Not so sure this is normal?

[jewing3227]

Well..................Hoefling truck and tractor is who for the most part everyone within i'd say 50-100 miles goes to simply because upfront they talk a good game up to the sale but most importantly, they a quite a bit cheaper than anyone else. After the purchase it was almost like they were "moving on". Maybe it's because the machine I bought was smaller compared to most. I would just think a follow up call a month or 2 after the purchase confirming happyness with the machine would be the absolute least a dealer should do. I guess theres a rotten apple in every bunch....

 

[Bluegill2]

Well..................Hoefling truck and tractor is who for the most part everyone within i'd say 50-100 miles goes to simply because upfront they talk a good game up to the sale but most importantly, they a quite a bit cheaper than anyone else. After the purchase it was almost like they were "moving on". Maybe it's because the machine I bought was smaller compared to most. I would just think a follow up call a month or 2 after the purchase confirming happyness with the machine would be the absolute least a dealer should do. I guess theres a rotten apple in every bunch....

We've bought a lot of stuff over the years and the only call we ever got from a dealer after the sale to see if we were happy, was when we bought the wife's car from Toyota. Never from Ford, Dodge (my trucks), Kubota or any others...

 

[Chilly807]

You should probably get rid of the L3200 and get a Deere, if you feel so strongly about it. I doubt you'll be satisfied with the Kubota after this. So, just to be sure I'm not missing something, is there actually anything wrong with the tractor other than a bit of debris in the hydro filter?

Sean

 

[Stinkydean]

Good morning jewing3227,

IMHO this is clearly a case of bad manufacturing QC! But having said that shavings are shavings and not necessarily the evil that will cause failure. I would be looking in the drained transmission fluid for tiny metal particulate in excess of normal break-in. Given what you have found oil analysis may be your best friend and another data point for you to document.

Stinky

 

[DK35vince]

You should probably get rid of the L3200 and get a Deere, if you feel so strongly about it. I doubt you'll be satisfied with the Kubota after this. So, just to be sure I'm not missing something, is there actually anything wrong with the tractor other than a bit of debris in the hydro filter?

Sean

I take it that you wouldn't have a problem finding filings like that in your filter?
I certainly would.
How many bearings and gears did those filings go through flooting around in the transmission case on his brand new machine before it made to the filter?

 

[Bluegill2]

Iron don't float, the filter caught em first...

 

[dex3361]

i would be upset if I found that in my filters though we have seen it here a few times. I would request a free hydro fluid and filter change in 50 hours (I would want to see the filters come off with my own eyes). Also ask to have your warranty extended in case there is an issue that doesn't immediately show up.

 

[Chilly807]

I take it that you wouldn't have a problem finding filings like that in your filter?
I certainly would.
How many bearings and gears did those filings go through flooting around in the transmission case on his brand new machine before it made to the filter?

My hydraulic filter was actually like that, although not quite as much. Maybe 75%. I've had the top of my transmission case off for another reason, and the gears look pretty much like you'd expect for 300 hours, brand new. That's why the HST transmission has it's own filter, because it has a separate pump to protect.

My point is, we've been seeing these filters like that for years at the 50 hour change, and there is practically zero occurrence of transmission failure because of debris in the oil. I agree the cases aren't cleaned the way we'd like to see before assembly, however there doesn't seem to be much in the way of harmful results.

A new tractor comes with a 3-year powertrain warranty. If that material caused any problems in the first 50 hours, it'll be apparent long before the 3 years is up.

I fail to see the mountain from the molehill, it's not an ideal situation but seems to cause no harm anyway.

 

[DK35vince]

Iron don't float, the filter caught em first...

Metal filings may not float, but the transmission oil isn't just laying there still and undisturbed.
The gears and bearing are spinning and moving the oil, possibly along with some of the filings along with it.

 

[jewing3227]

Chilly807 ......first and formost brother i'm gonna take your comment in a good way. I by no shape, form, way, or fashion am trying to make a mountain out of a mole hill. I personally have been through bearing programs for SKF, FAG and NATIONAL so I feel I do have some concern here. Like mention recently, debris in material does move about before it hits the filter and I personally know that it dosen't take much to damage a bearing. If I wanted a deere, believe you me I would have one but I chose a Kubota because I know sevral people who own them and like them.......I personally like my L3200, just some concern here. Maybe posting the filter on here and asking a few questions or making a few comments wasn't the best idea as there is always someone who thinks people are "whining". I was just curious as to how many others had this much material in the filter. I believe I have found my answer. Thanks everyone for your help. Have a good one