3-Point Hitch L-series Jerky 3PH - Jeff's homebrew repair.

LD1 · Mar 11, 2014

If it is a brand new l3200 (and I don't just mean new to you), there is hope that the dealer can adjust it.

Not sure what revision they are on now, but there have been 5 or 6 different valves tried on these tractors in just a few years. With each subsequent valve resulting in a little better performance. So it is possible your valve is just out of adjustment.

So I say five the dealer a shot at making it right. But make it clear that if they cannot, they are taking the tractor back. And I honestly still cannot believe kubota is letting this issue linger. The l3200/l3800 change was a perfect time for them to put this thing to bed for good...

k0ua · Mar 11, 2014

LD1 said:
If it is a brand new l3200 (and I don't just mean new to you), there is hope that the dealer can adjust it.

Not sure what revision they are on now, but there have been 5 or 6 different valves tried on these tractors in just a few years. With each subsequent valve resulting in a little better performance. So it is possible your valve is just out of adjustment.

So I say five the dealer a shot at making it right. But make it clear that if they cannot, they are taking the tractor back. And I honestly still cannot believe kubota is letting this issue linger. The l3200/l3800 change was a perfect time for them to put this thing to bed for good...

I wonder what the new L3901 and L3301 ( 2014 replacements for the L3200 and L3800) will be like..

LD1 · Mar 12, 2014

My money is on jerky:confused2:

Notforhire · Mar 12, 2014

LD1 said:
My money is on jerky:confused2:

Agree.

It's hard to argue with success.

Chilly807 · Mar 12, 2014

k0ua said:
I wonder what the new L3901 and L3301 ( 2014 replacements for the L3200 and L3800) will be like..

If I actually had any intention of maybe buying it I'd test drive one, but my local dealer has been good to me. No point in putting hours on someone else's tractor to satisfy my curiosity. Unless they've made major changes I think it'll be the same.

Sean

KiotiLK35 · Mar 12, 2014

From what I have read and seen I am sceptical that there is any way to solve this problem by "adjustment". I don't believe the necessary adjustment mechanism is available. Modifications maybe, but that's not adjustment. The modification I like is the installation of pressure-compensated flow-control valve, which I have read about here and researched elsewhere also. This is a mod I have faith in because it allows you to limit the hydraulic flo going to the 3PL. I think it a disgrace that Kubota and Kioti have designed thing s this way but I believe it is symptomatic of the much higher hydro flow that "recent" tractors have. Prior to the 2010 LK35 Kioti I now have (with jerky #PL lift) I had an old L2510 Kubota (mid 70's) which was scary similar to the 2010 Kioti in fundamental design/layout, Now the old Kubota had 3PL lift as smooth as silk. As smoothly as you could lift the control lever it would raise the 3PL - BUT that old thing wouldn't have had the flow to run an FEL at any workable speed. I agree that you can achieve a smoother 3PL by raising the control lever quicker, or in large increments. That's fine for coarse 3PL work, like lifting/dropping a slasher, but not much good if your trying to perform a delicate 3PL operation - leg: 3PL lifting forks. At the end of the day, if it's a new tractor you shouldn't care exactly what the "fix" is, as long as it gets fixed. Just make a big fuss while the tractor is still new and say you don't want the tractor the way it is. Good luck.

chuck172 · Mar 12, 2014

I called kubota corporate hq and told them my dilema, they said that I am responsible for the expense to transport my tractor to and from the dealer.
I'll talk to my dealer this morning. I don't quite understand when some here advise me to tell the dealer fix it or I'm returning it. How can I do this? I paid in full, cash.
I'm going to tell the dealer about my conversation when the machine was delivered to me.
"It's jerky cause its cold" "It will smooth out"
I don't feel I should have to pay to transport the machine. The machine should have been checked out prior to delivery.
Again, can I return the machine for a full refund? If so, how?

Notforhire · Mar 12, 2014

chuck172 said:
I called kubota corporate hq and told them my dilema, they said that I am responsible for the expense to transport my tractor to and from the dealer.
I'll talk to my dealer this morning. I don't quite understand when some here advise me to tell the dealer fix it or I'm returning it. How can I do this? I paid in full, cash.
I'm going to tell the dealer about my conversation when the machine was delivered to me.
"It's jerky cause its cold" "It will smooth out"
I don't feel I should have to pay to transport the machine. The machine should have been checked out prior to delivery.
Again, can I return the machine for a full refund? If so, how?

I hate to put it this way, but I think you are at the mercy of your dealer. Once it's accepted delivery by you, it's yours. I almost bought a L3400 myself, but insisted on testing the 3PH before delivery. After discovering that it was jerky, and that the dealer couldn't guarantee that it could be corrected, I nixed the deal.

If you are unhappy, maybe your dealer will except it back if you purchase a GL model instead. As far as I can tell, that is the only way to repair a jerky hitch.
"It's jerky cause its cold" "It will smooth out", is right up there with "If you like your health care plain, you can keep your plain, period.":liar::liar::liar: It's always possible that they will take it back and return your money, but I doubt you would see that happen, unless they sell you some other machine.
I would talk to them before adding any more hrs. on the clock.

Good luck, Bill

chuck172 · Mar 12, 2014

The dealer just called, he was very nice. He said he will pick up the machine and see what's wrong. His expense this time!
That's what I wanted to hear. He'll be picking it up this Mon, the 17th of march.
He said that this isn't a common problem and he will run a pressure test on it to see what's wrong.
I need to know what to look for when it's returned to me. Besides smooth operation which I'll expect, is there anything type of band-aid fix I should be careful of?

TexasBoy · Mar 12, 2014

Chilly807 said:
If I actually had any intention of maybe buying it I'd test drive one, but my local dealer has been good to me. No point in putting hours on someone else's tractor to satisfy my curiosity. Unless they've made major changes I think it'll be the same.

Sean

Sean, didnt you fix yours by checking the adjustment of the PCV ?