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

   / L-series Jerky 3PH - Jeff's homebrew repair. #171  
Well after using the l3800 a little I'm not even noticing any jerky . So I guess I got a good one .

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I would say so. From everything I've read I think it's luck of the draw. There are some that are smooth, while others (maybe most) are not.

Nice tractor, if you have a smooth one.
 
   / L-series Jerky 3PH - Jeff's homebrew repair. #172  
Go up real slow from all the way down fordman. I'd be surprised if yours is any different than mine. At Kubota, they said the whole L series uses the same herky-jerky valve for years. That's how they are supposed to function.
 
   / L-series Jerky 3PH - Jeff's homebrew repair. #173  
Go up real slow from all the way down fordman. I'd be surprised if yours is any different than mine. At Kubota, they said the whole L series uses the same herky-jerky valve for years. That's how they are supposed to function.

They are not all jerky, but if you move the leaver slow enough, I mean Very Slow, you can make most of em jerk. Not an issue or concern with me or my L3800... Some are really bad though, but most of them are fine.
 
   / L-series Jerky 3PH - Jeff's homebrew repair. #174  
Go up real slow from all the way down fordman. I'd be surprised if yours is any different than mine. At Kubota, they said the whole L series uses the same herky-jerky valve for years. That's how they are supposed to function.

I will agree mine has a small jerky action but nothing like everyone else's . Mines so slight of a jerky action . That's its not noticeable now .
I'm 100% happy with it . I read all the jerky problems before buying so I wasn't in for a surprise . But had enough info to test it before I bought it . Even thought when I tested it it did seem it was jerkier than after using a few hours . But it was never as jerky as the videos I had seen or as others said there's was .

Mines on the fine side to really easy to live with . Since I'm not even noticing it like said after using it .

So 100% happy here with mine .


The only complaint with mine so far is not having the right hand grab handle . And the seat needs arm rest . Both will be getting added here soon .


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   / L-series Jerky 3PH - Jeff's homebrew repair. #175  
I don't know what the price would be, but I was told by someone that should know that the new L3901 and L3301 have an improved 3 point valve. They are the 2014 replacements for the L3800/L3200.

Unfortunately, they also have DPF (diesel particulate filter) systems and common rail injection, which adds about 3 to 4 thousand and complexity to the previous versions.

So they say they can't fix it.. interesting, but it sounds like they're being up front and honest about it. Good to see.

I'd say you need to decide if you can live with the jerkiness, it's probably going to cost you quite a bit to get rid of it if you stay with Kubota. Like I said before, these are good solid machines with an irritating flaw.

Position control is an upgrade over quarter inching systems, since it incorporates a feedback circuit to maintain implement height as long as there's hydraulic pressure.

Sean
 
   / L-series Jerky 3PH - Jeff's homebrew repair. #176  
This has been a problem for years. If you search back 3-4 years or so you will find where some owners got their dealers to replace the valve from a larger model. It took care of the problems. If I remember right the L3200 and L3400 had the bad less expensive valve. It was replaced with the valve from the L3800 I think. This has been a while. I know for sure it was a valve from a large model tractor. I may have been from a GL even. At least this will give you an idea what to search for. Good luck.
 
   / L-series Jerky 3PH - Jeff's homebrew repair. #177  
I talked with tech support, N.E, they are in Ohio. Dave miller. He told me that the L3200 and Lseries in general are economy tractors, the pto is jerky, it is designed that way. If I want smooth, to upgrade to a more expensive line. He said there is no one else to complain to, that I would only be refered back to him.
He said there is no fix for this because there is nothing broken. This is the way they are.
 
   / L-series Jerky 3PH - Jeff's homebrew repair. #178  
On the bright side, I guess it's good everyone is being honest with you. They are right that it's "normal" and not fixable (well, not without side effects). However, it's still ridiculous that it's a problem in the first place. It's 2014 and they have known about it for years.

And no way being an "economy" tractor is an excuse. These are feature tractors compared to some other brands, and you can find both feature and economy tractors of other brands with perfectly smooth 3-pt hitches. So I still think Kubota is being LAME on this issue! If I heard that attitude from the Kubota rep, I'd ask for my money back and go buy a Deere "economy" tractor with a smooth hitch, then send him lots of pictures! (I only say Deere here, as that will definitely get the goat of any Kubota man).

The B-series is a fine tractor (I had one before the L) but significantly smaller and lighter than the L. I don't consider that an equivalent trade.

The jerky problem is inconsistent at best. All of the L models have the problem, but you don't see it in all scenarios. And like I said earlier, if you move the lever faster than the hitch rises, it's smooth. Even that is dependent on load hanging off the three point. I was skidding some 35' pine trees Sunday (whole tree, with top canopy bringing up the rear) and the lift was smooth even when raising the lever slowly. I think that big long floppy pine did a wonderful job "damping" any jerkiness. Not the case if I lift my 500# box blade slowly.

Not sure what to advise at this point. Either twist their arm into cutting you a deal on a Grand L and pony up some extra $$, learn to live with the problem if it turns out to not be severe for your uses (as is my case), or ask for your money back and buy a Kioti, Deere, etc....
 
   / L-series Jerky 3PH - Jeff's homebrew repair. #179  
You just have to determine how much of a problem the jerky hitch will be to what you want to do. If you want to use a boom pole a lot forget it. If you just raise and lower a mower or a ballast box, no problem, you will never notice. If you do precision grading, with boxblade or rear grader blade, maybe a problem. It makes it difficult to "feather out your pile" when you go up. It can be frustrating. To get to a particular position, even if the 3pt jerks up above where you want to be, you can always just lower it. Lowering is always smooth. If you miss the level, just yank it up and lower again until you get to the exact location you want to be. The only problem comes when you try to lift slowly and smoothly. Like with a boom pole.. forget it, it is unusable, even possibly dangerous. A post hole digger, some users with the jerky hitch have actually said it is a "feature" that helps get the dirt off of the auger. There are thousands of these tractors sold, and most users are happy enough with them. You just have to determine if you are going to be happy with it, or it is going to stick in your craw for the rest of your life.
 
   / L-series Jerky 3PH - Jeff's homebrew repair. #180  
You just have to determine how much of a problem the jerky hitch will be to what you want to do. If you want to use a boom pole a lot forget it. If you just raise and lower a mower or a ballast box, no problem, you will never notice. If you do precision grading, with boxblade or rear grader blade, maybe a problem. It makes it difficult to "feather out your pile" when you go up. It can be frustrating. To get to a particular position, even if the 3pt jerks up above where you want to be, you can always just lower it. Lowering is always smooth. If you miss the level, just yank it up and lower again until you get to the exact location you want to be. The only problem comes when you try to lift slowly and smoothly. Like with a boom pole.. forget it, it is unusable, even possibly dangerous. A post hole digger, some users with the jerky hitch have actually said it is a "feature" that helps get the dirt off of the auger. There are thousands of these tractors sold, and most users are happy enough with them. You just have to determine if you are going to be happy with it, or it is going to stick in your craw for the rest of your life.

Pretty much what I was thinking, James.. I used mine to unload some round bales today, it does everything we need it to. I only swear when I'm grading our driveway twice a year. The other 363 days of the year, it's a great tractor.

Sean
 

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