Kubota M5660SUHD caught on fire (60hrs)!

[2manyrocks]

I usually but even my z turn mower blinks at first 50hr for oil/change.

I would not expect a diesel machine to need dealer service at 50hr,

That relatively quick initial service is to get rid of the particles in the engine and importantly the hydraulic system from the initial break in. A lot of customers do it themselves, but if the dealer did this service at 50 hours and then the tractor caught fire at 60, it would be a stronger argument that the dealer should have caught something before this happened.

So is the dealer saying there was a cause or being tight lipped?

 

[WinterDeere]

1. Talk to a lawyer. Either just do the $750 retainer, or find a family/friend.
2. Visit your doctor to get the arm/hand burns documented TODAY.

It is likely you will need to at least threaten to file suit against Kubota to get this covered, if not actually go through the motions of doing so. Having the leverage of documented injuries to you, for what seems very probably like a manufacturer's issue, is going to give you options and leverage. While your dealer is going to fight you on a single small claim like this, a manufacturer like Kubota will be more inclined to just settle, to avoid potential bad publicity.

Having a factory stock tractor self-ignite at 60 hours is BS, no matter how you slice it. It would appear Kubota or your dealer really screwed up, here.

 

[2manyrocks]

It's concerning to me that the dealer has possession of the tractor which contains the only evidence of how the fire started.

 

[ray66v]

If Kubota doesn't don't volunteer to take care of this, no matter how much it seems to everyone that this should be a warranty repair, and a simple legal case, It's not.

You have to have an "expert" determine the cause, based on the actual evidence, and then, you have to be able to prove that, in a court of law.

Usually, that is very expensive.

Lots of attorney hours, lots of "expert" analysis, and written reports, and depositions. You then, have to go to court, and pay the attorney, and expert(s), to testify, and you have to win. Then, they can appeal, and you have to pay for all that. Even worse, you could lose, and be out a ton of dough.

This would not be my first choice, if I had other options, unless there was a serious personal injury, or death involved.

I would pursue if I had any insurance coverage options first.

 

[fbitz777]

It's concerning to me that the dealer has possession of the tractor which contains the only evidence of how the fire started.

Dealer has been nice but somehow incompetent and overwhelmed lately with labor turnover. I have another older Kubota there for 3rd time because the PTO is still slipping (after they put a new one in) as they don't have a dyno to test. I keep getting feedback from this forum to tell him what to test for next.

As for the tractor's fire they spent zero time looking for the cause because the fire burned all the wiring on top and sign of engine and they have zero opinion either way. I can see from estimate that they did not look at it (starter for example was not near the fire, bonnet was unaffected and so on).

sales guy is escalating (mostly because I am buying a new tractor on Monday)

 

[fbitz777]

Did you read maintenance section of owners manual?

Yes I did now!
only maintenance at 50hr is engine oil and filter replace.

 

[2manyrocks]

sales guy is escalating (mostly because I am buying a new tractor on Monday)

Is he offering to include a free built in automatic fire suppression system on the new tractor?

 

[fbitz777]

Is he offering to include a free built in automatic fire suppression system on the new tractor?

I know I am adding a fire extinguisher because that fire was quite hard to take out although it was not a big flame.

 

[2manyrocks]

Maybe a free bag of marshmallows to toast at the next fire?

IMPO, they should be treating you with golden gloves right now to prevent you from suing their hind end off. This fire could have happened in an equipment shed, burning everything.

I suspect a personal injury lawyer would tell you buying anything from them right now could compromise whatever PI case you might have.

 

[WinterDeere]

sales guy is escalating (mostly because I am buying a new tractor on Monday)

I would be holding off on that and any other purchases from the dealer, until this issue is resolved to your satisfaction. Why give up what little leverage you have, in terms of incentive to at least follow through with support.