Dealer hasn't worked out very well

[taborekle]

I would not continue to work with a dealer that I did not trust to correctly fix the problem. From your descriptions the "fixes" that's been done have only masked the underlying problem, and may have done damage. If this were me, I'd discuss my lack of confidence in this dealer with the regional/corporate rep, and get their buy in to move the servicing of this issue to another dealer.

 

[fredhargis]

a bottle jack to install a backhoe? something not right. What model of tractor you are having problems with?

Did the dealer try removing and install BH for you as proof on how hard it is to use ?

What you said is exactly what I have been arguing...the correct frame would not have to be cut/drilled/bent. It's B2920 with a BH 65 hoe. After they bent the frame (which has since returned to where it was) they called me, said it was fixed and they are bring the tractor/hoe back. The dealer seems to be talking out of both sides of his mouht on a replacment frame; one day he tells me "there's a frame in Columbus for you, be here Wed.". Then his mechanic says to me"they said there's no problem and the replacment will be exactly the same". To all: I will stay on this to get it resolved...but it sure annoys me that a customer has to work so hard on such a big purchase to get results. Does anyone have any advice for how to get hold of the resional rep. I've been corresponding with aspmpne titled "Service Manager, Northern Division". Is he the regional rep?

 

[Grandad4]

To all , thanks for the responses. Ken, I'm not completely down, but the larger problem is I believe the backhoe frame installed on my tractor is the wrong one (or manufactured incorrectly). The frame did not have clearance holes in the right place to remove the 3 PH, my dealer simply made the existing holes larger as opposed to trying to figure out whether it was the correct frame. Then, the thing is not aligned correctly, The hoe sits so firmly into the frame you almost have to press it in place. My dealer picked the tractor up and then used a bottle jack to "spring" the frame apart for more clearance, as opposed to examining whether the parts were installed correctly. It has now closed back up. This makes the BH removal/installation process about 3 times harder than it needs to be.I've written Kubota twice for help, the last response promised me ta new, correct frame. An unrelated problem has occurred with my LP post hole digger (bought with the tractor). I put it in the barn over the winter in a 3-point stance, and this spring there was a nice puddle of gear oil at the bottom of the auger. But we started working the BH issue last Oct., so the spring rush shouldn't have interfered. What galls me the most is that had he tried to mount the hoe and test it before delivery (as I asked) he would have discovered these problems and (maybe) resolved them before I had to start fighting with him about it.
Anyway, I didn't go through the details to avoid getting sidetracked from the main issue for me, but thanks for asking.

Fred, I'm sorry to hear about your dealer problems. Having a dealer that can't or won't work with his customer is one of the most frustrating things. But I'm scratching my head a little bit about that BH65 mounting problem. Now, please understand I don't have that backhoe or tractor, so what I think counts for exactly nothing.

When I look at the Kubota online pictures of the BH65 mounting for your tractor (http://www.kubota.com/product/B2320/pdf/b_series_backhoe.pdf), you have two mounting brackets on the tractor, each one having a drop-in lower slot and an upper pin mount hole. From your description, it sounds like the two brackets are ever so slightly too close together so when you try to remove the backhoe, they bind and it will not lift out. Is that a correct description of what is going on?

Any backhoe needs to be mounted tightly to the tractor since loose mounting is not safe and can potentially cause damage. So, I expect the tolerances are intended to be tight, enough so that it's expected to be snug until the paint wears some on the points of contact, for example. After the thing has been attached and removed 5 or 10 times, it would free up adequately.

It might be there is one point where some extra weld or something is causing it to bind. If so, a few minutes with an angle grinder should take care of it.

But all of that is something I think the dealer should have worked on before delivering the tractor to you. Or, at least he should have told you about it.

If yours is binding up more than that... if, for example, you can see the brackets deflect visibly outward when you mount the backhoe, they are out of tolerance somehow and should be replaced. I sort of doubt Kubota makes different brackets that are so close in measurements that you could put the wrong one on a tractor.

Sorry for the long-winded post. I mainly wanted to say you are right the dealer should take care of this, as others have said, but you need to appreciate that thing is supposed to have a snug fit... but not so tight you can't get it off!

Hope you get it resolved.

 

[fredhargis]

When I look at the Kubota online pictures of the BH65 mounting for your tractor (http://www.kubota.com/product/B2320/pdf/b_series_backhoe.pdf), you have two mounting brackets on the tractor, each one having a drop-in lower slot and an upper pin mount hole. From your description, it sounds like the two brackets are ever so slightly too close together so when you try to remove the backhoe, they bind and it will not lift out. Is that a correct description of what is going on?

.

