Kubota Kommander

[Jeff59Va]

Bumping this thread to see how everyone feels about their Kommander now. Thinking of buying one as an upgrade to a Deere D170. Specifically looking at the Z421 with a Kawasaki FS730 engine. For those guys that had issues, did they get resolved?

Thanks!

 

[dragoneggs]

Still loving mine... no issues but I am cutting about an acre and have a 42in cut. Always been a fan of Kawasaki engines.

 

[lmgtexas]

An update on my earlier post about the problems with my Kubota Kommander. Now, a year later, I still have my Kommander and through trial and error have developed a protocol that I go through to keep the mower running. First, I changed from Kubota oil to fully synthetic Mobile 1. That appears to let the engine run a bit cooler. Next I always pull the air filter before using the mower and make sure I tap out as much loose debris that has collected on the outside of the filter. Of course checking the oil level and filling the tank with fresh fuel is a regular step. Finally, before using the mower, I disconnect the fuel line from the fuel filter and physically blow on the fuel line until I can hear bubbles in the fuel tank. That way I know I have "blown out" any debris that might have collected in that problematic, engineering problem with the valve coming out of the fuel tank. After that I can generally mow for as many hours as I want or need to until I have to re-fuel. Then I allow the mower to cool down before refueling. After the unit has cooled down sufficiently, I go through the same "start up" procedure again. Before putting the mower away, I always using a blower to blow off all grass and other debris so the mower is ready to go for the next day. Note, this mower is garaged, and is kept under a special tarp! I hate to have to do all that to keep a $5,400 mower operating properly, but I do what I have to. No more Kubota products in my future. I have an old Mahindra 3525 tractor that I'll be keeping even after I upgrade to a 60-horse power model (Considering I have a 10-year old Snapper riding lawn mower that runs flawlessly year in and year out without all this pampering, and the Mahindra is equally reliable - so much for Kubota being the "Cadillac" of field equipment!)

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

An update on my earlier post about the problems with my Kubota Kommander. Now, a year later, I still have my Kommander and through trial and error have developed a protocol that I go through to keep the mower running. First, I changed from Kubota oil to fully synthetic Mobile 1. That appears to let the engine run a bit cooler. Next I always pull the air filter before using the mower and make sure I tap out as much loose debris that has collected on the outside of the filter. Of course checking the oil level and filling the tank with fresh fuel is a regular step. Finally, before using the mower, I disconnect the fuel line from the fuel filter and physically blow on the fuel line until I can hear bubbles in the fuel tank. That way I know I have "blown out" any debris that might have collected in that problematic, engineering problem with the valve coming out of the fuel tank. After that I can generally mow for as many hours as I want or need to until I have to re-fuel. Then I allow the mower to cool down before refueling. After the unit has cooled down sufficiently, I go through the same "start up" procedure again. Before putting the mower away, I always using a blower to blow off all grass and other debris so the mower is ready to go for the next day. Note, this mower is garaged, and is kept under a special tarp! I hate to have to do all that to keep a $5,400 mower operating properly, but I do what I have to. No more Kubota products in my future. I have an old Mahindra 3525 tractor that I'll be keeping even after I upgrade to a 60-horse power model (Considering I have a 10-year old Snapper riding lawn mower that runs flawlessly year in and year out without all this pampering, and the Mahindra is equally reliable - so much for Kubota being the "Cadillac" of field equipment!)

I doubt you have to do any of this but if it makes you feel better, do it. From reading your post, I believe it will make YOU feel better. Oh by the way, your the only one of thousands and thousands that is doing what your doing and everyone elses is working perfect without doing "it".:laughing::laughing::laughing:

 

[IvanS]

An update on my earlier post about the problems with my Kubota Kommander. Now, a year later, I still have my Kommander and through trial and error have developed a protocol that I go through to keep the mower running. First, I changed from Kubota oil to fully synthetic Mobile 1. That appears to let the engine run a bit cooler. Next I always pull the air filter before using the mower and make sure I tap out as much loose debris that has collected on the outside of the filter. Of course checking the oil level and filling the tank with fresh fuel is a regular step. Finally, before using the mower, I disconnect the fuel line from the fuel filter and physically blow on the fuel line until I can hear bubbles in the fuel tank. That way I know I have "blown out" any debris that might have collected in that problematic, engineering problem with the valve coming out of the fuel tank. After that I can generally mow for as many hours as I want or need to until I have to re-fuel. Then I allow the mower to cool down before refueling. After the unit has cooled down sufficiently, I go through the same "start up" procedure again. Before putting the mower away, I always using a blower to blow off all grass and other debris so the mower is ready to go for the next day. Note, this mower is garaged, and is kept under a special tarp! I hate to have to do all that to keep a $5,400 mower operating properly, but I do what I have to. No more Kubota products in my future. I have an old Mahindra 3525 tractor that I'll be keeping even after I upgrade to a 60-horse power model (Considering I have a 10-year old Snapper riding lawn mower that runs flawlessly year in and year out without all this pampering, and the Mahindra is equally reliable - so much for Kubota being the "Cadillac" of field equipment!)

