2710 Steering Issue

[Alan L.]

Most of you remember the steering problem I had at about 60 hours on my tractor back in 1999. When it was REAL hot and I was shredding (using the Rhino cutter, or brush hog) I would loose my power steering until I idled the tractor for a while, then in 20 minutes I would lose the steering again. I took it in, they changed the fluids and really not much else, then it didn't act up anymore. Since then it really has not been near as hot, and I have had only a hint of a problem off and on, but hard to duplicate.

Since my warranty runs out 5/21/01, and my bride ordered me a canopy for my birthday (39th like last year) I went ahead and took the tractor with cutter to the dealer. Install the canopy, sharpen the blades on the cutter, and check into the steering problem before the warranty runs out. I gave the service guy this website and explained that others have mentioned the steering problem and have had some sort of retrofit done. After he got with Kubota he said that Kubota is not aware of any power steering problems on the tractor and he showed me every service bulletin he has, in order. Only one applied to the 2710,and the problem it referred to I don't have.

Anyway, the service manager at Kubota instructed the dealer to tear down the steering assembly located under the steering wheel. They are replacing the entire steering actuator and other stuff related to the steering per Kubota's instruction. I'm hoping this fixes the problem, but I won't know til it gets hot again. By then the tractor will be out of warranty. Because the problem is clearly documented beginning at 60 hours I'm hoping if it does come up Kubota will fix it free. (maybe not). Anyway, it does seem that they are doing all they can just on my sayso - they have not been able to duplicate the problem.

Alan L., TX

 

[Von]

Alan, I think any new parts are good for a 90 days to a year. So if it fails again and they replaced everything, it will still be under warranty.

 

[Bird]

Alan, weird things happen sometimes. You know I had that steering problem, but only two times in the 21 months I've had the tractor. Both times was brush hogging in hot weather and I didn't even slow down either time; just kept going and it disappeared. I've talked to two dealers about it, and both claimed to have never heard of it. The only solution either could think of was to change the hydraulic fluid filter. My warranty won't expire until August, so I'll have a chance to see whether it does it again between now and then.

Bird

 

[MReeter]

Alan,I've never had the steering problem that you've had,but my Dealer told me point blank that "some" units around the country have had problems.That's why Kubota upgraded the Hydraulic System with a dual filter system,same as the later B2910 models.If my tractor was in the shop,I would mention this "upgrade" and go for it.Dealer also said that the problem could be from using Super UDT,this is a lighter weight oil than Regular UDT. Good luck.

 

[frank_f15]

alan: i do beleive that if u had a problem that was under warranty, and it is documented, if the problem still persist after warranty is expired, they are still liable for it. knowing how kubota is and if u have a good dealer, i don't think u should have a problem getting it resolved.

 

[Bird]

The two times I had it happen, I had UDT in the tractor; not Super UDT. And now I've got Amsoil in it; don't know whether that makes a difference or not.

Bird

 

[MReeter]

Bird,I'm really not for sure what causes the steering problem to arise occasionally,I do think it is from operating in very warm temps,such as you all experience in Texas.I live just North of you in Missouri,and it can get very hot here also.Thats when I'm usually laying in the pool suckin on a COLD Miller Lite,come to think of it,maybe thats why I've never had that steering problem!!!

 

[Bird]

MReeter, I agree that I think it's related to the ambient temperature; tractor temperature gauge was staying down at the time. And I've mowed other times when it was just as hot or hotter and not ever feel any "binding" or catching in the steering. And I'm too cheap for that Miller Lite; and since I used to drink Bud all the time, now I just drink Natural Light./w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

Bird

 

[MReeter]

Nothing wrong with Natural Lite,as long as it's COLD,any Beer tastes good to me!!

 

[Alan L.]

I picked up the tractor today. They replaced the entire steering assembly - a $650 part (under warranty). I got it home and brush hogged about 5 acres. I think the steering was fine, but maybe I THOUGHT I felt some minute binding while moving the steering wheel back and forth while going in a straight line. But when I turned, no problem. I'm thinking I'm just overly sensitive to this problem, which has really not been problem for the last 100 hours.

A funny thing is that the problem started back in '99 right after I did the 50 hour maintenance where I replaced the UDT with super UDT. The dealer changed the fluids again and I didn't have any more trouble. Since I had paid good money for the super UDT I mentioned that fact and was told that they put super UDT back, but now I suspect that not to be true. I never had any more trouble that summer, and last summer I mowed the place in May before it got hot, then we had a drout and the grass never grew all summer. The next time I mowed it was March '01.

I think its gonna be OK. The dealer assures me not to worry about it, that Kubota will make it right. They also say that they replaced EVERYTHING having to do with the power steering and that Kubota thinks that should fix it.

I gave them this website and brought that retrofit deal to their attention and they say that Kubota does not recognize any steering problem and is not aware of any unusual steering problems with this particular unit.

By the way, I got my cutter blades sharpened while they had it, and it was like adding 50% more horsepower! I came home tonight, started at about 6:00 and got a 5 acre section done by 8:30 or so. Before sharpening, the blade was about as sharp as the side of your finger.

Alan L., TX