Advise

[Fitter152]

Hello. I resently purchased a 26hp kubota tractor. Month and a half ago. Decided to brush hog About an hour or so into the project. White smoke blew from the hood. Overheated. Took to dealership and they stayed engine was blown and needed replaced. They also said warranty would not cover I was doing nothing that the tractor wasn’t designed to do. This was first time I brush hogged this area so was paying really close attention to the area. Glanced at gauges few times. Any suggestions.

 

[jeff9366]

Did you buy your Kubota new, from the dealer or used?

What model Kubota tractor do you have?

 

[Fitter152]

Brand new. B2601. 65 hours

 

[Spanner]

... They also said warranty would not cover I was doing nothing that the tractor wasn’t designed to do. ...

Welcome.
Could you explain this sentence please ? It seems a bit confusing.

If you're "doing nothing that the tractor wasn't designed to do" (A double negative) then you were doing something that the tractor was designed to do - So surely the warranty comes into play ?

 

[Fitter152]

Basically. The tractor is designed to brush hog and that’s what I was doing. Was not running at a high speed. Being very caution where I was going and what I was doing. This was first time I cut this area. Others cut it before. But since I just bought a new tractor. I was able to cut for the first time. There are exposed rock in the field so I was paying close attention so I didn’t damage anything.

 

[Thomas]

You have call the dealer take the next step call Rep etc.

 

[beckmurph]

You need to watch the engine temperature when bush hogging.
Radiator screen collects a lot of debris and needs to be cleaned while bush hogging.

 

[bearthebruce]

What is the reason they are giving for not covering under warranty? What are they claiming you did wrong?

I do not think you have been clear on that.

 

[Fitter152]

They say. There is no signs of manufacture failure One guy said they will claim that it is my responsibility to keep eye on temp gauge. Which I did scan by it from time to time. Was paying attention to the ground (rocks). Ground was reasonably flat. Just a lot of hidden rocks.

 

[Fitter152]

Rad screen wasn’t too bad with debri. They said due to the extreme Drought more smaller debri flying around could have bypassed the protection screen and straight into Rad. Again was only 1 to 1 1/2 hours into the job

 

[rgr33]

You need to escalate this and keep your dealer at arms length, they don’t appear to be advocating for you

 

[JeepHead]

@Fitter152 Did you post this last week somewhere else and talked about how the dealer picked your tractor up and drove it hot, spewing coolant, and making horrible noise?

 

[ruffdog]

Basically. The tractor is designed to brush hog and that’s what I was doing. Was not running at a high speed.

Did you have the throttle set at 540 pto speed?

 

[Fitter152]

@Fitter152 Did you post this last week somewhere else and talked about how the dealer picked your tractor up and drove it hot, spewing coolant, and making horrible noise?

No. First ever post

 

[Tinhack]

Would it start and run after it cooled down? My Kenbota had run hot a few times due to a slow coolant leak somewhere. Seems to happen at the start of every season. I should know better by now. When I notice the gauge up higher than normal, I drive it back to the barn, let it cool down and add coolant. Typically, it's not more than 20-30 ounces to top it off. The Kubota engines are a tough breed. At least the old ones are.

 

[Fitter152]

Yes. It started after about 15-20 mins. Loaded it up hauled it home. U loaded. Never had a problem starting it back up

 

[RjCorazza]

Rad screen wasn’t too bad with debri. They said due to the extreme Drought more smaller debri flying around could have bypassed the protection screen and straight into Rad. Again was only 1 to 1 1/2 hours into the job

If the radiator was in fact plugged, you could be on the hook for the repair. I would be documenting and confirming their assertion by shining a flashlight through the radiator.
If the dealer is just inventing a scenario that makes you responsible, you need to refute immediately.

 

[Tx Jim]

Do you have KTAC insurance on your tractor. Due to tractor engine starts & operates why does dealer think it needs a new engine?

 

[Harry in Ky]

No offense intended, but sometimes people learn the hard way ($$$$). Small tractors (and I think a B series Kubota qualifies as small) don't like mowing tall stuff. They're too low to the ground and first knock over most of what they will eventually mow. This puts a lot fluff in the air which gets sucked right into the grill and then to the radiator. Certain times of the year are worse than others, but it all has it's effects. I don't know what you were mowing, but if it was tall enough to need mowing, it was tall enough to potentially create problems. Under those conditions, the engine temperature gauge becomes critical. Once the airflow through the radiator is reduced, temps rise quickly, and serious internal damage is not far behind. It can most certainly happen in an hour and a half.

I don't know where your dealer stands on this, or who they may or may not be looking out for. A seriously overheated engine due to a plugged radiator is not a warranty issue. That said, they stand to make more profit from a customer invoice than from a warranty claim.

 

[big bubba]

you might also want contact central Kubota on this. dealers can be very opinionated & just wish cases like this away. good luck, sorry to hear w/so few hrs. on the machine. if you had K insurance, should cover.