L39 Electrical fire, bad, but could have been total loss.

[KBL3830]

Just a cautionary note in regard to homeowners insurance. We had some freeze damage due to rodent gnawed hydronic heating pipes. On close inspection our policy specifically excludes damage caused by "vermin". So check your policies before blaming things on the local mouseketeers.

 

[Carl_NH]

The lighting strike explains a lot and its amazing how much damage a strike can do. I understand the connected sources like the TV and lights, and I guess if the L39 buckets were on the ground its a connection as well.

Since these seem to be related to one instance (lightning) will they cover the other items than the tractor too? But still $2500 is a big hit to take.

Reminds me of 6 years ago I changed the deductible to $2500 in June of 06 and in August we had a microburst and took down 15 trees around our place - didnt hit the house or buildings but smashed the new teak patio set and other furniture - wife wasn't very happy with me that week.

 

[BeezFun]

We had a near miss lightening strike that may have caused an electrical pulse resulting in all these items failing and the tractor circuit board catching on fire. The fire sure seemed centered around the control panel.

Maybe I should be building a faraday cage for my tractor instead of a pole barn.

 

[jonyyuma]

Maybe I should be building a faraday cage for my tractor instead of a pole barn.

Might not be pertainant on this but, the appliances should show signs, if they were blown out by lightning.. A lot of electrical stuff is protected by MOV's and other chips?? Sitting here thinking about a huge pulse created by a close lightning strike...Something metal around that barn should defintirely show some burn damage..100 thousand volts does usually leave a mark or a Hole in the ground?? The tractor itself may have a simular to welding mark??I do know it can blow out electronics on a plane by close non-contact strike..

 

[stevem5215]

If anyone knows about lightning strikes it's me. This house has been struck 3 times. Once it blew the chimney apart (was before we bought it) and they had to rebuild almost the whole thing. 2nd time it took out the tv, furnace, satellite dish, refrigerator and microwave. 3rd time took out the computer, a couple of routers, the garage door electrical bd (btw, that's a cheap repair look up the part number from the board on google and you'll find a cheap easy replacement) along with the alarm system, and it blew out my X10 light switches too. (see picture attached of the short it took between the light fixture and the ground aluminum soffit of the house) Yes, that's a hole in the aluminum from the lightning arc. It had a different light fixture there and i went to replace it and found the hole and arcing marks. We're lucky, it hasn't burn't the house to the ground. We do have a number of lightning rods to stop it but it's still a problem here. A number of the neighbors have been struck as well. It's lightning alley for sure here.

Steve

 

[mike69440]

It was not a direct hit on the tractor or house. Insurance is treating it as one claim. Rodents would have been covered too. Real cause is not 100% certain, but too many coincidences, sure does point to a bolt from the blue. Pictures taken and adjuster saw tractor and is working with Kubota dealer. Garage door opener is fixed with new board installed myself, debating on TV repair as we still have component video. Whole house faraday cage is a good idea!

 

[CHDinCT]

We got hit here about 5 years ago. We weren't home at the time but came home to find one satellite box shot, one corded phone gone and an old invisible fence control unit in the basement that actually blew off the wall. Worst thing was that it must have opened a new vein to our well as we started getting lots of iron and turbidity. Ended up having to put in extra filtration and a water softener to make the water usable again. Not sure if the charge came into the house via the invisible fence or water line. Thankfully, the well pump was OK. Real pain in the you know what. Our deductible was $1K so it was all on us. Hope you're back to "normal" soon.

 

[mike69440]

8 weeks later and close to $6,000 repair bill, I get my L39 hopefully delivered tomorrow. I had them add a keyed kill switch, wiring for a horn, and had them replace the front axle seals. At least the burned part looks all new and shiny for a little while.

With only the B7200 to play with I did a web page: http://www.breezyridgedirtwork.com/

I'll let everyone know how my newly reworked loader bucket with teeth on the bolt on cutting edge works out, as I have about 200 yards of material to move.

I drove the excavator out of the woods to do a little firewood before I go track it to the back of my property to help the L39 with the big rocks. That thing will not win too many races. (Neither will the L39)

 

[lhansman]

Hi Mike

Did you get the L39 back? I was hoping to see some photos of the reborn L39.

I must say you are a better man than me. I tried used L39 a few years ago which I could have purchased for a couple of grand more than the B26 I purchased at the time but I did not like the glide shift transmission and so went with the B26 HST as I did not have the cash at the time for an L45. If I had purchased the L39 and I saw it on fire I think I would have left it burning and then upgraded to an L45!

I hope all is well with the reborn L39.

Regards,

Lauren

 

[mike69440]

Yes it is back and will be returning for hopefully minor adjustments.

have the following problems with the tractor.


1. The Self Leveling lever on the Loader control is jammed and cannot be moved to the Self Leveling position.

2. The Loader control Joystick hits the armrest in the 5 o’clock position, i.e raising the loader arms while dumping. I suspect adjusting the control cable(s) will correct this .

3. Intellipanel problems.

a.) The LCD Gear selection indicator is screen blank

b.) The LCD Speedometer does not indicate speed, displays 0.0 MPH & KPH moving or not.

c.) The LCD bar Indicator on the fuel gage reads 1-2 bars low even with a full tank