Kubota B3350 tractor regeneration problems

[NC Plotter]

I understand the first step is to upgrade/update the ECU and install a new thermostat. Can you guys give me a good idea of what the steps are to fix this, and what step #2,3,4 is ? I would like to be a little more informed of the possible solutions, so that I can work with the dealer to get it fixed right.

As far as idle time, I idled it some in the first 11 hours, but not excessively. Either way, that might increase the frequency for regeneration, but should have no bearing on the success of regeneration. When the auto-regen light came on, I made sure to increase the RPMs as the manual indicates.

 

[Deerherd]

I understand the first step is to upgrade/update the ECU and install a new thermostat. Can you guys give me a good idea of what the steps are to fix this, and what step #2,3,4 is ? I would like to be a little more informed of the possible solutions, so that I can work with the dealer to get it fixed right.

As far as idle time, I idled it some in the first 11 hours, but not excessively. Either way, that might increase the frequency for regeneration, but should have no bearing on the success of regeneration. When the auto-regen light came on, I made sure to increase the RPMs as the manual indicates.

You shouldn't be worried about steps 2,3 and 4. The whole reason you buy a new tractor is so you DON'T waste your time working on a "repair plan." If it didn't come back FIXED the first time I would do what liteship did and get a different model or color. Too many good ones to put up with that bull.

 

[liteship]

To NC Plotter:

I think you and I are fairly like minded in trying to deal with this issue. I like the dealer and wanted to give him every opportunity to repair the B3350.

I purchased the tractor in May. The problem first appeared in August. From August through the end of February they had to return this tractor 4 times for repair. Each time they replaced or reprogrammed something until they had tried everything out there. At this point, I lost confidence in the product, and no matter what they did, I had no confidence in the long term operation of the tractor. My fear became what happens after the 2 year warranty runs out. If this tractor continued to malfunction, I'd go broke trying to keep it going.

 

[s219]

I'm not trying to disagree with you, but I live in NC, and my first Regen failed at 65 degrees. Clearly not due to ambient temperatures. Dealer is picking it up this afternoon.

As far as the purchasing decision, the 2650 was never on my radar. I was looking for a ~35HP tractor give or take, and so the B3350 and L3301 were my two main options. Along with the E-series green tractors. The B3350 had all of the power of the L3301 with better features, less weight, a tighter turning radius, easier to trailer, etc. For my uses around the house and creating small food plots in the woods, the smaller (deluxe) package seemed like the better choice. However, I didn't hear a word about any problems with Tier IV. My dealer mentioned that he had a L3200/3800 still, but when I asked him about Tier III vs. Tier IV, and what advantage the former might have, he just chalked it up to personal preference and the possibility of a minute power loss. He never mentioned anything about the problems they have been having. I called them Saturday and the first thing the guy said was, "Yeah, we have another one in the shop right now for the same thing." I would like to give the dealer the benefit of the doubt and assume he wasn't aware of the issues at the time I asked the question. It wasn't going to prevent me from buying, just which model I was buying.

Well, the L3200 and L3800 were Tier IV also, but Tier IV "Interim" whereas the L3301/L3901 (and B3350) are Tier IV "Final". So your dealer wouldn't have been able to say anything about Tier III on those tractors since they were never Tier III.

Personally, I do not view the B3350 in the same ballpark as the L series or an honest 35HP tractor -- it's really the most deluxe version of the smaller B lineup. It does have a lot of power, but it's not as usable as the same amount of power in a larger heavier package. So this is one of those cases where I think the B3350 is a bit of a odd bird in the lineup, and the 2650 is really the sweet spot. I sort of felt the same way about models in the previous generation -- there was a B3200, but price wise it was within $50-100 of an L3200 at my dealer, and just didn't make sense.

I think the real appeal of the B3350 is for a buyer who wants a lot of deluxe features at that price point, which an L series can't deliver. And to me, if you are coughing up all that extra money over the B2650, it better be a darn good tractor. The DPF/regen problems are just a big slap in the face for people that paid extra for the 3350.

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

It does have a lot of power, but it's not as usable as the same amount of power in a larger heavier package. So this is one of those cases where I think the B3350 is a bit of a odd bird in the lineup, and the 2650 is really the sweet spot.

The cab version adds to the mix here. You do need the extra engine HP to run the A/C and stuff. The B2650 cab can be marginal on power in some applications.. A/C cab + 72" mid mower on 26Hp is a possible configuration.. but probably not a great idea.

