Project Dirtclod

Bonaro

Active member

Equipment
L275DL
Mar 30, 2017
103
28
28
Olympia, wa
I picked up a well abused mid 1980's L275 on Craigslist for $600. It came with a loader and a long list of major issues.
It had a huge water leak into the oil, rotten hoses, no wiring and a freaking boat wheel on one corner.
I split the tractor to get the front of the engine apart and found a pushed out freeze plug. After that it actually ran so I replaced all the hoses. I used it as is for a while then cracked a head. Found a new casting for $400 and fixed all that.
This thing is seriously ugly so now I am working on that.
Here are pics when I started. I will post more as I progress

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GreensvilleJay

Well-known member

Equipment
BX23-S,57 A-C D-14,58 A-C D-14, 57 A-C D-14,tiller,cults,Millcreek 25G spreader,
Apr 2, 2019
9,901
4,055
113
Greensville,Ontario,Canada
gee, 4 tires holding air and a loader... what's not to love !!!
and a STEAL for $600 !!!
dang just re-read ,, it RUNS !!!!
how do you sleep at night ????;)
 
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Bonaro

Active member

Equipment
L275DL
Mar 30, 2017
103
28
28
Olympia, wa
gee, 4 tires holding air and a loader... what's not to love !!!
and a STEAL for $600 !!!
dang just re-read ,, it RUNS !!!!
how do you sleep at night ????;)
Like a baby...
I figured I could part it out and 3x my money. The FEL is loose and the hoses were rotten (I still have a oily spot in my yard when I blew one under load) Found a great deal for hoses on eBay. I only have one small oil leak now
 
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Bonaro

Active member

Equipment
L275DL
Mar 30, 2017
103
28
28
Olympia, wa
That was the best use for that "ROPS"... I personally love the old look, old and beat to hell... just like me!
The homebrew ROPS is a little goofy but functional. The pic was me trying to wrestle the FEL onto the tractor without benefit of storage bars or any experience attaching one.
I also kinda like the rat rod look but it will be better when I am done. I will also score quite a few envy points on the neighbor with his new Kubota and monthly payment.

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SidecarFlip

Banned

Equipment
M9000HDCC3, M9000HD, Kubota GS850 Sidekick
Oct 28, 2018
7,197
546
83
USA
It is 2 things for certain... CHEAP and RATTY. Have fun, not for me.
 

SidecarFlip

Banned

Equipment
M9000HDCC3, M9000HD, Kubota GS850 Sidekick
Oct 28, 2018
7,197
546
83
USA
Did I mention I dont have a monthly payment?
I've NEVER had a monthly payment on either of my tractors nor the equipment. All paid for in CASH. Farm too. I don't do payments very well. Not part of my philosophy about life.
 
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bird dogger

Well-known member
Vendor Member

Equipment
Kubota B2650 and lots of other equipment
Feb 24, 2019
1,571
1,416
113
North Dakota
That's a great looking tractor as is! If only there was a way to time travel backwards and see all the work it had done to get looking as it does when you sto.... er bought it. :LOL: Having these pics of its present condition added to the ones when you're done fixin' will sure make for a great album and even greater stories!! Looking forward to the finished product. Great find!!
 

OrangeKrush

Well-known member

Equipment
BX2680, LA344 with Piranha tooth bar, LP PF 1242, LP Rear Blade, KK 60" BB
Nov 15, 2020
1,047
514
113
Indy
They haven’t changed much!😁
that thing is cool, but the coolest part about it is that quick tach/detach!😂.

No payment., most of us wish..
 

Bonaro

Active member

Equipment
L275DL
Mar 30, 2017
103
28
28
Olympia, wa
That's a great looking tractor as is! If only there was a way to time travel backwards and see all the work it had done to get looking as it does when you sto.... er bought it. :LOL: Having these pics of its present condition added to the ones when you're done fixin' will sure make for a great album and even greater stories!! Looking forward to the finished product. Great find!!
Yes, that would be interesting
To begin, I would like to know how the tie rod got a 8" bend in it
Next, I would want explanation behind taking a old bald boat trailer wheel, torching out the lug holes and running it on the front right.
Then I would ask why it still was using an air filter dated 1992

so many questions...
 
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Bonaro

Active member

Equipment
L275DL
Mar 30, 2017
103
28
28
Olympia, wa
Made a lot of progress...
Chassis is all painted, just need to touch up my drips
Got the fenders and seat back on. New seat and had to rebuild the mount
Decals are done, just waiting on 4x4 emblems.
Need to smear some more orange and then black on the ROPS, 3pt and loader frame.

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Reactions: 4 users

NCL4701

Well-known member

Equipment
L4701, T2290, WC68, grapple, BB1572, Farmi W50R, Howes 500, 16kW IMD gen, WG24
Apr 27, 2020
2,531
3,612
113
Central Piedmont, NC
Might still be cheap but the ratty is disappearing. Sweet!
 
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xrocketengineer

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
BX1880, FEL, Grapple, 36 in. Forks, 48in. MMM, Quick Spade, Ripper
Nov 14, 2020
689
568
93
Merritt Island, Florida
Good luck! Make sure that the blue smoke does not leak out when you put it back together. ;)
 
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