MX5100 Jerky 3pt hitch

Chilly807 · Feb 4, 2013

I went back and re-read the thread from a year ago, it brings back a lot of the details on this "hunt" we've been on. For those interested in splitting the difference like I mentioned a post or two ago, post # 133 on this thread gives some more detail as to how effective it might be.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-owning-operating/233308-l3400-3-point-hitch-adjustment.html

Sean

k0ua · Feb 5, 2013

Chilly807 said:
I went back and re-read the thread from a year ago, it brings back a lot of the details on this "hunt" we've been on. For those interested in splitting the difference like I mentioned a post or two ago, post # 133 on this thread gives some more detail as to how effective it might be.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-owning-operating/233308-l3400-3-point-hitch-adjustment.html

Sean

Sean I bet this all brings back a lot of old bad memories

.. and you were nearly cured,

James K0UA

Chilly807 · Feb 5, 2013

Yeah.. like Dreyfuss in the Pink Panther movies.. so close to being cured, then poof, Clouseau shows up and it's back to the drawing board.

Sean

Herkypilot · Mar 2, 2013

I just got back from the local Kubota dealership. He had two MX5100 HST 4x4's on his lot. I've been interested in switching to HST and had been discussing a trade. I mentioned the jerky 3-point to him and said any deal would be contingent on a smooth 3-pt. I tested both with box blades on the back. Both exhibited the jerky movement. Salesman said he had not seen that before. I told them there are pages on this Forum about both the MX and L series tractors doing it. He said he'd check with Kubota next week to see if there's a fix. I believe we all sort of know the answer to that one - "it's within tolerances".

JC-jetro · Mar 2, 2013

Chilly807 said:
Yeah.. like Dreyfuss in the Pink Panther movies.. so close to being cured, then poof, Clouseau shows up and it's back to the drawing board.

Sean

Ha Ha

I hope you have not started to twitch like inspector

JC,

SPYDERLK · Mar 2, 2013

Herkypilot said:
I just got back from the local Kubota dealership. He had two MX5100 HST 4x4's on his lot. I've been interested in switching to HST and had been discussing a trade. I mentioned the jerky 3-point to him and said any deal would be contingent on a smooth 3-pt. I tested both with box blades on the back. Both exhibited the jerky movement. Salesman said he had not seen that before.:confused2: I told them there are pages on this Forum about both the MX and L series tractors doing it. He said he'd check with Kubota next week to see if there's a fix. I believe we all sort of know the answer to that one - "it's within tolerances".

What if everybody expressed that displeasure with Kubotas 3ph offering? Yould see that answer change pretty promptly.
larry

JC-jetro · Mar 2, 2013

I have not used my MX-4700 long enough and under all conditions to report accurately. just a quick test when I bought and few hrs I had on my tractor did not show jerkiness on my hitch. I should know for sure come spring.

JC,

kiotiken · May 16, 2013

paulwestski said:
I'm interested in more info.
I'm getting ready to upgrade my L3800 to a MX5100.
My L3800 has the jerky hitch, I test drove a new MX4700 yesterday and it has a jerky hitch.
I could tell without any implement mounted.
The dealers response to my question about the jerky hitch was....we still need to dealer prep the tractor, it could be low on fluid

Sounds like you have all the info you need. It has a jerky hitch and you know from your experience and everybody elses here, it's not going to go away after the dealer prep. It also would have been pretty easy for him to confirm the fluid level in a matter of seconds, funny how he didn't offer. If you don't care about the jerky hitch, problem solved, if you do, look at another model or make. It's been made very clear in plenty of threads on TBN, there is not fix, no solution, it's just they way they are.

KYDan · May 16, 2013

The dealer wants to sell a tractor. It is a known problem. Either you can live with it, or you may get lucky and buy one that doesn't have the issue. It's a crapshoot whether or not. most likely your only option if he has to order the tractor is to tell him it is a known issue and to check out this thread and guarantee you may refuse to take delivery if it has this issue. The MX5100 is an awesome value tractor, you get a lot of tractor for the money. Or, you can pay the difference a go with the L5740 which is a great tractor, but more money.

3boys865 · May 16, 2013

paulwestski said:
I'm interested in more info.
I'm getting ready to upgrade my L3800 to a MX5100.
My L3800 has the jerky hitch, I test drove a new MX4700 yesterday and it has a jerky hitch.
I could tell without any implement mounted.
The dealers response to my question about the jerky hitch was....we still need to dealer prep the tractor, it could be low on fluid

Dealer prep or other adjustments will not make the hitch smooth. It is not designed to be smooth. The response I got from my regional Kubota rep was that the value tractors (Standard L's and MX's) are not engineered to have a smooth hitch. If you want or need a smooth operating hitch, you will need to purchase a Grand L or M series Kubota.

I can't say anything bad about the MX5100 otherwise. It provides a lot of tractor and power for the money, just depends on what you are looking to use the tractor for. If you plan to do any grading, use a PHD or any other implement that would require fine control over the 3PH, then you will not be happy with the 3PH performance. If not, you will not even notice the jerky hitch. It is smooth when raising quickly, just can't feather it up smoothly.

I returned my MX5100 after 2 weeks and purchased a Grand L 4240 because I needed a smooth hitch for grading. Couldn't be happier, it was the right decision for me. If you will mainly be doing PTO or FEL work then the MX5100 is a great choice.

Hope that helps...