Kubota Power??

[n5ama]

There is a 28' sailboat powered by a 18hp Kubota tractor engine. I'm not sure of the mating technique used to mate this engine to the original Yanmar. Obviously there is a way. The motor mounts were probably the easiest part of the conversion.

The owner states it works just fine and parts cost 1/4 the Yanmar stuff. I just wonder how a farm engine holds up to salt water cooling and breathing environment.

Does this give anyone on this forum the heebies?

[Uncle Bob]

Originally Posted by n5ama

There is a 28' sailboat powered by a 18hp Kubota tractor engine. I'm not sure of the mating technique used to mate this engine to the original Yanmar. Obviously there is a way. The motor mounts were probably the easiest part of the conversion.

The owner states it works just fine and parts cost 1/4 the Yanmar stuff. I just wonder how a farm engine holds up to salt water cooling and breathing environment.

Does this give anyone on this forum the heebies?

Not at all, there are thousands of Kubota engine conversions around the world working tirelessly. I would rather have a proven motor that is widely used in industry and agriculture than a marine specific one. (if there are still any marine specific engines made )

[slug]

Kubota has a good reputation

The marinization could be an issue

[kenbo]

You didn't mention if the Kubota was fresh or raw water cooled. If fresh, it'll run for a very long time with proper maintenance. And all the marinization parts are readily available. I could build that engine brand new for about 4500 to 5000 USD.

[Reefmagnet]

Kubota engines that are marinised use a heat exchanger; no salt water should be flowing through it's veins! Betamarine uses Kubota engines and they enjoy a good reputation.

[Snore]

Hmm. The Universal 5424 is a 24 HP Kubota. Mine is about 40 years old. I regularly change the oil, keep the cooling system working well and generally let her know she is loved.

[n5ama]

The owner states it uses a marine universal sea water cooling system. I'm not real sure what this means other than raw seawater cooling??

[jimbunyard]

"Marine universal sea water cooling system" means nothing at all, since there is no such animal.

If the owner can't give you basic factual information (which in itself might be heebie-inducing), and you can't visit the boat, we at least need clear comprehensive pictures to give even a guess if using a Kubota tractor motor, whether self or factory-marinized, "gives anyone the heebies".

[n5ama]

I agree totally. I can visit the boat. The Kubota issue was just one of the things I wanted to research. I am considering purchase but have to get several issues answered before going forward.

I plan to have the standing rigging replaced and possibly the chain plates etc if needed.

Are there retro fit heat exchangers available? If so, who might have them? I'm assuming the same thru hulls that are currently being used on the Kubota could be used for a heat exchanger.

This might not be the boat for me but I'm willing to give it a try. Thanks for the insight and guidance provided here.

Tom

[kenbo]

A UK company, Thermex, makes the exhaust manifold/heat exchanger for Kubota engines. ASAP Supplies also in the UK is a distributor. Safest way to order is to have the full Kubota model/ serial number and an exhaust gasket.

[er9]

Originally Posted by jimbunyard

"Marine universal sea water cooling system" means nothing at all, since there is no such animal.

If the owner can't give you basic factual information (which in itself might be heebie-inducing), and you can't visit the boat, we at least need clear comprehensive pictures to give even a guess if using a Kubota tractor motor, whether self or factory-marinized, "gives anyone the heebies".

Maybe he means it has a Universal Engines cooling system? Universal engines were marinized Kubota's. My Kubota engine was sold as a Universal Engines model 5432. Could possibly mean it has a Universal Engine heat exchanger? Pics would be helpful I guess.

Im wondering if the OP misunderstood or didn't understand what the owner was saying. Maybe the owner simply re-powered from a Yanmar to a Kubota engine and was bragging about how the Kubota was a better and cheaper to fix tractor engine and mislead the OP into thinking he had a franken-engine?

[SV__Grace]

We love our Beta Marine re-power and had one on a previous boat as well. Beta marinizes a Kubota block and has dealers/installers in the U.S. and U.K. that a cursory search will find (I don't see other countries in my search). I also have a NextGen generator, which is Kubota as well.

Here's a link to my review Beta? What's a Beta?, which is the question I asked when I first heard about this engine.

I've had Yanmar, Ford, and Volvo marine diesel engines and prefer the Beta (Kubota) by far.

One cool feature is that the oil and fuel filters can be placed wherever you want. My first boat with a Beta engine was a traditional companionway access setup and the water pump, alternator, fuel filter, and oil filter were all right up front for easy access and maintenance. On my current boat engine access is on the side, so the water pump impeller is not as convenient.

On our current boat we removed a huge Ford Lehman 90hp that filled up the engine room and replaced with a Beta 85 that is 2/3 the size, without a noticeable loss of power.

I don't understand why anyone would question using a tractor engine, as commercial applications have to be powerful and reliable. I would think that is a GOOD thing.

Quiet, powerful, reliable, easy to maintain, affordable, easy to install, what's not to love?

[darylat8750]

I suspect it is just a communication issue. Ask to see the paperwork on the engine . It is likely that it is a Universal branded marine conversion that uses the Kubota engine. 1000s of them out on the water. Good reputation.

[kenbo]

I agree, the Kubota is a tough, dead simple engine that meets all current emission guidelines without using common rail injection and computer control. Plus, looked at the torque curve of most of their engines, the grunt comes on early and lasts through the mid band.

My second choice for "franken" build ( I dislike that term since it infers a substandard end product) is Mitsubishi industrial engines.

All the marinization parts are available for both engines as well as reduction gear adapter plates for the major brands.

[Cheechako]

Originally Posted by n5ama

I agree totally. I can visit the boat. The Kubota issue was just one of the things I wanted to research. I am considering purchase but have to get several issues answered before going forward.

I plan to have the standing rigging replaced and possibly the chain plates etc if needed.

Are there retro fit heat exchangers available? If so, who might have them? I'm assuming the same thru hulls that are currently being used on the Kubota could be used for a heat exchanger.

This might not be the boat for me but I'm willing to give it a try. Thanks for the insight and guidance provided here.

Tom

It may have a fresh/salt system now. Both systems use salt water, Raw Water Cooling goes directly through the engine, Fresh Water Cooling routes the salt water through a heat exchanger which cools the anti freeze that circulates through the engine. Hard to say, but easily determined with a picture of the engine. There are all kinds of universal heat exchangers out there, they don't have to be mounted on the engine at all.