First experience with Kubota Warranties in 25 years, first bad experience with Kubota

[628pm]

Well guys to make it clear I am not faulting the dealer for anything, he has been a valuable part in my purchases of kubotas for over 25 years, started with his father and now him. I stopped by his shop earlier this year and told him about my problem, I had attempted to adjust the pedal travel, I thought it was a missing spring someplace. They (the shop) was extremely busy , we mutually agreed to hold off, contacted him later he was still busy. Yes I could of said I need to get in in, I did not. Then in nov. contacted him again and we set a date to bring it in. Wanted it done before I put the front bucket on.

If you call free play not adjusted is operator error then so be it. Now if you call the rotor (at least I call it that)looks like a car rotor with groves in it like a worn out car rotor, I disagree. But that is my opinion, which in this case didn’t mean anything to kubota. Best way to hopefully guarantee a warranty is honored it to bring it home and let it sit. If you get on the tractor and start it you can start calling it operator error.

It cost over a thousand dollars for repairs, new bearings , seals and brake parts, plus the time to split the case. Dealer did a great job on repairs. It took over several weeks to finish the repairs, that was not an issue either, I didn’t need it.

Just remember once you get on the machine you start the clock for operator error.

I’ve had 8 kubotas, never an issue for operator error, my first request for warranty repair operator error.
Again don’t get me wrong I wouldn’t of done different on purchasing my kubotas, especially my f2690, wouldn’t give it up for nothing. It is out of warranty so it will be my dime anyway if an issue.

Guys hope all of you have a merry Xmas.

 

[Paystar]

I gotta make a comment and it's not directed at the OP of this post as I don't know his full situation. Nor at anyone else. But after reading a lot of posts it made me think.
I have been a truck driver/heavy equipment operator for the last 30 years and even I have drove away a couple times with the parking brake on, on my Kubota.

I called myself a dumb ***** and said to myself "if I need to do brakes now sooner than normal, guess I gotta pay for my stupidity."

I didn't blame my dealer or Kubota for my self afflicted abuse.

 

[Trillium Farm]

Well guys to make it clear I am not faulting the dealer for anything, he has been a valuable part in my purchases of kubotas for over 25 years, started with his father and now him. I stopped by his shop earlier this year and told him about my problem, I had attempted to adjust the pedal travel, I thought it was a missing spring someplace. They (the shop) was extremely busy , we mutually agreed to hold off, contacted him later he was still busy. Yes I could of said I need to get in in, I did not. Then in nov. contacted him again and we set a date to bring it in. Wanted it done before I put the front bucket on.

You should fault the dealer! He didn't intentionally give you bad advice, but so he did and now you are paying the piper. I don't blame Kubota at all as it has to deal with what's in front. The dealer is taking you for granted and he should have represented better your case with Kubota ESPECIALLY since you bought 8 machines from them. As I said before customer acquisition is VERY EXPENSIVE and both of them should consider their cost of replacing you. Betcha the repair would turn out cheaper without even considering customer satisfaction and future sales.

 

[628pm]

Trillium Farm, I will fault myself before the dealer, he said he was busy and I could see how busy his shop was. I could of pressed the issue, but didn't because I don't use the brake on the Kubota, except for pressing the pedal down to start it, then I was told you didn't have to press it. Just a habit, I guess the same way you press the clutch in when starting a manual. I think what got me the most was the rep stating it was operator error due to driving while riding the brake. It's not even comfortable to hold the brake down. Oh well it is done, not happy, bad taste about it, but lesson learned.

 

[CobyRupert]

Can somebody explain how free play in a pedal causes brake wear?
I, like the OP, wouldn’t think slack in the pedal means the brakes are being applied. Every time I’ve had excessive free play in a pedal I’ve had less braking, (or clutching,etc...) not unwanted braking (or clutching).

Owner and rep played good cop/bad cop. Result speaks for itself.

Bottom line is the dealer (who represents Kubota!) and HIS PARTNER the factory rep screwed the OP.

 

[sd455dan]

Trillium Farm, I will fault myself before the dealer, he said he was busy and I could see how busy his shop was. I could of pressed the issue, but didn't because I don't use the brake on the Kubota, except for pressing the pedal down to start it, then I was told you didn't have to press it. Just a habit, I guess the same way you press the clutch in when starting a manual. I think what got me the most was the rep stating it was operator error due to driving while riding the brake. It's not even comfortable to hold the brake down. Oh well it is done, not happy, bad taste about it, but lesson learned.

what got me the most was the rep stating it was operator error due to driving while riding the brake. It's not even comfortable to hold the brake down.

I believe you, and if you rode that pedal for a year or two there would likely be some wear on the pedal surface.

If the pedal looks unused it kind of makes your point.

They saved money denying the claim, fact.

What bothers me about this thread is when you know you are telling the truth and they state the cause as something that infers you were not truthful.
That would bother me far more than the financial cost of the repair. Sorry- not trying to re ignite an argument, but when truth and honor are questioned well...

