Kubota GL201 – GL301 – GL467 winterizing & storage
Winterizing and storing the Kubota GL201 – GL301 – GL467
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). These storage tips apply to the entire series.
Is your Kubota GL series tractor (GL201 through GL467) going into the shed for a while? A tractor that's properly stored will start up like a charm in spring – but one left sitting wet and full of old diesel spells trouble. In this blog, you'll read step by step how to winterize the GL201 and store it for an extended period, exactly as Kubota prescribes.
Step by step: storing the GL201
- Clean the tractor. Spray away mud and crop residue and let it dry thoroughly. Dirt traps moisture and causes rust.
- Change the engine oil and then let the engine run for 10–15 minutes so the fresh oil reaches everywhere. Old oil contains acids that cause damage during downtime.
- Fill the fuel tank completely. A full tank prevents condensation and rust on the inside.
- Grease all lubrication points and apply some grease to bare metal parts to prevent corrosion.
- Check the tire pressure (160 kPa front and rear) and top up if needed.
- Turn the fuel valve to OFF.
- Disconnect or charge the battery. Remove the battery or keep it topped up with a trickle charger; a flat battery freezes and degrades quickly.
- Take care of the cooling system. Drain the radiator, or check that there's enough antifreeze in it to prevent freezing.
- Lock the clutch pedal. Keep the pedal locked in the depressed position (the "U" position). This prevents the clutch plate from sticking during long periods of standstill.
- Store it dry and indoors, out of sun and rain, and cover it. Remove the key.
Why that clutch pedal is so important
It sounds like a minor detail, but it's worth remembering: on a tractor that sits idle for months, the clutch plate can rust to the flywheel. Keeping the pedal locked down keeps the plate and flywheel apart. If you forget this and the clutch is stuck, don't force it – you can read more about that situation in our blog on troubleshooting.
Putting it back into use in spring
At the start of the season, reconnect the battery, open the fuel valve, check all fluid levels and tire pressure, and let the engine warm up gently before getting to work. Time for a maintenance service? Combine putting it back into use with a filter and oil change according to the GL201 maintenance schedule.