 

[ljvsdk51]

Kubota is well aware of the problems that have occurred with the Reformer regeneration system that was originally installed in the B3350 tractor series and after thorough research, Kubota released a service bulletin on 10/09/2014 (and just updated in January 2015) announcing a mandatory campaign to correct the problems, with a list of all B3350 serial numbers that are affected, and depending upon the serial number, what level of action the dealer is required to take. Depending upon what category your serial number falls into, the remedial actions required can be as simple as reprogramming the ECU (engine control unit), to actually replacing the entire Reformer DPF assembly with the new model Reformer DPF assembly that was redesigned to correct the issues and the one being installed on all current production B3350 tractors, starting at serial number 60000.

 

[NC Plotter]

^Thanks for the info. Mine is in the low 50000 serial # range. Do you happen to know which category that falls under?

 

[ljvsdk51]

^Thanks for the info. Mine is in the low 50000 serial # range. Do you happen to know which category that falls under?

The only way to really answer your question would be to know your exact serial number and then compare it to the Break Charts in the Kubota service bulletin to find out what steps the dealer is required to take for your specific tractor. Your dealer should be working from Kubota Service Bulletin #PSB-2014-060-A (which they can download from the dealer portal of the Kubota website). If your serial number is listed in the Break A chart, the dealer needs to reprogram the ECU and replace your thermostat, after that they need to hook up a diagnostic tool and perform a detailed regeneration check (the check procedures are described in detail in this bulletin). If the regeneration check is successful, then you are good to go. If the regeneration check fails then your tractor is supposed to get a complete new Reformer DPF assembly installed. Serial numbers in the Break B chart get an ECU reprogram and a new thermostat and that's it. Serial numbers in the Break C chart are not supposed to need their ECU reprogrammed and already have the correct thermostat. The dealer is supposed to go straight to step 3 and hook up the diagnostic tool and run a regeneration system check. If the system check fails, then the Reformer DPF assembly is supposed to be replaced. There is also one other item that only applies to B3350's equipped with the full factory cold-weather cab, and that is to confirm that the unit is equipped with a 75 amp alternator (the first cab units produced had a smaller amp output alternator, I don't recall the size, but with the smaller alternator, in cold weather when all cab electrical accessories were being used - heater, wipers, etc - the DC voltage supply to the Reformer would drop well below 12 VDC, which would cause it to malfunction)

 

[Piper792]

I agree with this, I wonder "if' a new unaware buyer will be told about this issue when he/she is in the market and their told, " don't worry, it's being handled'.

No, the dealer isn't letting the buyers know the issues with the 3350. I went to two dealers yesterday and they never mentioned it.

This sucks I have used my buddies 3030 and loved it. That is what sold me on Kubota. I was hoping to get into this tractor soon but after reading all the issue forget it. If I am going to drop 30k on a 3350 cab it better not have issues like this.

 

[NC Plotter]

Just to give an update: My dealer took in my tractor for service along with another B3350 that they had sold sometime in the last year. They were consecutive serial #'s. Apparently they had just got done "fixing" this other tractor when I called with my problem. After talking with them and discussing the service bulletin, break charts, etc. over a few days time, they said that they had just found an attachment to the service bulletin that wasn't there before.:roll eyes: The service manager said that it was just sent out that week by Kubota, but I suspect that it was there all along, and they just missed it. That was the part that outlined the service repair schedule and that the reformer would need to be replaced. What they should have done on the other guy's machine when they had it the week before, "fixing" it. They brought both machines back in for service.

The short story is they called Kubota and had a Kubota technician there to walk them through replacing the reformer, replacing the dozer assembly, performing the ECU upgrade, installing a new thermostat, etc. They got it done fairly quickly, and got the machine back to me with 17 hours on it (it had around 12 at the first failed auto-regen). At 32.4 hours it performed it's first successful auto-regen without complication. It took about 25-30 minutes though, and obviously I had to leave it running at high RPM during that time. At this point, it looks like Kubota has finally arrived at a solution for the problem. Hopefully that is the case, and I won't have any more problems out of it. Time will tell.

Certainly if I was interested in this model or any other model with Tier IV emissions, I would thoroughly grill the dealer on any "mandatory campaigns" or updates that need to be performed.