L3200/3800: here's the KEY to an annoying problem....

[familyman]

Well somebody at Kubota should be ashamed.

The itty-bitty depth preset knob for the 3-pt. lever on the L3200/3800 is, to put it gently, a JOKE. They might as well have left it off as it's not usable without a pair of pliers. No, I do NOT have weak hands; quite the opposite.

I removed the tiny plastic knob and replaced it with what we used to call a "water key", for turning exterior spigots on and off on commercial buildings.

I had to buy a new bolt and some Devcon Metal epoxy, and epoxied the new bolt to the key. At some point I'll drill it and put in a roll pin.

A day later I was much happier. Easy to turn and adjust and the key is not in the way. I'm sure other items could be adapted for this use.

COMING soon... my adapter for raising and lowering the 3-pt. hitch when I'm off the tractor (a work in progress...).

 

[1savoy]

familyman,

Great modification. Keep up the good ideas. I like the adapter for the three point hitch for adjusting when off the tractor also. Can't wait to see it.

 

[Mac in PA]

I don't use the lever stop on mine because it's such a pain.

I like your idea.......nice job.

 

[familyman]

familyman,

Great modification. Keep up the good ideas. I like the adapter for the three point hitch for adjusting when off the tractor also. Can't wait to see it.

Thanks, 1savoy. While I'm really happy with the machine as a whole, there are some niggley problems that diminish the fun.

I'm going to cut down my 3-pt. lever and modify the loader control stick so I can get on and off from the right side. I'll have to get a RH fender handle from a Grand L.

Two other issues are the top link and adjustable side link; pretty cheesy. I prefer those I've seen on the Deere 20 series tractors better.

I've already swapped the top link for one I picked up at my John Deere dealer, that's burlier and much easier to adjust.

 

[familyman]

I don't use the lever stop on mine because it's such a pain.

I like your idea.......nice job.

I was doing a bunch of grading and raking and I HAD to use it. I guess necessity is indeed the mother of invention.

 

[1savoy]

Thanks, 1savoy. While I'm really happy with the machine as a whole, there are some niggley problems that diminish the fun.

Two other issues are the top link and adjustable side link; pretty cheesy.=QUOTE]

I bought the telescopic stabilizer links when I bought the tractor, due to comments on here and from pictures they looked like a PITA. I have not had the tractor for much time yet and I have not even had time to take the backhoe off and try the 3 point hitch. Was going to last weekend and I blinked and the weekend was gone.

 

[case245]

i fix my l3800 jerky hitch the easy way swaped it in on a 7040su shuddle tranny 1153 fel 2 rear ports loaded tires center rear cast wieghts i lift my 1 ton rear 8 in off the ground with it a 3500hd srw

 

[Bluegill2]

Mine came with the telescopic stabilizer links. First tractor I've had with them and they are nice! The standard links are whats been used for years and they work just fine, just not as easy.

No issues at all with my L3800. Very good tractor!!!

 

[familyman]

Mine came with the telescopic stabilizer links. First tractor I've had with them and they are nice! The standard links are whats been used for years and they work just fine, just not as easy.

No issues at all with my L3800. Very good tractor!!!

I'm actually referring to the lifting rod that's on the right. I'd rather have something with better mechanical leverage, that can be adjusted without a wrench, like this one below. A new Deere 3320 I looked at had one just like it.

The check chains don't bother me since I've set them at a width that luckily happens to work for all of my attachments.

 

[Chilly807]

I put a short length of pipe in my toolbox, the hole slips over the pins on the right side three point link to turn it easily.

I cut about 6 inches off the FEL lever, much better now. Shortened the gear shift rod too(mine's a DT model) so now I can get boots behind it when it's in 2nd or 4th gear.

Sean

 

[1savoy]

I'm actually referring to the lifting rod that's on the right. I'd rather have something with better mechanical leverage, that can be adjusted without a wrench, like this one below. A new Deere 3320 I looked at had one just like it.

The check chains don't bother me since I've set them at a width that luckily happens to work for all of my attachments.

Woops, sorry I misunderstood. Thought you were talking about the turnbuckles. My last JD had a crank on top of the right link. Made adjustments real easy. I guess it is what we get for an economy model. I am pleased with the L3800 for my needs so far. I guess you will just need to install a top and tilt to solve the problem

 

[murphy1244]

[.

.

Two other issues are the top link and adjustable side link; pretty cheesy. I prefer those I've seen on the Deere 20 series tractors better.

