L2800 PTO problems again

[8226hamer]

The PTO went out on my L2800 when I first bought it a couple years ago. I was running a 4' Land Pride tiller and the cams that mesh up from the transmission to the PTO shaft that engauge it sheared off. It had I think around 30 or 40 hours on it when it happened. After 5 weeks in the shop I got it back and have put at the most 20 hours of tilling time on it. I was using it today to put in a lawn in and the same thing happened again. My advise, if you are looking to buy a 2800 or 3400 and you are planning on running a tiller, I would go with the Grand L or B series of tractors. When I seen how the PTO was designed when my then, new tractor was split in half in the shop the first time, I knew then that it was a poor designed and would not hold up using ground engauging PTO driven implements. Parts are ordered, I will keep you all posted. This is the last time I will have this problem with this tractor. I'm looking hard at a B3030, or if I can find one a good used B2910. I had a B2910 that I put over 3000 hours on it and using no different than the L2800 and it never was down with PTO problems.

 

[MDM]

I remember reading about your initial probem. I'm extra cautious with my PTO on my 2800 because of your post from a couple of years ago. It seems the PTO is the weak spot on the 2800/3400. I have tilled a couple of hours and haven't had any problems. I'm not tilling unbroken ground though. I made sure I got a slip clutch on my tiller shaft. I'll admit that if that happened to me twice, I would be looking for something else too. I will probably be shopping for a 3240 if I ever have pto problems with my 2800. It would make me sick to have to have a new tractor split in half for repairs.

 

[wushaw]

I can't say I blame ya on a different model with a different design PTO since you are having this kind of problems.
I don't even use my L2800 PTO for anything since getting rid of my rear finish mower so it should last forever.

Hopefully you will have good luck with what you get next.

 

[Volnavy]

I have a L3400 and had the same problem. I think Kubota fixed it with a larger mechanism. I've had no problem since.

 

[Marcussen]

Looking at my parts manual the HST PTO cam setup was changed after S/N 57745, and the gear models was changed after S/N 55199 and again after S/N 57745, I am not sure what the changes actualy entail

 

[MDM]

Looking at my parts manual the HST PTO cam setup was changed after S/N 57745, and the gear models was changed after S/N 55199 and again after S/N 57745, I am not sure what the changes actualy entail

My serial number is 54090. I wonder if mine has been fixed since it is before the serial number cut off. My dealer told me that Kubota had a big campaign to fix the problem, and sent teams out to fix the tractors made before the cutoff. He said the tractors that were before the serial number cut off that were fixed, were marked with a white paint mark on the axel- Like the mark on my axel, shown below.
I was never quite sure if he was feeding me a line of crap or not. I wonder if a dealer that posts on here could confirm this? You out there Messicks?

 

[8226hamer]

This is interesting. I took the tractor to the dealer to get it fixed and the service manager said nothing about this recall . I knew that I couldn't have been the only one with this problem. Thanks for letting me know about this. I will call today and see if they even know about this. The tractor is still there now.

 

[MDM]

Keep us posted. I notice in the parts manual there is an "old" and "new" PTO countershaft listed. Under the "remarks" column, the cam kit is listed as "optional" below SN 55745. Doesn't sound like a recall, or mandatory fix. So, that leads me to believe my dealer is probably not telling me the truth with the whole "white mark on the axel means its fixed" story and the "campaign" Kubota had to fix the problem. If this is the case, that really ticks me off.

 

[8226hamer]

I have a L3400 and had the same problem. I think Kubota fixed it with a larger mechanism. I've had no problem since.

Volnavy, Is there anyway you can tell me what the parts numbers were that were used for the larger cams. I called my dealer today and informed them about this and the service manager said he would check into it. I have not heard from him.

 

[MDM]

Tell your dealer to check the parts manual. Its right there in black and white. You can download a free parts manual for your 2800 from tractorsmart.com.

 

[8226hamer]

Well I found out today that the first time my L2800 was repaired it had the upgraded PTO locking cams installed. I got around 20 hours of PTO tilling time out of them. I'll keep you posted on how long the third set lasts. I think I have about a years worth of warranty left that I might as well take advantage of.

 

[MDM]

Are you tilling broken ground, or ground that has never been turned over? Do you have a slip clutch on the tiller? I want to avoid a broken PTO at all costs. 80% of the hours I will be putting on my 2800 will be for PTO use, mostly finish mowing, but probably 3 hrs a year tilling my garden. A tractor is not a tractor without a PTO. I don't understand how Kubota could screw up something so important. If mine goes down, I'm opting for a 3240 or a 3215/2815 Mahindra. I guess I shouldn't worry about it until it happens. If it happens, I hope its within the next 2.5 years.

 

[8226hamer]

Except for my garden at my home all the ground tilling I do is for new home sites. I install lawns with my L2800. I set the tiller where it only cutting about 4" deep because of down spout lines which are never deep enough. All my work is in new subdivisions, which were at one time farm ground, so the ground has been worked before, but it is compacted from all the other contractors doing their work. The tiller does not have a slip clutch, but it is only a 4' tiller. that I used with my first Kubota, which was a B-20 and I used it with my second Kubota, which was a B2910 for 5 years and neither gave me any PTO problems. I put over 3000 hours on the first two tractors without any problems. I don't think you will have any problems with using a finish mower, or even a bush hog, but I didn't think I would with the tiller either. I have 3 acers that I bush hog 2 times a year and while bush hogging it worked out good, but it to is only a 4 footer and I'm only cutting knee high weeds.

 

[simonmeridew]

Does anyone know if a similar weak assembly is used in the L4400 or is it a beefier unit?
simonmeridew

 

[wushaw]

It's an independent style like on the Grand L models. I would suspect it is beefier since there has not been one person on this board have a problem with it.

 

[N80]

I'm curious about the live independant PTO system on the L4400 and others. From a usage standpoint I think it is almost ideal with the exception that it is probably quicker to disengage the PTO (in a 'situation') using the foot clutch than the hand clutch which is behind and to the right of the seat. Other than that I really like it. It can be a little tedious to 'feather' it on, but it can be done. I do wonder about the durability. As mentioned, it seems to be fine. I first thought that the PTO was hydraulicaly driven, but it isn't. It is hydraulicaly engaged. The PTO lever releases hydraulic pressure that engages a clutch. Once the clutch is engaged, the PTO is mechanically driven. I guess this type of clutch may allow for some 'slip' when a shock load is encountered, almost like a little internal slip clutch. But I don't know if that is actually the case though.