Yeppir, that is exactly the description of the second problem of the frame (first being the misaligned clearance holes for the 3PH pivot pin). Here's how tight mine fits: when I remove the top pins and try to lift the hoe out of the frame, it will actually pick the tractor off the floor as much as 3-4 inches (this is friction fit). Rocking it enough will get the tractor to fall off the hoe. Does that sound like it's too tight (serious question, I'm a newbie on all this)? Actually getting the hoe off isn't nearly as hard as getting it on, the tight fit makes what should be a 30 minute job more like a 1.5 hour job (on a good day). Thanks for input on this....

 

[Grandad4]

Well, that's definitely worse than just a "snug fit" ! And it certainly sounds like it needs something more than someone playing around with a bottle jack to get it right.

Can you tell if there is a specific point where it's binding up? (i.e. near the upper pin, the lower slot, at some point along the bracket itself, etc.) Again, this is what your dealer should be doing, but it sounds like you may have to grab him by his ear (or something else !) and lead him around. The B2920 with BH65 is a pretty popular package. I expect there are several TBN regulars who own them and many other owners who also read and post here. If this were a common problem, it's likely word would have gone out long before this.

One possibility is that, since backhoes are installed at the dealer's, something in the installation was misaligned or bent, causing your problem. The dealer may be trying to avoid 'fessing up if that's the case, and that's why you seem to be getting the run-around.

Regardless of why, that is completely unacceptable. You paid a very tidy sum of money for what should be a top-notch product and it is essentially unuseable for the work you bought it to do.

I would suggest the following course of action. First, arrange a meeting with the owner of the dealership, not the mechanic, sales manager or anyone else. Explain to him that your very expensive new tractor cannot be used as intended because of the backhoe mounting problem. Tell him the sequence of contacts and attempted repairs. Tell him he has one week to either fix it correctly or provide you with a replacement that is working properly. Tell him your next contact will be with Kubota directly.

If the owner is who you have been dealing with all along, and he can't or won't make things right, your best bet is the Kubota regional rep. Kubota is a company that takes their reputation for good equipment very seriously and seems to try very hard to keep their customers happy, even if a dealer sometimes goes astray.

Again, good luck and I hope they step up and treat you right.

 

[fredhargis]

Well, that's definitely worse than just a "snug fit" !
I would suggest the following course of action. First, arrange a meeting with the owner of the dealership, not the mechanic, sales manager or anyone else. Explain to him that your very expensive new tractor cannot be used as intended because of the backhoe mounting problem. Tell him the sequence of contacts and attempted repairs. Tell him he has one week to either fix it correctly or provide you with a replacement that is working properly. Tell him your next contact will be with Kubota directly.

If the owner is who you have been dealing with all along, and he can't or won't make things right, your best bet is the Kubota regional rep. Kubota is a company that takes their reputation for good equipment very seriously and seems to try very hard to keep their customers happy, even if a dealer sometimes goes astray.

Again, good luck and I hope they step up and treat you right.

It's the owner of the dealership I've been dealing with all along, and so far my 3 letter to Kubota (2 to regional office, 1 to Torrence corp. office) have only been answered with "keep in contact with your dealer". That in itself has been a little disappointing, I would have thought they would have called. Regardless, I now need to track down the name of my regional rep, I guess. Maybe calling the regional office and asking for him may get some results. Thanks....

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Another tool to use to contact someone that may resolve your issue. Saves postage and can do it daily, if necessary.
Contact Kubota

 

[CHDinCT]

Another tool to use to contact someone that may resolve your issue. Saves postage and can do it daily, if necessary.
Contact Kubota

And include a link to this thread in your email!

 

[donn12]

That is definitely not the way the BH fits! If the holes don't fit for the 3pt bar then that is wrong. Got any pics?

Speak to the owner and tell him that you are going to take one last shot at fixing this problem the nice way. You might also want to speak to another dealer and get a second opinion or an estimate to replace the subframe. If its messed up and the dealer that installed the BH wont fix it sue them in small claims court for the max (up to the cost of an entire BH65). He will not want to go to court.
As far as Kubota, the dealers are privately owned so the factory may not have as much pull as you would think. The dealer may be ticked that you went to them in the first place.

 

[sixdogs]

If it doesn't feel safe to you and are afraid to use the item because you are concerned you might hurt yourself with potentially incorrectly installed equipment, say so in an email.
Get someone to repsond in an email. Get the dealer to communnicate via email that it is the right part and correctly installed. Document and refer to documents and emails for a paper trail.
People don't like these broad liability situations these days. If it is the wrong part, Kubota would have issues with the dealer for various reasons.
As well, the dealer has a moral and legal obligation to deliver a safe product, especially when the potential safety and functionality of the product is questioned.

Now, make sure you have the wrong part and/or make sure you know the difference between one that fits and one that doesn't.
It might be necessary for a different and qualified opinion from maybe another tractor owner like yours or maybe have a different dealer take a look.
That second dealer is a little dicey. Someone on this board must have the same product and a camera.
Sorry you have had such problems since Kubota is an honorable company with excellent products and Ohio has some great dealers.
Surely this will be resolved quickly since no one like problems that aren't contained quickly.