What does your tractor start like in cold weather?

   / What does your tractor start like in cold weather? #121  
Some systems use 6V glow plugs on a 12V for faster heating. The power is modulated on and off to prevent melting the 6V glow plug internals on 12V.
Steady 12V on 6V glow plugs with a manual switch would be trouble.

I believe these are 12 V plugs. The relay stays on continuously for a time determined by the computer and based on engine temp.
 
   / What does your tractor start like in cold weather? #122  
Here's my backhoe starting this morning at 25ーF (not really too cold), but had sat for a couple of weeks outside during recent cold spell.
 
   / What does your tractor start like in cold weather? #123  
I believe these are 12 V plugs. The relay stays on continuously for a time determined by the computer and based on engine temp.

So I finally reached someone at Kubota willing to listen. It took a month. They admitted that the design is flawed and they have a 40 Amp rated relay on a 60 Amp circuit. They are sending an appropriately rated relay. I think this is an electrical fire hazard. There is no indication when the plugs are energized.
 
   / What does your tractor start like in cold weather? #124  
So I finally reached someone at Kubota willing to listen. It took a month. They admitted that the design is flawed and they have a 40 Amp rated relay on a 60 Amp circuit. They are sending an appropriately rated relay. I think this is an electrical fire hazard. There is no indication when the plugs are energized.

I am glad they are taking care of it for you. Having a design flaw is not like Kubota, but those things do happen.
 
   / What does your tractor start like in cold weather? #125  
Some systems use 6V glow plugs on a 12V for faster heating. The power is modulated on and off to prevent melting the 6V glow plug internals on 12V.
Steady 12V on 6V glow plugs with a manual switch would be trouble.

I don't know what they would be accomplishing if they use 6V on a 12V source and then modulate it on and off.
 
   / What does your tractor start like in cold weather?
  • Thread Starter
#126  
Having a design flaw is not like Kubota, but those things do happen.

Like any other maker they have design problems, but I find they are one of the worst when it comes to acknowledging them. Ask anyone with an L series tractor that has a rough 3 point hitch and has gotten the "head in the sand treatment".
When they get something right they're one of the best, but when they get it wrong...

Sean
 
   / What does your tractor start like in cold weather? #127  
I couldn't agree more Chilly807. I think it is a cultural thing over there. To admit a mistake is to "loose face." Experienced it when I worked for a Japanese company...look at Toyota and their problems. My L3400 wheel clearance was too close for chains. Kubota has a spacer kit but it's not advertised and their web support never heard of it but lots of people on this forum had the same problem. To admit that the engineers forgot to add an inch for clearance is a "disgrace" in Japan.
 
   / What does your tractor start like in cold weather? #128  
I couldn't agree more Chilly807. I think it is a cultural thing over there. To admit a mistake is to "loose face." Experienced it when I worked for a Japanese company...look at Toyota and their problems. My L3400 wheel clearance was too close for chains. Kubota has a spacer kit but it's not advertised and their web support never heard of it but lots of people on this forum had the same problem. To admit that the engineers forgot to add an inch for clearance is a "disgrace" in Japan.

It was major surprise to me how poorly they responded to my problems. I had several problems and it was always the same: Bring it to the dealer and we will solve it. They will not pay for the delivery, which would cost me $700 per incident. On something so basic as a relay replacement, which costs $3.64, who in their right mind would ship the tractor? They have a really bad culture at Kubota. They will not disclose their phone numbers. You can not trace them down, they would not answer the phones, they will not reply to emails. It was a major effort to take care of a trivial problem. Now I am gearing up for the bigger problems.
This culture of hiding allows their people to hide and be nasty to customers and they could not be caught. It is like a road rage, hiding in ones cars and doing things you would not do to anyone in person. If I knew what kind of pain it will be to deal with problems, I would think hard about buying Kubota.
 
   / What does your tractor start like in cold weather? #129  
I haven't had a problem with my Kubota MX5100HST but its only been 6 months ownership and 70 hrs. I did have experience with the dealer for 20 years prior with my old IH574RC and their service was excellent. Pick up, delivery, road/farm service, talk you through it emergency telephone help and direction, excellent trouble shooting and service. Couldn't say enough good things and they were always prompt and friendly. Everything you would want. That is why I bought my new Kubota there, along with a good deal. I would always be going to them with a problem, not Kubota, and I believe that they would be good about it. <www.Hoober.com> in Pa
 
   / What does your tractor start like in cold weather? #130  
I haven't had a problem with my Kubota MX5100HST . <www.Hoober.com> in Pa

Consider yourself very lucky. It was mostly my nearest dealer (106 miles away) that was impossible to deal with. So I had to go to Kubota and that was hard. I was even dealing with the regional sales manager to get some help. It didn't work. When I was looking for the tractor, getting a quote was difficult. Some dealers would take 6 weeks after repeated reminders before getting me a quote. Looking back, I think the regional sales manager decided where the tractor would come from and the others quit responding to my inquires. I ended up going to the closest dealer, who is not even an authorized service provider. Looking back, I should have gone to the next one, 216 miles away. I wish I bought a JD from a dealer I liked at 270 miles away. He was always responsive when I asked for implement quotes. It seemed like too far away. JD dealers that were closer were horrible to work with. It is hard to be so far away from service. That is when you need phone support. Neither the dealer, nor Kubota provided that. I worry about a day when something major fails.
 

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