/8" was used instead. The plate was loaded onto the table, the correct values were entered, and we were cutting! A few hisses of air, some splish-splash of water, a couple errant sparks and we had...

Friend with cool tools are a true blessing. They will usually cost you large sums of money as you gain exposure to smoother, faster, quieter ways of doing things. It is very important you buy the tools and continue the chain of education. Plus, you can restore more tractors! This is how the...

I couldn't find much info on the correct bolts to use, so took a few measurements and headed to the hardware store. I ended up using 3" long 1/2" carriage bolts. I ground down the edges a bit to make them fit the weights. Here you can see they don't quite fit: Judicious use of the grinder...