Checking fluids on a new tractor is no joke!

[taborekle]

If you have documented your findings, dates/hours on machine, I would think you'd have no problem with dealer corrections...Good luck.

Don

I totally agree with those that suggest that you document it in writing. A complaint to the dealer is not enough. You need to have it down in paper (Certified mail, request signature). If this causes problems several years down the road (if not within the warranty then under the insurance period) and it's not documented, Kubota will deny the claim, as -abuse-.

Good luck, we're all pulling for you.

 

[poldies4]

As far as documenting goes, well, I guess i'm not sure what the path might be. Should I e-mail Kubota? I know all e-mails get redirected to the local rep. I went throught this with my question to them regarding the initial issue with the loader. I don't want to stir the pot, so as I sit here and look at this beautiful sunny day, and the reality of no tractor i'm feeling like driving to Tractor Supply and buying some fluid, filling it up and dealing with the dealer monday. What do you guys think? Good idea, or bad idea? Does it obsolve the dealer of any responsibility if I touch it, or does he need to see physically that it is underfilled? I hope. I haven't drained, or done anything since I did the finger test. Thanks again for the interest and information.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

My understanding is the tractors are shipped with fluids and topped off at dealers. Looks like yours wasn't topped off at dealer but probably has enough to not cause damage. Have dealer give you a quart of SUDT to top off front and transmission if it needs it.

 

[Spencer C]

Your tractor arrived at the dealer in a steel crate, and they handled final assembly there. Rarely, if ever, are the fluids filled properly from the factory. It's the responsibility of the dealer to re-torque critical bolts, tighten fittings, check fluids and top them off where necessary. A good assembly guy (or gal!) will find potential problems ahead of time and make pre-retail warranty claims before the tractor hits the showroom.

The best recourse for a complaint is going first to the big boss at the dealership, then calling Kubota customer service if necessary. The Kubota customer service department takes complaints VERY seriously. In most cases, the regional service rep will contact you directly and ensure that you're properly taken care of. Good luck with it all!

-Spencer

 

[poldies4]

Thanks JOHNTHOMAS, seems like the simple solution. I did an additional "finger check" and found there was fluid low in the case. Middle finger covered with 3/4 " of fluid when on the bottom of the case. Whew!!! Glad it wasn't dry. As far as potential future problems, should that not really be a concern or should it be documented as others have suggested? Would rather not make a mountain out of a molehill. It's a small town community, people know everyone, at least by name, so i'd rather try to befriend the dealer rather than alienate them. Thanks again.....

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Thanks JOHNTHOMAS, seems like the simple solution. I did an additional "finger check" and found there was fluid low in the case. Middle finger covered with 3/4 " of fluid when on the bottom of the case. Whew!!! Glad it wasn't dry. As far as potential future problems, should that not really be a concern or should it be documented as others have suggested? Would rather not make a mountain out of a molehill. It's a small town community, people know everyone, at least by name, so i'd rather try to befriend the dealer rather than alienate them. Thanks again.....

The not topped up happens. It happened to me and I didn't discover it until months later but I'm not concerned and never even told the dealer. I had asked if the factory or dealer did the filling and Gary (parts man) told me the factory filled them and the dealer topped them. My transmission was slightly low and he had given me a quart of SUDT to top it off so I still had it to fill the front. I've found that coming in like a raging bull usually causes more resistance than asking questions without an attitude. Now I can develop an attitude when treated like I'm stupid but I try to save that until diplomatic relations fail.

 

[poldies4]

I agree, glad I vented a little here, rather than at the dealer. I'll assume everything is fine until it's not.

 

[brain55]

Having worked in Kubota dealers for 12 years, I took machine assembly very seriously. My first boss pounded that into my head. Nothing would piss him off more than delivering a machine and something not being right. He taught me to anti-sieze the turn buckles for the lower link arms, I also spray lubed the pivot balls so when he showed the customer how to hook up an implement he knew the turnbuckles would turn and it would be easier for him and the client. He also taught me about putting the nuts and lockwashers on the outside of any assembly that was through bolted, so while doing a visual inspection whoever was doing it could notice a fastener that was loosening up. Kubota uses USS washers on dealer installed items, for standard or metric bolts, I always threw them away and used SAE or metric washers approprietly. I also locktited any wheel studs, nothing worse than having to take a wheel off and the stud coming out wiith the nut. I always used a torque wrench on any ROPS bolts, not only for the customer's safety but to also reduce our liability if something happened. The last dealer I worked for always removed any fill plugs, check plugs, and dipsticks, and painted them red. Not only did it help the customer find them, it was also our way of making sure those fluid were checked. Sure all of these things added to set up time, but eliminated many of this type of issue. Most of the time when I'm out in the field now, I can still tell if I was the one that assembled a machine by many of the things I listed above.

Brian

 

[rdsaustintx]

Leaking fittings and low axle lube are common annoyances. I had both too.

Not saying they couldn't do better, but don't take it too personally.

 

[bp fick]

If you found fluid in that axle, way down deep, you are only low a little bit, believe me. I own this model. You dealer simply failed to top it off, OR and this is important, there was some air in the axle. In other words, you can top off that axle, only to check it in a week, still fine, check it in another week and find it a pint low. Nature of the beast.

When you do your own fluid changes in that axle, you will have to top it off, use it, check it again too. I am so glad for you that you found oil down in there. The odds of you having harmed that axle is slim to none. The way it is designed, the bulk of the fluid fills the bottoms on both sides.

Bet you feel a whole lot better.

You will come to check ALL the fluids with some sense of habit. I do. Mostly out of admiration and appreciation of the machine. As you stand there, wanting to take it out and use it, but you cannot for some reason, instead, you check fluids.