Broken PTO cable... 230 hours.

[teg]

I knew it was going to happen to my L2800... I was just not sure when it was going to happen. Lucky for me, it broke at the very end of the wk/ed with my new (used) finish mower. I thought long and hard how to rig it up without buying a new cable... well, the 5 minutes did seem long enough.

Since the next time up to the farm, I had plans for digging holes (PHD) and chipping up some trees, I figured I would bite the bullet this time. I called and ordered a cable, quote was $43... I was busy at work so my wife picked it up... bill was $50 but it came with the new longer bracket... so I didn't mind it too much.

Since the worst part of changing it out was the lower cable connection and I figured, within another 250 +/- hours I may have to do this again... I removed the cover plate (see photo). I don't have plans to put it back on. This was a smart move and made tightening up the nuts easier.

It was a pretty quick job with very few cuss words... my dog was ready just in case. Best part about it, my PHD used to never shut off... I'm happy to say, the new cable works!!! Still need to oil the cable...

 

[Tractor Factor]

It was a pretty quick job with very few cuss words... my dog was ready just in case.

LMAO at your dog picture. Thanks for making my day!!

:laughing::laughing::laughing::laughing:

 

[Marcussen]

I knew it was going to happen to my L2800... I was just not sure when it was going to happen. Lucky for me, it broke at the very end of the wk/ed with my new (used) finish mower. I thought long and hard how to rig it up without buying a new cable... well, the 5 minutes did seem long enough.

Since the next time up to the farm, I had plans for digging holes (PHD) and chipping up some trees, I figured I would bite the bullet this time. I called and ordered a cable, quote was $43... I was busy at work so my wife picked it up... bill was $50 but it came with the new longer bracket... so I didn't mind it too much.

Since the worst part of changing it out was the lower cable connection and I figured, within another 250 +/- hours I may have to do this again... I removed the cover plate (see photo). I don't have plans to put it back on. This was a smart move and made tightening up the nuts easier.

It was a pretty quick job with very few cuss words... my dog was ready just in case. Best part about it, my PHD used to never shut off... I'm happy to say, the new cable works!!! Still need to oil the cable...

Mine got stuck again today, this time the PTO would not disengage. the cable has been replaced 3 times already for the same problem. Last time the bracket was also replaced. This is a safety issue poorly handled by Kubota.
For the record the cable got stuck at 48 hours, 100 hours and 200 (approximately), replaced by the dealer each time. but now with 348 hours it is no longer in warranty.

 

[TripleR]

That dog with the ear muffs cracked me up and I am not easily amused; funny stuff, thanks.

 

[teg]

..Last time the bracket was also replaced. This is a safety issue poorly handled by Kubota...

I fully agree that kubota is letting a serious safety issue be ignored. I sure hope NO one is going to be injured too badly.

Has anyone with the new bracket had their cable fail??? I really don't feel like buying a new cable every couple hundred hours Just want to know if the new bracket is going to work... Teg

Posted this photo before... Golden's are not the smartest dogs around but they sure are cute... this is what happens if you put a treat on the farside of the block.

 

[teg]

I sure hope no one is going to be injured too badly!!!

Just checking to see if anyone would catch that ...not, Thanks for the heads up. Personally, I turn the tractor off anytime I hook up or remove the PTO shaft.

 

[Rockyridge]

I have found that when disengaging the PTO (cable is pushing, not pulling) it helps to move it slowly. It seems moving it slower allows the spring to pull the cable and disengage the PTO. Moving it fast bends the cable before the spring can pull it. Once it gets bent the spring can稚 pull it down. Since I have been moving it slowly I have not had any problems with disengaging the PTO, even in cold climate.
I did have the cable replaced once but I don稚 know if they upgraded it a newer style though.

Has anyone else had any success with this?

 

[teg]

I assume everyone uses the clutch to disengaging the PTO (???) I hit the clutch and move the lever to the off position (rather quickly as to have it not make the rachet noise).

 

[Marcussen]

I fully agree that kubota is letting a serious safety issue be ignored. I sure hope NO one is going to be injured too badly.

Has anyone with the new bracket had their cable fail??? I really don't feel like buying a new cable every couple hundred hours Just want to know if the new bracket is going to work... Teg

Posted this photo before... Golden's are not the smartest dogs around but they sure are cute... this is what happens if you put a treat on the farside of the block.

Mine has the new bracket replaced last time the cable failed and now the cable is failing again. Moving the lever slowly helps, I also always use the clutch before engaging or disengaging the PTO.
But I am not the only one using the tractor the wife, daughter and son in law also use it. I can figure the PTO issue but there really should not be any "figuring out" to this. For the first time I told coworker NOT to buy a Kubota if this is their idea of safety.

 

[teg]

So, leaving the cover off was not a bad idea since there's not doubt I'll be at it again ...and again. I did notice that when I engaged the PTO by hand, the spring was really weak and it did not retract worth a hoot. I lubed it up a little bit with WD40 - really need to get some Fluid Film... and work on another method to engage/disengage it or maybe add another spring to help it retract. Open to ideas!!!

My guess is that kubota knows about it since I don't think I was charged for the bracket that came with the cable.