Picked up Gray Market tractor today

[RD Gray]

Some of you may have seen this on craigslist Zen-Noh L1501DT needs engine work. I went and looked at it last week and another guy offered more than I did. The owner called the other day and offered it to me. The other guy couldn't or wouldn't get it. So I went and picked it up today. I don't really know what I have yet, needs cam and rods from what I read on the invoice. After reading about the Gray Market tractors I notice this one has stickers under the Zen Noh stickers. If I restore this tractor should I restore it like the original stickers under the Zen Noh stickers.
http://i954.photobucket.com/albums/ae28/rdlagray/L1501DT/edef845cac1dbc9c7c7607da8308b855.jpg
http://i954.photobucket.com/albums/ae28/rdlagray/L1501DT/0373063c0e244a1bb75478718af615e0.jpg
http://i954.photobucket.com/albums/ae28/rdlagray/L1501DT/360924a5d81cdf83616e6d2323c92783.jpg
http://i954.photobucket.com/albums/ae28/rdlagray/L1501DT/388057d9a066713844c796594108d146.jpg

 

[coachgeo]

What does the base sticker say?

 

[RD Gray]

 

[coachgeo]

In that case I'ld rebuild as a Kubota. Probably has a higher re-sell value that way. Does it so far seem to be Kubota OEM parts on it or cloned parts? If Kubota then rebuild as Kubota. If lots of clone parts making it honestly NOT kubota... then go with the other name.

BUTTT.. thats just my humble opinion. You folk now shiats more about tractors, values, the market etc... than I do.


PS- OT question, being new here... not complaining.... just questioning, why are some of my post being held back for approval while others are not? How long of a turn around time is expected on post needing approval? What about a new thread needing approval? Thanks

 

[Eric McCarthy]

Weather Zen-noh or Kubota either way its the same tractor a Kubota. Being that the base sticker is wirtten in Engrish {hehehe} I'd be willing to say its a North American model and not a grey import. Tractor Data has a L1501 listed in their group of tractor info.

 

[RD Gray]

In that case I'ld rebuild as a Kubota. Probably has a higher re-sell value that way. Does it so far seem to be Kubota OEM parts on it or cloned parts? If Kubota then rebuild as Kubota. If lots of clone parts making it honestly NOT kubota... then go with the other name.

BUTTT.. thats just my humble opinion. You folk now shiats more about tractors, values, the market etc... than I do.


PS- OT question, being new here... not complaining.... just questioning, why are some of my post being held back for approval while others are not? How long of a turn around time is expected on post needing approval? What about a new thread needing approval? Thanks

If I do restore it it would probably be with the Kubota stickers. I'm new here to never had a post held for approval.

 

[RD Gray]

Weather Zen-noh or Kubota either way its the same tractor a Kubota. Being that the base sticker is wirtten in Engrish {hehehe} I'd be willing to say its a North American model and not a grey import. Tractor Data has a L1501 listed in their group of tractor info.

Eric I was kind of wondering about those stickers being in English also. It has a lot of Japanese writing on it also as well as the metal Id tags anyone know what the PS 15 means on the tag.

The rear tires also say for Japan only.

 

[Big Kahuna]

ps is the symbol for pferdestärke, which is German for horsepower. The symbol ps is used in both the German and Japanese markets.

pferdestarke is the same as metric horsepower, or I should say ps is the symbol for metric horsepower.


Big Kahuna

Nice tractor, 4 wheel drive buddddddddddddddy.

 

[RD Gray]

Thanks Big Kahuna

 

[4x4toys]

Very nice looking tractor! I was watching that ad on Craigslist for a while. I was looking to borrow a trailer and go get it, never did find a trailer to borrow. I will be buying a trailer this weekend so I don't miss out on a sweet deal again.
I would restore that back to original Kubota if that were mine, Hope you are able to find the parts needed to put her back to good working order. Looks like the frame was repainted. Was it? How about the orange paint, is it original or repainted at some point?

Glad a member here grabbed it so we can keep track of her progress.

Well off to secure a trailer I found up in PA at a dealer. Hopefully the good Kubota deals are not all gone. LOL.

 

[RD Gray]

Very nice looking tractor! I was watching that ad on Craigslist for a while. I was looking to borrow a trailer and go get it, never did find a trailer to borrow. I will be buying a trailer this weekend so I don't miss out on a sweet deal again.
I would restore that back to original Kubota if that were mine, Hope you are able to find the parts needed to put her back to good working order. Looks like the frame was repainted. Was it? How about the orange paint, is it original or repainted at some point?

Glad a member here grabbed it so we can keep track of her progress.

Well off to secure a trailer I found up in PA at a dealer. Hopefully the good Kubota deals are not all gone. LOL.

It's all been painted atleast one time some areas I see a couple coats peeling. It will be next spring probably before I get started on it.

 

[RD Gray]

It's 100% Kubota, every nut bolt and washer.

It's 100% gray market and not a North American model.

It's 100% awesome!

Get going on rebuilding that top end chances are pretty good that the head was cracked due to overheating.

Re-badge as an L-185DT-the tire size, two extra PTO speeds and the fact that signal lights and horn were standard on the L-1501 and optional on the L-185 are the only differences.

Thanks Vic that's some good information to know.

 

[Davie]

well I noticed you asked about a l 1501 dt do you know the year of your tractor or do you have a picture of it , I have the same I think and would share what I have learned about mine

 

[bcp]

Google translate:

 

[85Hokie]

Rd,
if you dont mind me being nosey,
what did you end up paying for the ol' girl?