Not so sure this is normal?

[rScotty]

I figure the cost of a $42 hydraulic filter small potatoes for a $20,000 tractor so I picked up the filter on Friday and am going to change just the filter at 25 hours and then again at 50 hours just for the heck of it. I'm not an oil or filter over-changer but because of this thread figure I'll feel better.

I agree. It makes sense to change it often and continue with the documentation. Are you changing the oil as well or just filtering? What are your thoughts on that? I'm thinking that filtering should be sufficient. After all, that's what the system does normally.
Looks like you are keeping the old filters. Someone once told me there is a lot that can be done with oil and particle analysis. It wouldn't surprise me to learn it is possible to distinguish between machining swarf from the cases and any bits from the rotating shafts and bearings.

I'm also with you in seeing both your concerns and Kubota's. Although one thing that has been puzzling me in this and similar cases is why some manufacturers are still being "penny smart and dollar foolish" when it comes to social media like this tractor forum. BTW, did you mention the forum? One would think that manufacturers value the free publicity they get on TBN....though I do wonder if they understand just how popular this free publicity is when compared to traditional advertising? From what you have reported, they don't lack concern for the customer....but why are they not being generous? How about extending the warranty without being asked? Wouldn't some sort of more generous response pay them more back in good publicity than any extended hydraulic warranty could ever cost?

Maybe the reason is very simple....Maybe it is just that the service and advertising departments are composed of normal guys who don't share the same information. Come to think of it, that's not surprising; it's the way corporations seem to be set up. But if so, I'll bet that both service and advertising report to the same person at some higher level. And that person's job probably requires that he see things in a broader perspective. It makes me wonder if you got your story to the next level if they would make the same decisions you've gotten so far?
Just musing.....rScotty

 

[sixdogs]

RScotty--you have me confused with the OP. I'm just a guy with a new MX5100 that stumbled into this thread and am now along for the ride. In my situation I am at 25 hours with a gear drive transmission but because of this thread will change only the filter ASAP just out of curiousity. At 50 hours I plan to change both the engine and trans fluid and filters. I know the fluid change in the trans is no longer a 50 hour service item but it's only 5 gallons and so what? Won't make them rich or me poor so that's my plan.

Regarding oil analysis I plan to not do that. Machinery today is so well made and oils so vastly superior to the old days that I'll take the chance on not having picked the short straw. Someday we can talk about the junk oils of the 1950's I remember.

On the OP, I think his tractor will be fine and while it is disconcerting to having shavings like that--and he did--it's probably a non-event. Kubota is so nice in every regard but some time things slip through that shouln't. Sort-of the three second rule for tractor makers. It'll almost certainly will be OK.

 

[Chilly807]

I look at it this way.. the problem's not new, we've been finding a bit of debris for years in these tractors. We aren't having widespread tranny failures. Odds are, it'll be ok. There IS always that chance, though.

Sean

 

[jewing3227]

I did not bring TBN up when I spoke with the fella from Kubota. I personally have spoke with and even heard conversations from people that had bad dealings with a car or truck and brought "what they read from this one internet forumn that is all about this particular vehicle" and believe it or not, they where shot down in a bad way. Not to say that I really care if someone believes or doesn't believe me, lord nows I have the facts in front of me about this tractor and what is coming from within, I just didn't feel like diving off into that. I honestly figured after reading what so many of the guys off here had to say that something more would have happened. To be honest, I had no idea what the possibilities where. I'm not going back on what I have said in the past. I like my L3200. After sitting on the competitors tractors, I came to buying this one. I am "ok" with the decision as for now. Nothing might not ever happen......then again, something could. It's a ride i'm gonna have to either take or end up parting with it. I don't see the second happening so. To be honest, there is no telling how many people have called Kubota with the same issue I have in the past. Kinda like the service manager at the dealer I bought the tractor from said when I brought up Kubota possibly buying the unit back and look deeper into the issue. He, in a nice way said, "it makes me no difference if they buy it back, but from past experiences they have never bought one back from one that we sold here......kinda like a car someone would buy from a dealership.......do you think Toyota would buy a Tundra back if after someone purchased it and drove it off the lot and the tranny went out 2,000 mile later?" He's right I guess, you would take it back to the dealership and they would slap a re-man. tranny in it.