Kubota alternator problems

[ACE108]

I have a Kubota M108x tractor which I have been using to push and blow snow. Its been working great for about 6 years up until now.

There is about 1600 hours on the machine and the Alternator started heating so bad on it that it burns the belts right off. The machine can be idling and the temp still climbs. We put in a new battery, ran a new ground cable from the battery directly to the alternator, then put in a new alternator and still having the heating issue. We checked the amp draw from all the accessories and its all normal. the temperature on the alternator runs up to 260 degrees celcius compared to about 115 degrees on the other kubota 's I have.

I took it to the dealer today and they seem to be stumped as well. They told me I need to replace the pulleys, V-belt and tensioner which didn't make any sence to me. especially when its being replaced with another V-belt.

Anyways just looking to see if anyone else has run into a similiar problem or know what can be causing it ????

 

[bigdeano]

Have you measured the amps the alternator is putting out while running? Maybe a short from the main alternator wire to ground.

 

[Stimw]

Does it run a separate regulator or is it internal on the alternator?
Have you checked the voltages off, idling and running? Looking for over voltages.

 

[Ken]

had a problem with Kubota alternator . removed from tractor and took to repair shop.
As walking into the shop the repairman asked if it came from Kubota told yes he said will be shorted armature and to get replacement be cheaper to purchase a new one. Tested and it was shorted he showed me a 1/2 of pick load all; Kubota. tossed into the pile.
Check on e-bay and a company that makes a replacement for carrier freezer trailers direct replacement.
ken

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

if you check with your friendly local dealer, I believe we can core bad alternators. :thumbsup:

 

[ACE108]

thanks for the reply guys, I'll keep you informed whenever we figure it out

 

[davesl708]

had a problem with Kubota alternator . removed from tractor and took to repair shop.
As walking into the shop the repairman asked if it came from Kubota told yes he said will be shorted armature and to get replacement be cheaper to purchase a new one. Tested and it was shorted he showed me a 1/2 of pick load all; Kubota. tossed into the pile.
Check on e-bay and a company that makes a replacement for carrier freezer trailers direct replacement.
ken

Must be a whole lot of Kubota's in that town if he has a half pickup load. Just saying

 

[kevin37b]

You have an alternator temperature gauge ? Sounds like bad bearings .

 

[Ken]

Must be a whole lot of Kubota's in that town if he has a half pickup load. Just saying

He is on Hwy 64 West of Morrilton , Ark and has a radius of over 50 miles of farm logging and gas/oil field equipment.
Now old men and women with more work than wish for. since the young men don't want to work with there hands getting dirty.
ken

 

[skyhook]

Put a straight edge from pulley to pulley and see if their lined up right, could be a seized tensioner also.

 

[ACE108]

Hey guys looks like we got the alternator problem figured out. Turns out the rads were plugged preventing the air from getting at the alternator.

Thanks for all the responses !

 

[jimainiac]

Glad you got to the bottom of your alternator problem. This story is a good illustration of how we can get tunnel vision and not realize that the problem that manifests itself can sometimes be the effect of another problem that's the root cause.
The first truck I got that had one continuous serpentine fan belt, the belt started squeaking, so I replaced it. Soon the new belt was squeaking, too. After a couple more replacements, I took the truck to a mechanic who checked all the pulleys and fixed one that didn't line up. Years later, no belt squeaking.

 

[skyhook]

Hey guys looks like we got the alternator problem figured out. Turns out the rads were plugged preventing the air from getting at the alternator.

Thanks for all the responses !

Thats a first for me, glad you got her going again.

 

[ACE108]

ya it was Strange, the engine was not overheating so we never though to look. We figured it out only after we were comparing the amp draw and temp on the M7060's alternator and nearly froze our hands from all the air that the engine fan was pulling through ( -10c when we were checking ). when we went back to check the M108x we noticed our hands were not getting cold at all and then looked at the rads. after we cleaned it out the tractor ran a straight 8 hours with no hickups whereas before within 10 minutes the belt would be toast.