Kubota's, anyone have opinions on these?

[graham]

KuBOTA V-1902, found a boat with this engine, anyone have thoughts on them?

[Jan]

I'm not familiar with the model of Kubota that you reference.
We have a Nanni Kubota, circa 1985, 30 hp, 4 cyl. We debated
about replacing it with a new Yanmar, but after we finally located the marinized parts, our diesel mechanic told us that the old Kubota would probably run forever. He thought it was a much
more durable diesel than the newer ones. I have no frame of reference myself, but we're happy with the Nanni Kubota.

Also, we live in the Midwest & Kubota orange tractors are everywhere!

If you have specific questions that are related, let me know!

Jan

[irwinsailor]

I do not have a Kubota (yet) but I will be buying a Beta marine genset that uses the Kubota engine. Everything that I hear about the Kubota tractors is very positive. The marine engines are the same as the tractors. Find a Kubota tractor dealer in your area and see what you can find out.

[messiahtron]

I've recently installed a Beta Marine diesel (13hp)
on my Ericson 29 and I love it. I've only heard
positive things about Kubota engines.

[Troubledour]

I have a neighbor that has a Kubota engine in his tractor, he uses mine more often than not. I've thus far refused to even wander over there & have a look at it but I suspect his problem is as much his own incompetence as a mechanic as anything else.

Not worth much, but I thought I'd throw that in the pot.

Troubledour

[delmarrey]

We have 4 of the L35's that come in and out of the shop here. The motors seem to be about average but the tractor could use a little more engineering. The hydraulic oil runs through the tranny and get real dirty, not good for the pump. And they have trouble sending us the right parts.

[Troubledour]

Off thread, but I'll pass that on to Neighbor Ted, thanks.

Troubledour

[st anna]

We have a nanni 50 Hp, which is the same as a kubota. We have had no trouble and dont expect - Have heard that regular services and oil changes are absolutely necessary with them though - cant stretch it

cheers,
David and Bren

[anniej]

I'm a great fan of the Kubota engine. (Japanese manufacture, marinised by Beta Marine UK, Nanni FR, + others) We fitted a 28hp Beta in our 32ft Westerley Fulmar in place of a clapped out Volvo 2002. Done 120hrs so far no problems. Smooth, easy starting. All service items easily accessible from rear of engine. Very good service from Beta (heard nothing but good about them). World-wide network (www.betamarine.co.uk). Kubota engines are universally used in tractors, excavators etc so basic engine parts should be easily & cheaply available. My previous boat had a 12hp Kubota & I got a replacement starter motor ex-stock from my local farm dealer.
Richard (Annie J)

[DennisRyan]

Catalina sells a lot of boats with a "Universal" engine - it's just a marinized Kabota engine.
Very reliable, though.

[Compass790]

Dont know that particular kubota but it is in a bobcat 743 so maybe ask a bobcat mechanic his opinion. Then the quality of the marinisation is the next question.
In general the kubota owners in our marina seem happy & the parts are much cheaper than yanmar, Volvo, Bukh to name some.

[jimbunyard]

Not sure how relevant this is in a 17 year old thread, but the V1902 is the base engine for the Westerbeke M50, available from 1982 - 1997, and probably other marinizers used it as well.