L39 Electrical fire, bad, but could have been total loss.

[mike69440]

TBN should have a section, Kubota Owning but NOT operating:

My wife awoke early Sunday Morning and notice that my 2005 Kubota L39 with 1,610 hours was on fire parked in the back property our farm.

I quickly tossed on some pants, jacket and boots, and grabbed a 10lb ABC fire extinguisher. My wife call the fire department, who responded within 10 minutes.

The fire was electrical, consuming the entire control consol/instrument panel and several other surrounding items. Luckily, the rear tire had just started to burn and was able to be extinguished. The tractor had been parked over 2 days, Ignition was off. About 3 of rain had fallen in the last 36 hours. Tractors are designed to withstand continuous exposure to the elements. Apparently not so in this case.

To be safe, I de-energized the tractor by removing the battery.


A quick inspection indicated the following have been destroyed:

Instrument and control panel
Instrument control support bracket
All wiring harness to instrument panel
The seat belt
The arm rest
The PTO Engagement Lever
The Draft Control Lever
The handle assembly to the loader joystick, which is also equipped with front remote switches to operate grapple and snow plow.
The grey metal cover to the Glide Shift transmission and all labeling is severely damaged. I suspect beyond repair.
The rear right fender is badly burned with a large puddle of well adhered plastic melted over it. It needs either a lot of body work & paint or replacement.

The shift lever and throttle appear ok.

Very minor damage to the seat and roof.

I plan to haul the tractor to a point where it can be loaded on a flatbed truck with my excavator, as the tractor is not accessible by an on road vehicle.

I expect to have MB tractor in Tilton NH make the repairs. I also want inspection and input form a Kubota factory representative, as this a is quite abnormal occurrence.

I'm reading my homeowners policy and will be on phone first thing in morning. I will post the outcome.

The deputy fire chief (day job happens to be a Caterpillar Corp. Product Support Specialist) recommend that a locking main electrical disconnect switch be installed, especially on equipment that is normally stored indoors. I will take that advice.

I also need some new fire extinguishers. I only have 4 on the property.

Photos attached.

 

[Ductape]

Wow, that sucks !

Hope it is covered. Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if it is considered a total loss by the time labor cost is figured in.

 

[mike69440]

Wow, that sucks !

Hope it is covered. Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if it is considered a total loss by the time labor cost is figured in.

I read the policy. There is a statement about gasoline powered non registered vehicles over 27 HP. Big point, it is a diesel. I sure hope I don't get a lot of arguments! I hate to get a lawyer involve, as This may be a +$5,000 repair, (Not a total), but I can't afford to eat this.

Labor will not be that bad on this. 12-20 hours tops. Parts will be scary. Kubota has got real, real stupid on their parts pricing.

The next time I buy a tractor if I buy another tractor, I will look at the completed parts list pricing structure first.

20 to +50 times mark-up on parts is immoral.

 

[Bluegill2]

Bummer! Looks like maybe it started at the light on the fender?

I've two older Kubotas that lived outside for many, many years and never had any wiring trouble. The new one stays in the shed now.

Hope it all works out well...

 

[Carl_NH]

Mike,

Thats not a way to start a Sunday (or any day) and its a good thing you were home and got it in time.

I checked with my insurance Co - Liberty Mutual several months back on coverage on my tractor and other things - ZTR etc and they said "as long as it's on your property it is covered" but we do not cover use off the property.

So most companies should cover this (i recall reading another thread here on a tree falling on his Kubota and it was covered too) so I hope they agree and dont give you a hard time.

Keep us posted and stay dry up there - still misting here in SNH but heavy rain is gone.

Carl

 

[murphy1244]

Wash that powder off it is corrosive.

 

[rsewill]

Kudos to your wife and her eagle eye.

 

[lilranch2001]

Wow, that sucks !

Hope it is covered. Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if it is considered a total loss by the time labor cost is figured in.

my thoughts exactly!

 

[mike69440]

Wash that powder off it is corrosive.

Thanks for the tip. I was going to leave it alone for the adjuster, but will take your advice. Heading down back to pressure wash L39 and throw the switch to the main relay on my excavator. Losing the PC75UU2 would not be good.

 

[AStanton]

I'm wondering if some mice could of caused the fire by triggering a short. Remember, the tractor is insured, your life isn't.