L2800-L3400 PTO Making the right choice

[MDM]

VERY Disappointing. I will likely not purchase another Kubota.

 

[redhawknc1]

Wished I had found all this out before purchasing my L2800HST in April 2005. Thought I had bought my last tractor. No problems except.....at about 30 hours using the Kubota Tiller that I purchased with the tractor, the PTO gave out. The PTO had always been noisy before. And to me very jerky. As compared to my MF231 that I owned prior. Not sure what they did to repair it! Remember the bill was over $1700 and covered under warranty. And that they had to crack the tractor open. Now, have 111 hours, so far so good. Still use the tiller a lot, but my garden is in great shape and I usually disc before tilling. I purchased the 2800 because it looked well built and all this disappoints me. Having some 5' implements now, what does Kubota offer that would cover the tracks with Industrial tires that would be any better than the 2800? Think the L30's are for 6' implements. Have in back of mind to trade this spring, because of future concerns with PTO. Real shame! Kubota should remedy this and be up front with us all! As said, I didn't think I was buying a large lawn mower!

 

[Jaybr]

That's two failures, both with tillers. After reading through all this I have a theory, but I'm no engineer.

From reading all the post, it sounds like this type of PTO has a problem when things are turning at different speeds, but while turning at the same speeds you have a fairly positive lock down with the cams and everything is fine. So how do the cams react to a slip clutch slipping? My understanding from what I've read is that they would probably go into over run, then re-engage quickly as the slip clutch grabs?

Most mowers I've seen have a shear pin, so you always have positive engagement which would keep the cams locked (unless the pin sheers).

Most tillers I've seen have a slip clutch, and if adjusted on the loose side could be slipping throughout a tilling job such that you might not even notice.

Any thoughts?

 

[Johnjan]

Great. I do my research and I order a tractor and I join TBN to learn a bit more about using it. One or two guys have issues with their PTO, and perhaps with their dealer, and perhaps even with Kubota as a whole. They get online and vent their frustration. Several others chime in with how dare Kubota have a failure on one or two of perhaps thousands of L series tractors.

Well, my tractor gets delivered on Saturday - an L3400HST. I can't wait to get to work and start enjoying my property and making some improvements.

The only regret about my choice of tractor is that one guy with the power of the Internet has potentially ruined the resale value of a very significant purchase.

Thanks guys... ...did you really benefit anything at all from airing your dirty laundry in a public forum? Did anybody?

 

[Jaybr]

Thanks guys... ...did you really benefit anything at all from airing your dirty laundry in a public forum? Did anybody?

I did!

I didn't fully understand the differences in PTO systems, now I know and I'm glad I chose a tractor with an independant PTO. Any future tractor purchases will also have an independant PTO, based on what I learned from this thread.

 

[JC-jetro]

That's two failures, both with tillers. After reading through all this I have a theory, but I'm no engineer.

From reading all the post, it sounds like this type of PTO has a problem when things are turning at different speeds, but while turning at the same speeds you have a fairly positive lock down with the cams and everything is fine. So how do the cams react to a slip clutch slipping? My understanding from what I've read is that they would probably go into over run, then re-engage quickly as the slip clutch grabs?

Most mowers I've seen have a shear pin, so you always have positive engagement which would keep the cams locked (unless the pin sheers).

Most tillers I've seen have a slip clutch, and if adjusted on the loose side could be slipping throughout a tilling job such that you might not even notice.

Any thoughts?

The original poster's pic suggests to me a failure in design. I do not have the complete parts breakdown but the shape of the cam suggests two function. One to couple two rotating shaft in one direction and secondly to slip ( not catch) in the opposite direction. The latter is the function of overrunning clutch. They put two separate function on one piece of equipment that can not do either one properly. A ratchet type Overrunning clutch is one very simple and stout device that distributes the torque In a balanced manner. it is proven technology. Then it is matter of coupling The PTO shaft to transmission (trans driven) or engine (live double clutch or independent with wet clutch pack). The coupling cogs should engage between two shaft in a manner that eliminate jumping gear or spline. In Kubota's design all the torque is distributes to couple of knife edges. They will not last no matter how hard they make the couplings. I for one am happy because of this thread. I had 3400 and 4400 on my short list but did not like what I saw. I reckon they are Kubota's dealers, engineers or more Kubota knowledgeable on this site and I think it should strongly behoove them to correct us if we are wrong. We got nothing to gain by bashing a brand but one looks at theses machines as life time purchase rather than throw away $150 mowers. In this case ignorance is not a bliss.

