Warranty issue dispute with Kubota - Advice anyone

[airbiscuit]

Well stated indeed.

 

[rScotty]

Maybe so, but still, I seem to be missing something. Did the OP actually follow the operator's manual guidance, and have the issue? OR was it just neglect to do proper fluid checks? And to be aware of how the tractor was acting...

I mean, if a manual told one to check the fluid level by looking at the level in the overflow/reserve tank, and nothing more. And that level did not indicate a problem, would not the owner have a valid beef if problems related to coolant level developed?

Just trying to see the picture clearly, which is a bit blurry for me at the moment...and forever hereafter if no one sets me straight!

I would think he has a legitimate beef. The whole point of the operator's manual is to describe exactly how the machine is to be checked out and properly operated. If the owner follows the manual exactly, then how could he be at fault? Should the operator's level of mechanical sophistication be the issue? Maybe they should, but I've yet to see a manual that describes what a motor should smell like.

By not including a level sensor in the design, the manufacturer was making a hopefully profitable bet that this day would never come. That seems like a dumb bet to me, especially in something like a coolant system with all it's vulnerable connections and rubber parts. And it being a system that can easily leak without warning or notice and with drastic results.

Now if the operator's manual did include a section and warning about the smell of an overheated engine or the necessary mechanical sophistication of the operator then I stand corrected.
rScotty

 

[RickB]

Everyone is welcome to think what they want. But there was no warrantable failure. No single part failed causing the engine to seize. Without a causal part, there is no valid warranty claim. Period.
The inability of the operator to see, hear or smell the entire contents of the cooling system drain out onto the ground beneath his cabless tractor, coupled with his inability to properly investigate unusual operating characteristics well prior to the catastrophic engine failure puts the responsibility Squarely in his lap. There are very few, if any dealers that want to lose a customer and bear the negative publicity that goes along with this type of event. If they could have gotten Kubota to pay for the engine they would have.
And let us remember, full coverage insurance would have paid the repair without the slightest question.

 

[5030]

Everyone is welcome to think what they want. But there was no warrantable failure. No single part failed causing the engine to seize. Without a causal part, there is no valid warranty claim. Period.
The inability of the operator to see, hear or smell the entire contents of the cooling system drain out onto the ground beneath his cabless tractor, coupled with his inability to properly investigate unusual operating characteristics well prior to the catastrophic engine failure puts the responsibility Squarely in his lap. There are very few, if any dealers that want to lose a customer and bear the negative publicity that goes along with this type of event. If they could have gotten Kubota to pay for the engine they would have.
And let us remember, full coverage insurance would have paid the repair without the slightest question.

+1. 7 pages of basically nothing but posturing.

 

[airbiscuit]

Anyone who thinks the OP is blameless in this should lend them their CUT until this is resolved. Maybe the owners manual should specifically state:

Don't continue to operate if you see steam coming from the engine.
Don't continue to operate if your tractor pukes anti-freeze
Don't continue to operate if the tractor mysteriously stops running several times
Don't continue to operate if your tractor smells like a self cleaning oven
Don't continue to operate if you run a stick through a coolant hose or tube

 

[Jstpssng]

I would think he has a legitimate beef. The whole point of the operator's manual is to describe exactly how the machine is to be checked out and properly operated. If the owner follows the manual exactly, then how could he be at fault? Should the operator's level of mechanical sophistication be the issue? Maybe they should, but I've yet to see a manual that describes what a motor should smell like.

By not including a level sensor in the design, the manufacturer was making a hopefully profitable bet that this day would never come. That seems like a dumb bet to me, especially in something like a coolant system with all it's vulnerable connections and rubber parts. And it being a system that can easily leak without warning or notice and with drastic results.

Now if the operator's manual did include a section and warning about the smell of an overheated engine or the necessary mechanical sophistication of the operator then I stand corrected.
rScotty

If I hadn't read his thread from last December, I might agree with you. However, it appears that he was having problems and ran it for an extended period of time anyways, thereby negating his warranty claim.

 

[rScotty]

If I hadn't read his thread from last December, I might agree with you. However, it appears that he was having problems and ran it for an extended period of time anyways, thereby negating his warranty claim.

What if we change the situation a little. Suppose that the originally purchaser - an older gent - was laid up with some injury or such. It's looking grim.
In the meanwhile his wife and daughters are trying to keep things together. They don't have much experience with machinery because that was what the OP did while they ran the other parts of the family business. But they are determined to learn, he kept good records, and the regular maintenance was up to date. So in the evenings there is time to study the operating manuals.....

 

[RickB]

What if we change the situation a little. Suppose that the originally purchaser - an older gent - was laid up with some injury or such. It's looking grim.
In the meanwhile his wife and daughters are trying to keep things together. They don't have much experience with machinery because that was what the OP did while they ran the other parts of the family business. But they are determined to learn, he kept good records, and the regular maintenance was up to date. So in the evenings there is time to study the operating manuals.....

No causal part, no claim. Your fantasy does not include a part that failed due to a manufacturing defect.

 

[Chewwy]

Kubotas limited warranty is pretty clear. They will repair or replace parts which are defective in materials or workmanship.

Also the warranty specifies If a defect in materials or workmanship occurs it the users responsibilty to cease operation until repairs are made.

 

[ovrszd]

What if we change the situation a little. Suppose that the originally purchaser - an older gent - was laid up with some injury or such. It's looking grim.
In the meanwhile his wife and daughters are trying to keep things together. They don't have much experience with machinery because that was what the OP did while they ran the other parts of the family business. But they are determined to learn, he kept good records, and the regular maintenance was up to date. So in the evenings there is time to study the operating manuals.....

Where did you get this? What does it have to do with the situation being discussed?