Kubota Owners/Operators Manuals

rdam · Nov 12, 2003

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I didn't have great expectations for the manual for my B1550 when I noted its title in large letters on the cover, "Operator Manuel." )</font>

Take a photo of that !!!! That's just sad!

brackman · Nov 12, 2003

I receceived a shop manual for my L185 on Monday. It is worthless. It is over 600 pages of poor quality graphics and almost no explanations of how to do anything. It wasn't even bound. It came unbound as photocopies with binder holes in it. The real kicker is that it cost me $180.00 all total after shipping. I got it from ssbtractor. I sent an email to the sales department requesting returning it and getting my money back. Have heard nothing back from them. I'm sure I will end up calling them. I bought a smaller I&T manual for $30.00 that is much more comprehensive and has clearer pictures. I am trying to figure out what is wrong with my PTO slipping after hitting a log. I was hoping there still is a good manual out there but it doesn't sound like it after reading your experience and the replies. If you find out differently, please let me know.

5030 · Nov 12, 2003

Brackman:

I have to be careful here. I don't want to flame anyone or a dealer for that matter but...

The Kubota Factory Shop Manual I got for my old "B" some years ago was on printed stock, with good breakdown drawings and mechanical relationships. My "B" was an early HST and they even included a color flow chart that folded out.

Funny thing is, the Kubota Factory Shop Manual I have for my 5030 is the same quality.

Both manuals are in 3 ring binders, orange in color and say Kubota Factory Shop Manual on the front with the respective part numbers. In each manual are request forms for service and warranty updates

I am wondering if the folks you paid $180.00 to simply took their manual to a quick print place, made some copies and are selling them. If they did, it probably cost them $25 bucks or so. Nice profit on their part, but not honest.

Maybe that is why you haven't received a reply from them about a refund.

I'd be calling Kubota in Compton, California.

5030 · Nov 12, 2003

Clammer:

It's my experience that you don't hug either end. One end stinks and the other is wet and slimy. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

5030 · Nov 12, 2003

ICat:

Was (B) maybe.....Go to McDonalds, become fish sandwich?

5030 · Nov 12, 2003

Frankz:

At least it said Manuel, not Julio. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

Hoosier_Daddy · Nov 12, 2003

5030,

You are bad.........

5030 · Nov 12, 2003

Hoosier-Daddy:

Just trying to inject a little humor. I got pretty serious about the photocopied manual thing.

I don't like the sound of that. Sounds like an "e-bay" spin off.

Most manuals, whether for Kubota or a machine tool like a Bridgeport aren't copyrighted. Theoretically, you could photocopy any un-copyrighted material and resell it. I see manuals on e-bay all the time. A popular photocopy or laser copy is the Bridgeport Series I miller. Another one is the South Bend Bench top Lathe. I have originals of both. The Bridgeport manual is $55.00 from Bridgeport (I have a Bridgeport and the manual came with it). The SBL manual is no longer available as SBL was bought by Le Blond (I have a couple SBL's).

The photocopied manual smells to me. Smells like a hose (ier) job.

Note: I didn't say "Hoosier" job. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

icat · Nov 12, 2003

Bought my L3130 manuals from the dealer. I know they came from Kubota because I was handed the box they were shipped in. Mine did not come with a slick cover though - had to pony up and get a 3-ring at wally world. DO NOT BUY THE ELECTRONICS MAUNAUL FOR THE L FROM KUBOTA! Now that's worthless. Ran about $40 and it's a couple of pages on 4 color stock. The regular Kubota shop manual is great though. If I recall, mine ran about $100.