If you are doing all that and keeping the machine, I'd say you are in a tough spot. I'd either design a solution to the problem myself or I'd send it down the road and get something else. Have you reached out to the Kubota regional rep? It sounds like you have a less than stellar dealer if they can't diagnose and fix a simple problem like you describe. This is clearly not typical of this machine or we would have a lot more reports of problems with them.

 

[Tractorrr]

The blowing into the fuel tank doesn't sound like it's too good for your health.

 

[Jeff59Va]

The blowing into the fuel tank doesn't sound like it's too good for your health.

Yeah, if I end up buying one, I'm hoping that won't be necessary

 

[David_Kb7uns]

What and where are you at that you are getting that much into the fuel tank to plug it up, you need to review your fuel source and handling of your fuel before blaming the mower.

David

 

[Spanner]

I purchased a new Kubota Kommander zero-turn mower (ZG127E, 54 inch) in February 2014. The unit ran great the first spring/summer. I use it mainly for mowing the 2 acres around our house and for cutting along the fence lines on our 40 acres. The second season (2015) I began to experience a similar problem to you - that is after mowing for an hour to an hour and a half, the mower would begin to surge and slow down as if it wasn't getting a steady supply of fuel. Then, if you tried to stand up and step off the unit, the mower would just shut down (as if you hadn't set the safety brake). Then you would have to wait for some time before you could get it started again. The dealer I had purchased it from was no help (very poor service and parts group), so I finally trailered it to a more distant dealer in April of this year before the "mowing season" started. He diagnosed the problem as an engineering group flaw with the fuel switch/line coming out of the fuel tank. Apparently the opening is way too small so any debris or contaminant will cause a fuel flow problem. Additionally the brake switch was defective. The replacement of the brake switch (under warranty) solved that problem. Cleaning out the fuel line solved the other problem. Kubota really hasn't addressed the design issue with the fuel line which has made me reconsider my decision to purchase a full-size (60 horsepower) Kubota tractor. I believe Kubota may have damaged its tractor reputation with the addition of a poorly designed zero-turn mower. It hasn't helped that the dealer in Taylor, Texas, where I purchased the zero-turn mower has a fairly lax attitude about servicing these units. For now I will stay with my Mahindra 35/25 tractor and when I decide to upgrade will keep the smaller Mahindra and just add a larger Mahindra tractor to my inventory.

An update on my earlier post about the problems with my Kubota Kommander. Now, a year later, I still have my Kommander and through trial and error have developed a protocol that I go through to keep the mower running. First, I changed from Kubota oil to fully synthetic Mobile 1. That appears to let the engine run a bit cooler. Next I always pull the air filter before using the mower and make sure I tap out as much loose debris that has collected on the outside of the filter. Of course checking the oil level and filling the tank with fresh fuel is a regular step. Finally, before using the mower, I disconnect the fuel line from the fuel filter and physically blow on the fuel line until I can hear bubbles in the fuel tank. That way I know I have "blown out" any debris that might have collected in that problematic, engineering problem with the valve coming out of the fuel tank. After that I can generally mow for as many hours as I want or need to until I have to re-fuel. Then I allow the mower to cool down before refueling. After the unit has cooled down sufficiently, I go through the same "start up" procedure again. Before putting the mower away, I always using a blower to blow off all grass and other debris so the mower is ready to go for the next day. Note, this mower is garaged, and is kept under a special tarp! I hate to have to do all that to keep a $5,400 mower operating properly, but I do what I have to. No more Kubota products in my future. I have an old Mahindra 3525 tractor that I'll be keeping even after I upgrade to a 60-horse power model (Considering I have a 10-year old Snapper riding lawn mower that runs flawlessly year in and year out without all this pampering, and the Mahindra is equally reliable - so much for Kubota being the "Cadillac" of field equipment!)

You seem to have two easily solvable problems:
1. Poor dealer support. The brake switch issue was easily self-diagnosable just from your description. (Turn-off PTO. Set the brake, Stand up. Engine shuts off. So seat switch is operating and indicating that brake isn't set. ie. brake switch has not activated. (The second dealer may have just adjusted the switch but claimed a new switch anyway as that gets them more profit for the same time. Just a 2c.)

2. Personal hygiene. Why do you have debris in your fuel tank still? The fuel tank should have been cleaned out completely when the cause of fuel starvation was found. Then YOU should be keeping your fuel scrupulously clean so the issue doesn't re-occur.

Petrol (Benzene) or 'Gas' is very low viscosity. It is 'thin' and will flow through small orifices at great volume with ease. Look how small the jets are in your carburettors. The fuel hose only needs to be that diameter really.

Fuel hose and filters are larger (1/4" dia.) just for manual handling practicality reasons. Mechanics fingers are not built for installing small, needle-sized hose or filter items with ease. Chunky hose, cotton-reel sized filters are easier to work with and needle valves, jets, orifices etc reduce the fuel flow to required minute amounts at the 'business end' of the fuel supply system.

Clean your fuel system and your fuel storage. Clean your pourer spout or funnel. Keep it all clean. Use a strainer gauze if you have to. This is your responsibility. Not an 'orange' defect.

 

[t320pilot]

With 85 hours on my 48" deck commander, it now needs a new set of blades. Dealing with sand here in FL is rough on lawnmower blades. Where is the best price? Hoping for a better deal than the dealership.
Thanks