L2800 Position Control (Jerky?)

[Harvest Moon]

One of the reasons I haven't aggressively pursued getting my valve replaced is descriptions like ccsial's. If I were to do the ruler test without an implement I'm pretty sure that I'd get 1/4 inch increments but throw an implement on and my tractor gets thrown around like the ones shown in the bad 3 pt videos that have been posted.

I know my valve is the original faulty old style but I'm not sure if pursuing replacement is worth the trouble. It really doesn't do 1" increments at the lift arms but the implement will jerk up and down in a range of at least one inch depending on it's projection.

I've read un clarified references referring to this problem and a "cushion valve", sometimes referring to the upgraded control valve and other times referring to something different all together... that no one seems to know about.

Thing is, it seems like my valve would be fine with a little "cushion" and it works pretty good without and implement but boy can it jerk my 4500 lbs. worth of tractor, filled tires and loader around with a 400 lb box blade on it.

I just don't understand how this can be soooo complicated, nor how Kubota can fight about it. I've seen, used and even owned tractors about 50 years old and older that have position control style hydraulic components that are butter smooth or close to it. It's not like this is ground breaking technology.

Why pick a fight with your customers, why produce something so non competitive that it's actually an embarrassment? And then fight some more?

Then fix it, then break it, then fight about it some more?

 

[canoetrpr]

Ditto with ccsial. My replaced valve is far from being silky smooth. It is WAAAY better than the original one though. The original one moved in 1" increments and the new one moves in 1/4".

Still somewhat jerky and noticeable when working the box blade perhaps. That said, no more jerky than what I found - say a CK30 - similar class of tractor - to be. My recollection is from just demoing a CK30 on a dealers lot with a finish mower attached to it.

Kubota has just been plain arrogant about the L3400. They make fine machines and have had a long history to prove that. They just can't seem to get past the 'economy tractor' rhetoric.

At this point, if I were a brand new owner with a few hours on the tractor, I would be trying to work out a deal to upgrade to a GL3240, rather than trying to work this valve thing out.

I would get the dealer and local rep involved and tell them how unsatisfied you are and get them to make it reasonable for you to move up to the GL with as little lost money as possible for the hours you have used the machine for.

 

[ccsial]

One of the reasons I haven't aggressively pursued getting my valve replaced is descriptions like ccsial's. If I were to do the ruler test without an implement I'm pretty sure that I'd get 1/4 inch increments but throw an implement on and my tractor gets thrown around like the ones shown in the bad 3 pt videos that have been posted.

Harvest. My 3PH jumps 1/4" with or without an implement. The only reason I suggested taking it off is so a ruler could be used with a ground reference. I can visually tell that the RD7200 does not jump more than 1/4" on my tractor.

I would agree with canoetrpr abut upgrading if a real smooth 3PH is needed. If I didn't have my 1910 I'd have done that long ago.

 

[jeconn]

Ditto with ccsial.
At this point, if I were a brand new owner with a few hours on the tractor, I would be trying to work out a deal to upgrade to a GL3240, rather than trying to work this valve thing out.

I would get the dealer and local rep involved and tell them how unsatisfied you are and get them to make it reasonable for you to move up to the GL with as little lost money as possible for the hours you have used the machine for.

I tried this already. My tractor had 5 hrs on it and they wanted $1815 more to trade. Not a bad price but if that money was in my budget I would have bought the 3240 in the first place. I tried to get the dealer and the regional rep involved and got nothing. I don't want to sound like I am bashing Kubota but every time I get on my tractor and raise the 3ph I get mad.

I found a list of the board of directors for Japan but no e-mail addresses for them. Does anybody know how to find their e-mail address? Maybe they are not aware that they have so many unhappy customers over here.

 

[Harvest Moon]

I found a list of the board of directors for Japan but no e-mail addresses for them. Does anybody know how to find their e-mail address? Maybe they are not aware that they have so many unhappy customers over here.

It's too bad that Kubotas decision makers seem so insulated. There is plenty of access to reps but they often appear to irritate as many people as they satisfy.

Overall, I'm AM a happy customer. My L3400 is great.

I am disappointed in my hitches performance but my biggest complaint is something I haven't experienced.... Kubotas often defensive and non accommodating response to these poorly performing hitches.

My hitch is usable but it's not what I'd expect from a base, no frills or ECONOMY model tractor... for that I'd expect a hitch that goes up like a hitch, not a jack hammer but maybe without numbers on the decal and no 50 cent plastic knob. (or is it a $5 knob?)

When I look at the big picture, the responses, the upgrade-downgrade, it really looks like Kubota made an extra effort to be sure that these hitches stink and they are still at it. Thats disappointing.

 

[Toy Camry]

Hi Everyone,

Just an update. My local dealer dropped off the tractor this morning and I must admit that I am confident he has tried his best to solve my problem. He just replaced my scratched valve with p/n YR90800102 (assembly control valve) and I have observed that my 3 point arms lift in closer to 1/4" increments than 1" increments so can I safely assume that the new "updated" valve is working as it should ?

When the tractor was being dropped off we did an informal test using a post hole auger mounted on the 3 point hitch and attached a 5 gallon pail of water to the auger gearbox. The Kubota sales representative raised and lowered the bucket of water as I recorded the video using his Blackberry. We performed the test using a John Deere 790 and then switched the auger to my L3400 and repeated the test.

Here's what the John Deere 790 looked like:

YouTube - John Deere 790 lifting with the 3 point hitch (3PH)

Here's what my repaired L3400 looks like:

YouTube - Kubota L3400 lifting with the 3 point hitch (3PH)

I agree, it does seem like Kubota is a huge corporation and we will have a difficult time getting the ear of their senior management but if (as a group) we are able to let them know of our dissatisfaction with the performance of our new tractors we may be able to get to the solution we are all looking for.

 

[Harvest Moon]

Wow, Thanks for posting those videos.

Mine works just like the L3400 and NOTHING like the 790! So that was the result after the repair?

 

[ccsial]

I have observed that my 3 point arms lift in closer to 1/4" increments than 1" increments so can I safely assume that the new "updated" valve is working as it should ?

The 1/4" is probably as good as your going to get. That is the new valve that I recieved.

The New Holland T1520 is probably as close as you'll get to an L3400 in price with a smooth lift. I am fortunate I only use my L3400 for mowing and snow blowing or It would have been traded for the L3430 on the first day.

 

[Harvest Moon]

How many valves are out there?

My tractor is supposed to have valve #31391-39002

That valve was supposedly upgraded after SN# 61730 to valve #31351-39604 which is the same valve that the L3010 was upgraded to after it hit SN# 74779, according to my reference.

Now, new L3400 owners are having inching problems and Toy Camry's valve was replaced with YR90800102 which is the one ccsial has?... with the 1/4 inch jerk?

Are there really four different valves out there? Does anyone have a better than 1/4 smoothness?

Or did they just switch the part numbers to keep us guessing like they did with the filters?

 

[teg]

Toy Camry, thanks for the videos... what a BIG difference between the two machines.