L2800 Position Control (Jerky?)

[Harvest Moon]

Rockyridge, I was wondering this same thing. The parts manuals I have shows the same valve used in the upgrade as the standard valve in the L3010. I'm not aware of any other valves used but I'd want to replace it with the best available option. The L3010 valve runs just under $400.

By the Work Shop Manual it doesn't look too complicate to replace but it does involve some disassembly of the 3 pt assembly and there are some references to fine adjustments to the valve. I'm wondering if the valve comes factory set or if those adjustments need to be made before installation. That's what concerns be about the job.

It would be great to hear from someone who's done it.

 

[Goog]

I can't believe Kubota went back to that valve. Economy tractor always made me mad. I paid more for this "economy" tractor than my new car in 2002!

If they say that is the way it is I would also be in the group to buy another tractor of a different color. They are absolutely useless with that jerky 3 pt. I was ready to haul mine back the first hour I tried to use my post hole auger but Kubota came through in 2005 and fixed it.

I feel sorry for the new owners to have to repeat the same old battle. I thought we early owners solved it for you. I wonder what pto clutch they are using now?

Good luck to you all, Brian

 

[kubota2234]

I bought a 2008 L3400 in april. The 3pt hitch was jerky at first. i just adjusted the control for the speed it lowers and since them i have not had any other problems. For some reason, kubotas 3pt hitches are very sensitive. learning how quick and responsive they are helps out alot

 

[paulgwin]

WOW - that's a systemic issue Kubota has with the 3pt valve. This many occurances is a serious design flaw / quality issue.

The references to Kubota justifying the issue with "economy tractor" is well quite pathetic.

I am in the middle of negotiations with a dealer on a L2800, but now am rethinking this. Why pay $15K for a tractor when it has issues and Kubota own up to and fix it.

Sounds like the 3130 valve may be a fix - but who wants to deal with that and pay for it just to get back to what should have been provided in the first place.

Well - what is the alternative - if we want a tractor about the same physical size/weight with the conventional style chassis (L series) and high quality/durability.

Is the Massey Ferguson 1528 Hydro / Gear a competitor? Sadly I think I must research the competition seriously at this point. I sure did like the orange one though!

 

[canoetrpr]

Wow! I can believe that this jerky valve thing has resurrected!

My valve was replaced with the 3010's valve. It is a lot smoother than the original - not silk but decent. I did get the "economy tractor" line back then but they did come through with the replacement.

While I like my L3400 has not had any issues after the valve was replaced, if I were to do it again, I would, without a doubt, go with a Grand L. Theres a lot of value there for not much more money. Plus, I'd happily pay $2K or so to not have my tractor referred to as an 'economy tractor'. That said, I have absolutely no reason to trade in right now as my tractor is more than doing everything I need it to and is nearly paid off.

 

[GMtb42]

Kubota needs to be shot for going back to the old valves , if that is what they did .
I did got my L2800 "upgraded" to the new valve for free , thanks to a good local dealer .
Is not perfect , but much better and can be used to grade with with good results .
Keep after them , tell them , had you know that the valve was a "upgrade" when you bought the tractor you would have gotten it with the "upgraded" valve .

 

[canoetrpr]

Unfortunately the way it goes with dealers is that you don't know if you have a good one or not until you actually run into something that needs attention ;-)

The dealer I purchased from really sucked and I never went back to them after the valve. They did take care of the valve for me - I had taken in an earlier thread on this when I went to sign the deal so even though Kubota claimed that they were going above and beyond for me, they did do it and I appreciated that. Last week I got a letter in the mail from Kubota telling me that my purchasing dealer was no longer a Kubota dealer. They still seem to be in business so I wonder what happened. My guess is that they were probably selling more lawn care / smaller stuff than tractors. Maybe Kubota too figured out that they sucked ;-).

 

[jeconn]

I got my L3400 back from the dealer today with my old jerky valve still in it. They won't fix it. Said if I wanted the smooth 3ph I would have to get the Grand series tractor. I just filled out my survey that Kubota sent me. You can guess how that went. So does anyone know if there is a fix that can be done at home or am I stuck with this?

 

[Goog]

If the dealer won't help you find out who the Kubota sales rep is for your area. I had the number for the West Coast rep from three years ago but I can't find it. In my case he sent the parts directly to the dealer and instructed them to take care of it as it was a known problem.

You will probably have to go to the Kubota web site and do some digging and a few phone calls.

You don't have to accept that that is the way it is because it should not be that jerky.

