Help with Deciphering Kubota Part Numbers.

[Dan Tarnowski]

Hi, new member to the site and I'm wondering if there are any wizards out there who can decipher Kubota part numbers for me. The examples I am about to give are for an RCK60-B(A) mower deck I have owned for quite a while and a used RC72-30B deck I recently picked up. I was curious if I could simply take one deck off and replace with another. I initially compared various part numbers between the two decks and several of the lift components were different, but others are different part numbers, but physically, the parts appear to be identical.
Specific Example: RCK60-30B(A) the Bellville washers between the blade nut and blade. K5651-34350 Spring Plate.
RC72-30B, 76550-34350 Retainer, Blade.
They appear to be identical parts, yet they have different part numbers. In this instance the first series of numbers is vastly different, but the 2nd series is identical. I have found certain aftermarket sellers of this part that sells the same item for both part numbers, and claim they fit both models of deck.
My second example is the blade shaft. K5651-34550 for the RCK60-30B(A) and K5671-34550 for the RC72-30B.
Now the K5651-34550 is replaced by K5651-34540. This shaft appears to be physically identical to K5671-34550 for the RC72-30B, but the latter is over twice the cost!
I have several parts I'd like to compare and in many instances the 2nd set of 5 numbers is identical while there is usually a single digit change in the first series of numbers.
Is the first series somehow tied to a model and the 2nd series to the part?
I have always found there is a method to the madness of part numbering schemes used by the various manufactures. It's just a questions of figuring out what each digit/character in the various positions means.
Thanks in advance for the help.
Dan.

 

[lugbolt]

a lot of times there are differences that you do not see.

For instance, 2 parts laid side by side might appear identical, but they may have differences in their metallurgy. Or they may be slightly different color. Or maybe machined slightly different (fillet vs square step). Thread might be cut deeper or shallower. Or different thread. Case hardened vs annealed. 4130 vs 4340. Lots of potential differences, and kubota never really specifies unless they want dealer personnel to know the engineering and physical differences so that the dealer person can sell the part vs an older part or vs a competitor's part.

Sometimes an old part number may be listed on a website, but when dealer puts the old part number into Kubota's system, it substitutes to the new part number. Now that sub may be due to a physical change, OR it may be a vendor change. Or whatever. Again, the manufacturer knows why, often dealers don't.

yes there is a method to their numbering system. I used to know a lot more, but oftentimes a blade might be a ?-34340, with the ? being a 5 digit number which designated the original application for instance. 70000 is a fluid prefix, 70000-10100 is 30wt engine oil quart. OTOH, 70000-10101 is 30wt 1 gallon. 70000-10105 is 5 gallon 30wt. 70000-10005 is 5 gal 15w40 and 70000-10000 is 1qt 15w40.

I've forgotten a lot of Kubota numbers, and have learned a bunch of Polaris numbers lately. 2540085 2520799 1241048 7082101 etc etc. Similar to GM part numbering system. Ford and Yamaha have similarities and IMO are much easier to decipher. 65W part number prefix for Yamaha was what? It was a part originally designed for a 98- 4 stroke 25hp outboard. But that doesn't mean that a F25ESHX uses a 65W water pump impeller, it uses a water pump sourced from, a 40hp motor--6H4-44352-02-00. 6H4 was a prefix for an older 40hp outboard, 44352 is the part number for almsot all impellers, 02 is the second revision and the 00 is the color if there is one specified. 6C I think is Gray as I remember. Ford's is similar in their system. People oft get lost with both including my coworkers.

 

[mikester]

I use my phone and let the guy at the parts counter decipher the appropriate part numbers for my machines. One thing I like about my local K dealers is that they seem to stock all the parts I need or at worst it's only 1 or 2 days to get there.