1976–1985 Kubota L185, L235, L245, L275, L285, L295, L305, L345, L355 Tractor Shop Manual

This shop manual covers 1976–1985 Kubota L185, L235, L245, L275, L285, L295, L305, L345, and L355 tractors. Its model-by-model paragraph index directs readers to the applicable service procedures and component arrangements.

PDF Search, Bookmarks, and Diagram Detail

Search and illustration detail: The PDF has searchable body text and embedded bookmarks for the index and major service sections. Some wiring labels are not searchable. Small wiring labels require zooming, and some L285 wire codes remain indistinct. The L235/L275/L355 water-pump illustration also has faint detail.

One printable English PDF contains 62 pages, including the two-page paragraph index. Printed page 6, a continuation of the Condensed Service Data section, is missing.

Engine, Driveline, and Hydraulic Service

These selected service topics are part of a broader manual that also covers fan-shaft service and hydraulic-filter maintenance.

• Engine repair: Engine removal, cylinder-head service, valve timing, piston and ring inspection, dry cylinder sleeves, crankshaft bearings, and oil-pump checks.

• Diesel fuel system: Bosch K-type injection-pump timing and removal, governor linkage adjustment, injector-nozzle testing and overhaul, and glow-plug checks.

• Cooling system: Radiator removal, thermostat testing, water-pump overhaul on applicable models, and the L185’s natural-circulation cooling arrangement.

• Electrical diagnosis: Alternator and regulator tests, starter-motor and magnetic-switch checks, component overhaul information, and model-specific wiring diagrams.

• Clutches and transmissions: Single- and dual-plate clutch service, front and rear transmission overhaul, mechanical-shuttle adjustments, and L355 hydraulic-shuttle testing and repair.

• Axles, brakes, and PTO: Front-wheel-drive outer assemblies, transfer cases, differential setup, final drives, brake overhaul, and PTO overrunning-clutch service.

• Steering and hydraulics: Manual, integral, and booster steering systems; pump tests; hydraulic-valve repair; and rockshaft housing and lift-cylinder overhaul.

The overhaul work is suited to mechanics and experienced owners familiar with tractor splitting, precision measurement, and hydraulic testing; injection-equipment calibration requires specialized equipment and training.

Engine Overhaul and Fuel-System Limits

Cylinder-head service includes piston-to-head clearance checks, shim selection, valve-seat inspection, and compression-release adjustment. Timing-gear alignment drawings distinguish the arrangements used by the covered engines, while bearing and cylinder-sleeve sections provide inspection limits and replacement information.

The manual warns that inserting a feeler gauge to check valve clearance with the engine running can cause severe damage because of the close valve-to-piston clearance.

Fuel-system coverage includes bleeding, injection-pump timing, governor service, and nozzle opening-pressure, leakage, and spray-pattern tests. Pump disassembly is limited to the work described; recalibration and injector resetting require the proper specifications, equipment, and training.

Clutch Tools and Shuttle Transmission Service

Step-by-step procedures cover tractor splitting, clutch disassembly, front-wheel-drive outer-drive overhaul, and power-steering booster rebuilding. Dual-plate clutch work references clutch tool 07916-90050; L355 shuttle-clutch work references spring-compression tool 07916-52071.

L235 and L275 transmission sections include mechanical-shuttle reverse-lockout adjustment. The L355 section covers shuttle-control-valve overhaul, separate clutch and lubrication pressure checks, and forward and reverse clutch-pack service. Its pressure-port illustration identifies the individual test connections.

Differentials, Final Drives, and Brakes

Differential service combines bearing-preload checks, dial-indicator backlash measurement, and gear-tooth contact patterns. Together, these references support checking both gear clearance and mesh position during reassembly.

Final-drive procedures distinguish the model-specific axle and bearing arrangements. Brake coverage separates the L285’s external dry drum-and-shoe assembly from the internal wet disc brakes used on the other covered models. PTO sections distinguish sprag and spring-loaded cam overrunning clutches.

Steering and Hydraulic Fault Diagnosis

Exploded booster-unit views and steering inspection specifications accompany the steering overhaul procedures. Hydraulic troubleshooting connects hitch lifting, lowering, and load-holding symptoms with possible pump, valve, seal, and linkage faults, helping mechanics select the relevant tests before dismantling components.

The position-control-valve cross section explains the unloading, drop-check, and poppet-valve functions. Rockshaft and lift-cylinder drawings show the associated seals and assembly relationships.

The isolated-pump pressure-test arrangement bypasses the normal relief valve; excessive restriction during this test can damage the pump.

Always ensure heavy machinery is properly supported and hydraulic pressure is fully relieved before beginning mechanical work to prevent severe injury.

Cooling and Electrical Configuration Details

The L185 uses natural coolant circulation without a water pump or thermostat. The other covered models have pump-circulated cooling, with thermostat checks and water-pump removal and overhaul procedures.

Electrical sections provide rotor, stator, diode, brush, regulator, and starter checks. Separate wiring diagrams cover L285; L235/L275; L355; L185/L245; and L295/L305/L345, including lighting, charging, starting, and glow-plug circuits.

Selected Injection, Valve, and Glow-Plug Specifications

The injection-pump timing section specifies the start of injection at 25° BTDC for all covered models.

For cylinder-head inspection, valve-face recession below the head surface is specified at 1.1–1.3 mm, with 1.6 mm as the maximum allowable recession. The glow-plug test gives approximately 1.5 ohms between the plug terminal and body with the wiring disconnected, alongside short- and open-circuit checks.