L2800 Position Control (Jerky?)

paulgwin · Nov 3, 2008

Hi - I'm contemplating the L2800 but I see multiple references to the "jerky" operation of the position control.

I did notice this when I looked at the L2800's at the dealer but thougth it was sticky because the 3pt did not have an implement. In contrast the B7800/2320 were not "jerky" and had no implement.

Is this on all L2800/3400's or are just some effected.

More importantly is there a solution for it? If it "jerks" at the dealer should I reject it?

Thank you.

Paul

art · Nov 4, 2008

Paul, the update was done a year or two ago on factory tractors.

teg · Nov 4, 2008

I had someone contact me about a jerky 3ph on a new 2008 L2800 just the other day. I wonder if kubota might have gone back to the old style valve? If you go back to the dealer can you get some video of the 3ph in "action"? Is it as bad as this? YouTube - Kubota L2800 - Trying to raise the 3point Hitch

paulgwin · Nov 4, 2008

Well it was hard to tell if it was as jerky as that.

The L2800 didn't have an implement on it but the B7800 3pt had a smooth motion even at low speeds. The L2800 came up in about 1" increments at the tail end of the 3pt linkage.

I just couldn't get a nice smooth motion out of it - I thought it was just because of no implement - but then why the difference between the B7800 (different valve type but still!).

Any thoughts on criteria for acceptance of a new tractor - I don't want to bring it home only to have to deel with this later.

Sounds like there is a fix (new style valve).

teg · Nov 4, 2008

The "fix" was for older (2005) to the new ones that are on the 2007. Not sure what's on 2008 but makes me wonder since you are the second person in a week to make a comment (other comment came from the youtube site). This is what it was like after the replacement... YouTube - Kubota L2800 After Valve Replacement 3PH

wushaw · Nov 4, 2008

B7800 has quarter inching and L2800 has position control, it is not like the Grand L position control but it is what it is.
The position control on the L2800/3400 is not completely smooth but the first few models it was really bad.

Goog · Nov 4, 2008

Boy I sure hope Kubota did not go back and start using that old postion control valve again. It would not be a smart move.
If in doubt have the dealer put a box scraper or something simple on it and work the three point to be sure it operates correctly. Brian

paulgwin · Nov 4, 2008

Will the L2800 position control with upgraded valve allow fine grading or would the position control accuracy make this difficult? (My old 8N is pathetic trying to get any sort of repeatable position or trying to get a 1/2" height change usually results in 1 to 2". I'd really hate to put 15K into a tractor and have something comparable to the 8N).

Is there any adjustments on the valve or is it install and that's what you get?

The specific tractor I may purchase was manufactored in September 2007 it supposedly was uncrated a few months ago and assembled and is brand new. Does anyone know if this would have the updated valve or how to confirm?

Thanks again.

wushaw · Nov 5, 2008

If you are looking for butter smooth and very precise position control then you would be best looking at a Grand L series tractor rather than the basic L series models.

ccsial · Nov 5, 2008

paulgwin said:
The L2800 didn't have an implement on it but the B7800 3pt had a smooth motion even at low speeds. The L2800 came up in about 1" increments at the tail end of the 3pt linkage.

An increment of 1" sounds like the old valve. I had one of those on my L3400 when I got it. The new valve (replaced free on my unit in 2006) jerks a little less than 1/4 inch at the ends. Still not infinately smooth like my 1910, but very much better than originally.

This could be an old tractor that was never sold or they didn't have stock on the new valves when it was built. Have the dealer put an implement on it. if it still jerks an inch, don't buy it unless they upgrade it free.

clenhart · Nov 6, 2008

I had a 2005 L2800 and had the valve replaced. It was very smooth. I believe the mechanic said the valve they put in was from a Grand L3010. I subsequently replaced that tractor with a 2008 L3400. This tractor has the new factory valve and is much better than the original in the 2005 year model tractor, but is not as smooth as the Grand L replacement valve That was put in my L2800 by the dealer. The only time I really notice the difference is when doing final grading with the box blade. Hope this helps...

paulgwin · Nov 8, 2008

Than you Gents - again this really helps - now I undestand a bit more about the issue than the avg dealer does. (at least the people I get t talk to).

