Broken HST/ No Reverse= HUGE $ to Fix!

[curtisfarmer]

I lost reverse on a L48, was told it is probably a relief valve since forward worked fine. Got a call from the dealer saying it is something inside. Was quoted $4,800 just to split the tractor and then over $4,000 in parts just to start. YIKES!!!!!!! Almost $10K+ to fix a tranny? I am completely disappointed as a loyal Kubot owner with many Kubota products. That is a 1/3rd the value of a new machine! Granted it is a commercial machine with subframe and takes a little longer to fix, but that kind of $ is absurd. I called a different dealer and got a labor quote for 1/2 the price, the parts are the same. My logic is to buy a complete HST unit, which they do sell as 1 unit, as opposed to open the machine up and only replace what is broken for only $1,000 less. In a situation like this, you have to consider abondening the machine and putting it into a new one. I do have another, newer L48 so I could use it as a parts machine. Still thinking I should fix it. It has 1,955 hours on it. New tranny and should be good to go for a while I think. Any thoughts? Thanks!

 

[ericher69]

I lost reverse on a L48, was told it is probably a relief valve since forward worked fine. Got a call from the dealer saying it is something inside. Was quoted $4,800 just to split the tractor and then over $4,000 in parts just to start. YIKES!!!!!!! Almost $10K+ to fix a tranny? I am completely disappointed as a loyal Kubot owner with many Kubota products. That is a 1/3rd the value of a new machine! Granted it is a commercial machine with subframe and takes a little longer to fix, but that kind of $ is absurd. I called a different dealer and got a labor quote for 1/2 the price, the parts are the same. My logic is to buy a complete HST unit, which they do sell as 1 unit, as opposed to open the machine up and only replace what is broken for only $1,000 less. In a situation like this, you have to consider abondening the machine and putting it into a new one. I do have another, newer L48 so I could use it as a parts machine. Still thinking I should fix it. It has 1,955 hours on it. New tranny and should be good to go for a while I think. Any thoughts? Thanks!

If you want to keep the L48 I would go with whole HST unit new for 1K more!

What is the main purpose of the L48 for you? Ie; does it make you $ or not?

Also did they tell you what part failed and what caused it?

Thanks

 

[RoyJackson]

If the new transmission installation is cheaper, that's the way I would go since you should see another 2000 or more hours with it.
You wrote

Granted it is a commercial machine with subframe

That would make any repairs tax deductable, which doesn't help your cashflow, but will be some relief when you file your taxes next year...

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

the split charge seems like a lot. I'd get another opinion.

 

[brain55]

$4800 for splitting the machine, making the repairs, and reassembly seems really steep, almost like they didn't want the job. I'm not sure what the labor rate is where you are but even out here in California at $100/hr that's a lot of labor hours. HST's don't typically lose one direction. I'm with you I would think it lost a relief. I agree though if it truly needed $4000 worth of parts I would go ahead and replace the whole hydrostat unit on a machine with 2000 hrs. I would want to know what tests they did to determine it needed said repairs. I would also be tempted to take it to the other shop for a second opinion.

Brian

 

[Grandad4]

$4800 for splitting the machine, making the repairs, and reassembly seems really steep, almost like they didn't want the job. I'm not sure what the labor rate is where you are but even out here in California at $100/hr that's a lot of labor hours. HST's don't typically lose one direction. I'm with you I would think it lost a relief. I agree though if it truly needed $4000 worth of parts I would go ahead and replace the whole hydrostat unit on a machine with 2000 hrs. I would want to know what tests they did to determine it needed said repairs. I would also be tempted to take it to the other shop for a second opinion.

Brian

+1 I don't know the inside of an HST, but something about that quote just doesn't sound right... almost like they don't know what they're doing, don't want the job or figure to make up some money on the job. I'd look for someone who can explain specifically what they think is wrong with it and can present a more reasonable labor estimate.

 

[Tx Jim]

the split charge seems like a lot. I'd get another opinion.

Amen buddy that's split is high $$$$$$. I also vote for another opinion. Last year I had a M4900/cab tractor spit and fwd/reverse syncronizer replaced and the total bill was $2000

 

[Ken45101]

Maybe we ought to keep this thread for reference when people ask "HST or clutch?" Yikes.

 

[texasjohn]

I want to hear more from curtisfarmer before drawing a conclusion. He says it is a commercial machine, don't know if it was in commercial use. Fluids recently changed, cold weather, history of slowing response between forward/reverse. I wonder if SUDT or better was used, surely so.