 

[Marcussen]

I have a L2800HST and post like this is the main reason to join a forum like this. If I have a problem with my PTO it will be a one time problem, because the tractor will be replaced. Hopefully since I have the new PTO design this will not be an issue. If I would have read this before I purchased my tractor would NOT be an L2800. Probably a L3130 or a Mahindra, and I am sure that those tractor would have some flaws too.

 

[RayMunising]

Great. I do my research and I order a tractor and I join TBN to learn a bit more about using it. One or two guys have issues with their PTO, and perhaps with their dealer, and perhaps even with Kubota as a whole. They get online and vent their frustration. Several others chime in with how dare Kubota have a failure on one or two of perhaps thousands of L series tractors.

Well, my tractor gets delivered on Saturday - an L3400HST. I can't wait to get to work and start enjoying my property and making some improvements.

The only regret about my choice of tractor is that one guy with the power of the Internet has potentially ruined the resale value of a very significant purchase.

Thanks guys... ...did you really benefit anything at all from airing your dirty laundry in a public forum? Did anybody?

I did too! I didn't know the difference between an independent PTO and the live-continuous ORC that the L3400 has ... now I do. Knowledge is good even if it isn't exactly what we'd like to hear. By all means consider the source of the information and put as much weight as you want to it.

In your case you're getting a brand new L3400HST! CONGRATULATIONS!!! You're probably getting the 3rd generation PTO design. Have fun with your tractor! Use it. Work it (observe break in recommendations). Let us all know how great your tractor is because I'm sure it is a great tractor. But if you do have PTO problems isn't it good to know about the PTO history?

Don't worry about your tractor's resale value. Did you buy your new tractor with the thought of trading it in? A tractor isn't like a car. Whatever I buy I figure one of us is going to die first, me or it. Resale is not a factor. Besides I don't think some thread on a board on the internet is not so powerful that it will effect the resale value of your tractor.

 

[8226hamer]

Great. I do my research and I order a tractor and I join TBN to learn a bit more about using it. One or two guys have issues with their PTO, and perhaps with their dealer, and perhaps even with Kubota as a whole. They get online and vent their frustration. Several others chime in with how dare Kubota have a failure on one or two of perhaps thousands of L series tractors.

Well, my tractor gets delivered on Saturday - an L3400HST. I can't wait to get to work and start enjoying my property and making some improvements.

The only regret about my choice of tractor is that one guy with the power of the Internet has potentially ruined the resale value of a very significant purchase.

Thanks guys... ...did you really benefit anything at all from airing your dirty laundry in a public forum? Did anybody?

I couldn't help myself I had to go one more post after reading this. I hope my dirty laundry doesn't becomes yours. I wish you the best of luck with your new L3400 and all the improvements to your property. If for some reason your new purchase doesn't preform as it should, as mine didn't, I will be checking the clothes line to see how clean your laundry is.

 

[wushaw]

I have the early style L2800HST but I don't have any PTO driven attachments for it so I'm not worried about breaking it anytime soon.

What I want to really say is every manufacture of anything has built something that was junk in one form or another may it be engine, tranny, electronics or in this case PTO but Kubota, JD, Case, Ford, GM, Chrysler...etc has built many good products or else they would not be in buisness today.

More small examples Ford - pinto, GM - Vega, Chrysler- too many to mention.
Now Kubota with one tractor model with a bad PTO design and the rest of the Kubota line is junk....not from what I have seen or experienced.

I for one will buy another Kubota without hesitation.