Anyone put Kubota's front quick hitch on their new B yet??

[RRbota]

I've got a 2620 with loader, and was installing the front quick hitch (2733) to use with the snowblower and broom. The quick hitch is the same unit that is listed for the B2410, so it's been around awhile.

Well, the hitch fits the tractor, but not the loader frame. There's 2 side mounting plates that need to be slightly altered by drilling a hole in them. That's not as bad as the other problem, though. The rear of the unit has a weldment that is made to fit on the outside of the subframe. For the hitch to fit correctly, it must tuck-up tight to the tractor underside. The loader frame cross member is slotted to allow the necessary clearance. The problem is that the relief slots are positioned as if the above-mentioned rear weldment piece was made to fit on the inside of the subframe.

My dealer knows nothing about this, as I am the first person they sold a new B to with the quick-hitch and loader. They were going to call Kubota, but haven't gotten back to me yet (it's been almost a week).

I'm quite capable of making this fit, but if I start cutting and welding on it, I blow my warranty.

I'm curious....did I just get an "old stock" quick hitch?? Were there some recent changes made so it will fit on a new B with loader??

 

[Evil the Weasel]

My bill of sale lists the quick hitch as 2733A. Is this the one you mean, or is there a 2733 also?

I just called my dealer today to check on the snowblower arrival and installation. I'm not looking forward to it now.

 

[FrogLick]

If that quick hitch is supposed to fit the loader, I wouldn't even think about modifying it myself. I'd insist on a quick hitch that fits properly from the outset. I suspect you got the wrong model hitch. I also think that Kubota will do the right thing and get the right one to your dealer in short order. I'd keep after my dealer until that happened though. Keep us updated.

 

[smfcpacfp]

Since you have a B2620 which is new, you can't have the "old stock" quick hitch, correct. If by old, you mean the quick hitch that would fit on the B3030, it is a B2791.

The quick hitch on the B3030 requires that you take off the loader. You can't have both the loader and the snowblower on at the same time.

Are you saying that the loader and a front blower can be on the machine at the same time, or does the blower use the loader arms somehow?

When I look at the pictures the B2620 with blower, it looks like the B3030. If that is true, loader comes off, and quick hitch and blower goes on.

Of course I don't really know since I haven't the B2620. I am just speculating a bit.

 

[RRbota]

I just got off the phone with my dealer. Kubota claims that I have the right kits (B2733A), and that no one else has complained of it not fitting. I know this is from another thread, but I also mentioned the poorly-designed mmm height adjuster (along with my "fixes" for it).....they know there is a problem, but no revisions yet.

I guess I should try to clarify things a bit with the front quick hitch......
As I mentioned above, it is part no. B2733A. It's listed to work with all the "pre-20" series B's.....2400, 2410, 7610, etc. The new B's (2320, 2620, & 2920) aren't even listed on the cover of the manual. This makes me think that this particular quick hitch model has been around for awhile, and fits a number of tractors. When I put it together, that proved to be the case. All the bolt holes line up to mount it to the frame of the tractor. However, we all can see that there has been a major change in the FEL bracketry when comparing the old B's with the new ones. This is where the problem lies....where the rear of the subframe is pinned...about in the middle of the tractor. The subframe hits the loader mount crossmember, and cannot fit up where it's supposed to. The loader and arms are removed, but the "lower portion" of the mounting brackets that bolt to the tractor frame are still installed. It would be a major ordeal if one would have to remove everything related to the FEL to install another attachment....wouldn't it??

smfcpacfp.....funny you should mention the B2791 on the 3030. When I went to my dealer last week, he had a 2320 with FEL next to a 3030 with a front-mounted brush. Those are the 2 tractors I used to explain my problem to him. The quick hitch for the 3030 is very similar to my 2733 quick hitch. One of the exceptions is the rear piece that the pin goes through. If that piece on my hitch were like the one on the 3030, it would work ! ! It would fit up in the relief slots in the crossmember from the FEL bracket, just like it looks like it was designed to do ! !

 

[Jason537]

I believe there is a bulletin on this and you need to ream the hole to fit a 7/8th pin.

I will see if I can find it.

