steal line rupture

[tractorman]

We have had to replace a half dozen or so of those steel lines. Kubota offers an updated/improved line to replace it with. Make sure you ask for the improved line. I am surprised they haven't had a campaign to update all of the units they have out in the field, someone is going to get killed!

 

[txdon]

tractorman, Is the line that ruptures always the front or the bucket line or is it all four lines? Has anyone mention this to Kubota, and what is their response? I would like to replace all of my lines that are subject to failure with the new improved lines. How would I know if it is a newer line? Do you have the name or part number or name for the newer lines? I consider this an urgent safety priority. If there is a known problem there should be a recall!

 

[texbaylea]

tractorman

Has the line problem been with the LA853 like TxDon's or does it also apply to the LA723? Also do they use the same lines or are the part numbers different?

TxDon

Sorry you had the problem. Glad there were no serious consequences.

Vernon

 

[_RaT_]

Kubota sent me a notice that the US manufactuer of the loader was using something incorrect. I don't recall if this was it. Mine did not fall into the serial numbers for the recall. Remember too, back dragging with your bucket or pushing forward with the bucket down will add many thousands of pounds of pressure to the hydraulic system. With my 6000 PSI gauge on my bucket dump circuit, I can very easily watch that gauge peg itself at 6000 PSI. In the forward motion that hammering with the bucket in the dump position, it's just a matter of time before something breaks. A hydraulic line would be my preference. Not saying this is what happened, just letting others know.

 

[txdon]

Rat when did you get the notice?
It ruptured when I was pushing forward and alternating back and forth between tilting the bucket back lifting the loader up. The bucket was in the level position when there was a spray of hydraulic fluid and the bucket tilted down quickly.

It happened at the end of this road. See attachment.

 

[tomrscott]

txdon,

Thanks for posting this information. It is a real service to the rest of us!

Sounds like Kub has a safety issue with a supplier substituting a different wall thickness or something (from what I have read in some of the later posts).

Which points up; one problem with tubing is that it is sized by OD and wall thickness, so you can't easily tell from the outside of an installed system, what you've got. If you ever replace that line (I assume you want to get rid of that brazing eventually), please post a message to tell us what wall thickness it was, and whether the new improved line from Kub is thicker, or just better quality.

Thx!

 

[_RaT_]

I am not sure when that was. My guess is about a year ago. I've had my L3830 for 2 years this May. Check with the dealer or maybe Kubotas web has some info.

 

[nailerguy]

Hello All, I hav'nt posted in a while as I have been very busy, but I still watch the forums from time to time to see whats going on.

I saw this thread and would like to add my business partners experience with the same problem. He has a Grand L 3430 with I believe the LA723 loader. The first line busted as he was pushing some leaves and limbs into a pile for his brother and the other broke as he was driving the tractor down the driveway with nothing in the bucket. Same line replaced under warranty both times.

The lines were made of seamed tubing which is weaker than seamless tubing and tends to fail on the seam.

I would advise anyone that has either of these loaders to check their lines.

IMHO this is something that should have been addressed in a recall by Kubota instead of waiting for someone to get hurt and then facing a law suit and having to do it anyway. I always liked the old saying that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

I think Kubota makes a great tractor and in fact talked my partner into buying his and quite frankly, this is the only problem he has had with the tractor.

You guys be careful out there /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif.

Nailerguy

 

[JimR]

Is the next line up from the repaired line all pitted?

 

[txdon]

JimR, no, the brazing was done with the line removed from the loader. The other lines look good. Did you think the brazing pitted it or is there something else I should look for?