Kubota L3200 HST - Told not to drive in high range by dealer?

[varmint]

Wow, sorry to read this thread. Something like a new tractor should be a source of joy, not an ongoing headache. In any event, you probably should find another dealer... these guys aren't being helpful to you, the customer. You bought a new L3200, and that's what you should be enjoying the full use of. Good luck!

 

[paulfun9]

I was thinking about this since I read it and have come to only one answer I would have had for the dealership that told me such bull. Fine I wont run it in H gear but You will have to keep it and refund all my money !

 

[s219]

I run in high for transport 2-3 miles about once a month. Never had any issues. I normally run close to PTO rpm (mainly because there's a sweet spot in there where the HST is quietest and least annoying).

The only oddity I have seen was when working the FEL hard, near its limit, one time while moving some lumber around in the rain in 4WD (trying to keep the stacks of lumber from sinking into the mud basically). The power steering got noticeably weaker, even after I unloaded and went back into 2WD. Figure I was probably pushing the hydraulics too hard (power steering is all in the same loop as everything else). Have not seen the problem since.

 

[tractorshopper]

I have another property 4.5 miles from where I live. I drive my L3800 there several times each year to bushhog and do other work to maintain the property. I always use high range with 4WD off while driving on the road. I have never had a problem arise from this.

 

[orezok]

Are you aware that the "boiling point" of hydraulic oil is significantly higher than any seal in your transmission can withstand. Probably at least 400 degrees. If the fluid boiled, the tractor would probably no longer even move. Think about it, deep fryers operate at 400+ degrees and the oil does not boil away.

Ask the service manager about that.

 

[300UGUY]

I use the high range on my L3400, 5 miles there and back, several times per year. Never had a problem, and there are some hills on the way. You can hear the hydo whine a little more, but nothing serious.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I guess it comes from old age, but one of several things I won't stand for is some A-hole trying to insult my intelligence with BS like that guy. The dealer should fire him because he is giving the dealership a bad name, maybe it is earned if they all are that stupid.

 

[smitesmash]

The boiling point of oil is considerably under the flash point. Its kinda like asking the melting point of a 2x4. So if it were boiling in the tyranny, the point where the vapor hit the atmosphere would be noticed as a largish fireball. I'm assuming that is not something you normally experience when using your tractor. Or, if the vapor is getting trapped in the tyranny, which would involve immense pressure buildup...
So what the service has said is that you have either a fire hazard or an explosion hazard.

So, you are either leaking it or burning it.

What the service guy should have said, if he were honest; is that tracking down leaks is difficult and time consuming. And at warrantee rates are not worth it to him to actually do.

One thought about leaks, if you had a pinhole leak in a hydrolic line, the leak would be a fine mist, and from what I hear, rather dangerous to discover accidentally.

 

[boggen]

question what happen to the transmission oil... everything else is mute point. is there a leak, is it burning off some place, or were you not checking the correct oil location?

not a clue about your specific tractor...
engine oil?
hyd reservoir tank for FEL and 3pt hitch rear remotes?
rear end oil / 3pt hitch lift arms?
transmission oil?

 

[teg]

question what happen to the transmission oil... everything else is mute point.

I (and others) don't think it was a gallon low, he just got charged for a gallon of oil. He was fed a line of BS when he was told that the oil might have "boiled off"... to explain/cover up why it was low and needed oil.