I've already swapped the top link for one I picked up at my John Deere dealer, that's burlier and much easier to adjust.[/QUOTE]

The parts guy at the deere dealer must of laughed his azz off at buying parts for a Bota....

 

[tractorshopper]

I got the Pats easy change system and they extend from the lower arms, so I had to get a longer top link anyway. $30 for a new top link which was much beefier and way easier to turn. I kind of need an in between size now for certain uses with the box blade to pull it in farther when shanks are down and digging deeper, but it works well. I hate the adjustment piece on the right lower link too. It does get easier with use, but still takes a lot of effort to adjust up and down. Need to find a replacement for it too. Otherwise, I love my L3800.

 

[familyman]

"The parts guy at the deere dealer must of laughed his azz off at buying parts for a Bota...."

They do NOT laugh at ME.

They are 1/2 mile down the road from my house. 7 or 8 years ago I stopped by the place to look at a 790. The dealership front door was open, so I walked in.

The lights were off. I yelled hello a few times and the owner came out of the back room and was visibly annoyed. He yelled, "We're closed! Can't you read the sign?" Sure enough, the propped open door had the "closed" sign hanging on it.

I turned on my heel without a word. The next morning, I drove 25 minutes to the Kubota dealer and bought an L2800.

Last month I bought my second, an L3800, from the same Kubota dealer. The very day I got it home, I saw the Deere dealership's owner drive by, just staring as I used the machine.

Taking care of people is the key to making sales and repeat customers. I buy parts at the Deere shop because they are close, not because I feel valued as a customer.

 

[familyman]

I got the Pats easy change system and they extend from the lower arms, so I had to get a longer top link anyway. $30 for a new top link which was much beefier and way easier to turn. I kind of need an in between size now for certain uses with the box blade to pull it in farther when shanks are down and digging deeper, but it works well. I hate the adjustment piece on the right lower link too. It does get easier with use, but still takes a lot of effort to adjust up and down. Need to find a replacement for it too. Otherwise, I love my L3800.

I'm using the Carters: Welcome to CARTER AND SON'S TOOL AND DIE

They sit on top of the lift arms, so the top link is not an issue. The issue I do have is that I can't spin my rake to push backwards with it. As I turn it, it just contacts the bottom of the lift arm, which stops it cold. I have to remove and remount the rake if I want to use it turned around.

 

[murphy1244]

They do NOT laugh at ME.. It wasn't about you, it was about putting Deere parts on a Bota..

 

[Bluegill2]

Years ago, I had a JD dealer down the road I used to buy a few things from. They would asked what model I had, when I'd say a L245, I usually got a funny look. It was priceless!

 

[ddb123]

"The parts guy at the deere dealer must of laughed his azz off at buying parts for a Bota...."

They do NOT laugh at ME.

They are 1/2 mile down the road from my house. 7 or 8 years ago I stopped by the place to look at a 790. The dealership front door was open, so I walked in.

The lights were off. I yelled hello a few times and the owner came out of the back room and was visibly annoyed. He yelled, "We're closed! Can't you read the sign?" Sure enough, the propped open door had the "closed" sign hanging on it.

I turned on my heel without a word. The next morning, I drove 25 minutes to the Kubota dealer and bought an L2800.

Last month I bought my second, an L3800, from the same Kubota dealer. The very day I got it home, I saw the Deere dealership's owner drive by, just staring as I used the machine.

Taking care of people is the key to making sales and repeat customers. I buy parts at the Deere shop because they are close, not because I feel valued as a customer.

Sounds like you caught him "training" the secretary.

 

[Chilly807]

That's a lot like my hat experience.. when I bought the L3400, they were "out of Kubota hats" so I got a couple of hats with the dealer logo on them. Nice hats, really.

About the same time, a friend gave me a black John Deere hat, from a local construction equipment dealer. As a joke, I started wearing the Deere hat, and have since replaced it a couple times. I forgot I had it on one day when I walked into the Kubota dealer. I left with a Kubota hat, too.

Sean

 

[familyman]

Sounds like you caught him "training" the secretary.

The guy was never pleasant to deal with. He always acts like he's doing you a favor just by allowing you to set foot on the premises.
His parts guys are ok, pretty helpful most of the time. The owner's nephew, who seems to do more work than anyone else there, is very helpful, knowledgeable and is a really nice guy. I suspect he's the reason they're in business at all. Too bad he can't tell the uncle to take a hike.