 

[Trillium Farm]

Trillium Farm, I will fault myself before the dealer, he said he was busy and I could see how busy his shop was. I could of pressed the issue, but didn't because I don't use the brake on the Kubota, except for pressing the pedal down to start it, then I was told you didn't have to press it. Just a habit, I guess the same way you press the clutch in when starting a manual. I think what got me the most was the rep stating it was operator error due to driving while riding the brake. It's not even comfortable to hold the brake down. Oh well it is done, not happy, bad taste about it, but lesson learned.

628pm you are very fair and generous, your dealer should treasure you! Merry Xmas to you & all the contributors at TBN !! May 2019 be a better year for us all!

 

[lennyzx11]

Now that is an interesting approach, I would have never though of doing something like that. I can just imagine the conversation when the dealer rejects the warranty claim a second time. How about we try to operate our machines in a sensible manner and get the maximum about of useful life out of them? That would be my approach.

It was posted only in jest.
I take care of mine too if you want to look back through posts you can see that.

I added a flashing led light down by my parking brake handle on my 3301 within the first few months to catch my eye if I started to move with HST and the brake on because it’s so easy to drive off and not notice the brake on.

 

[DK35vince]

Can somebody explain how free play in a pedal causes brake wear?
I, like the OP, wouldn’t think slack in the pedal means the brakes are being applied. Every time I’ve had excessive free play in a pedal I’ve had less braking, (or clutching,etc...) not unwanted braking (or clutching).

Slack in the peddle doesn't cause brake wear.
But when his peddle went down and wouldn't return the brakes for whatever reason were apparently stuck on and continuing to drive with the brakes stuck on burned of the lining.

 

[Like Tractors]

Slack in the peddle doesn't cause brake wear.
But when his peddle went down and wouldn't return the brakes for whatever reason were apparently stuck on and continuing to drive with the brakes stuck on burned of the lining.

Now you are a logical, thinking human being! That is refreshing.

 

[aczlan]

Slack in the peddle doesn't cause brake wear.
But when his peddle went down and wouldn't return the brakes for whatever reason were apparently stuck on and continuing to drive with the brakes stuck on burned of the lining.

I would think that the thing to do would have been to manually pull the pedal back up after starting a tractor if you have to push the pedal down to start it. I don't recall having to do that on our BX2660, but I don't drive it all that often and the tractor in question may be different.

Aaron Z

 

[628pm]

Pedal did not stay to the floor after starting, it just didn’t return to the top where you normally have free play. It was just like a spring was missing.

 

[JWR]

what got me the most was the rep stating it was operator error due to driving while riding the brake. It's not even comfortable to hold the brake down.

I believe you, and if you rode that pedal for a year or two there would likely be some wear on the pedal surface.

If the pedal looks unused it kind of makes your point.

They saved money denying the claim, fact.

What bothers me about this thread is when you know you are telling the truth and they state the cause as something that infers you were not truthful.
That would bother me far more than the financial cost of the repair. Sorry- not trying to re ignite an argument, but when truth and honor are questioned well...

AMEN sd455dan -- I agree 100%. That would be exactly my thinking if I were in the 628 shoes. It is very clear that 628 DID NOT hold the brake down or ride it and the rep was erroneously accusatory in claiming so -- with no proof of any kind. Another point: 628 said a few posts back "Pedal did not stay to the floor after starting, it just did not return to the top where you normally have free play. It was just like a spring was missing."

That is profound BECAUSE 1) it proves the problem of the sticking brakes was an internal malfunction and had nothing in the world to do with operator error. And 2) I would bet that 628 told the dealer exactly what he just told us -- Blue sentences above ending "...like a spring was missing." If in fact 628 did tell the dealer that, the dealer should have told him with no further discussion THERE IS AN INTERNAL PROBLEM, DON'T USE IT UNTIL WE LOOK AT IT. That is on the dealer totally, no one else. As I understand industry norms Kubota has to back this claim for 2 reasons: First it was an internal failure of some sort during the warrantee period and Secondly the dealer (probably) goofed failing to tell the customer to stop using it until investigation was done. Kubota is responsible for actions of the dealer too in that context.

 

[art]

AMEN sd455dan -- I agree 100%. That would be exactly my thinking if I were in the 628 shoes. It is very clear that 628 DID NOT hold the brake down or ride it and the rep was erroneously accusatory in claiming so -- with no proof of any kind. Another point: 628 said a few posts back "Pedal did not stay to the floor after starting, it just did not return to the top where you normally have free play. It was just like a spring was missing."

That is profound BECAUSE 1) it proves the problem of the sticking brakes was an internal malfunction and had nothing in the world to do with operator error. And 2) I would bet that 628 told the dealer exactly what he just told us -- Blue sentences above ending "...like a spring was missing." If in fact 628 did tell the dealer that, the dealer should have told him with no further discussion THERE IS AN INTERNAL PROBLEM, DON'T USE IT UNTIL WE LOOK AT IT. That is on the dealer totally, no one else. As I understand industry norms Kubota has to back this claim for 2 reasons: First it was an internal failure of some sort during the warrantee period and Secondly the dealer (probably) goofed failing to tell the customer to stop using it until investigation was done. Kubota is responsible for actions of the dealer too in that context.

