New 2360 with small crackes in the rubber steering protective boots.

BigOrangeTN · Apr 10, 2013

Anyone have these quarter to longer inch cracks in their boots?

kcender · Apr 10, 2013

Got any pictures?

Panik · Apr 10, 2013

I just recently purchased a B2360 and had the same issue with the boots - I figured it was sun fatigue/dry rot. I brought it as well as a couple of other issues to the attention of the dealer. When delivered the coolant was at minimum level and the front axel fluid wasn't even showing on the dipstick even though the machine went through a service check prior to being delivered. Kinda weird that when your paying that much for an item and it isn't delivered with the "consumables" in proper order. On the plus side the dealer is making things right (provide a couple quarts of axel fluid and is ordering steering boots).

HeLa · Apr 10, 2013

can't say for sure without pics, but i did have what sounds like a similar problem.

bought my BX brand new last winter. about a year later i was under the machine and noticed that the dust boot on the front end of the drive shaft (opposite the HST) was cracked. there is no way i did this as the machine doesn't traverse anything rougher than the lawn that i finish mow with it. the boot felt pretty brittle.

i dropped the machine off at the dealer. they repaired that boot and in checking over the machine found that both tie rod boots, and i believe one other boot, were also cracked. this was attributed to dry rot and all were replaced under warranty without any hassle. EXCELLENT dealer experience.

a bad run of rubber? a brand new machine should NOT be delivered with such defects. i wrote to kubota about my concerns but never heard back.

BigOrangeTN · Apr 11, 2013

The picture should be attached and should be expandable by clicking it, hopefully. Thanks to anyone for their input.

kcender said:
Got any pictures?

Deano · Apr 11, 2013

Dealer, warranty...need replaced on a new machine.
That being said, I tore both of mine a few years back and decided at $42 a pop, $84 + tax total, that I would leave them alone till they had play. Had a leak at the steering pivots and when I fixed those, I replaced the steering joints. One still had no play after being ran with no boot on for years and hundreds of hours!

RaydaKub · Apr 11, 2013

Deano said:
One still had no play after being ran with no boot on for years and hundreds of hours!

You must have very long and narrow property.

I didn't even know my tractor was supposed to have boots (used gear). When I finally figured it out, I took the ends loose and slipped on a piece of bike innertube as a stopgap. I twisted a wire around each end. That lasted a couple months. I will probably do it again, but use a longer piece this time so that it isn't stretched lengthwise. Maybe 3 inches instead of 1 1/2. But it's nice to know I've got some margin.

BigOrangeTN · Apr 12, 2013

My purpose in writing this thread was to stoke my curiosity as to who else had a new machine with cracked dust boots. As for my Kubota, the dealer has new parts on order and will replace them under warranty. Sweet.

Rfisher7381 · Apr 12, 2013

I purchased a new BX2360 Spring of 2011. Boots were not cracked and looked new. Make sure the mechanicals are not damaged if your cracked boots were allowing water and dust to enter.