Kubota got the Gold mine, I got the Shaft!!!

[JOHNTHOMAS]

I've bought 12 Kubotas in 7 years and had a slight problem or two with some of them but was always resolved or I figured out I was confused. Did have one that had a jerky stop in reverse and sort of returned it.
Good luck with your next tractor since I to see you have your mind made up to bail. You need to tell dealer now so he can get it back and you can go on. Good luck to you and the next dealer..

 

[ccsial]

If your L3400 is louder than your 1700 you have a serious problem. Those 1700's really rattle. My 1910 makes a lot more racket than my L3400.

I had my 3PH fixed free so it is much better than original, but my 1910 has a smoother 3PH. Other than that I love my L3400 and it has been very reliable for just over 300 hours now.

My JD blew a radiator shortly after the warranty expired. Roll the dice.

 

[moeh1]

I'm curious what you think you'll go to for a replacement? So many of the newer tractors are built out of plastic and aluminum....I'm keeping my older model, but glad it has P.S.
It always is a dissapointment when something you think in going to be great end up much less.
Best Wishes

 

[Agrantina]

I cant comment on much except the 4wheel drive. On mine for the fist 20 hrs dang thing was almost hard to get out of 4wheel, turning wheel back and fourth everything but still hard. Then between 25 and now (48hrs) it works fine. I talked to the dealer about it at one point and he offered to come out and get it but said at least wait for a few more hours so I did. Told him- oh it will fix itself! Kubotas are that smart Well guess what it did- no problems at all now.. Very easy... Sorry to hear about your troubles with the tractor- I had used a 1710 for about 8 years before buying my L3240.. The L3240 is way quieter than that 1986 Ford 1710...

 

[Mudfarmer]

I bought my Ford 1700 in 1980 and had the same experience as the original poster in this string - nothing out of the usual, served reliably for years. Definitely needed to be moving to steer and even then the brakes were real useful to point it in the right direction. But decided i needed a new tractor; mainly because I expected all the rubber hoses and seals to die sooner or later. Besides the wife said i could. Replaced it with a JD 3005 a year ago. I liked the comparable size and liked the gear shift transmission. Only mistake I made in the trade was not getting R1 tires on the new JD - an issue I can live with. The FIRST thing I noticed was how much quieter the 3 cyclinder JD diesel was compared to the to the two cylinder Ford. The JD has not given me a hint of a problem - put about 100 hours on it this year. I would recommend that model for any ol' 1700 lover.

Mf

 

[Mudfarmer]

Forgot to mention, no plastic fenders on a JD 3005 - just had an auxiliary hydraulic valve bolted on the fender above the 3 point control. Wouldn't want to try that on plastic.
Mf

 

[Tollster]

I am hearing these stories more and more. I have a BX23 and pretty content with it. But I must admit after going into the showroom and looking over the quality of the newer botas, I am not as impressed as I was when I purchased mine. I notice the use of more plastics, thinner steel, and what appears to be smaller hydraulic rams. Some of the welds I looked at in the showroom this week really did not impress me at all..... I was there to order an alternator upgrade and was browsing the front mount snow blower units....and once again, I was not impressed by the build quality, nor the grade of materials used (http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-owning-operating/190371-those-you-snowblowers-your-bx.html ). Its like many things in this world today, companies just trying to remain profitable,but many fail to see what else they have to loose. I still believe you did the correct thing, and you sound very knowledgeable on the subject, you looked around, and checked the menu, you also are not loyal to any one brand, which I believe is a very good thing as you only limit yourself ..Kubota was number one for many years, but, when your are number one at what you do there is no where else to go but down.
Hang in there, keep us up on it. I also believe "lemon laws" may also apply to tractors (3 repairs on the same item). I would not hesitate to return the entire unit for a new one. Who is to say whats next once the warranty expires? Work with them, take notes, save all your correspondence, and if its not right, be sure to let them know as well as us too.
Some companies recognize customer service, I had a new Kawasaki motorcycle that had hex nuts in the cylinder from the factory, after 2 cylinders,I was able to persuade the dealer into a brand new bike. My latest one one is having Toyota replace the entire frame on my 2002 Tacoma last month, however it was due to a recall. None the less they stood behind their product.

 

[savageactor7]

Before I bought my B model they dropped it off and let me operate for a few days. Except for the cheap zerks a test drive would have revealed the other deficiencies. imo its a shame Kubota is incremental adopting the MTD business model. I hope they can fix your machine up the way it should operate.

 

[bill ns]

Chicken coop of not you should have tried out the Kioti . They are one **** of a fine tractor .And my dealer will bend over backward 's for me .

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Before I bought my B model they dropped it off and let me operate for a few days. Except for the cheap zerks a test drive would have revealed the other deficiencies. imo its a shame Kubota is incremental adopting the MTD business model. I hope they can fix your machine up the way it should operate.

What makes you think Kubota is adopting the MTD business model? Because one or two or even three out of hundreds have an issue with a new machine? The dealer has agreed to fix the problem(s) if there really are any problems. Cheap zerks means a bad machine or entire change in business philosophy? Are all the zerks cheap or a few, maybe a bad run or as one poster mentioned that they are recessed and the greaser broke them.
I've broken off one zerk while greasing my Kubotas over 7 years. I'm sure it was the zerk and not the jerk (me) using the grease gun that broke it.
I bought 3 Kubotas last year so I'm fairly satisfied with Kubota products and service.:thumbsup: I did buy one out of 12 that I felt was bad, a 50 series BX which had the abrupt stop in reverse which some owners say don't bother them. I was reimbursed to an extent for my dislike of the machine and Kubota fairly quickly fixed the issue in their new production, they did not do recalls and fix the sold machines which I think they should have but they are not a perfect company, just pretty good.