Buying Advice B3200 Vibration Issue--Affected Serial Numbers

[Verticaltrx]

OK, so today I went down to the dealer and rode a 2012 model year B2920, B3200, and B330. I had read all the reviews, and heard from the dealer that the vibration issue was fixed.
Holy cow patties Batman! That 3200 shook like , well, I'll refrain from any derogatory analogies. Suffice to say - I understand the comments people make about it making their hands and butts going numb.

Well, the B2920 and B3300 had loader attached - but the B3200 did not.

Does the loader frame mounted on the model change the harmonics and dampening frequencies enough to combat the vibration?
The dealer said adding attachments does smooth it out. Has anyone experienced this to confirm it?
I thought I had it all figured it out for the B3200, but I think this experience bumped me down to the B2920 (bummer).
Thanks for any feedback!
-Dennis

Any mass you add to the tractor will dampen the vibration. The reason for the vibration is the timing on the engine, which Kubota reset to meet emission standards. Over time (and with enough hours) the timing will slowly ****** and the vibration will become less. It can also be reset by the you or the dealer, if they are wiling to mess with it. I have about 500hrs on my B3200 and there is still vibration, but less than when new.

Now, with that said, if I were doing strictly mowing, I'd look at the B2920 and avoid the issue all together. Strictly bush hogging or other PTO work and I'd look at the L3200, again, no vibration issues there. But for me the B3200 was the right size, right price and overall the tractor I wanted. For general 'tractor work' the vibration isn't an issue. Loader work is around 1800-2000rpm, as is most dirt work. I almost never run at PTO rpm, even when bush hogging, so it really doesn't bother me. If I were buying again, I'd still buy a B3200 for my uses.

 

[General Lee]

Everyone's tolerance of the vibration is different. With me when I had my 3200, sometimes it bothered me, sometimes not. Depended on the task. I went around the tractor placing rubber pads in places I thought were causing vibration noise.....didn't help. Overall, it was a good tractor and very capable for its size.

 

[Blitzn]

Well, I suppose that's one solution. But I guess I don't think I should have to shake and shimmy from the start. Even then, as you noted, it didn't fix the issue. Looking for a B3030 I guess if I want the mid-PTO and that size - if I want to stay orange.

 

[jim_wilson]

Does anybody know if Kubota is equipping all of the B3200's with the anti vibration mat and mounts - or do they only install them when somebody complains?

I'm seriously thinking of getting a B3200 - but I don't want to spend hours on the thing and have my limbs go numb.

If Kubota is screwing with the injector settings - it's just another thing you can add to the list of things the EPA mandates have screwed up.

Trying leaving that alchohol laced gasoline in your lawnmower for longer than a couple of weeks and see how well it starts the next time.

 

[Blitzn]

Does anybody know if Kubota is equipping all of the B3200's with the anti vibration mat and mounts - or do they only install them when somebody complains?

I'm seriously thinking of getting a B3200 - but I don't want to spend hours on the thing and have my limbs go numb.

If Kubota is screwing with the injector settings - it's just another thing you can add to the list of things the EPA mandates have screwed up.

Trying leaving that alchohol laced gasoline in your lawnmower for longer than a couple of weeks and see how well it starts the next time.

According to the local dealer - they are coming that way from the factory with the isolation mounts. The fuel injector settings may require adjustment at the dealership.
The recommendation I was given and I followed - go try them out. See what you think. The B3200 at 2000-2100rpm, had almost no vibration. It wasn't until you start pushing towards its rated rpm (2500) that she shook like the dickens for me.
But, go sit on one and see what you think. Some don't think it matters at all.