NM it was for the MMM

 

[forester2]

I'm confused; is the 'quick hitch supposed to stay on when the loader is in use. On my B3030 that is not possible due to clearance with the front part of the 'quick hitch ' and the cross memebers of the loader. If that has changed, it would be a big improvement. I did weld up a little dolly for the quick hitch assemeby so at least it's easy to wheel into position to put on and take off.

 

[Evil the Weasel]

My salesman told me that the quick hitch would not interfere with the loader. My expectation was that I could switch between loader and front blower without removing the hitch or any of the loader supports. I don't know if this is going to work out yet. If not, Kubota will need to fix the situation quickly as this is completely unacceptable and uncharacteristic if true.

 

[RRbota]

Jason - - what hole needs reaming for the mmm?? If it's like mine, my guess would be the holes for pinning the deck up. The only way I can pin mine up is if I use a small diameter bolt....like 1/4". The holes don't line up at all. Luckily, I don't really have a need to pin it up. It's quicker for me to take the mmm off, than to spend the time jacking and tugging and pulling....just to try to line up the holes to work in the pins (or smaller diameter bolts) ! !

Evil and Forester - - the front hitch can't stay on when using the loader. I really don't think you'd want it on anyway, since there's quite a bit of ground clearance lost. The loader crossmember I'm referring to (where the quick hitch hits the loader frame), is at the rear of the hitch frame....where the pin goes through to fasten it to the tractor. A rolling dolly would definately be a good idea. That quick hitch assembly is not light ! !

What I'm looking to do....actually expecting.....is to set mine up like smfcpacfp. If you look at the pictures with his snowblower, the "lower, tractor frame mounted" portion of the FEL mount (may be called the FEL subframe??) remains on the tractor. I should not have to remove portions of that FEL mount just to install the quick hitch. Especially when there are "relief slots" already cut in the loader crossmember to provide the needed clearance. They just need to be moved about 1/2" from their current position.

My dealer is coming over to look at my tractor and hitch today, to see exactly what I'm talking about, since Kubota claims there is no problem. I'll keep you posted.

 

[forester2]

The only time it would be nice is if you need the loader in winter. It's not an issue with me because I have a seperate tractor w/ a loader. You're right the ground clearance is very low with it on. I only have to remove the loader to put on the quick hitch assemby not ANY of the loader mounting hardware. I also have a MMM and none of that mounting hardware is in the way either. Hope you get it figured out; sounds like a pain. I also did not have to drill out anything to mount unit but maybe the dealer had aready done the initial reaming.

 

[Evil the Weasel]

Well, I was told the hitch could stay mounted and not interfere with the loader operation. Ground clearance wouldn't really be an issue for my Winter loader uses. I would want it for drift removal and widening out the driveway end that seems to get narrower (and harder and icier) as the season progresses.

I also have the issue with the pin-up holes not lining up, but I'm still unhappy with the MMM setup and intend to address this with the dealer. Maybe I should have gone with a tried and true model like the B3030, but it was too big for my uses and I still feel that way.

 

[RRbota]

Evil - - I haven't physically tried it, but I really don't think there's enough room between the front of the quick hitch and the loader bucket, if you were to try to keep both installed.

As far as the 3030 and MMM issues....I'm was in the same boat as you. The 3030 is simply too large for my property and uses. Plus, of course, the added price ! ! According to my dealer, Kubota is aware of the mmm height adjustment issue with the new 20 Series B's. So far, their only solution is to shim the lift cross shaft (which I've done), and use a die grinder to enlarge the notches on the adjustment cam (I haven't done that). I do, however have another idea I'm going to experiment with, which I think will actually give better results....and be simpler. Although I may not have time to test it this mowing season.

Back to the front quick hitch issue - - you said your bill of sale lists part number B2733A. You may be ok with that. Upon closer inspection, the model number stamped on my hitch is 2733. There is no "A". In looking up available parts at the dealer, there are in fact, 2 different 2733 hitches.....one with the "A", and the other, older one, without the "A". It looks like they gave me the wrong one. The "A" hitch is ordered, so we'll see what's in that crate, when it gets here ! !

 

[Evil the Weasel]

Wow, thanks for the information. I hope you are right on the hitch, and that you are dealing with an incorrect part as opposed to new model woes. It's possible the 2733A doesn't stick out as far either.

