New Kubota with DPF Filter

[sunnyside360]

Sunny,

How was the 1511 performance other than the DPF problems? I looked at buying the 1511 but instead went with the 1211-72. So far I have been happy with the 1211 - plenty of power and speed - it cuts better than the old ZD28. When I drove the 1511 I could hear the turbo singing and it sounded like power but I thought it was not as quick as the ZD1211 thu, just a little less responsive, definitely heavier.

Have you cut any really high grass, mowed on steep inclines or other situations where the 31HP+turbo would be useful?

Thanks -David

1511 performance is way better than my previous 331, at least for my application. The 1511 is quite a bit heavier which is a huge advantage on steeper slopes, especially when turning. The 331 has lots of power (31 hp) as does the 1511 so I don't see much difference there even in tall grass. I don't have 20/20 hearing anymore, aka normal, so I can't hear the turbo. The new aerodynamic deck is improved with much less clumping of grass. 1511 steering responsiveness is better than the 331. I'm sure the 1511 uses more fuel than the 331 but I haven't calculated it exactly but will after a few more hours. The air ride seat is the main reason I got the 1511, but it is superior to the 331 in other ways as mentioned. I just hope the DPF Regen failure doesn't occur again, otherwise, have no regrets with the new machine.

 

[xring100]

1511 performance is way better than my previous 331, at least for my application. The 1511 is quite a bit heavier which is a huge advantage on steeper slopes, especially when turning. The 331 has lots of power (31 hp) as does the 1511 so I don't see much difference there even in tall grass. I don't have 20/20 hearing anymore, aka normal, so I can't hear the turbo. The new aerodynamic deck is improved with much less clumping of grass. 1511 steering responsiveness is better than the 331. I'm sure the 1511 uses more fuel than the 331 but I haven't calculated it exactly but will after a few more hours. The air ride seat is the main reason I got the 1511, but it is superior to the 331 in other ways as mentioned. I just hope the DPF Regen failure doesn't occur again, otherwise, have no regrets with the new machine.

I wish i could have upgraded the 1211 to the air ride seat as a factory option but preffered old school mechanical fuel injection over a dpf. Your first regen experience solidifies that decision. Best of luck. My cruze diesel has had a temp sensor, o2 sensor and def heater fault all under warranty

 

[sunnyside360]

I wish i could have upgraded the 1211 to the air ride seat as a factory option but preffered old school mechanical fuel injection over a dpf. Your first regen experience solidifies that decision. Best of luck. My cruze diesel has had a temp sensor, o2 sensor and def heater fault all under warranty

One dealer offered to install an air ride seat on the 1211 model -- said they have done it for others for around $1200. However he wasn't giving me much for my 2011 model 331 on trade. Haven't seen many 1211 issues on the internet. Good luck with your 1211.

 

[robert421960]

my l3301 hst is perfect for me and the only thing i suggest is keeping the rpms high to keep the regens down
other than that it starts every time

 

[xring100]

One dealer offered to install an air ride seat on the 1211 model -- said they have done it for others for around $1200. However he wasn't giving me much for my 2011 model 331 on trade. Haven't seen many 1211 issues on the internet. Good luck with your 1211.

I might have to talk to my dealer in the future or look up the parts, thanks for the suggestion. I've got 55 hours on it so far no hiccups. Just did the break in oil and filter service. The grease zircs on the shaft from the engine to trans are entertaining. A hoist would make that more fun

 

[sunnyside360]

I might have to talk to my dealer in the future or look up the parts, thanks for the suggestion. I've got 55 hours on it so far no hiccups. Just did the break in oil and filter service. The grease zircs on the shaft from the engine to trans are entertaining. A hoist would make that more fun

If it's anything like my 331, getting at some of the grease fittings isn't fun. Suspect the 1511 will be similar.

 

[sunnyside360]

The ZD1511-72 did it's second REGEN last evening. All went normal w/o any issue whatsoever. REGEN indicator came on at 21.8 and off at 22.1 hour meter reading all while mowing high thick grass. Performance was not affected but you could smell unusual odor. This is the way it's supposed to work and I'm happy with the machine. :dance1:

 

[xring100]

The ZD1511-72 did it's second REGEN last evening. All went normal w/o any issue whatsoever. REGEN indicator came on at 21.8 and off at 22.1 hour meter reading all while mowing high thick grass. Performance was not affected but you could smell unusual odor. This is the way it's supposed to work and I'm happy with the machine. :dance1:

Good to hear. Our cruise diesel doesnt tell you when its in regen but the 10-15 mpg hit on the 50 mile average is a good indicator. It also smells weird like its really hot if you get out of the in the middle of a regen

 

[Rmart30]

Not enough hours on these tier 4 tractors yet for the complaints to start. Give it 3 - 5 years and 1000+ hours of use for a more accurate appraisal
.
I work on construction equipment from small forklifts to large excavators. DPF have added a lot of problems and cost to machines.
I have a customer with 2 Yale forklifts right now with kubota engines that arent 3 years old that both need the DPF replaced at a cost of about $3k each.
Hours are 2200 and 2600 and these machines are ran hard all day long and not let to sit idle or babied to cause the problem.

Ive seen brand new $200k excavators need a DPF replaced in under 200 hours of use. No codes, no regen problems shown , nothing. Just stopped up and shut down. Factory response... we dont know why it did it. Fine and dandy when under warranty for the customer, but what happens when its out of warranty and clogs another DPF @ a cost of $5500 to the customer and the factory response is we dont know why, and it could do it again in another 200 hrs and at that time its not under warranty and its out of your pocket.

DPF are not owner friendly for repairs. They will require a laptop and soft ware or access code to enter the system and ck or clear codes or put into bypass regen.
When the DPF has problems sometimes ya go into derate, sometimes it shuts down and wont crank. Which will lead to having to call the dealer tech in to plug up to it, All added cost and downtime.

We need a thread in about 2020 on this topic for the real consensus of how they have worked.

 

[sunnyside360]

Not enough hours on these tier 4 tractors yet for the complaints to start. Give it 3 - 5 years and 1000+ hours of use for a more accurate appraisal
.
I work on construction equipment from small forklifts to large excavators. DPF have added a lot of problems and cost to machines.
I have a customer with 2 Yale forklifts right now with kubota engines that arent 3 years old that both need the DPF replaced at a cost of about $3k each.
Hours are 2200 and 2600 and these machines are ran hard all day long and not let to sit idle or babied to cause the problem.

Ive seen brand new $200k excavators need a DPF replaced in under 200 hours of use. No codes, no regen problems shown , nothing. Just stopped up and shut down. Factory response... we dont know why it did it. Fine and dandy when under warranty for the customer, but what happens when its out of warranty and clogs another DPF @ a cost of $5500 to the customer and the factory response is we dont know why, and it could do it again in another 200 hrs and at that time its not under warranty and its out of your pocket.

DPF are not owner friendly for repairs. They will require a laptop and soft ware or access code to enter the system and ck or clear codes or put into bypass regen.
When the DPF has problems sometimes ya go into derate, sometimes it shuts down and wont crank. Which will lead to having to call the dealer tech in to plug up to it, All added cost and downtime.

We need a thread in about 2020 on this topic for the real consensus of how they have worked.

Predict there is going to be an awful lot of angry tractor and equipment owners (orange, green, red) out there if DPF issues exist as described. I would have kept my older 2011 Kubota ZD331-72 Zturn mower had I known the risk couple of months ago. :shocked: