Kubota 3rd Function Hydraulic Hose Protection Solution for L Series Tractors

[ldowney]

Hey guys. Two weeks ago I snagged one of my 3rd function hydraulic hoses on a small tree stump. It ripped the hydraulic fitting completely off. Within minutes I had lost 5 gallons of hydraulic fluid and my tractor was officially disabled in it's tracks. It's hard to believe Kubota didn't develop a better protection system for these two lower hydraulic hoses that are just waiting for something like a small stump or bush hogging saplings to rip them off.

I took this issue to my neighbor who is, by profession, a master welder for the Nascar circuit. In a matter a days, he had fabricated an exact perfect fit made out of steel that would FULLY protect these hoses. Using the two existing drilled holes on the inside frame, he made a complete box that protects not only the bottom of these hoses but also the front and inside portions. The hoses are now fully protected from any future damage.

I am attaching photos so you can see the before and after pictures as well as the complete finished job. If anyone out there has this same issue and you'd like this custom fabricated hydraulic hose protection system, give me a call 336-671-2665. My neighbor kept all the dimensions/specs when he made mine. It will work with any L-Series Kubota tractor with this 3rd function kit.

 

[Einthewoods]

Thanks for the post. Just yesterday I was pushing some small trees over with my L3301 and the last one I pushed too hard and ended up with the root ball under the tractor just past the front wheels. As I backed up a root smacked the lines which (luckily) just caused one of them to come loose. Oil was spurting out like mad. All it took was tightening the line back up, but it sure gave me a scare. First thing I though was, how much is this going to cost.

While I don't have a NASCAR welder for a neighbour I will be looking into some way to shield those lines. Completely ridiculous place and way to have them.

 

[bdhsfz6]

Nice build! Looks like it will protect the hydraulics well.

What L series tractor and 3rd function kit do you have? It doesn't look like it would fit the Grand L series though. The hydraulic block, filters and W&R Long 3rd function hose connections are completely enclosed by a steel cage on the L6060. The 3rd function hoses were purposely routed above the frame to avoid snags when installed by the dealer. The only down side is it's hard to service the filters without removing the cage.

 

[TripleR]

OEM L5740

 

[devildog1]

Neat job talented fab man, The below are factory installed 3rd function on my Grand L3540
Devildog

 

[Fallon]

Nice. The hoses on the underside of my L4060 are sorely in need of similar protection. There is a cover on top, but nothing underneath where damage is more likely to be coming from.

 

[foggy1111]

^^. Just about to take delivery of my new L3560 HSTC tractor.....and have these same concerns with the hoses UNDER the tractor. They will not last on my land....as they currently stand. Sad that I gotta make a solution to a problem that should not be.......and I have not quite taken delivery of the tractor yet! Like....any fool that has been around tractors just a little bit.....can see that this situation is a disaster in the making!! Kinda pisses me off that I gotta deal with this after buying the tractor (and not seeing what this kit and hoses would do).


Kubota....are you listening?? It would not take but $10 of steel and paint to fix this glaring miscarriage. Common already. Certainly you got better engineers for this??? IF not....I'm not sure I want your product.

Same goes for you (lack of) a decent grille guard. WTH......why do you not make SOME attempt to offer protection for the grille and radiator that goes beyond the cheap POS you offer?? Grrrrrrrrr! Something else I have to work around until I engineer a suitable solution. NOT what I really want to do with my time.

 

[oosik]

View attachment 564571That should do the job. That "box" looks exactly like the OEM protection on my 2009 Kubota M6040. Strange - they realize and provide protection on the M6040 - - why not yours. My hydraulic line positioning is almost an exact duplicate of yours.

The picture is of the OEM "box" that protects my hydraulic fittings & hoses. Also good at catching mud thrown off the front tire but its washes out easily with the garden hose.

 

[David_Kb7uns]

You have farm and utility tractors, you should see what forestry equipment has to have to survive in the forest.

David

 

[foggy1111]

I addressed the OP issue with my dealer on the 3rd function hoses. They made plates like shown in the first post and I am a happy camper. They are going to add this to any tractor they sell with the 3rd function kit. Makes great sense to me! Thanks L Downey.....this was a big issue on my tractor too.