Excessive vibration makes my B3030 the ultimate disappointment

[beamster]

After posting in this forum and getting feedback I recently purchased a new B3030. I read a lot about this model in this forum and elsewhere but in hindsight I obviously didn't search enough. My tractor has excessive vibration in the steering wheel and in the floorboard at 2000 rpm and higher. This causes my hands and feet to get numb after about 15 minutes of operation at these engine speeds. I didn't notice it while driving the tractor at various engine speeds in the dealers lot for the short period I drove it at the time of purchase. After the fact, I searched here and discovered this problem has been reported by others in this forum but unfortunately I didn't know that prior to purchase. This excessive vibration should have been a deal killer and if I had to do it over I would definitely not go with this model for this reason.

My dealer has installed the steering column bracket kit intended to address this problem and that didn't help much. A Kubota service rep drove the tractor at the dealership and claims it is normal. I've complained to the central office in Texas and another rep is investigating further.

My question to others who have reported similar vibration problems with their B3030s: Have you ever been able to get satisfactory resolution on this from Kubota? If so, what was it and who did you contact? Right now I am paying for a grossly inadequate tractor and so far I have only been able to get this steering column bracket which didn't help much at all.

 

[AMR]

beamster, I am sorry to hear that you have this problem, I can say that for the money I spent on my B3030 I would be pretty fired up. I don't know if this is a problem with all B3030's, but I did read about it here from some folks, perhaps mine vibrates the same and I am not sensitive to it, but you say that you get this vibration just at and above 2,000 RPM. How many hours? I just hit about 100 hours on my tractor, it is just under 1 year old and until about 50 hours I did not run it much past 2,000 RPM, when I was near and over 50 hours I ran it up to PTO speed, I don't notice excessive vibration and I sometimes mow for 2 or 3 hours. I pose this question, could this be a break-in issue?

 

[jeconn]

I feel your pain. I too bought a Kubota and thought I researched enough. I now have a new tractor that I am not satisfied with and can't get any help from Kubota. Good luck with your problem and keep us posted.

 

[Evil the Weasel]

The majority of the postings on these forums for the B3030 contain praise upon praise. I can't believe this problem is widespread but then again I don't have one. I was very close to getting one however. Let us know how this works out for you. It's way too much money and too big of a problem to let slide. Good luck.

 

[peterc38]

I feel your pain. I too bought a Kubota and thought I researched enough. I now have a new tractor that I am not satisfied with and can't get any help from Kubota. Good luck with your problem and keep us posted.

Not to minimize your concerns but what model did you buy and what specifically are you not satisfied with?

 

[lawn_king]

I purchased a new 3030 hsdc in 2005, ran it with no vibration issues for 3+ seasons. This problem seems to only effect a few units? Pull up the rubber floor mat & lay carpet padding under it, check every nut & bolt on the machine to make sure they are tight.

 

[LBrown59]

A Kubota service rep drove the tractor at the dealership and claims it is normal. I've complained to the central office in Texas and another rep is investigating further.

.

Normal and correct aren't always interchangable

 

[art]

From time to time peoples expectations of the way things should be vs their reality of the situation need to be adjusted. A quick trade out to a more comfortable unit that doesn't have the vibration issue would be the best solution for everyone.

From time to time this happens with purchases, we have an on going one right now where a fellow wants a new tractor. That is not a problem! Trouble is he wants the same model and when comparing all of that model we have in the yard now, they are the same as his.

 

[jeconn]

Not to minimize your concerns but what model did you buy and what specifically are you not satisfied with?

I have a 2008 L3400 and the 3ph is the problem. Read this. I even posted a video.http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-owning-operating/131742-l2800-position-control-jerky.html

 

[jsboening]

I have a 2008 L3400 and the 3ph is the problem. Read this. I even posted a video.http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-owning-operating/131742-l2800-position-control-jerky.html

WOW!!! That would make a great paint can shaker.

 

[amigauser]

My understanding is the 3 cylinder Kubota diesels run smoother than the 4 cylinder ones as the 3 cylinder design is better balanced and thus has less vibration. That being said, I have had my B3030 cab model for a little over 2 years (70 hours) and I have not noticed any real vibration issues? I rarely run over 2000 RPM though.

