Hi All,
I've lived through this as well. What happened to me with my FEL was similar, but not near as severe as the OP's experience. Let me explain.
I bought by BX2380 17 Months ago. I have an unconventional habit of actually listening, taking notes and video, and reading the owners/operators manuals on the equipment I own. I know, clip the corner on my man card, but I owe it to my family to keep my name out of the "Unfortunate Agricultural Accidents" column of our local paper.
I was very diligent when getting the sales / operator overview, and recorded the demonstration. I then went home, and matched the demo to the operators manual, and came up with a multi-step checklist designed to fit in the back of the seat, which I could use each and every time I or one of my family members might have to perform this procedure.
The problem in this instance was not a result of the steps to attach the FEL. The problem, at least in my case, was a step deficiency in not only the manual, but the demo when removing the FEL from the tractor. The demo and manual omitted (and may still not include) the final step of EXTENDING THE LOADER SIDE FRAMES REARWARD before disconnecting the hydraulics. The trouble that this caused for me when trying to reattach the FEL was that the side frame was positioned too far forward to properly align with the mount, causing the FEL to miss the u-shaped mount in the boss as it connected. When I took it back to the service department with the "what the heck went wrong here" look on my face, the service manager asked if I had extended the FEL side frames rearward. I told him that I'd not heard, seen, nor read such an instruction or step in the book. I added that step to my checklist and have not had an issue since. I've connected and disconnected another 75 times or so since then, trouble free.
I went back to the books, and the videos to see where was the big gap. As it turns out, I was right, as was the service manager. the FEL lift arms must be extended rearward, either before completing the disconnect, or as an early step of the re-attach procedure.
I was still a bit salty about this and the $150 the dealer charged me for the repair, when the Kubota Satisfaction Survey hit my mailbox. As I have done here, I pointed out the shortcomings in the manual, the dealer education, and sent them a copy of my checklist. In return, Kubota sent me corrections in the form of adhesive labels to insert into the manual, and a hard placard showing steps to detach and reattach the FEL. They even included a wire tie to fasten it to the tractor.
All told, it was a major pain in the neck, but was ultimately made right. I hope my experience might help a few others.
-RJH
I've lived through this as well. What happened to me with my FEL was similar, but not near as severe as the OP's experience. Let me explain.
I bought by BX2380 17 Months ago. I have an unconventional habit of actually listening, taking notes and video, and reading the owners/operators manuals on the equipment I own. I know, clip the corner on my man card, but I owe it to my family to keep my name out of the "Unfortunate Agricultural Accidents" column of our local paper.
I was very diligent when getting the sales / operator overview, and recorded the demonstration. I then went home, and matched the demo to the operators manual, and came up with a multi-step checklist designed to fit in the back of the seat, which I could use each and every time I or one of my family members might have to perform this procedure.
The problem in this instance was not a result of the steps to attach the FEL. The problem, at least in my case, was a step deficiency in not only the manual, but the demo when removing the FEL from the tractor. The demo and manual omitted (and may still not include) the final step of EXTENDING THE LOADER SIDE FRAMES REARWARD before disconnecting the hydraulics. The trouble that this caused for me when trying to reattach the FEL was that the side frame was positioned too far forward to properly align with the mount, causing the FEL to miss the u-shaped mount in the boss as it connected. When I took it back to the service department with the "what the heck went wrong here" look on my face, the service manager asked if I had extended the FEL side frames rearward. I told him that I'd not heard, seen, nor read such an instruction or step in the book. I added that step to my checklist and have not had an issue since. I've connected and disconnected another 75 times or so since then, trouble free.
I went back to the books, and the videos to see where was the big gap. As it turns out, I was right, as was the service manager. the FEL lift arms must be extended rearward, either before completing the disconnect, or as an early step of the re-attach procedure.
I was still a bit salty about this and the $150 the dealer charged me for the repair, when the Kubota Satisfaction Survey hit my mailbox. As I have done here, I pointed out the shortcomings in the manual, the dealer education, and sent them a copy of my checklist. In return, Kubota sent me corrections in the form of adhesive labels to insert into the manual, and a hard placard showing steps to detach and reattach the FEL. They even included a wire tie to fasten it to the tractor.
All told, it was a major pain in the neck, but was ultimately made right. I hope my experience might help a few others.
-RJH
