Skid steer fire.

[CloverKnollFarms]

We run a Gehl on the dairy... It gets very abused, and not much love... And it keeps running. The only issue has been my wife is so little she has a tough time engaging the seat safety switch to operate it . That needs a jumper.

 

[2manyrocks]

I have no proof of this, but I wonder if I am seeing more Kubota skid steers compared to other brands these days because of aggressive financing options offered by Kubota, and Kubota being thought of as less expensive than Cat?

The new Kiota TL750 is advertised for $68K in Onedia: 2024 Kioti TL750 Skid Steer With Cab - $68,000 In Oneida TN - LSN

 

[4570Man]

Does kubota offer the same very low interest deals for skid steers that they offer for their tractors?

Kubotas offers no interest for 3 years and 1 percent per year to extend it longer than 3 years. Tackuchi offers no interest for 4 years. Both manufacturers offer a $3500 cash discounts but $3500 interest is really cheap compared to a bank. I’m guessing other manufacturers offer comparable deals but I’ve only talked to those 2.

 

[2manyrocks]

I wonder if Kubota would offer you a better deal on a replacement unit to keep you as a customer? Looks like they'd have some incentive to want to keep you happy.

 

[4570Man]

I wonder if Kubota would offer you a better deal on a replacement unit to keep you as a customer? Looks like they'd have some incentive to want to keep you happy.

I’ve not talked to anyone at Kubota just the local dealer. But I have very little confidence that they do anything. If the telematics unit wasn’t damaged and could prove the origin of the fire maybe I’d get more help from them. The local dealer said the best offer he could make was to remove the undamaged demolition door that was a $3,000 upgrade and put it in the new machine. That would get it back to the same price it was in December, actually a little cheaper. That plan does involve I bought another -3 because the door is unique to that model.

 

[2manyrocks]

I'd think about making clear photographs of what you suspect to be the point of origin of the fire and also photograph the engine bay to show it was clean as best you can.

 

[4570Man]

I'd think about making clear photographs of what you suspect to be the point of origin of the fire and also photograph the engine bay to show it was clean as best you can.

It’s unfortunately a little late for that. You can tell the fire started at the top of the motor since the top is roached but the bottom still has paint on it. Not much else can be found. I don’t expect any help from Kubota. The possibility exists that a mouse or bird did build a nest on top of the exhaust manifold. I can’t disprove that theory and I’m sure that’s what Kubota will say happened.

 

[paulsharvey]

My assumption is a very minor fuel leak, and that wasn't noticed, turning into a more significant leak, during an emissions burn; but regardless, you can't say yes or no, and even if you could, you wouldn't be able to prove it's a factory defect.

There isn't a chance of vandalism, is there? Do you leave machine onsite? It wouldn't be the first time a mad neighbor or "concerned citizen" tampered with equipment.

Heck, it could be anything, and unfortunately fires happen, but what I've seen 95% of the time, it's either leaves/debris, or feeding a burn pile. Doesn't take much to start a fire with some leaves or pine needles in an oily/fuel area; or a couple old oily shop rags. Normally general vandalism isn't very sophisticated; although I've heard of a unpaid subcontractor putting lacquer thinner in fuel tanks, and allegedly leading to engine problems (overheating? maybe leaking past rings and stripping oil, basically making it like a no oil run? maybe it's 100% myth?)

 

[2manyrocks]

I think that the insurance company would have the burden of proof to establish facts, not speculation, necessary to deny a claim.

 

[4570Man]

My assumption is a very minor fuel leak, and that wasn't noticed, turning into a more significant leak, during an emissions burn; but regardless, you can't say yes or no, and even if you could, you wouldn't be able to prove it's a factory defect.

There isn't a chance of vandalism, is there? Do you leave machine onsite? It wouldn't be the first time a mad neighbor or "concerned citizen" tampered with equipment.

Heck, it could be anything, and unfortunately fires happen, but what I've seen 95% of the time, it's either leaves/debris, or feeding a burn pile. Doesn't take much to start a fire with some leaves or pine needles in an oily/fuel area; or a couple old oily shop rags. Normally general vandalism isn't very sophisticated; although I've heard of a unpaid subcontractor putting lacquer thinner in fuel tanks, and allegedly leading to engine problems (overheating? maybe leaking past rings and stripping oil, basically making it like a no oil run? maybe it's 100% myth?)

I wouldn’t consider myself and the neighbors as buddies to say the least and it’s visible from the road so vandalism could be a possibility. But nothing in the cab was visibly messed up and my 2 dozers are on the same job and they haven’t been messed with so I don’t think that’s a likely cause. I don’t think this machine has ever done a burnout and my dad said it wasn’t when it caught on fire. I’ve been on vacation for 10 days and I’ve not used that machine for another 10 days or so after we got back. So the machine had sat outside unoccupied for probably 20 days. I did start it for like 5 minutes to dislodge a stump that got stuck in the dozer rake but it wouldn’t have gotten hot enough to ignite in that time. I’m rating either a mouse or bird nest over the exhaust or a fuel leak as the most likely causes. My dad said he didn’t see a nest when he first noticed the fire but I doubt he was doing a careful inspection so it can’t be ruled out that he missed it. Ultimately I think insurance needs to cut a check and they can play fire investigators if they want to.