I have, several times. Its a "problem" that we're basicly unable to duplicate. We sold 28 standard L's last year and I can't name on person who has complained about this. I suspect the OP probaby has an 0-ring out causing the system to suck air, but on a properly working machine I can't seem to make the 3pt jerk around unless I open the drop valve up the entire way and shove the implement up and down.
In that case, I wish you were a lot closer to me than you are. This is about as smoothly as I can make mine lift, lowering smoothly is no problem. This was taken about 10 minutes ago, 2009 L3400DT.
MOV01149 - YouTube
My local dealer is going to have a look at it on Wednesday, I'm hoping they can "fix" it. Like InthePines said, an old Ford 8N has better three point control than this does. When lifting a 300 pound blade is violent enough to shake a 3000 pound tractor w/loader, it's not exactly "smooth".
Whatever Kubota is doing wrong, it's something they need to correct. Maybe if every new buyer could see this video before they sign the cheque it would have some effect on the situation in Japan.
In all honesty, it isn't fair to the dealers to bear the brunt of a poor design like this. It's a wart on a pretty woman's nose at best, and a dangerous situation at worst.
Imagine asking the engineer that designed this thing to hold his hand between the top of the blade and a fence rail, and telling him you're only going to raise it an inch which should be safe enough. No one in their right mind would leave their hand in place.
It's a wonder no one's lost fingers with one of these, my wife came close last night to getting her hands in where they could have been crushed. If I hadn't known what it was operating like, she easily could have been badly hurt.
If Kubota corporate wants to keep their head in the sand, I guess it's their business. If poor sales don't cure the situation, which is unlikely in this case, then maybe a few million dollar lawsuit will. And frankly, it isn't like the dealers and regional reps haven't been told there's a problem, so pleading ignorance likely won't go very far in the US and Canada anyway.
Firestone nearly went belly-up over poor designs that were dangerous, as did Ford with the exploding Pintos. A lot of people still won't buy Explorers after the underinflated tire debacle a couple years ago.
Let the press get hold of a long-term known design flaw that cost a child their hand in the US, and it's a black eye a Japanese company will have for a long time.
I personally don't hold the dealer network responsible, Neil. You've been saddled with a tough situation and you're dealing with it the best you can. However, more pressure from the dealers to either correct the problem, issue a recall, or discontinue the L series tractors because of an intrinsic design flaw will help us all.
Rant over for today..
Sean