Have you tried varying the RPM? I know just above idle there is more vibration then at slightly higher RPM's. I do most tractor work around 1800 - 2000 RPM and I have not noticed any vibration issue.

 

[dodge man]

This probably won't help but I'll offer it anyway, have you tried hearing muffs? When I first got my BX 2350, I was digging for a swimming pool with the FEL. I spent about 9 hours on the machine one day. After about 2 hours I was also starting to get a little buggy. I put some hearing muffs on and it helped about 90%. I have some vibrations, but it was mainly the noise that was getting to me.

 

[Killer_B]

Beamster,

Sorry about your let down. I know exactly what you are talking about regarding the vibes.

On 8/3/07 I wrote:

"I have driven 3 (new) B3030’s now. One was a cab and the others open. All three had a very annoying thrum in the floor boards. The last one was like a vibro-massage that had my feet tingling after a 3 minute trip around the lot with the tach at 2,000 RPMs.

My 3 cyl B7610 was smooth as silk at anything above idle. Is this just the nature of the 4 banger? Does it get better with time and break in?"

The thread that followed is here: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...0-b3030-floorboard-vibration.html#post1196426

After this post I drove another new B3030 that vibrated so bad that the pins in the ROPS made a racket that almost drowned out the motor.

So I doubt that yours is the only one with the problem. The more pervasive it is, the more likely Kub will be to take care of it, I would think.

KB

 

[Lindy]

Just another data point.

Got my B3030 in Jan '08. Didn't really notice any vibration during the test drive, but I did after I got it home. Not enough to bother me much, though. If I'm feeling a bit of vibration, I just move the throttle a touch, and it goes away. Have you had the chance to operate any other B3030's?

In the 90 hours I've put on mine, including some 8 hour stints, it's never been an issue. Perhaps I'm just not sensitive to it.

Even knowing what I know now about the vibration, I'd still buy that tractor in a heartbeat. It's been very good to me.

Also, FWIW, I always wear ear plugs when operating the tractor. Not sure that makes much difference in terms of how much vibration is felt, but I thought I'd throw that out there since an earlier poster mentioned it.

 

[nspec]

For anyone looking for a new machine, I bought a B2630 instead of the B3030 for exactly this reason. Identical machine, just one less cylinder on the motor (a couple less pto hp, but more hydraulic flow). The 3 cylinder is smooth as silk with not even a hint of vibration in the either the steering wheel or floorboards. I think this is why they use the 3 cylinder in the B26 and also the mini-excavators. I've not for a minute felt I didn't have enough power.

 

[JimMorrissey]

Weasel....Are you having any vibration issues with your 2620?

 

[PUSHINDIRT]

I've got about 35 hours on my new 2920, the thing is smoooooooth! Not to mention really quiet. My father has a B7800 (essentially the same engine) as the 3030. It does vibrate a bit over 1700 rpm's and becomes tough to endure after about 3 hours. This was one of the main reasons I went with a 3 cylinder vs. 4. My dealer actually provided me with this feedback from other customers prior to making my purchase. Gotta say If I had the cash the 3030 is one sweet ride regardless of vibration!!

 

[Evil the Weasel]

Weasel....Are you having any vibration issues with your 2620?

Nope, and I'm pretty fussy

 

[bandit67]

I remember reading a bit about the B3030 vibration issues back when I was researching. I tried one on a local lot, along with the 3 cylinder B2920. Of those 2, the B2920 had significantly more vibration, and the 3030 was extremely smooth.

I got a machine that I hadn't ever sat on - came out of the crate and was put on the delivery truck.

I had completely forgotten about the B3030 vibration issues because I've had no issues at all with mine after 150 hours in 7 months of ownership. There is a slight vibration just above idle, but only enough to hear the 3 pt hitch lever rattle against the plastic housing on the fender. I've spent hours at a time working on my B3030, and no foot numbing vibrations for me.

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

Out of the 30+ large B's we sell a year, we usually get 1 with really excessive vibrations problems. Its a hard thing to tackle since its a subjective thing, but if its making your feet go to sleep... then you've got it. Your dealer probably needs to get the regional service rep in the seat. Just saying 'it vibrates' won't get you anywhere because to a point... they all do. You could also try and see if they will swap your unit for a different one.