Case Farmall DX33 vs Kubota L3800

[AGRIMAN]

.... Shibaura will fall apart by adding oil too fast...there has to be a LOT more to that story. I have two old Shibaura/Fords. One has 3,600 hours, the other 2,100 hours, they both run excellent. I think they are right up there with Yanmar and Kubota. I say go with the unit you like more.

There is, the problem is related to the oil fill location on T3 engines. It is not a Shibaura only problem, in fact Cummings was the first manufacture to identify the concern.

The concern is only on T3 engines with fill ports in the valve cover. Your risk of causing damage is greater if you are filling with 2.5 gallon containers or worse an automatic dispensers as it's possible to over fill the valve cover based on the volume of oil you are pouring at one time. If you are using qt containers you should be fine, but take a extra time when pouring.

This was a early T3 engine concern for more manufactures than just Shibaura.

 

[sd455dan]

There is, the problem is related to the oil fill location on T3 engines. It is not a Shibaura only problem, in fact Cummings was the first manufacture to identify the concern.

I think you mean Cummins...

 

[AGRIMAN]

There is, the problem is related to the oil fill location on T3 engines. It is not a Shibaura only problem, in fact Cummings was the first manufacture to identify the concern.

I think you mean Cummins...

Oops.... Sorry, fat fingers

 

[Wolfy]

Okay, thanks AGRIMAN, that explanation I can buy. Personally, I feel that pouring oil from a 2-1/2 gallon jug into a little diesel engine is just silly anyways.

 

[paine]

Okay, thanks AGRIMAN, that explanation I can buy. Personally, I feel that pouring oil from a 2-1/2 gallon jug into a little diesel engine is just silly anyways.

So after reading about the few instances where the QuickFill oil issue destroyed a tractor, this seems as if it is easily avoidable and more the likely not a problem for most owners as I am sure their are tens of thousands of units still running with many hours and no issues.

Knowing about the problem is good for sure but correct me if I am wrong, not something I should base my purchase around?
I also read that someone who experienced a failure replaced the gear case cover with an updated version with a oil fill hole in the cover and simply avoided the valve cover oil fill all together.

 

[k0ua]

I think this oil fill problem has been addressed on our Kioti engines also. The actual fill port is a big orange rubber fill port by the injector pump, but some people have insisted on prying off a cap on the valve cover and putting in oil there. Never mind it is not marked orange like the actual fill port, never mind that the manual clearly shows where to put the engine oil. But I have heard of engine failures by putting the oil in the valve cover, and not allowing time for the oil to drain down. By the way I had a Shibaura manufactured New Holland TC33DA tractor and it was a fine machine.

Now that said, I am also in the "lets look at some of the newer tractors" camp. I would not buy either of the two machines at the prices you mentioned. In 2012 I traded in my 2010 Kubota L3400hst equipped with SSQA bucket with 228 hours for $14,500. This was a trade in to a dealer, but I would have taken $15,000 from an individual easily. The SSQA bucket was nearly new also and the entire tractor looked and operated as new. Good luck on whatever you decide on.

 

[Wolfy]

Have you operated them both? Really, it is hard to choose because most tractors today are well made.

 

[paine]

Yes, I have operated them both. Both tractors are very nice machines, The Kabota being a few years newer and a lot less hours makes me lean that way along with the fact that Kabota is the biggest name in the compact tractors and the parts availability will always be around. The Kabota dealer that is selling the case also confirms that the case parts are not hard to get.
The Kabota is a very nice tractor it is also a stripped-down tractor compared to the case which is more of a deluxe model. The Kabota has a lot less sheet metal around the rear end of the tractor and under the seat you can basically see you down to the ground which isn't a big deal unless you want to install a cab later on, not sure if I will want a cab later on but it would always be a nice option. I also think the Kabota is lacking cruise control which isn't a big deal as I hear it can be added. The only real thing that makes me not want the Kabota is the loud hydrostat system, which has been changed by the original owner but he is not sure which type of fluid was used and I hear that the top of the line Kabota hydraulic fluid can fix some of theThe noisy hydrostat issue which is common with these L 3800s.

It was tough talking the fiancé into letting me buy one in the first place and I do want to be happy with my choice because I plan to keep it for a long time. This is one of the more difficult decisions I've had to make!!

And yes I know they are both slightly high in price but they are my best options in my neck of the woods!

 

[Wolfy]

In looking at TractorData, it seems the Kubota has a bit more lift power in the bucket, but the Case might be quieter. They both seem nice from what I see here.

 

[Wolfy]

Kind of makes me wonder why a tractor would go for sale at 100 hours...Im leaning towards the Case here.