New Snowblower Warning

[FullBucket]

My new 51" rear snowblower (B2781) arrived with a driveshaft that was too long. When raised the driveshaft pushed the fan into a collision with the body of the blower. The dealer was quite good about repairing it. Unfortunately it took a second incident and repair before things seem to be resolved. It did a great job today on my driveway but I'm left with some residual concern that the stress may have put wear on my tractor's transmission. I was imagining I heard more noise when operating but not sure. Hoping for the best.

The second incident snaped pin and stalled the engine before I was able to disengage the PTO. Where the first simply snapped the shearpin. Also PTO shift lever was stuck on rear PTO setting (moves now). Does anyone have any similar experience with attachments/implements stalling their tractor? Is my tractor likely to be OK?

I doubt this is a common problem but if you have a new blower on order check the driveshaft length before operating the PTO. Apparently the stock number is correct. Dealer doesn't understand what went wrong and is inquiring to Kubota management. Hope this warning saves somebody else some frustration.

 

[hazmat]

Sorry for your incedent, but it is common practice to cut the shafts to fit the particular application. the B2781 is used on the BX thru the B3030 with obvious size differences. Your dealer at least should know better. If you buy any other rear PTO attachments, be sure to check length before operating the attachment.

It is easy to do - simply slide the shaft apart & attach tractor side to the tractor & attachment side to the attachment. lift three point all the way up & ensure adequate clearance. You should also have a few inches of overlap when the three point is lowered. If you need to shorten, a hacksaw or sawsall will do the job.

Plenty of threads here on tbn with further documentation (try search on PTO shaft). Some operator's manuals will also have the procedure outlined.

 

[Tig]

Sorry about your misfortune. Dealer seems to be standing by you, so that is good.
I left town on business last Sunday,before the snow started. How deep is it now?

 

[FullBucket]

Tig,

I'd say a foot give or take with drifting. The last big fall on Sunday night was corn snow. Good for skiing but liable to blow back into the path you've just cleared.

 

[Egon]

I doubt this is a common problem

Actually it is a common problem. Most rear PTO operated equipment should come with instructions on mounting and how to size the length of the shaft.

If the dealer mounted the blower he is definitely lax on procedures!

 

[GarthH]

I just pickup my new 74 inch Kubota blower on Monday. The PTO was way too long for my L3650, fortunately I wasn't even able to attach the PTO; I had to go back to the dealer who told me to measure the distance between the blower (pin connector) to the front of the PTO. They cut the PTO to fit.

Hey another pet pick about the PTO was the safety shield on the tractor end. It was totally impossible to pull back the snap ring and slide the PTO forward. With a bit of surgery it was not too difficult. About two hours ago I did not have anything good to say about safety engineers.

Thanks for the posting.

Garth

 

[art]

Kubota has been pretty good as far as initial build quality with no adjustments or fit for the dealers compared to other companies. Sooner or later someone misses something that should have been delt with. It isn't good on either end!