Vibration, how much is too much?

[TripleR]

When breaking in a tractor, I go by the manual, but find I can run pretty hard and don't baby it, as mentioned they are made to work. I do allow for cool down epecially with turbo and vary the RPM.

 

[mjaybee]

That would mean you couldn't use any PTO driven implements for the first 50 hours. I think people misinterpret the "Do not Operate the Tractor at Full Speed for the First 50 Hours" section of the owners manual. Kubota is saying not to run it at full ground speed. The mention of engine speed is merely "Do not run the engine at speeds faster than necessary." If 2400 RPMs are necessary, then they are allowed

Keep in mind it's worse to lug the engine than to rev it.

And that's why I like this forum, good info. I was not thinking of ground or pto speeds. I haven't had the pleasure of using the pto yet as I haven't hooked my 4' tiller to it (not QH compatible) and will be buying a KK 5' PRO model very soon. The weeds aren't high enough for the mower yet either.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Had a B7800 first then a B3200 then a B2320 and now a B2620. Had some other models to but these were the B models. They all have some vibration and I believe my B2620 has more than the others. The B3200 did have some but it was mostly at higher revs above my normal operating range. Yes, they are tractors and not cars. My B2620 has Orange on the tach at around 2100-2300 rpms which is where I run it when operating the BH and working the FEL. Usually drop the rpms when traveling from garage to work site.

 

[leonz]

Thanks Larry, I'll have to remember that. This is my first diesel.

Just so you understand your tractor,

The Kubota engines have been detuned from the original specifications to get around the EPA pollution limits by having the timing advanced
and that is why you will have the vibration/rough idle at the low rpm
setting.

You can ask your dealer to correct this and restore the original settings and you will nolonger have a vibration problem ever.

 

[tc18ny]

I did some research into the b3200 engine vibration issues in the last couple months as I just purchased a new one. I talked to the mechanic at my dealer and he did admit that some of the early units had this issue but kubota has since fixed the problem. They added rubber mounts to the deck and changed the fuel delivery timing some according to him. He said maybe one in a hundred units now has a problem that requires an adjustment. Mine does have slight vibration and assured me that he could adjust the fuel timing but it will make absolutely no difference with the vibe. Sounds like he has been down this road before. That four cylinder engine seems to have vibrations at certain rpm levels no matter what. Just my experience.

 

[leonz]

Once you have the engine timing set back to the "original engine specifications" as set from the factory IN JAPAN
you will have no issues with timing and the vibration and there will be no need for their rubber mount crap and rubber mats.

It will make a difference if it set properly.

 

[PHILIP8N]

The GrandL line of tractors come equipped with balance shafts in thier 4 cylinder engines. I must say my L3940 engine runs very smooth. Does the B3200 engine have balance shafts? Philip.

 

[Verticaltrx]

I think a lot of things get blown out of proportion on the internet. I have a B3200 and while it does vibrate a little it is nothing that would keep me from buying the same tractor again. Same with my parents who have a new L3200, which has the supposed jerky hitch, never seems to bother them. If you go looking for a problem you can find one on most any tractor.

 

[Gary Fowler]

Also remember that a tractor engine, frame, transmission is all hard bolted together. There is no rubber isolation brackets like on cars for engine, steering, seats etc. All engines have some vibration and most have rubber isolation points to keep the operator from feeling it BUT not on a tractor.

 

[Gary Fowler]

Thanks all. I wasn't running it at 2400rpm for any amount of time, just ran it up to that speed for 10 or 15 seconds to see if there was any vibration. I didn't think it would hurt it for a quick burst. I've been running it around 1000 to 1200 rpm so far and it seems to do everything just fine at those rpms, absolutely no vibration at the lower rpm range. Maybe I'm reading more into it than I should, like Swiftriver said, it's not a Honda Accord!

I appreciate the input, I guess I'll have to get more seat time to get used to everything.

You need to find some way to work this tractor under as much load as possible to help seat the rings. DONT baby it around especially at idle. You need to vary the RPM but don't run it at less than 1500 for long periods, nor at maximum RPM. DONT lug it but put a load on it. I don't know what you have that will do that but in order for it to break in properly, it needs to have some kind of working load. I used the FEL and box blade on my LS to dig a pond loading it up enough to spin all four tires many times and using the foot throttle to vary the RPM from 1500-2000 between loading the bucket and dumping it. My LS engine 540 PTO rpm speed is 1950 engine rpms which is low compared to my Kubota B26 which is WOT at 2400. I am glad I don't bush hog with it.