suspected fuel problem

[ostereh]

Was tilling with my small Kubota diesel when it slowed down and stopped as if it had run out of fuel. But, there were still 2 or 3 inches of fuel in the tank. Tried restarting and it would start and then die immediately. Haven't changed the fuel filter since i got the tractor 4 years ago. So, I thought i would start there.

1. Is this a reasonable thing to do?
2. Will I need to bleed the lines and the injectors afterward or is there a way to avoid that?
3. If no way to avoid, please give refresher on bleeding the lines.

Thanks. This is pretty urgent. We're late planting our potatoes because of cool and wet weather and need to get them in the ground this weekend before I have to go back to my paying job Tuesday.
Fred (user name ostereh) at oster.fred@gmail.com

 

[JimBeard]

I have changed fuel filter never had to bleed lines after but would use this if i had too.
http://www.orangetractortalks.com/2008/11/how-to-bleed-kubota-fuelinjector-lines/

 

[ostereh]

Thanks, Jim. Hope I have the same experience you did and don't have to bleed lines. Fred

 

[284 International]

I think you're on the right track. Napa or the equivalent (Princess in Canada?) should have the filter, around 10 bucks usually, if the dealer isn't open Sundays. Bleeding the lines isn't very hard on any of the tractors I've worked on; it's not even a 10 minute job. Get those spuds in!