As far as shimming the cross-link for the MMM, did you have a pic of what that looks like? I have the bar/turf tires on mine which puts it a little lower physically than the turfs. However, this same unit is supposed to work on the 2320 which has smaller tires anyway, so I digress.

 

[RRbota]

The shim on the cross shaft takes out the side-to-side slop. I noticed the arm that contacts the height adjustment cam was always shifted off to the side. The "finger" from the shaft was just barely contacting the edges of the notches in the cam. Now, with the slop removed, there is fuller, more centered contact between the "finger" and cam notches. I measured the amount of slop I had in my cross shaft (surprisingly large....about 3/16"), then machined a nylon spacer to that width. I don't have any pictures, but I might be able to snap a couple this weekend.

 

[Evil the Weasel]

The shim on the cross shaft takes out the side-to-side slop. I noticed the arm that contacts the height adjustment cam was always shifted off to the side. The "finger" from the shaft was just barely contacting the edges of the notches in the cam. Now, with the slop removed, there is fuller, more centered contact between the "finger" and cam notches. I measured the amount of slop I had in my cross shaft (surprisingly large....about 3/16"), then machined a nylon spacer to that width. I don't have any pictures, but I might be able to snap a couple this weekend.

I definitely don't have that issue. There is no side to side slop. I was perusing the setup manual, and they are quite specific about the length of the front linkage and the connecting rod that ties to the left lower link on the 3pt. I'm thinking if this is a little out of whack, it might cause the problem you describe.

 

[RRbota]

Actually, the side-to-side slop I'm referring to isn't on the mower deck. The slop is on the cad-plated lifting arm shaft that the lift links are attached to. The length of the 3-pt connecting rod is just used to synchronize the actual height of the deck with the numbers on the dial. My guess is that all lifting arms have the slop I'm referring to. It just seems to be the nature of the way they're designed.

Like they say....."a picture is worth a thousand words". I'll try to snap some this weekend.

 

[RRbota]

Sorry it took so long, but I finally got a chance to snap a couple pictures of the MMM spacer I was talking about earlier.

Before I made the spacer, the lifting shaft would work it's way over to the side, resulting in the "adjustment finger" on the shaft just barely contacting the edge of the cam notches. That, in addition to the excessive play (slop) in the cam itself, combine to make this an extremely poor design.....and practically useless! ! Certainly not something I'd expect on a $20,000 tractor

Now, with the side-to-side play removed from the shaft (thanks to the spacer), there is much better contact with the cam notches.

Next I need to devise a way to minimize the wobble in the cam

And.....back to the front quick hitch......my dealer just called and said the correct hitch (2733A) is in. He's going to bring it over tomorrow
I hope this one is the right one ! !

 

[Evil the Weasel]

Thanks for the pics, although we're getting away from the thread topic a bit. I checked mine out and the cam is not as wide as the notch. My cam is recessed a bit from the outside edge but does not extend beyond the other edge of the notch on the inside of the machine. I'm still perplexed at the height adjustment issue. The threaded adjusters you can see in your first picture are bottomed out on mine and the height is still 3/4" or so less than it should be. I see you have R4s and I have smaller bar/turf tires, so that's probably a factor. Thanks again.

 

[LBrown59]

The only time it would be nice is if you need the loader in winter. It's not an issue with me because I have a seperate tractor w/ a loader. .

That's how I do it too.
Loader on one tractor front blade on another tractor.

 

[WayneB]

Thanks for the pics, although we're getting away from the thread topic a bit. I checked mine out and the cam is not as wide as the notch. My cam is recessed a bit from the outside edge but does not extend beyond the other edge of the notch on the inside of the machine. I'm still perplexed at the height adjustment issue. The threaded adjusters you can see in your first picture are bottomed out on mine and the height is still 3/4" or so less than it should be. I see you have R4s and I have smaller bar/turf tires, so that's probably a factor. Thanks again.

This is a bit off base, but I am wondering what you paid for the kit? I was at the dealer yesterday looking to buy a B2733 kit and was told it is no longer available and the only kit they carry now is the B2733A and the price was $900.00! I talked to someone else the other day and he told me he paid $650.00.

Thanks Wayne