"IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR ALL NEW M SERIES OWNERS"

[m7040]

No the 4 wheel drive light does not come on at all. Only the preheat light comes on when very cold and none of the other shaded symbols in the center part of the dash will light up. Chuck, does your 4 wheel drive light activate?

 

[Muleskinner]

On the instrument panel when turning on the key to the first position I get light on for oil pressure and charging and when cold enough I get the preheat coil. These are the only ones I see. Should I have more?? In the middle of the panel I see faint outlines of other alarms but they never light up. Is that normal or what?? Also my dealer repaired the curl cylinders that leaked and they are much improved but still settles slowly while running. May be the pallet forks will tip down a few inches after 4 to 5 mins. Is that to be expected?

No this is not normal. Your bucket should remain in the same position you left it with or without the engine running for days. Mine used to when it was new.

 

[Glowplug]

No the 4 wheel drive light does not come on at all. Only the preheat light comes on when very cold and none of the other shaded symbols in the center part of the dash will light up. Chuck, does your 4 wheel drive light activate?

Now, I'm talking about when it's in 4WD, not during startup. When it's in 4WD the green indicator light is on most of the time. Occassionally it will go off when it's not actively working in front-wheel assist but only for a brief moment. It states that it may do that in the manual. But for the most part, when it's in 4WD the light stays on just about the whole time, probably at least 99% of the time. But it doesn't come on during startup as a "checker" light. Does yours not come on at all? Try putting it in "4WD". Then if the light doesn't come on drive forward and backward. If it still doesn't come on turn the wheel right and left while sitting still. If it still doesn't come on then get help.

Ummm. . . .by the way. . . .you do know where the front-wheel drive lever is, dont you? Sorry, had to ask.

 

[Blksim]

Now that's different. I, like Muleskinner, bought one of the first 7040s out. My manual doesn't mention the four wheel drive indcator. Only the quick check system. There are eight indcators in the shaded area of the dash. Fuel level (works) Glow Plug (works) Parking (doesn't) Air Filter (don't know) Bi-speed turn (don't know) Differential Lock (doesn't) Hazard Warning Lights (doesn't) Four Wheel Drive (doesn't). Have call into Dealer. He's checking on it.

 

[m7040]

BLKSIMS, please let us know what you find out from the dealer

 

[Glowplug]

Man, this is upsetting to me and all my dash lights seem to work fine. If I didn't already have an m7040 I could see being turned off by the new M-series after reading this thread. I probably would be too if I didn't already have one and think it's a great tractor. I hope everyone gets their problems straightened out for their sake, Kubota's sake, and for the sake of all those potential M-series buyers out there.

 

[Z-Michigan]

Man, this is upsetting to me and all my dash lights seem to work fine. If I didn't already have an m7040 I could see being turned off by the new M-series after reading this thread. I probably would be too if I didn't already have one and think it's a great tractor. I hope everyone gets their problems straightened out for their sake, Kubota's sake, and for the sake of all those potential M-series buyers out there.

I'm still reading this thread and still debating whether to buy an M5040 or the JD 5105! Can't beat the Kubota features - but I'm actively wondering about the quality/reliability.

 

[Blksim]

Tell you what. We're talking minute stuff here. This is my fourth Kubota and over fifteen years other than routine maintenance I've had one starter rebuild.
During this last purchase I looked at the same size New Holland and Deere. I'm sure they are fine tractors. I went with the 7040 because of my past experince and I liked the layout. After only 140 hr. (hard faming & haying work) I have no regrets and to date am very pleased with the tractor's performance.

 

[Glowplug]

I am extremely pleased with mine. But I only have 11 hours on it so far. Of course I've only had it two weeks. I would be very frustrated if I'd bought a new tractor and had these problems. But it seems to me that if you buy an M-series at this point there should be no problems. They've all been corrected. That is, unless you buy one that has been sitting around since last Spring. After reading this if I were at the stage I was a few weeks ago, getting ready to purchase, I'd make sure that machine was manufactured fairly recently. I believe the Mxx40 tractors are excellent machines and probably the best buy in that class of tractor for the money.

 

[n8wrl]

I do not have an M but I've had two L's. Not long, but just like other forums people rarely start threads with "my tractor rocks!" with nothing but praise. There's always YMMV (your mileage may vary) but these are most likely isolated incidents and good dealers will take care of you.

Z - get the kubota

-Brian

-Brian