You are out of line to say that kubota is responsible as well as saying that it was an internal problem with the tractor to begin with! The petal might have just not been returning to the top of it's stroke do to it being tight on the shaft or an issue with the return spring. Anyway you look at it to move the machine at that point the brakes were lightly engaged which caused to heat to hurt internal components while operating the tractor..

 

[Diggin It]

It is very clear that 628 DID NOT hold the brake down or ride it and the rep was erroneously accusatory in claiming so -- with no proof of any kind. Another point: 628 said a few posts back "Pedal did not stay to the floor after starting, it just did not return to the top where you normally have free play. It was just like a spring was missing."

That is profound BECAUSE 1) it proves the problem of the sticking brakes was an internal malfunction and had nothing in the world to do with operator error. And 2) I would bet that 628 told the dealer exactly what he just told us -- Blue sentences above ending "...like a spring was missing." If in fact 628 did tell the dealer that, the dealer should have told him with no further discussion THERE IS AN INTERNAL PROBLEM, DON'T USE IT UNTIL WE LOOK AT IT. That is on the dealer totally, no one else.

This has been my position from the beginning.

 

[JWR]

You are out of line to say that kubota is responsible as well as saying that it was an internal problem with the tractor to begin with! The petal might have just not been returning to the top of it's stroke do to it being tight on the shaft or an issue with the return spring. Anyway you look at it to move the machine at that point the brakes were lightly engaged which caused to heat to hurt internal components while operating the tractor..

That does not change the points I made nor the conclusions. I don't think my reasoning is out of line at all.

 

[Jim Nelson]

I have a B7800 that I bought new in 2005 and by and large am very happy with. I have found though, after losing the dif lock twice and one broken front axle that their quality control has slipped.
The first time the dif lock went out my son in law had done some mowing for me and even though he is a very good equipment operator I thought maybe he was riding the lock pedal, which he denied, and I now believe him.The second time it went out, about 250 hours later no one but me had run it and After the first experience I knew darn good and well that I hadn't caused it to fail. This time as I was putting it back together I was very careful to check every little detail and found that it was binding where the rod goes into the dif case and it was not releasing all the way.I of course did a little bending and reaming and a bunch of greasing. So far so good but I watch it like a hawk.
I think this is caused by the way it was designed. The dif lock pedal is on the left side of the floor and connects to a rod that goes under the tractor to the right side then connects to another rod that goes back to the housing and connects to yet another rod that goes through the dif housing. Neon of these connections are machined or bushed,just a bent rod through a drilled or punched hole, way too much room for error.
On the front axle I was mowing a fairly flat area when the left front axle snapped. After getting the tractor back to the shop and taken apart I saw that the axle stub had only been welded half way around to the part it attaches to. If I had seen this without knowing where it came from I would have guessed it was Chinese.
I've owned 3 older Kubota that were worn out when I got them an could never fault any design flaws but the newer ones seem to have problems.

 

[crazyal]

The bottom line is Kubota is within their rights to refuse to cover it under warranty. At the same time we are not obligated to continue to buy their products. If it was me and Kubota told me that it was my fault I most likely would never buy another Kubota again. Situations like this are when a company has the chance to step up and make it right or look at the bottom dollar. If the pedal wasn't returning to it's normal position on a low hour/ new tractor then either something unusual happened (like corrosion) or it was a manufacturing mistake. If it was something unusual then the dealer should be able to point it out. The brake pads/ rotor are just a casualty of the problem.

Would you accept a car company telling you that it was your fault that your new car just ate up one of it's tires because they built the rear axle wrong? I wouldn't. Far too many brands out there. Kubota and Deere seam to charge a premium, if excellent service is not something you can count on then that's an easy way to loose market share. My Deere riding mower that I bought used (1 year old from a different dealer) had to have the steering wheel replaced. The local dealer didn't say a word, just ordered it and installed it. When I went to pick it up the dealer said that the seat had a small tear from what looks like the vinyl being too thin or someone put a rope across the seat and wore it down. It was there when I bought it so I figured it's up to me to repair it. They ordered a new seat under warranty and told me to wait until the warranty is closer to expiring and they would change it. That's what I expect from a premium brand.

 

[Paystar]

I don't see anything here that is Kubota's fault? But ya, you should all stop buying them so they lose business and their prices come down and I can buy more cheaper, LOL.

 

[Oldpath05]

After skimming through 6 pages of bottom lines, is the tractor fixed yet? Thats what I was looking for, that post. If not and if the dealer isn't and kobota isn't going to fix the tractor it's time for a plan B...

Ether pay the dealer to fix it or I suggest fix the brakes your self, how hard can brakes be to fix on a BX tractor, just a bunch of bolt turning and torquing, and why do bearings have to be replace for just those few what was it 200 hr. and why $1000.00, what does brake pads cost? All's needed is drain fluid, remove brake housing, it only gets hard if gears have to come apart and thats only inside trans on a manual. Best of luck and Merry Christmas.