Mowing kubota gr series mower

DaryleD · Oct 25, 2009

I bought a gr2010 series mower this spring. I paid $7,000 for it and am quite dissapointed. The cut is not as good ( uneven side to side ) as my 3 point hitch mower that I was using. It runs terrible with the cheapo kohler motor. It backfires half of the time when shutting it off and seems to run fairly rough with not a whole lot of power either. I was told that this was normal by a small engines tech, that is a friend of mine. If this was a 3-4k dollar mower I would be ok with it, but for 7k, it is not up to par. I do like the AWD and hydro deck lift. I do kinda like the hydro whine noise from the transmission ( weird huh ). I do have a question to Messicks or any other Kubota dealer. Is changing it over to the diesel motor used in the gr2110 an easy bolt in, or is the diesel model gr have a different transmission/running gear to make it a pain to do? I would at least be happier with a good running diesel vs the junk Kohler. Thanks.

P.s. I wasn't aware that there was a diesel version until I had the mower for a month or so, making trading it, financially not worth it.

dodge man · Oct 25, 2009

I would think the uneven cut could be fixed by adjusting the deck. It should take just a few minutes. I had a John Deere mower with a Kohler and it backfired all the time too. Try shutting it down at about half throtle, that helps and eliminates the backfire half the time.

LBrown59 · Oct 25, 2009

DaryleD said:
I bought a gr2010 series mower this spring. I paid $7,000 for it and am quite dissapointed. The cut is not as good ( uneven side to side ) as my 3 point hitch mower that I was using. It runs terrible with the cheapo kohler motor. It backfires half of the time when shutting it off and seems to run fairly rough with not a whole lot of power either. I was told that this was normal by a small engines tech, that is a friend of mine. If this was a 3-4k dollar mower I would be ok with it, but for 7k, it is not up to par. I do like the AWD and hydro deck lift. I do kinda like the hydro whine noise from the transmission ( weird huh ). I do have a question to Messicks or any other Kubota dealer. Is changing it over to the diesel motor used in the gr2110 an easy bolt in, or is the diesel model gr have a different transmission/running gear to make it a pain to do? I would at least be happier with a good running diesel vs the junk Kohler. Thanks.

P.s. I wasn't aware that there was a diesel version until I had the mower for a month or so, making trading it, financially not worth it.

It would have been nice if you'd gone with a BX1860 instead.

CHDinCT · Oct 25, 2009

I had an old Kohler Magnum 12 hp that would backfire on shut down. What worked for me most of the time was to let it idle down for about 30-60 seconds before shutting it off to clear the excess fuel. A lot of the newer engines have a fuel shut off solenoid that positively shuts off the fuel when you turn the key off to prevent any dieseling/backfiring. Sounds like your Kohler doesn't have one or it's not working correctly.

csr0831 · Oct 26, 2009

I own a GR 2100...the ONLY thing I like about it is the diesel. The rest of it is crap. The cut (as the op said, is crap), and mine IS adjusted. The transmission is the really weak link, but I won't go into that...thats a whole 'nother issue.

As far as switching to a diesel...I suspect that is a little more complicated that just bolting it on as it's water cooled and I would imagine the exhaust is different. I'm SURE the electrical system is different. I doubt the the mounting is the same for the gas vs. diesel. As far as I know, the tranny is the same. Good luck.....

Chris

locknut · Oct 26, 2009

I own a GR2000 and I like EVERYTHING about it.It does so much more than just mow grass.......

Pictures by locknut-1 - Photobucket

Maybe you need to take it to another dealer for service.Running rough is not the status qou.As far as the backfire,if you read the manual it says 1/2 throttle on shut down.

DaryleD · Oct 27, 2009

Thanks folks.
I too whish I would have gone with a bx. Trade in really is poor, so I'm stuck. As far as the electrical, exhaust, and mounting, it wouldn't bother me. I just am curious if it will mount to the transmission. The 2010 already has a rear facing screen for a radiator ( which is where they are mounted on a 2110, so I'm hoping that most things are the same. It would probably cost more to do this than explore some other options anyway.

rpraymond · Oct 27, 2009

As with many other types of conversions, there will be more to it once you get into it. Plus, if you do ever want to sell or trade, the value will be much lower. If you really want a diesel you would probably spend less and be happier with a different machine. IMHO

. Good luck whatever you decide to do and I hope it all works out.

dodge man · Oct 27, 2009

I priced out a GR before I bought my BX. For just the BX2350 tractor and deck, you are talking maybe $3000-4000 more. If you add an end loader and a couple of other implements, you get into more like double the price. I watched locknuts video of him mowing his hill side, and it looks alot like mine. The GR seems to do well, although the ROPS makes feel a little better on the hills.