Kubota repair part$..

uhmgawa · Jun 3, 2003

I don't have any data to compare against other makes,
but the prices I've been quoted for Kubota L-series
parts seem to be surreal. Radiators @ $666, starter @
$326, water pump $120. At these prices they make
Toyota truck parts seem inexpensive by comparison and
(when able to be pressed into service) a viable option.
Just the 4 filters for my 50-hour service total to $100.

Anyone have any good news here?

JATO_RaT · Jun 3, 2003

Yeah, lots of good news, I've never had to replace any of those parts, have you? We have a 1992 L4850 that has little more then oil changes and a new battery. Battery was $61.00. The four filters are only needed at the 50 and then not again until 200 hours 400 etc. The engine filter is 6 or 8 dollars regardless of whether you go NAPA or Kubota. The 2 hydraulic filters while pricey are also pretty big, you may be able to find a substitue for them. The hydrostatic filter was about $45 as I recall, but look at its build. It's probably the nicest filter I have ever had to buy if thats of any help. If your really interested, check out TractorSmart.com, they carry all the parts you need and may offer better prices. Rat...

5030 · Jun 3, 2003

I'm with RaT, I've had 4 Kubota's and I have Never had to replace anything other than a battery and filters. Maybe Kubota's are like Maytags, they never break. I use them hard too.

uhmgawa · Jun 3, 2003

( Yeah, lots of good news, I've never had to replace any of those parts, have you?)

Not yet and I hope I never need do so. While that's basically
what I'd suspected, I was hoping to hear from more experienced
owners.

( We have a 1992 L4850 that has little more then oil changes and a new battery. Battery was $61.00. The four filters are only needed at the 50 and then not again until 200 hours 400 etc. The engine filter is 6 or 8 dollars regardless of whether you go NAPA or Kubota. The 2 hydraulic filters while pricey are also pretty big, you may be able to find a substitue for them. The hydrostatic filter was about $45 as I recall, but look at its build. It's probably the nicest filter I have ever had to buy if thats of any help.)

Sounds like the same story I get at my local foreign auto parts
counter -- they don't break that often so we get you good when they do.

( If your really interested, check out TractorSmart.com, they carry all the parts you need and may offer better prices. Rat... )

Prices seem to be standardized by Kubota. The prices above were
originally from TractorSmart, which I later verified were the
same as local dealers. So the market seems pretty well locked up.

The filter and associated routine service items whose price
had initially shocked me, now would seem to be a bargain
compared to the cost of replacing a mechanical assembly.
Coincidence or clever marketing -- you may decide.

Thank you for the information.

5030 · Jun 3, 2003

You were hoping to hear from "more experienced owners"?

I think that I'm pretty "experienced" and not just with Kubota's.

With just Kubota's, I've had 4 in the past 20 years. I've worked the you know what out of them. Other than a few minor problems and routine maintenance, Ive had no major breakdowns.

As far as prices for replacement parts goes, let me relate to you a little conversation I had with a fellow that worked as a plant manager in a shop that machined tie rod ends for everything from earth movers to Ford pickup trucks....

I was delivering a load of steel (my other job besides farming) and while waiting for my shipping receipt to be signed, I noticed a metal container of what appeared to be tie rod ends for a 350 Ford pickup like I own. I asked the manager who was signing my bills if they were indeed the same tie rod ends. He said, yes they were. I said, how much do they cost to make? He said, about 25 cents each. I said, how much do you sell them to Ford for? He said, about $1.00 each. I said, how come they cost $35.00 each at the dealer and $20.00 each at Murrays. He said, Because everytime they change hands, someone profits, that's called MARKUP .

I think I've explained my position on your post.

Bird · Jun 3, 2003

( everytime they change hands, someone profits, that's called MARKUP )

Always been that way; always will be. My dad owned an auto parts store 40 years ago; did some retail business of course, but our primary customers were the garages, car dealers, and mechanics. I don't know what it is now, but back then the garage averaged 40%, we averaged 15%, our primary distributor averaged 3%, so yep, parts were dirt cheap leaving the manufacturer.

elmerinva · Jun 3, 2003

uhmqawa,
There's another factor for the increase in cost over the basic cost unit price. It's called configuration control. With all the large number of tractors a company like Kubota produces and the large number of different parts each tractor model creates, Kubota must maintain a system of keeping track of each part for each tractor and also keep track of which ones are being requested and sold to determine which parts need to be kept in inventory. And all this information must be maintained and distributed throughout the dealer network. A similar kind of thing happens in the Defense Dept which is part of the reason why taxpayers have to pay for $600 toilet seats.
For a small volume business (compared to US auto makers), this is why the parts cost so much to you and me. There is little economic incentive for non-OEM manufacturers to build competing parts for Kubota tractors since the volume is so low. Configuration control is what makes space craft like the Shuttle so expensive since so few are built (each is virtually handmade), and each one is slightly different, requiring a vast army of people and suppliers to assure a source of parts which may be needed. It's a necessary part of living in the modern world. It's lucky that the Internet is available to help us ordinary folks to find alternative sources for our parts needs.

uhmgawa · Jun 3, 2003

( You were hoping to hear from "more experienced owners"?)

More experienced from the perspective of having owned,
used, maintained, and gathered some insight as to the
realistic maintenance costs one may encounter. Lacking
such information, the cost of ownership as viewed via the
cost of repair parts is a cause for concern.

( I think that I'm pretty "experienced" and not just with Kubota's.

With just Kubota's, I've had 4 in the past 20 years. I've worked the you know what out of them. Other than a few minor problems and routine maintenance, Ive had no major breakdowns.)

Thank you. That is the information which I sought when
writing the post.

As for the balance..

( As far as prices for replacement parts goes.. He said, Because everytime they change hands, someone profits, that's called MARKUP .

I think I've explained my position on your post.
)

Yes indeed you have. Position clear and duly noted.

And in the event I may have caused concern appearing
to lack understanding of economic systems, allow me to
put your mind at ease -- I actually do have a faint inkling.

Incidentally, I think this thread has wandered off track.
All constructive commentary appreciated, however the original
intention was to gain an understanding of the effective
cost of ownership/maintenance given the inflated cost of
repair parts.

popeye · Jun 3, 2003

I buy New Holland filters and oil, parts guy reccommended it. Won't void the warranty and much cheaper.
Mike

varmint · Jun 4, 2003

For what it's worth: I was just travelling with a friend who's rebuilding a damaged John Deere 2355 tractor, and the parts similar to what you are mentioning cost about the same from Deere... I found, when buying service parts for my Kubota, that different dealers will charge different amounts for the same stuff- so it can pay to shop around, if you have the time. Then, buy for the future when you strike a good deal.