M5400 Recall

mark_torrey · Aug 15, 2009

When we returned from the Czech Festival in Praha Tx, this afternoon I found a hand delivered note in the mail box, from our Kubota dealer saying "please call about a recall on my Kubota M5400 Tractor". Does anyone have any idea on what this might be ? I can find nothing online, and cannot (um, don't want to) wait until Monday morning to call and find out. The tractor has provided flawless service ('99, 655+/- hours, 4WD, loader ....), has been pole barn kept and maintained per the manufacturer service schedule, and aside from the above regular maintenance has only required hydraulic lines, front tire(s) and battery replacement.

Any one have any info on recalls to the M5400 tractors ?

mark_torrey · Aug 15, 2009

From the looks of it, no one (at least of the 29 Viewers) else has heard about this either. I would have been more skeptical, but the note is printed on their business invoice paper with info only they would have had, so it's definitely not a forgery or scam. I will call Monday and keep you posted. Maybe other M5400 owners will benefit.

FTCKUBOTA · Aug 15, 2009

I am guessing it might be something about trying to sell you an extended warranty ....not sure though....

mark_torrey · Aug 16, 2009

Hey FTC ... Hmmm, maybe, but not to likely. We are 30+ miles from the dealer. It's possible/probable they have an employee living in the area, and had them just drop it off, but it would otherwise be a bit of a drive just to sell an extended warranty on a 10 year old tractor. Thanks for you thoughts though. We'll know more tomorrow.

mrtfelton · Aug 16, 2009

For someone to hand deliver a recall, it makes me think of a fire problem. Just my two cents.

FTCKUBOTA · Aug 16, 2009

there has been a recall on some of the M series with the steps breaking off. I think some people have been sanding on them with the tractor moving then it breaking off...

I guess you will find ot tomorrow

mark_torrey · Aug 17, 2009

MRTFELTON ... that was my immediate concern as well, okay ... maybe not fire specifically, but certainly a potentially serious safety issue. Fortunately, as it turns out, it is only the step bracket as you mentioned FCTKUBOTA. I went out and checked mine as soon as I got off the phone, but didn't find any problems.

According to my dealer, Kubota has a field replaceable part that fixes the problem, and they will come to me for the replacement. Also, one other comment ... it turns out the "hand delivered note" was as I suspected... dropped off by an employee living in a neighboring town, about 10 miles further down the road. He stopped on his way home Saturday, and will also be the one to stop by this weekend for the retrofit.

That's what I call service.

Ken45101 · Aug 18, 2009

The dealer did that fix on my M5040 and I didn't even know it! He mentioned it the next time I was in the shop!

His guess was that someone was standing on the step while someone else was driving the tractor.

Good to know they reinforced the step instead of just adding another warning sticker, LOL.

Ken

mark_torrey · Aug 18, 2009

I spoke with my dealer again today to find out more about the fix. It is a 2 part fix, One) adding an additional bracket from under the operator platform mount to the step bracket. Two) adding a sticker to the fender. (There you go Ken ...). Apparently the step bracket mounting bolts sheer under, um, certain load conditions. After visual inspection, I vigorously "tested" mine (please note, the tractor was stationary and NOT running), and it didn't budge. I'll post before and after pictures following the install, Saturday.