Kubota GL201 – GL301 – GL467 starting & operating
Kubota GL201 – GL301 – GL467 starting and operating: step by step
Suitable for the entire Kubota GL series: GL201, GL221, GL241, GL261, GL277, GL281, GL301, GL321, GL337, GL367, GL417 and GL467 (also known as the Hinomoto NX series). Operation is virtually the same across the whole series.
Just bought a Kubota GL series tractor (GL201 through GL467), or no longer quite sure how to start it properly? In this blog I'll walk you through the starting and operating procedure step by step – from cold starting with the glow plugs to driving off safely and stopping. Do it by the book, and you'll save the engine, the clutch, and yourself a lot of trouble.
Before you start: the daily check
Before every workday, quickly check your tractor: engine oil level, coolant, fuel, tyre pressure (160 kPa front and rear), and whether anything is leaking underneath the machine. A one-minute daily check prevents most breakdowns on the job. Put the gear lever in neutral and make sure the PTO is disengaged.
Starting the engine cold
The GL201 has a diesel engine with glow plugs for cold starting. The procedure is:
- Sit down in the seat (some versions have a seat safety switch) and press the clutch pedal down.
- Set the throttle lever to about a third.
- Turn the key to the pre-glow position and wait until the glow indicator light shows the glow plugs are warmed up.
- Turn the key further to the start position. Release it immediately once the engine is running – never keep cranking for more than a few seconds.
- Let the engine warm up gently before putting it under load, especially in winter.
Don't start the engine at full throttle straight away, and avoid heavy work until it has reached operating temperature. If it starts poorly when cold, the glow plugs are often the culprit – more on that in our blog about troubleshooting the GL201.
Driving off and shifting gears
The GL201 has a constant-mesh transmission with 16 gears and a continuous range from 0.22 to 14.67 km/h. Fully depress the clutch pedal, select your gear, and let the clutch out smoothly while applying throttle. Always shift with the tractor (nearly) stationary – constant-mesh transmissions don't shift smoothly under load. Engage four-wheel drive for extra grip on soft or slippery ground, and disengage it again on paved roads to reduce wear and stiffness.
Stopping safely
After heavy work, let the engine idle for a moment to cool down first. Disengage the PTO, put the gear lever in neutral, lower any attached implements to the ground, apply the handbrake, and switch off the engine. Remove the key. On slopes, secure the tractor extra firmly.
