BX24 diff lock disaster ... How many others have had this problem?

[Carl Stevenson]

While a more robust diff lock (stronger than the pins) would be nice in general, my gripe right now is the way the diff lock pin failure seems doomed to cause a more catastrophic failure. (punching a hole in the case)

I'd still very much like to hear from others who have experienced this failure. If you don't ant to post here, y can email me director at wk3c@wk3c.com

Thanks,
Cwrl

 

[GolfAddict]

Carl, sorry to hear about this experience you've had. I have not experienced this problem but I do appreciate you posting about it, as I think I have not been nearly as careful about engaging my lock as I should be. I certainly didn't realize it would be a somewhat fragile pin nor that if I broke the pin I could cause this kind of damage.

I use the locking capability regularly on a particular small area of my lawn where I need to mow a fairly steep section at an angle. On the way up and the way down I'll keep a gentle pressure on the locking lever with my heel. Often it will engage when the high rear wheel starts to loose a bit of traction. The lever will press down and "slip" into diff lock smoothly. So, of course, I am engaging the lock while the wheels are spinning... didn't realize what a no-no that can be. I am thinking I'll just use 4wd from now on.

A comment on this:
3*The only problem specific on the BX24 compared to other models I think is the reverse issue, maybe plastic body.

It's interesting - I've seen these also. I have had no issues (knock wood) with plastic cracking, and I actually like the plastic body for scratching it up reasons. The hard forward/reverse changes reminds me of operating a bobcat skidsteer. I kind of like the feeling of such a robust HST system.

My first Kubota, and I've been mostly extremely pleased. The only complaint I have (and may not be specific to this model) is the seating ergonomics. If you spend much time at all "in the saddle" it is very uncomfortable. Strange for such a quality product. Quite impressive engineering overall, but don't think they spend much of it on the seats.:laughing:

 

[samofsweden]

Had o-ring leaking hydraulic fluid. Sent to dealer for repair. A week later, more fluid dripping out. Now they say diff lock pin sheared off inside of lower case and punched a hole in lower case. They say repair will be about $3k. Mechanic at dealer says he's done 4 of the this year (it's a small dealer).

I'm thinking this may be a design flaw (for pin failure to cause such catastrophic damage.

If you've had this problem, please contact me. I want to know how common this is.

Carl

Carl sorry to hear this. I have had my BX24 4 years now, done 500 hours hard work with it and no problem so far....
As former speaker said Ive been very careful when engaging the diff lock.
Good luck.:thumbsup:

 

[slowzuki]

Good luck buddy. There are big components in a gearbox. You can't leave room for all of them. They aren't designed to break.

I'm not saying that diff lock pins should NEVER break. Nothing is unbreakable. My issue is with the design where, if it does break, it falls to the bottom of the case and gets pinched by the gear(s) and punches a hole in the case, resulting in a $3k repair bill!!!

Not having enough clearance to prevent that seems to me to be a design flaw. A broken pin should be able to sit in the bottom of the pan, rather than being pushed through the case, creating such extensive and expensive damage.

I would like to hear from everyone who has had this happen and investigate the possibility of getting some consideration from Kubota for the cost their design flaw has caused.

 

[Carl Stevenson]

Carl, sorry to hear about this experience you've had. I have not experienced this problem but I do appreciate you posting about it, as I think I have not been nearly as careful about engaging my lock as I should be. I certainly didn't realize it would be a somewhat fragile pin nor that if I broke the pin I could cause this kind of damage.

I use the locking capability regularly on a particular small area of my lawn where I need to mow a fairly steep section at an angle. On the way up and the way down I'll keep a gentle pressure on the locking lever with my heel. Often it will engage when the high rear wheel starts to loose a bit of traction. The lever will press down and "slip" into diff lock smoothly. So, of course, I am engaging the lock while the wheels are spinning... didn't realize what a no-no that can be. I am thinking I'll just use 4wd from now on.

A comment on this:
3*The only problem specific on the BX24 compared to other models I think is the reverse issue, maybe plastic body.

It's interesting - I've seen these also. I have had no issues (knock wood) with plastic cracking, and I actually like the plastic body for scratching it up reasons. The hard forward/reverse changes reminds me of operating a bobcat skidsteer. I kind of like the feeling of such a robust HST system.

My first Kubota, and I've been mostly extremely pleased. The only complaint I have (and may not be specific to this model) is the seating ergonomics. If you spend much time at all "in the saddle" it is very uncomfortable. Strange for such a quality product. Quite impressive engineering overall, but don't think they spend much of it on the seats.:laughing:

The plastic is "OK" ... Both of my rear fenders are cracked n the back, where the 3 point hit it ... Not enough clearance ther either, but that's cosmetic, not fu noting, like the rear case/diff pin issue.

I ever jammed it into diff lock while moving or spinning the wheels. Not surely the pins broke, but they did. All I'm saying is that if their pins break , that's one thing. To cause s uh a catwstrophic, predictable, failure is a "design flaw."


Carl

 

[BotaBigot]

...cause s uh a catwstrophic, predictable, failure is a "design flaw."

Design flaw or cost engineering, Kubota's not alone...many cars have "interference" engine w/timing belt rather than chain. Break belt on hiway and bye bye engine. This "flaw" was engineered. Chain lasted life of car. Belt "fix" is replace before breaks...

 

[aczlan]

Design flaw or cost engineering, Kubota's not alone...many cars have "interference" engine w/timing belt rather than chain. Break belt on hiway and bye bye engine. This "flaw" was engineered. Chain lasted life of car. Belt "fix" is replace before breaks...

And replace EVERYTHING in the belt path when replacing the belt. That way you don't lose a tensioner pulley and bend valves like my car did (on its way to get the timing belt replaced 30k miles before the due mileage).

Aaron Z

 

[ejnichol]

........ The only complaint I have (and may not be specific to this model) is the seating ergonomics. If you spend much time at all "in the saddle" it is very uncomfortable. Strange for such a quality product. Quite impressive engineering overall, but don't think they spend much of it on the seats.:laughing:

Did you get the replacement seat that was offered for free.?The original seat was awful. I got mine changed out under recall. The bx25 seat and later bx24 were much improved. The original tended to slide operator forward.

 

[GolfAddict]

Did you get the replacement seat that was offered for free.?The original seat was awful. I got mine changed out under recall. The bx25 seat and later bx24 were much improved. The original tended to slide operator forward.

I certainly did NOT get a replacement seat, and you've captured the symptom exactly. Man, on days when you spend a number of hours it becomes almost unbearable and I'm sore the next day. Got to look into the seat change. So happy to know this!! I've come to love this little thing, but it's become kind of a love/hate relationship just because of that.

Thought it was just a Kubota thing that people put up with...

 

[kdm0811]

Define "spinning"? I mean, if you are stopped, and the pins are not lined up with the mating holes, pressing on the pedal will not engage the components? However, if you maintain a light pressure on the pedal and move slowly (with the back wheels turning at different speeds) then it should eventually engage. Right?