Are the buckets known to bend on Kubota loader?

[JasG]

I bought a Kubota L3240 with a 724 loader, standard bucket, a few months ago. It had 100 hours on the clock and warranty till march 2012. I bought it due to I had the cash on hand and it seemed like a good deal at the time. This was purchased at a dealer and I was told it had been gone through and was 100%. The very 1st time I used it to plow snow I found the bucket cutting edge to be bent down about 1 1/2 in the middle. I contacted the sale guy I dealt with and am currently waiting to hear back from him on if they will do anything for me. The thing that makes me mad is I bought a tooth bar that now I can't get to fit on the machine. I left it off due to wanting to use the machine to move snow this winter at a location I knew I would be working at late in the winter. I really didn't need the tractor other than that till spring.

The bend is so gradual it was hard to see unless you raise the bucket so you can look down the bucket. The bucket looked hardly used when I bought it.

I have been around machines my whole life, construction and farm. It has been years since I have seen a bent bucket like this. Never on a machine this small or new. I had a JD 850 that before I got it had been used hard it's whole life and the bucket wasn't bent. I've used skidsteer that had been beat on and never seen this unless the bucket was jammed into a curb or something. Then it was easy to see.

Anyone have this happen to them and did your dealer help you out?

 

[bp fick]

Perhaps your dealer CAN help you out. I know there are different optional buckets sold on some of these machines. Sometimes, honestly? The heavier duty model is worth the extra bucks. Not to me, but perhaps for others.

Hope you get it straightened out, pun intended.

 

[Egon]

Usually the buckets come with a pretty small cutting edge. Cut the old one off and weld on a new one, say 4 inches by 5/8 inch. Also weld some on to the side edges.

It will make for a much stiffer bucket.:thumbsup:

 

[JasG]

Perhaps your dealer CAN help you out. I know there are different optional buckets sold on some of these machines. Sometimes, honestly? The heavier duty model is worth the extra bucks. Not to me, but perhaps for others.

Hope you get it straightened out, pun intended.

Had I bought the machine new I would have gone with the heavier bucket and had the tooth bar on it from day one. I would have had them install it but it was back ordered and they didn't know when it would be coming in. So they delivered the tractor and the tooth bar came in a few weeks later.

 

[PHILIP8N]

Here are some pics of the heavy duty round back bucket for the LA724. Bought tractor new, but bought loader used. Bucket has seen some abuse from unknown past, but is still straight. See if you can trade your bucket in for a HD round back. Might be worth a little something. Used ag equipment is usually sold as is, and I am sure there is no warranty on a bent bucket. Philip.

 

[bp fick]

You likely got a great deal on that tractor and I wouldn't sweat it too much.

Your dealer might be setup for some custom work. If not, someone near you probably is. I'd also agree with Egon. Have an experienced welder/fabricator strengthen that bucket by doing some custom work on it. It will be way better than new.

There's lots of guys here who have done this. Use the search feature and I'll bet you find lots and lots of examples on everything BXs, Bs and L series.

 

[devildog1]

There are I believe three different types of buckets for your tractor, square back, light duty and heavy duty round back with or without a bolt on cutting edge.The L3240 is a heavy duty tractor, much more then the L's. Heaver weight, higher fel cap and higher 3 point lift weights. Maybe someone tried to lift something real heavy on the very tip of bucket? Dealer needs to replace.
DevilDog

 

[PHILIP8N]

Dealer needs to replace.
DevilDog

It is used equiment. I am sure buyer inspected before purchase. My opinion, dealer does not owe owner new bucket. Live and learn. I do think dealer should work with new owner, trade in, discount, swap, etc. Philip.

 

[TripleR]

Anyone have this happen to them and did your dealer help you out?

No, we are on our fourth Kubota and no it has not happened. Our L5030 has the heavy duty bucket, but the others don't.

I agree with the others, if you can't straighten and reinforce the bucket yourself, have someone else do so as it will be money well spent.

I also agree, used tractors are "as is", so while it would be nice if your dealer helped you out, he is under no obligation now. If you had noticed it at the time of sale, I am sure it would have been taken care of, but now he has no way of knowing for certain when this happened.

 

[2458n]

Find a rock or parking block. Put down pressure on the middle of the bucket. This is most likely how the bucket got bent and will nearly straighten it. Cutting off the existing edge and rewelding on a new heavier edge is a time proven method. Tooth bucket way to aggresive for most snow removal. Quick hitch is a must on my next purchase.