I did drop by the dealer today and looked at the L2800 with intent to buy it. Long story short is the mfg date was mid 2006 to my surprise vs. 2008. I watch the 3pt and the smallest increment I could move the end of the link was no less than .75". If you just moved the 3pt up fast - it would move smooth. But if just trying to raise about 1-4 to 1/2" seemed difficult.

The technician cape out with the "bad" valve affected SN list and this was mfg'd sometime after.

This was w/ 3pt unloaded (no heavy scraper. I didn't want to ask them to put a heavy scraper on because of surprise on the year.

But I will ask for that BB when I settle on the exact one.

jeconn · Nov 11, 2008

I have a 2008 L3400 serial # 883xx with 5.8 hrs on it. It is in the shop right now for a jerky 3ph. It is as bad as the one in the you tube video. I will keep you posted on the outcome. Should be a day or two.

jeconn · Nov 13, 2008

Just got a call from the dealer and it looks like I am getting the run around. They gave me the "economy tractor" excuse and told me that I have the updated valve already. Well, if it is updated then why is it so bad? I am now waiting on a call from the regional rep. I will keep you updated on that also. Anybody have any other suggestions. Is anyone else having this problem with a newer tractor?

ccsial · Nov 13, 2008

Some others had the dealers give the "economy tractor" excuse. You could search for the posts regarding this to see the results since I don't remember.

My point at that time was that you can't grade a drive our use a box blade with that 3PH the way it is. Economy should mean no frills but it still has to be a functional tractor.

If the dealer is a real stinker on this and won't go to bat for you with kubota I'd be concerned about future support.

There have been enough of these valves replaced for no charge that your dealer should be able to figure this out.

Two years ago when I complained my dealer got on the Kubota web site and told me there was a fix and they would order the valve at no charge.

Dealers are not all created equal.

jeconn · Nov 13, 2008

The regional rep gave me the "economy tractor" excuse also. He said, "it's the nature of the beast." Well he has a boss too so I guess I'll keep going up the chain of command until I can get some help. His solution is to upgrade tractors. If I upgrade it will be a different color. I'm open to suggestions.

teg · Nov 13, 2008

If kubota has gone back to the old cheap valves... I will never recommend anyone to buy one. It's not a "standard" tractor with those old valves. Does anyone have video footage from a 2008 L2800/L3400, 3ph in action??? I would really like to see it...

jeconn · Nov 14, 2008

I guess they went back to the old valves. I just got back from the dealer and we looked at a L3400, L2800 and a Grand 3240. The Grand was buttery smooth. The 3400 and 2800 both jumped up in about 1" increments.(All new tractors) I do mean jumped up, not smooth at all. This makes it almost impossible to finish grade something with this tractor. If you use the 3ph much I would not recommend this tractor. I was curious if other "economy" tractors were like this so I stopped by the New Holland dealer on the way home and checked out the T1510 and T1520. Their 3pt was SMOOTH. I guess I bought the wrong color.

teg · Nov 14, 2008

Sorry to disagree with you but "..almost impossible...", No, it's just plain IMPOSSIBLE. I would never buy or recommend ANYONE to buy a new L2800 or L3400 with those jerky valves.

Rockyridge · Nov 14, 2008

I have a jerky L3400 as well.

Does anyone know how difficult it is to replace this valve? Could it be a DIY (with a reasonable amount of mechanical experience) project or is the valve really deep inside of the unit? Does anyone know how long the dealer expects the change to take? That may be an indication of how involved it is.

From reading the posts it sounds like more than one valve can be used for the replacement and some produce better results than others.

Has anyone done their own valve replacement?