KUBOTA's B & BX Seat ISSUE/PROBLEM-READ

[hill]

Deerfield, did they torque every bolt on your tractor? When I was in there picking up the fluids and filters a tech walked by and informed me that if I was going to do the 50 hour service myself I need to re-torque every bolt on the tractor. I did the wheel bolts, as the manual recommends, and did a quick check of all the others I could get to to make sure none had come loose.

I went around a retorqued all of the loader and backhoe subframe bolts because their respective owner's manuals advise it be done and because I know that those were dealer installed, but in my experience with Japanese machines of various types including automobiles, motorcycles, and now tractors there is little or no need to retorque factory installed bolts. They are ALWAYS so God-Awful tight when received that retorquing them would result in a looser machine!

As to the seat? I was told that the new seat would be given me at no additional cost. They told me that before I bought the tractor and before I knew that anyone cared. FWIW I don't have a problem with the original seat at all and wonder what all the shrieking is about? When the new one comes in maybe I can replace the actually worse backhoe seat.

meh...

 

[DEERFIELD]

Studway:

Can't indicate one way or the other...as I left the Tech to himself for the most part. Ray (the Tech) is very conscientious so I'd lean toward an unqualified YES.

The service report left is somewhat vague on the subject, i.e. indicates "greased and checked tractor and mower."

As a result of the content of other threads on TBN I'm now in the habit of checking for loose bolts, belt tension, etc.-haven't come across any as yet.

As info, the only problem to date (aside from the seat price) with the BX2350 was with the mower rear links failing to drop as indicated in the Operator's Manual. The links were frozen in position-excess paint appeared to be the cause. Freeing them required "persuasion" by two of us pressing down forcefully on a wrecking bar. During the Spring we were alternating between the FEL and the mower so the rear link problem was experienced 2x per week, a genuine PITA. Repeated lubrication/greasing/spraying accomplished nothing. Repeated lifting/dropping the 60" mower (after it was attached) failed to alleviate the problem. Removing the excess paint solved the problem but exposes the metal to the possibility of rust buildup-and the location makes it extremely difficult to spray a light coat of paint accurately and with complete coverage.

 

[studway]

I went around a retorqued all of the loader and backhoe subframe bolts because their respective owner's manuals advise it be done and because I know that those were dealer installed, but in my experience with Japanese machines of various types including automobiles, motorcycles, and now tractors there is little or no need to retorque factory installed bolts. They are ALWAYS so God-Awful tight when received that retorquing them would result in a looser machine!

Sounds right to me. I don't have a loader or backhoe on this tractor. I did need to remove the front grill guard to get the hood off. Bolts were not only extremely tight, but had loc-tite on them. I needed a big pipe to give me the leverage to get them off. I'm not messing with the bolts on the frame.

 

[DiezNutz]

Check all around the rear fender & sheet metal bolts... those have been known to come loose (mine have), and even fall out.

 

[studway]

Studway:
As info, the only problem to date (aside from the seat price) with the BX2350 was with the mower rear links failing to drop as indicated in the Operator's Manual. The links were frozen in position-excess paint appeared to be the cause. Freeing them required "persuasion" by two of us pressing down forcefully on a wrecking bar. During the Spring we were alternating between the FEL and the mower so the rear link problem was experienced 2x per week, a genuine PITA. Repeated lubrication/greasing/spraying accomplished nothing. Repeated lifting/dropping the 60" mower (after it was attached) failed to alleviate the problem. Removing the excess paint solved the problem but exposes the metal to the possibility of rust buildup-and the location makes it extremely difficult to spray a light coat of paint accurately and with complete coverage.

That does sound like a PITA. I haven't had any such problems with the mower. I am wondering how the heck I'm going to sharpen the blades on a 500 lb. mower deck. Cross that bridge when I get there. Only real problem I've had is the incredibly ill-fitting battery cover which is on order right now, under warranty.

 

[radair]

Kubota’s B & BX Series tractor seat issue is a complete disaster. ........What a way to run a railroad.

So far four people have asked what the problem, I mean "disaster", is with the seat, yet no one has replied with an answer.

I'll make it five, what's the problem? No issue with my BX23's seat at all.

 

[DEERFIELD]

So far four people have asked what the problem, I mean "disaster", is with the seat, yet no one has replied with an answer.

I'll make it five, what's the problem? No issue with my BX23's seat at all.

radair:

1. The "old" seat on my BX2350 had a forward lean to it...you sat comfortably at idle but as soon as you started in motion you also began to slide forward on the seat. Adjusting the seat back and forth did nothing as the forward lean remained no matter where the seat was positioned.

2. The seat was too narrow. For example, 3 individuals use my machine. Heights and body weight range from 5'3" 115 lbs to 6'1" 230 lbs. All found the "old" seat uncomfortable and the "new" seat a vast improvement.

That said, I believe "disaster," as used in this thread, refers not to the actual seat but to what appears as a poorly organized, inadequately publicized, thoroughly confusing seat exchange program as several have indicated their dealers were unaware of the new seat or the exchange program. Some owners were able to swap, others expected to pay-and pay widely varying amounts for the same item. Similarly, several dealers and many owners have no idea when the seats will be available. From a user/customer perspective, while "disaster" may be a slight exaggeration, it is not far from the mark.

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

Some owners were able to swap, others expected to pay-and pay widely varying amounts for the same item. Similarly, several dealers and many owners have no idea when the seats will be available. From a user/customer perspective, while "disaster" may be a slight exaggeration, it is not far from the mark.

Very simply, this program is only a process of getting replacment seats out to the dealers at a very reduced cost. We can do what we want with them. Some may give them away, some may try and charge the full $170 list price for the item. Its up to the dealership the way they will handle it. If you have an issue, its one with your dealer, not Kubota. Personaly I much prefer when we are given the flexibilty to serve our customers in the best way that we see fit given the time and resources we have, rather than having some heavy handed company dictate an exact prodecure that maybe difficult to carry out. Kubota's product and customer service is only as good as the dealerships who represent them. They are not a customer service company, I am.

 

[Taiser]

I've been unhappy about the seat since day one. It's fine for an hour or so, then the forward tilt position becomes tedious. After two hours my #$% gets numb. I was shopping around for a new one when I heard that Kubota made it right with the seat...awesome, but no dealer I talked to up here apparently knew about it....on purpose to charge more or just were not informed? Who knows.

Very simply, this program is only a process of getting replacment seats out to the dealers at a very reduced cost. We can do what we want with them. Some may give them away, some may try and charge the full $170 list price for the item. Its up to the dealership the way they will handle it. If you have an issue, its one with your dealer, not Kubota. Personaly I much prefer when we are given the flexibilty to serve our customers in the best way that we see fit given the time and resources we have, rather than having some heavy handed company dictate an exact prodecure that maybe difficult to carry out. Kubota's product and customer service is only as good as the dealerships who represent them. They are not a customer service company, I am.

And nice to know there are some really good dealers out there like you guys! Thank God for Free Trade!!!!!

 

[tekavec]

Hmmm, I just got a b7510 and before getting it I did some reading here and had read about the seat and even with that notion tucked away in my brain, (never at on a kubota before), the seat really isn't that bad for me. I'm 5'10" and 170. It does tilt forward a little, but with the seatbelt on it's fine. Maybe I haven't put enough hours on it yet to feel the full effects of this. A few years back I bought a brand new BMW motorcycle and joined the BMW motorcycle forum...everyone there was complaining about how godawful the seat was on their bike...funny, but I didn't think that seat was all that bad either...maybe I have an all conforming *****!
Regards, Scott