Excessive vibration makes my B3030 the ultimate disappointment

[amigauser]

My understanding is the 3 cylinder Kubota diesels run smoother than the 4 cylinder ones as the 3 cylinder design is better balanced and thus has less vibration. That being said, I have had my B3030 cab model for a little over 2 years (70 hours) and I have not noticed any real vibration issues? I rarely run over 2000 RPM though.

Have you tried varying the RPM? I know just above idle there is more vibration then at slightly higher RPM's. I do most tractor work around 1800 - 2000 RPM and I have not noticed any vibration issue.

 

[dodge man]

This probably won't help but I'll offer it anyway, have you tried hearing muffs? When I first got my BX 2350, I was digging for a swimming pool with the FEL. I spent about 9 hours on the machine one day. After about 2 hours I was also starting to get a little buggy. I put some hearing muffs on and it helped about 90%. I have some vibrations, but it was mainly the noise that was getting to me.

 

[Killer_B]

Beamster,

Sorry about your let down. I know exactly what you are talking about regarding the vibes.

On 8/3/07 I wrote:

"I have driven 3 (new) B3030’s now. One was a cab and the others open. All three had a very annoying thrum in the floor boards. The last one was like a vibro-massage that had my feet tingling after a 3 minute trip around the lot with the tach at 2,000 RPMs.

My 3 cyl B7610 was smooth as silk at anything above idle. Is this just the nature of the 4 banger? Does it get better with time and break in?"

The thread that followed is here: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...0-b3030-floorboard-vibration.html#post1196426

After this post I drove another new B3030 that vibrated so bad that the pins in the ROPS made a racket that almost drowned out the motor.

So I doubt that yours is the only one with the problem. The more pervasive it is, the more likely Kub will be to take care of it, I would think.

KB

 

[Lindy]

Just another data point.

Got my B3030 in Jan '08. Didn't really notice any vibration during the test drive, but I did after I got it home. Not enough to bother me much, though. If I'm feeling a bit of vibration, I just move the throttle a touch, and it goes away. Have you had the chance to operate any other B3030's?

In the 90 hours I've put on mine, including some 8 hour stints, it's never been an issue. Perhaps I'm just not sensitive to it.

Even knowing what I know now about the vibration, I'd still buy that tractor in a heartbeat. It's been very good to me.

Also, FWIW, I always wear ear plugs when operating the tractor. Not sure that makes much difference in terms of how much vibration is felt, but I thought I'd throw that out there since an earlier poster mentioned it.

 

[nspec]

For anyone looking for a new machine, I bought a B2630 instead of the B3030 for exactly this reason. Identical machine, just one less cylinder on the motor (a couple less pto hp, but more hydraulic flow). The 3 cylinder is smooth as silk with not even a hint of vibration in the either the steering wheel or floorboards. I think this is why they use the 3 cylinder in the B26 and also the mini-excavators. I've not for a minute felt I didn't have enough power.

 

[JimMorrissey]

Weasel....Are you having any vibration issues with your 2620?

 

[PUSHINDIRT]

I've got about 35 hours on my new 2920, the thing is smoooooooth! Not to mention really quiet. My father has a B7800 (essentially the same engine) as the 3030. It does vibrate a bit over 1700 rpm's and becomes tough to endure after about 3 hours. This was one of the main reasons I went with a 3 cylinder vs. 4. My dealer actually provided me with this feedback from other customers prior to making my purchase. Gotta say If I had the cash the 3030 is one sweet ride regardless of vibration!!

 

[Evil the Weasel]

Weasel....Are you having any vibration issues with your 2620?

Nope, and I'm pretty fussy

 

[bandit67]

I remember reading a bit about the B3030 vibration issues back when I was researching. I tried one on a local lot, along with the 3 cylinder B2920. Of those 2, the B2920 had significantly more vibration, and the 3030 was extremely smooth.

I got a machine that I hadn't ever sat on - came out of the crate and was put on the delivery truck.

I had completely forgotten about the B3030 vibration issues because I've had no issues at all with mine after 150 hours in 7 months of ownership. There is a slight vibration just above idle, but only enough to hear the 3 pt hitch lever rattle against the plastic housing on the fender. I've spent hours at a time working on my B3030, and no foot numbing vibrations for me.

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

Out of the 30+ large B's we sell a year, we usually get 1 with really excessive vibrations problems. Its a hard thing to tackle since its a subjective thing, but if its making your feet go to sleep... then you've got it. Your dealer probably needs to get the regional service rep in the seat. Just saying 'it vibrates' won't get you anywhere because to a point... they all do. You could also try and see if they will swap your unit for a different one.