Kubota tractor acting sluggish?

[Southknox13]

I have a Kubota B7300 tractor that recently came into my possession. First tractor I've owned and i'm not the most mechanically inclined person, so keep that in mind.

The tractor has a mowing deck and I recently bought a 4ft bushhog for the back of it. My problem is that the tractor keeps getting bogged down and sluggish with both the bushhog and the mowing deck. It seems unpredicatble, sometimes it happens in heavy grass, sometimes in not so heavy grass. Sometimes going up a hill, sometimes on the flats...it just feels like it gets bogged down and will shut down, forcing me to restart it. Sometimes, after running it for a bit, it fails to even start, like its getting overheated or something.

I've checked the oil and air filter and they both seem fine, so I'm wondering what else to check? Am I simply working it too hard? The pasture that I'm bushhogging is overgrown, but it doesnt seem like it should be too much for this tractor.

Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.

[ninny]

Check your fuel filter.

.

[fordy]

.............I'd replace the air filter as well ! Might want to do an oil change while your at it . Add some diesel fuel treatment to the tank ! , fordy

[Ozarks Tom]

First thing I thought of when I read the post, not breathing right. I had a machine that had a "micro" filter inside the regular air filter. Every hill it seemed like it was choking down. Changed filters, no more problem.

[TnAndy]

I'd lean toward lack of fuel. Change the fuel filter, use fresh diesel.

That said, it's ONLY a 16hp tractor (12hp PTO).....don't expect too much out of it. Slow your speed down in heavy stuff. Sharpen blades.

My 41hp Yanmar tends to bog running uphill in heavy grass with a 5' bush hog......I have to drop from mid-range 3-4 to MR 1 often.

[carbon]

Did I read right that you are running the belly mower and the bush hog at the same time? If so only run one at a time that tractor does not have the power to run both at the same time. I would go over with the bush hog slowly once then if you so desire to finish mow it go back over with the belly mower.

[idigbeets]

I agree, I read this as running both mowers at the same time. That's a lot to ask of a sub-compact. Try running just the bushog and see how you get on.

[TnAndy]

OK, went back and re-read the OP. IF you're trying to run both at the same time, THAT is your problem. A 16hp tractor simply isn't enough tractor to do that. Run one or the other.

[Ross]

Agree one at a time but it should still restart after stalling fuel filtre is likely plugged and there may be an screen in the tank too.

[agmantoo]

The restarting issue IMO is from cavitation at the injector pump due to the fuel filter restriction. The sluggish problem is from the engine being overloaded coupled with inadequate fuel supply caused by the fuel filter. Change the fuel filter and as stated above run only the rotary cutter and not the belly mower. Position the rotary cutter to where the front of the rotarty cutter is slightly lower that the back side of the rotary cutter. A level or slightly tilted upward at the front rotary mower is a harder load on the tractor. Have the blades sharp also.

[Darren]

If your Kubota has a hydrostatic drive

you need to let up on the pedal rather than shoving it down when it starts to bog. Pushing the pedal down increases travel speed at a point when you need to back off. Keep in mind engine speed is constant with the caveat you could increase that by adjusting the thottle. Dropping to the lower gear range will also help.