Good Luck, Brian

 

[jeconn]

I think i saved someone today from the same problem I am having. The UPS man delivered a package to my house today and asked me about my new tractor, said he is looking for one. I told him it is a good tractor if you don't need to use the 3 ph. I had my chipper hooked up and showed him what it did. I also told him how helpful my dealer was. I hope I saved him some grief. If anyone is interested I can try to post a video of it and you can tell me if it is as bad as the valves that were used in the past.

 

[canoetrpr]

jeconn - post it up! I'm interested to see what it like.

 

[teg]

jeconn, Same here... If you need help posting it to Youtube, let me know.

I HAD been recommending the L2800... I would never recommend anyone getting one with those old style valves.

 

[jeconn]

MySpaceTV Videos: Jerky Kubota 3 point hitch by Maloney
Here is a video of it. It's poor quality but I don't have a good camera. Sorry.

 

[MDM]

That looks like the old valve. You should do a video of it running at 2000 rpm's, it will be worse. I had one of those valves, but had it replaced as soon as I purchased the tractor. In fact, it was part of the deal - replace the valve or I will buy another machine. I can't believe Kubota went back to that inching valve. Gee Whiz, a dang Jinma has a smoother hitch than that. Although I have been happy with my 2800, this move by Kubota has me scratching my head. So the new 2800/3400 are going to get a bad rap all over again.

 

[Harvest Moon]

MySpaceTV Videos: Jerky Kubota 3 point hitch by Maloney
Here is a video of it. It's poor quality but I don't have a good camera. Sorry.

That's just about how mine works and I still have the old valve (<SN #61730). I've been thinking about replacing it but if they are putting it in the new ones again, I too am scratching my head?

 

[ccsial]

I can't believe Kubota went back to that inching valve. Gee Whiz, a dang Jinma has a smoother hitch than that. Although I have been happy with my 2800, this move by Kubota has me scratching my head. So the new 2800/3400 are going to get a bad rap all over again.

You have to wonder what they are thinking. The old valve makes the tractor useless for a lot of applications. I wonder if their engineers have ever driven a tractor.

 

[Harvest Moon]

It's got to be about marketing.

When I went to get the loader QA from the LA513, the dealer said Kubota wouldn't sell it to them for an LA463. The dealer cleared it by cross referencing the part numbers to the new QA from the LA463-1.. they were the same? They also wouldn't sell the QA for the LA463-1 separately?

Kubota told my dealer the brush guard with the LA463 isn't suitable for suitcase weights and I'd need a wight bracket but they use the same brush guard on other tractors with weights.. usually bundling it with bolts so it's has a different model number. (careful, it may not clear the loader!)

And the LA463 is essentially a LA513 with a little less pressure at the relief. What harm could an extra 110 lbs. lift really do to our tractors? Offset the weight of the new QA?

They don't make front mount implements for the L3400 like the Grand L's. A blade isn't too complicated,is it?

They must need the differentiation or they'd loose the up sell to the lower powered Grand L's. The L3400 is just too grate of a tractor, they need to "dumb it down." Makes me feel like I "stole" the best value on the tractor market, even with the lousy 3 pt. valve, I can get that fixed and even if I have to pay for it, I still got a great deal.

That's my thought anyway.

 

[jeconn]

You don't have to accept that that is the way it is because it should not be that jerky.

Good Luck, Brian

Well apparently I will have to accept it this way. I talked with everyone at the dealer, the regional rep, his boss in Georgia and customer satisfaction in California. I got everything from the economy tractor to it's normal to there is no other valve that will work in that tractor and to keep cost down they had to cut costs somewhere. I'm not happy about it but I guess I lost this fight. So, would I recommend a Kubota to a friend? NO!!! Does anyone know if a DIYer can replace this valve? What valve do I use?

 

[Harvest Moon]

Jeconn,

I for one, am not quick to accept when Kubota say's "can't." If I did, I wouldn't be able to use suitcase weights with my grill guard or have a nice Kubota QA for my loader.

So far no one has posted the part number for this questionable valve in the new machines like yours but I'm real curious what it is. If they really did go back to the old valve it would seem reasonable that the upgraded valve from the L3010 would fit your tractor just like all those that it's already replaced.

If it's not the old valve, then the mystery deepens.

I was hoping to hear from someone who's replaced one of these valves but so far no bites on my earlier comment. It doesn't look too hard to replace but not exactly simple for the DYIer either.

 

[kthompson]

jeconn

I have two Kubotas and am pleased with them. Neither your model. I would not have what that video is showing either.

I am not a fan of lawsuits but man that is way off. I don't care who specs it meets. You may find small claims court is all you need.

Another option is and no idea if that would be allowed here but start a new thread if allowed asking for anyone who has such problem unresolved work together for a class action.

No I am not an attorney, work in industry that many thinks hate them, insurance.