I want to hear the rest of the story. Messicks and everyone else think the split charge alone is too much.

 

[brain55]

I've split many Kubotas in my career, though I have never split that model before. I'm thinking 20 hours on the low side and 28 on the high side. There is definitely more work to do splitting an L48 vs other non-industrial machines, due to the hydrailic tank and extra loader and backhoe framing. Depending on the hourly rate, $4800 sounds like 48+ hours to me.

Brian

 

[murphy1244]

Maybe we ought to keep this thread for reference when people ask "HST or clutch?" Yikes.

Or maybe in the Buyers guide on whether to buy a Kubota or not.

 

[brain55]

Or maybe in the Buyers guide on whether to buy a Kubota or not.

That's ridiculous, all makes and models break. We can't speculate on a quote without even having a description of the parts that failed or the actual final bill.

Brian

 

[murphy1244]

That's ridiculous, all makes and models break. We can't speculate on a quote without even having a description of the parts that failed or the actual final bill.

Brian

That's just as ridiculous as the post I was answering.

 

[easygo]

Or maybe in the Buyers guide on whether to buy a Kubota or not.

Sounds like an opinion based on years of research, well reasoned and insightful TROLLING.

 

[curtisfarmer]

I recieved another quote for the break apart, repair, reassemble for $2,280 (without parts) which is Kubotas warranty guideline at 28 hours. Most shops around here charge $80-86 hour. The $4,800 has me pissed of as we have been doing biz with this dealer for 4 generations and I have A LOT of orange machines. The parts are the same $ where ever you go, and I agree, buying an entire new HST unit for $4300 seems the only way to go if you are going to open the machine up at that cost. Yes, I do use my machine commercially and luckily I have 2. The regulator assembly is like $3,100 and the piston servo valve is like $1,200 so combined I am better off new HST for a piece of mind. I am really disappointed in the dealer, and to some degree Kubota, for the cost of repairs to these things. I am not asking for a favor or a reduced price, just a fair, mutually beneificial repair bill. The problem with these things is that they are freakin rocket scientist machines these days, you can't work on a machine like this repair needs yourself so they have you by the HST, if I may. I paid $38 for the 1st L48 with hoe and $27.5K for the 2nd without hoe. Almost $10K to fix a machine that cost $27.5K is stupid. My machines are serviced regularly and used slightly more than above average. They do make me $ so that helps. If the labor cost doesn't come down, I am going elsewhere......along with all my future biz.

 

[curtisfarmer]

They said they took one of the relief valves off, switched to the reverse side as in theory if the valve was bad, switching them around would have identified it as a bad valve, and did pressure tests and everything was right on spec (chrage and high pressure), but without opening up the machine they cannot tell which part went bad. That I can understand

 

[curtisfarmer]

They said they took one of the relief valves off, switched to the reverse side as in theory if the valve was bad, switching them around would have identified it as a bad valve, and did pressure tests and everything was right on spec (chrage and high pressure), but without opening up the machine they cannot tell which part went bad. That I can understand

I will say, this has been the 1 and only problem this machine has given me. I am a die hard Kubota fan and believe in their superior quality.

 

[murphy1244]

Sounds like an opinion based on years of research, well reasoned and insightful TROLLING.

Your funny.

 

[brain55]

Any sales or service manager worth his salt ought to remedy this without blinking. I wouldn't hesitate dropping that second estimate on either desk with an ultimatum.

On a different note, I'm glad my estimation was in the right neighborhood.

Brian

 

[moship]

It looks like the HST P/N is TA240-58005 according to the Kubota's online parts drawings. Using various online pricing sources the whole unit is listed between $4,116.30 and $4354.61.

There is a listing on ebay for a used item with the P/N referenced above, but listed for a L3010. Of course this is used and unlikely your desired path, but it is listed for $2,500. The only reason I point this out is it looks like the HST unit is used in other modes and therefore might be available used from various sources. Or if you buy a new unit perhaps fix your old one and sell it.

I can not help but wonder with all the pictures on the web of metal found in the various filters during the initial 50 or 200 hour fluid change if something long term didn't happen. Every time I see or read about the amount of metal shavings found as being normal and assumed to be OK, I cringe. Not saying this was your case, but I have to wonder...

What is the tractor worth as salvage or if you started to part it out? I'm cetain you are weighing all options.

Good luck!!!!