KUBOTA GR2120 Problems

[JERRYTOY]

Had a GR2100 for 7 years and the last 3 years was about $1000 to fix. By 500 hours felt could no longer afford it, pto clutch, GLide Steer cables on 3 occasions, etc... Was lead to believe the GR2120 was "new and improved. Traded in GR2100, got new GR2120-5 hours on it and in shop twice already. Parking brake did not work from git go and now I see the mower deck will not stay up-wondering if I should have bought a green mower that said John Deere on it??? What are other GR2120 owners running into??

 

[zoltanthegypsy]

The only issue I've had in 60 hours or so is a mis-routed headlight cable that contacted the muffler and melted. Fixed myself with a couple of marine-grade splices.

Not crazy about the mulch kit, but that isn't really a failure. More of a design issue.

Z.

 

[PHILIP8N]

I am almost at 40 hours and 1 year on mine now. Mowing and snowblowing. Nothing but good things to say, never seen shop. Philip.

 

[David_Kb7uns]

While not the same model, my G2160-60 took awhile for the deck to keep from dropping over a short period of time because it was a single acting cylinder and there was no way to bleed the air out of it, after the air got out it would take overnight to drop down. Hydraulics are hard to get 100% leak free and will drift.

David Kb7uns

 

[Raber]

While not the same model, my G2160-60 took awhile for the deck to keep from dropping over a short period of time because it was a single acting cylinder and there was no way to bleed the air out of it, after the air got out it would take overnight to drop down. Hydraulics are hard to get 100% leak free and will drift.

David Kb7uns

Owning a 2013 year model GR2120 since June 2013. 48" mowing deck. 50 hours on it and no problem or issue. Good mower on slopes. Great to pull 600-800 pounds trailer on uneven but dry ground, even in steep slopes. Easy to service (so far). Sturdy and well built machine in my opinion. Yep.

Raber.

 

[Raber]

Had a GR2100 for 7 years and the last 3 years was about $1000 to fix. By 500 hours felt could no longer afford it, pto clutch, GLide Steer cables on 3 occasions, etc... Was lead to believe the GR2120 was "new and improved. Traded in GR2100, got new GR2120-5 hours on it and in shop twice already. Parking brake did not work from git go and now I see the mower deck will not stay up-wondering if I should have bought a green mower that said John Deere on it??? What are other GR2120 owners running into??

Well, I bought a brand new GR2120 in June 2013 and it actually has some 60 hours on it, mowing and pulling a cart loaded with some 800 pounds of dirt or furnace wood, depending. Not a single issue as yet. 4WD provides excellent traction. Low fuel consumption. Comfortable, relatively lightweight reduces soil compaction. Relatively easy to service. Nothing to complain about.
Beware though: this is not a compact tractor and you should not expect the sturdiness of a BX class machine.
Just wish you the best of luck for these problems to come to an end.

 

[kippster1]

my gr2120 is in the shop right now because the parking brake wouldn't lock. Only 50 hours on it. The problem is under warranty but very disheartening.

 

[Raber]

my gr2120 is in the shop right now because the parking brake wouldn't lock. Only 50 hours on it. The problem is under warranty but very disheartening.

Well, this should not be to complicated to fix. Mine is now 100 hours and everything's fine. I don't use it during winter and will complete regular maintenance at spring time when the weather gets warmer. Good luck.

 

[kippster1]

The dealer said that GRs have brakes that are a little "finicky" in that the teeth from the parking brake and the travel pedal sometimes do not mesh perfectly if the travel pedal is not in exactly a neutral position. He showed me exactly what he was referring to, but it sounds like the two gears were slightly misaligned. In any case, I'll make sure the travel pedal is in a neutral position (as much as possible ) when I put the brake on and we'll see how it goes.

 

[Raber]

The dealer said that GRs have brakes that are a little "finicky" in that the teeth from the parking brake and the travel pedal sometimes do not mesh perfectly if the travel pedal is not in exactly a neutral position. He showed me exactly what he was referring to, but it sounds like the two gears were slightly misaligned. In any case, I'll make sure the travel pedal is in a neutral position (as much as possible ) when I put the brake on and we'll see how it goes.

Then, things should be fine. Take care !

 

[kippster1]

The newest issue is catastrophic engine failure on my GR2120. Something flaked off, got in the combustion chamber and ruined the piston. Huge repair, they've had it for 3 weeks! I'm very disheartened. Warranty coverage is being checked on as the machine has lower than 90 hours of total time on it. I like it overall, but very problematic so far. Maybe should have gone green! I just wanted a machine that was reliable and that's why I went diesel.

 

[Raber]

Well, that is surely bad news. First time I read about such an issue. Mine is just past 100 hours, without any problem so far. And proving a charm to operate (mow & tow).

Kubota machines have a solid reputation. This specific engine of yours could be the exception to the rule.
I experienced major problems with a TOYOTA Tacoma (2012 year model, bought used at 57,000 km) - wheel bearings, power steering, catalytic converter, transmission, rack and pinion- all under warranty, hopefully. And it is a machine of excellent reputation. Things were so bad that I got rid of it ten months later and bought a brand new year model 2016. That was an exception ok!

So, let's hope that this GR2120 engine will be fixed under warranty and that it will be the end of bad surprises !
Let us hear about the final outcome.

 

[radioman]

ouch . you might want to do away with gr series and go BX. they have a much longer life, stronger then gr series too. still have bx24 -- its got over 1500 hours now i think and still running. time for an upgrade.

 

[Raber]

ouch . you might want to do away with gr series and go BX. they have a much longer life, stronger then gr series too. still have bx24 -- its got over 1500 hours now i think and still running. time for an upgrade.

You have to consider your needs: BX series is a compact tractor designed for hard work with plenty of implements and designed accordingly. It weights around 1,500 lbs bare. Everything on it is cast iron, it has lots of hydraulic power, etc.

The GR series is essentially a lawn mower, albeit a robust one with the capacity to tow its own weight (900 lbs with the mower). Gear box and all is cast aluminum. Glide steer makes it very gentle toward lawns and 4wd enables it to take on rather steep slopes.

Your pick.

 

[Tony H]

Has anyone had hood mounting issues? IE. broken plastic mounting points.

 

[Raber]

Has anyone had hood mounting issues? IE. broken plastic mounting points.

No such problem here. As a matter of fact, no problem whatsoever with this machine now at 150 hours.

 

[steelerhawk]

Has anyone had hood mounting issues? IE. broken plastic mounting points.

Yes, have to hold the hood down with a long bungee stretching from the platform around the front of the hood to the other side of the platform. Very flimsy construction.