50hr. service question for L3830

Anonymous Poster · Jun 24, 2003

Just got 50 hrs. on my L3830. The dealer is suppose to pick it up this evening to do the service. When I mentioned that the manual says to change the transmission fluid, He said they usually just change the filter and that would take care of it. Then change the fluid at 500 hrs. Any comments? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif ---Shane

_RaT_ · Jun 24, 2003

Tell him you'll pay to have the fluid changed. It does not get done again until 400 hours. I'd stick with the manual. I would consider the cost to be cheap insurance. Rat...

Chief · Jun 24, 2003

Do the 50 hr. service EXACTLY by the manual and you will never be wrong, especially if a warranty issue arises. This is the first and MOST important service to your tractor and you. Do it right. I would suggest buying the parts and fluids and do the 50 hr. service yourself. I just finished doing my 1st 50 hr. break-in service myself and it was not that difficult and I know it was done right and by the book. Nice tractor you got there by the way! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

SageBrush · Jun 24, 2003

My dealer recommends 400 hours /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I recommend following Kubota's instructions found in your manual. When you start cutting corners, it usually bites you in the wallet later. This is the main reason I like to buy new, too many people change the oils at 500 hours.

On a side note:
My Grandfather was like that, hardly ever changed engine oil and forget the transmission. His stuff never ran well. The dealer loved him, he ran a number of engines into the ground. After he passed away, we looked over his tractors, the transmission on one was bone dry. The tractor is worthless now. I sure would hate to be the person who bought one of his old tractors /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

icat · Jun 24, 2003

That wouldn't be a "free" 50 hour service that came with the tractor would it?

Anonymous Poster · Jun 24, 2003

When I asked my dealer about 50 hour service costs, he recommended that I do it myself. He said it wouldn't be that difficult and I would save some money. Plus he said it is always better to know your tractor and exactly what maintenance is done. He also recommended changing the transmission fluid due to the 350 hours difference in the next time it should be changed.

buckle

Anonymous Poster · Jun 24, 2003

Thanks, Guys I know I could count on you. Actually I did not buy my tractor off them, but only because they could not get it in at the time. They are charging by the hr. said it would take about 1 hr which would be $50. I guess he was trying to save me some money or he does not have enough super udt after I told him how much it took. He said they don't change the front axel until later as well. I am going to call them back. Has any one thought that a dealer would just say they changed it then not do it but charge you? Am I getting paranoid or what.

icat · Jun 24, 2003

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Has any one thought that a dealer would just say they changed it then not do it but charge you? Am I getting paranoid or what. )</font>

That's why I posted my comment about the "free" service at 50 hours. I didn't even ask my dealer if he would throw it in because I didn't want to worry about how good a job a tech would do on a "free" service. Don't get me wrong, I really like my dealer. I just don't trust anyones free services. Mostly because you always get what you pay for! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

As for the service, do it all. I've got way too much money in my tractor to start cutting corners on service. Especially since I plan on it being here for a very long time!

B2400 · Jun 24, 2003

I agree with the others,do the service yourself. It will help you to learn the" personality" of your tractor and give you a baseline on future fluid and oil changes. Again the old addage " if you want something done right, do it yourself" applies here. Dealerships are in business to make money,but some will cut corners if the opportunity appears. Unfortuneatly I've seen it firsthand.

Anonymous Poster · Jun 26, 2003

Well, I got my tractor back today from 50hr service. The bill was 274.99 that was with them coming and getting it and bringing it back. I told them to go ahead change transmission fluid and axel. The kicker is on the break down of the bill they charged for 5 gal. super udt and one gal sudt. My manual says 11.3us gal for transmission and front axel 9 quarts. Does this sound right? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif