Buying Advice Kubota: Please Read Before You Buy

[1dcorbin]

Folks:

For those of you who are Kubota lovers, more power to you! I am truly sorry about hurting your feelings.

I was once a Kubota fan until I endured a long history of defects with My
L3300. Peruse the internet and witness all the other unforunate people out there who have had the same and other issues with Kubota.

I understand normal wear and tear. I'm an engineer. I own a farm and have many other types of farm and construction machinery. I have never had these types of issues with my John Deere, Case, and Caterpiller products.

Yeah, my machine is 17 years old. But, it has only 1600 (easy) hours of sickle bar and bush hog mowing. From my experience and training, 3000 hours is usually a key number when you can expect to start expecting normal wear and tear issues to arise with industrial equipment.

For those of you who are staunch Kubota supporters and are dying to own a utility tractor that looks great, my L3300 is now properly fixed and up for sale.

 

[kcender]

I don't think the tractors Kubota built 17 years ago really compare to the ones they build today.Also like was mentioned a lot has to do with how the machine was used and maintained.It doesn't sound like you had more repairs than might be expected as anything can break and nothing lasts forever.I have only had two Kubota tractors and was very happy with both.It doesn't seem like you will get much sympathy here,maybe on the John Deere forum.

 

[Markcuda]

1dcorbin, you must have a very huge pair to post all that you have
They are now going to eat you alive on this thread:laughing:

 

[David_Kb7uns]

I guess I am too late in reading this and going to be in lots of trouble (4 x over) in another 12 years or so......if you want a good baseline for reference go see what the China Tractor owners do just to get to the first oil change in parts replacement and repairs.


Not sure where to say this but I guess this is why some places new people are moderated for the first few postings.

David Kb7uns

 

[crazyal]

I would like to have anyone please point out what brand of tractor never has a bad one get sold. I know Kubota is not perfect and I expect anything they do to me once my warranty runs out is a blessing, no matter who's fault it is. It's too bad you had to go through what you did and I hope by unleashing a little it makes you feel better but at the end of the day Kubota will still sell some of the best CUT tractors on the market.

since you asked the question about the snap ring I'll ask you a question, do you think Kubota makes their own snap rings? I mean if the snap ring is a problem on all model tractors then you would be reading about all the people here who've had a problem with them. Did it break under warranty? If so then why didn't you do something about it, if not then would you expect Ford to replace a wheel bearing after the warranty has expired?

Secondly if your seat pan has rusted out then I'm guessing you leave your tractor outside unprotected. If so then things like the seat and plastic parts like the lights will not last.

Was your tachometer off or does your tractor read the PTO speed independently? If your tach is working correctly then you should have been able to look at it and realize that something was wrong. No offense but your tractor should be running about 2500 rpm to get 540 rpm at the PTO. If you were running at 400 PTO rpm then your engine would have been running at about 1800 to 1900 rpm, again it should have thrown up a red flag. If your tractor was running at the correct RPM to get 540 at the PTO and yet you were only getting 400 then the moment you realized you weren't alarm bells should have been going off in your head as to why.

I'm sorry you had problems but from what you've told me I have to wonder how much of the problems you had were magnified by you missing a sign something was wrong.

 

[Ductape]

Just curious.............. have you had to repair anything on your 17 year old car ? :confused2:

 

[hawkeye08]

Folks:

For those of you who are Kubota lovers, more power to you! I am truly sorry about hurting your feelings.

I was once a Kubota fan until I endured a long history of defects with My
L3300. Peruse the internet and witness all the other unforunate people out there who have had the same and other issues with Kubota.

I understand normal wear and tear. I'm an engineer. I own a farm and have many other types of farm and construction machinery. I have never had these types of issues with my John Deere, Case, and Caterpiller products.

Yeah, my machine is 17 years old. But, it has only 1600 (easy) hours of sickle bar and bush hog mowing. From my experience and training, 3000 hours is usually a key number when you can expect to start expecting normal wear and tear issues to arise with industrial equipment.

For those of you who are staunch Kubota supporters and are dying to own a utility tractor that looks great, my L3300 is now properly fixed and up for sale.

I hope you get every penny you think it is worth. Perhaps you need to pay someone to take that piece of junk off your hands.

You indicate you are an engineer (not sure what kind), and you have John Deere, Case and Caterpiller products and that industrial equipment should last something like 3000 hours before normal wear and tear issues arise.

First, your Kubota is not (in my opinion) industrial equipment. It is a utility tractor. I've used a rental Case backhoe (580 I think) and it certainly does not compare to the L3130 tractor I have. It is a heavy duty machine designed to run full work week, not 100 hrs per year, but perhaps 100 hrs every couple of weeks.

 

[aczlan]

Sorry to hear that you are having so many issues with your tractor. We (between my parents and my inlaws) have the following Kubotas:
1. L3660 with ~1400 hours - Purchased used (first owners was a city who used it to clear sidewalks), no non-operator caused issues.

2. G4200 with an unknown number of hours (well over 1000, but has a bad hourmeter) - Rings are getting worn, needed a new fuel pump and timing for the injection pump, also purchased used and also has only needed basic maintenance once we fixed the problems caused bu the previous owner.

3. 2009 BX2660 with at least 150 hours - No issues to report

4. 2003(?) B7500 with 600+ hours - Seat was replaced under the semi-recall from Kubota. Had to be split after someone tried to force the PTO into gear without using the clutch. Otherwise, just preventative maintenance. Currently needs to get the rear tires loaded.

5. L3830 with ~200 hours - No issues to report. Has only seen the dealer for preventative maintenance and to add stuff (loaded tires and a canopy)

I have been VERY happy with them and our local dealer (who is fairly expensive, but does things right the first time). Their slogan is "For when it is worth doing right" or something to that effect


Aaron Z

 

[wdchyd]

Just curious.............. have you had to repair anything on your 17 year old car ? :confused2:

:laughing::laughing::laughing:......:thumbsup:

 

[johnrex62]

Just curious.............. have you had to repair anything on your 17 year old car ? :confused2:

Heck, even I know how to handle that. I had a taillight burn out in my 09 Porsche Carrera GTS so I junked that piece of crap. Why burden anyone else with such a headache? :thumbsup: