A leak in my B21

[Harv]

MDBarb -

My local dealer, FarWest Equipment, closed its doors for good today. I guess my new dealer is now Green Valley -- that's where you got your tractor, isn't it?

Coincidentally, the head Kubota mechanic from FarWest had quit several weeks ago and is now launching his own business, starting right about now. What he's doing is taking his show on the road, so to speak. He will specialize in on-site repairs of all kinds of utility equipment, with Kubota being at the top of his list. He was qualified to do Kubota warranty work, but I'm not sure what his new "official" relationship is with the company.

You can check him out on his new web site, All Mobile Repair, or give him a call at 925-413-5732. His name is Brian Moss, and he's very friendly and helpful. He will be servicing large parts of the Bay Area, so you might be within his reach. If you're not, he can probably guide you as to your best course of action.

Can't hurt. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[gordon]

Is it too much to ask for the dealer to come out and fix the tractor at your house---there are a couple of options.

First when you bought your tractor did you discuss anything about on site service calls? If it wasn't brought up ask him if he has a service truck that will run out your way in the near future. That way you could get your cylinder changed out and it would also make the dealer happy as well--win--win.

Or you could remove the cylinder and bring it in to the dealer. As long as your comfortable doing it yourself. That way you could save an on site call for the just in case emergency if there ever is one. Remember it's a two way street, you wash my back and I'll wash yours. Win-Win

Or you could demand it fixed right now and the dealer would probably not go to far out of his way to help you.

Main thing is give the dealer a call and feel him out, tell him about the trailer problem and more than likely he will work with you on this. Let him know that you plan on doing the 50 hr. service yourself and won't be bringing the tractor in to get the cylinder fixed at that time.

To answer your question about is it reasonable to ask the dealer to come out and fix it. That is not out of line to ask this at all of the dealer. But work with him alittle and he will more than likely work with you.
My two cents
Gordon

 

[mdbarb]

Thanks Gordon,
Your post pretty much sums up my feelings.
Since its not urgent, the best case would be if he is in the area on a service call.
I just wanted to see what the norm is before arranging anything.

 

[Rick572]

Prior to closing the deal on my B21, I was negotating transportion of the tractor to my home and he ( the saleman) stated they would deliver it @$1.20 per loaded mile, and all warranty work is taken care of at the shop does not cover transportation. Its not exactly what I'd like be at least he was out front with it, so I have no complaints. My dealer is 90 miles away. I don't expect the dealer will see that tractor again unless something really bad happens. Or unless I win the Lotto.

Rick

 

[Bird]

mdbarb, many dealers DO make service calls to do warranty work without charging for the trip, but I think just as many dealers DO NOT include a trip to your location or transportation for the tractor to and from their location as part of the warranty. If the dealer will give you the cylinder, it's really a pretty simple job to change it. Personally, I'd rather do that than haul the tractor to my dealer 50 miles away.

Bird

 

[mdbarb]

Well the dealer basically said: you bring it in, I'll fix it.
So I will look into just taking the cylinder off and bringing it in.
Seems like a good way to get introduced this tractor/hydraulic stuff anyway.

 

[mdbarb]

Leak update:
Well, I took the cylinder arm off and drove it to the dealer. easy enuf.
The mechanic was to replace the leaky seals but realized the cylinder arm itself had a problem. Seems the arm was probably contaminated prior to applying the chrome. the result were several little specks where they chromed over the dirt. these are no larger than a pin head, about a dozen of them. The repeated sliding in and out of the less than perfectly smooth surface quickly (20 hours) created a leak at the seals. Needless to say I went home and very closly examined all the other chrome for any specks. The rest seems ok.
BTW that was 3/7/01, the dealer said it may have the replacement by 3/9/01, 3/12 at the latest. Its now 3/26 and I havn't heard a word from him. The temporary seal he put in isn't leaking yet so I can still work, but I'm growing dissapointed at the after sale attentivness

 

[JonSpinosa]

mdbarb,
It may be that Kubota has not sent your dealer the parts yet! I have alot of experience buying Kubota parts from Kubota and it is not good!!!! Kubota spare parts delivery is absolutely terrible. It is good equipment and luckily it does not break down very often, because if it did we could never afford these machines with the cost of parts and the delivery of spare parts.

John Deere has Kubota beat hands down for spare parts deliveries. I typically get my John Deere parts the next day irrelevant of the dealer I purchase them from. I am always amazed at the JD deliveries!!!!! I often wonder why JD is so efficient with their spare parts supply channels. Maybe Kubota should take some lessons. This issue always makes my hair stand up because of Kubota's poor track record with me. Also, my dealer has had the balls to tell me that for an extra 15% they would expedite parts deliveries!!!!! Its at that point I would like to take those XXXXX and box their ears.

I feel for what you are going thru and now you know that you struck a nerve with me.

Good luck!!! Jon

 

[allmobile]

I am surprised about your experience with Kubota parts. Having been a Kubota mechanic for the last 13 yrs my experience is that if it is in this country and you order it before noon you can have it the next day. I have even got parts from Japan in 3 days. Maybe it is your dealer and not Kubota.

 

[keithcom]

Brian
Welcome to the board! /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif
I saw the link to your site in Harv's post today and checked it out.
You have a very impressive setup! /w3tcompact/icons/cool.gif Did you build it yourself?
Looks like a lot of thought, time and effort went into it.
I bet you can be a major knowlege contributer to the board.
Good luck with your new business.
Keith