Kubota HST Solenoid Connector Broken Wire - $2300 skinning

alchemysa · Dec 22, 2014

It beggars belief that they would hire something like this out and not have insurance. At most you should have to pay a reasonable 'excess.

skyhook · Dec 22, 2014

If thats the only picture they sent you, I don't see any broken connector.
I do see a broken wire, funny they didn't show you the connector itself or the solenoid removed with the other end of the break, isn't it.
I smell a scam here.
Usually there is a "Accidental/Incidental Damage Protection" in the contract, limiting the customer to about 10% of repair cost's and a maximum allowed, check out your contract.
Also ask for proof of repairs and damage on this machine so your "lawyer"

can review them.

BAP · Dec 23, 2014

If you are forced to pay for all the parts that they have quoted including labor, demand that you are given the old parts they take off and the mechanics time slip for that particular job. If you have to buy the new parts, then you should be given the old parts to verify that they actually replaced them. All shops have the mechanics keep a time slip for each job and machine they work so that the costumer can be billed for the time.

TomSeller · Dec 23, 2014

Does the rental shop pay list price for the Kubota parts? If they are a large rental shop and have a lot of Kubotas, I would have to question that. If they do not, you are being asked to pay markup on markup. There has to be some reasonableness to the repair, otherwise technically they could just say you have to replace the whole L45.

How did you pay? If by CC, you could tell them you are going to dispute added charges. If by check, insist on middle ground and a reasonable repair.

jimainiac · Dec 23, 2014

TomSeller, that's a great point about disputing the charge if it was paid by credit card. It's been my limited experience with renting things, that they won't rent to you without a credit card. I know for a fact that credit card companies are very good about going to bat for the cardholder when disputing questionable charges, and this certainly seems to be a questionable charge.

JRobyn · Dec 23, 2014

I wonder if Messick's has the part in-stock or could check a dealer's network to find someone who has it in stock that could take a photo for you?

Kubota Parts | Full Service online retailer

Parts Hotline : 877-260-3528

I don't see any direct e-mail contact info....

- Jay

DouglassPE · Dec 24, 2014

Okay gentlemen, I have pictures from a salvage yard of the connector and I've identified the connector manufacturer, part number and a supplier. I've purchased the connector for $3.36 complete with pins and seals (while I was there I bought tools for the make-up as well just in case), and will be sending them to the dealer for use. I'll chime back in with more details soon. Thanks for the help and the advice everyone.

Paul

Zebrafive · Dec 24, 2014

Curious, what was the brand of the connector?

MHarryE · Dec 24, 2014

I checked my L5740 and it didn't at all resemble the pdf file you attached, nor did it look like your original picture. Then I noticed that the pdf was for ROPS equipped 2007 - 2009 models and Kubota made a major transmission change with the D-3 version introduced in 2010. My solenoids are completely covered with bolted on shields and cannot be seen without removing the shields. However, I did some research on hydrostatic pumps and motors typically sold in Japan and the common options appear to be Deutsch connectors which I believe your tractor has, or DIN 43650 (the DIN has several versions but I believe the various types all have the same electrical connection with varying grades of sealed housings). I think yours is a Deutsch connector which is in line with the price you quoted. It also fits your description - connector housing, seals and pins. They have really been an industry standard for mobile equipment because they are so well sealedvirtually eliminating corroded connections. Some solenoids have a pigtail for the connector and some solenoids have that part of the Deutsch connector firmly attached to the solenoid. Your failure description, and the picture, indicates the second version with the possibility the housing can be damaged if the wires are snagged and pulled - I think. All of my machines at Cat had the solenoids on top with a belly pan under the frame so it was impossible to get at them without removing shielding. The images I have attached show a coil with Deutsch connector body and a DIN 43650 connector which instead of plugging in is secured with the screw seen in the middle.

skyhook · Dec 24, 2014

DouglassPE said:
Okay gentlemen, I have pictures from a salvage yard of the connector and I've identified the connector manufacturer, part number and a supplier. I've purchased the connector for $3.36 complete with pins and seals (while I was there I bought tools for the make-up as well just in case), and will be sending them to the dealer for use. I'll chime back in with more details soon. Thanks for the help and the advice everyone.

Paul

Sounds good, any savings below $2300 should be split up with those that posted here...