Buying Advice Kubota BX23S third function valve

[check]

Looks like a lot of very vulnerable stuff sticking out in various places to me.

 

[check]

And thanks for posting about this problem. I was considering getting one for my BX25, but now I know to research it very carefully before buying. I would've just assumed that they would put it in the best place to do it right.

 

[LouNY]

Let's see OEM factory, will be factory installed or a remove all installed and replace with OEM, will be neater and look nicer and $$$$$$$$$$;
After market, will not be factory installed, dealer installed, quality of installation will depend on installer, quality of materials will vary from vendor to vendor,
appearance will not be stock, may be close may not be less $$$.
The functioning may be as good or better then OEM, or it can be worse.
It will almost always cost less and be faster to install after market then OEM.
So how much do you want to pay?

 

[Jamie327]

Let's see OEM factory, will be factory installed or a remove all installed and replace with OEM, will be neater and look nicer and $$$$$$$$$$;
After market, will not be factory installed, dealer installed, quality of installation will depend on installer, quality of materials will vary from vendor to vendor,
appearance will not be stock, may be close may not be less $$$.
The functioning may be as good or better then OEM, or it can be worse.
It will almost always cost less and be faster to install after market then OEM.
So how much do you want to pay?

The dealer quoted me and charged me for OEM. And when I questioned them, they said WR Long was actually cheaper, as if it was some kind of benefit to me. Which just made me want it swapped all the more.

 

[Jamie327]

I totally agree with you. I did my research ahead of time which is how I noticed that it didn't look right. Definitely not "OEM" like.

One thing I didn't post photos of is how they fed the actual third function valve. The hydraulic line feeding it is attached to the bucket valve under the right rear wheel well, and is sticking out inside and below the fender a lot more than I would like to see. This might have been a non-issue on the BX25 where that valve was up front, but this looks like an accident waiting to happen if something got between the tire and fender.

 

[thedane9]

Just a quick note for all, I bought the BX2816 snowblower, and tire chains (H.D. Vbar, not from Kubota). While trying to install tire chains, which are pretty much a necessity for snow removal I was stunned to find out that my 3rd function valve was as yours is, above the right rear wheel under fender. Installation of chains is pretty much a no go as if they could even be installed, they would rip the 3rd function valve out causing who knows what for damage. Beware of this problem before chaining up.

 

[Jchonline]

The MFG screenshot looks like a diverted button. Hit it and use the bucket functions on the joystick (ie left/right) to actuate. What your dealer put on looks like a 3rd function to me. That said it is easy to tell. If they are tapping into the same hydraulic like for your loader, then it is a diverter.

My M62 has both a button to enable/disable the 3rd function hydraulics and a toggle switch to actuate it. I am guessing turn it off when I dont have a grapple on it to save the additional flow in those lines, but I could be wrong.

 

[RickB]

Few, if any, Kubota 3rd function kits will be factory installed. W R Long, Ansung and CA kits will likely cost less than OEM, but the source of the kit obviously should be discussed at purchase. Care and attention to detail by the installer will make more difference on the fit and finish of the accessory than branding. I wonder what the OP’s sales contract says about the 3rd function.

 

[kenmac]

I don't know what the WR long kit cost. Dealer installed my kit (kubota) for (I believe) $1000.00.
I do like the rocker switch vs my two buttons for the operation