What are the "weak spots" on your tractor?

CT_Tree_Guy · Jan 3, 2006

What are the \"weak spots\" on your tractor?

Howdy all. I have a couple of weak spots on my Grand L that I still haven't gotten around to beefing up, but intend to. The most obvious is the ridiculously flimsy cover for the tie rod ends and boots. I have no idea why it was made so light, it hardly does what it was intended to do, and like steel-toed boots, can sometimes do more harm than good. Once bent, it only serves to shred the rubber boot to pieces.

Other weak spots:

<ul type="square"> Grill guard. Not the guard itself of course, but the spaces in between.

Tail lights. How I haven't smashed them yet, I do not know.

Top link attachment point. No reinforcement kit available, but my gearcase is still intact.

Soft underbelly. I'm surprised Kubota doesn't offer "armor kits" the way Deere does for some of its machines.

Valve stems. Why on earth don't all wheels have stem protectors?? I've knocked 2 off so far.

Bucket level indicator. I guess it's hard to improve on the stock one, but I took mine completely off after I pretzled it at around 40 hours. (Nope, I foolishly neglected to shorten it).

Quick-attach locking pins. Terrible design, I bolted my front grapple to the QA adapter after losing the grapple for about the 10th time.

Loader hoses rubbing on hood. I secured them away from the hood with a spring and zip-tie.

Toolbox. It would have been nice if Kubota had made some attempt to make it weather-tight.
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Come to think of it, I think Kubotas are the worst tractors there are - except for all the rest. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

Any other "weak spots" I missed?

John

*** I hope my "worst tractor there is" joke isn't taken the wrong way - I love my bota-beast with all my heart /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif ***

ksmmoto · Jan 3, 2006

Re: What are the \"weak spots\" on your tractor?

I agree with most of these. I have been improving my L3430 also.

Grill Guard: I am going to weld expanded metal screen on and paint. Soon.

Tail Lights: I haven't worried about mine, but I am sure they wouldn't take a hard hit.

Top Link: The Grand L's are built stock with a stronger link than all the others except maybe M's.

Soft Underbelly: I am going to build a skidplate. Soon. I do wish Kubota had a good kit.

Valve Stems: My front stems are protected, but the rear isn't. No problems so far.

Bucket Level Indicator: I shortened mine like on a post here on TBN. Works great.

Quick Attach Locking Pins: I haven't even noticed them. I will check them in the morning.

Loader Hoses Rubbing On The Hood: I just fixed mine by loosening the hoses and rotating. It is a currant post right now on TBN.

Toolbox: Stuff does get wet. I haven't considered it a problem.

Great list. I would like to add that a four wheel drive engaged idiot light would be nice.

ksmmoto

grandad · Jan 3, 2006

Re: What are the \"weak spots\" on your tractor?

You've got more items than I have concerns about, but I expect you are working your Kubbie a bit more than we do around here.

Right on re. the grill guard... I just finished repairing the grill assembly for the 4th time in 3 years. One of these days, I've gotta do something about that.

Ditto re. tie rod boots.

We have a factory 4560 backhoe that required a whole new ROPS that also reinforces the toplink, even though the BH itself uses a 4 point attachment, so Kubota did some extracurricular reinforcing for those who bought their backhoes.

Overall, though, that's not a lot to complain about vs. the work being done.

CT_Tree_Guy · Jan 3, 2006

Re: What are the \"weak spots\" on your tractor?

Howdy Kevin:

Excellent point about the 4WD idiot light, and it reminds my of something. Since I NEVER use my PTO, I've always wanted to put a switch on my 4WD lever that will light up the PTO indicator light when I'm in 4WD. I already have the perfect switch, it has a 3-4" springy rod coming out of it, and is used for applications just like this, for instance to activate a backup beeper and/or backup lights on a tranny that has no reverse switch. Or maybe I'll have the switch just light up a red light that I mount somewhere conspicuous. I HATE tooling around in 4WD when I forget to disengage it, as I guess you do too!

As for the QA pins, look for chips on them that get worse and worse. I really work my grapple hard, and each time it popped off the pins got worse and worse until I had to take drastic measures, making my QA a "KQA" - "Kinda Quick Attach". /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

How about your tie rod covers - are they all bent up yet?

Take care, John

CT_Tree_Guy · Jan 3, 2006

Re: What are the \"weak spots\" on your tractor?

<font color="blue">Overall, though, that's not a lot to complain about vs. the work being done. </font>

Grandad, you got that right! Now I'm feeling like a kid who got a brand-new BMW for graduation, and is complaining that it didn't come with a big-screen plasma TV /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

I do work my machine pretty hard, and she's been an amazing workhorse. Since these are my only nitpicks, I think I'm in pretty good shape!

ksmmoto · Jan 4, 2006

Re: What are the \"weak spots\" on your tractor?

I haven't had any problem with the tie rod boots, but I haven't done a lot of brush work either.

ksmmoto

cheesehead · Jan 4, 2006

Re: What are the \"weak spots\" on your tractor?

If I may add three "areas" to you list(s):

1) Step to the tractor should be coated with the same material used on pick-up truck beds. The paint is gone from mine after two months of use.

2) Placement of the turn signal lever has caused my knee to jetison it off the tractor three times while getting on-board.

3) Headlights on the machine are useless with a FEL in place. The best solution is to include ROPS mounted work lights as part of the FEL kit. Of course, the hoe kit would include the rear facing lights.

I'll also amplify the call for an FWD lamp. I'm frequently in the wrong configuration for what I'm doing because I can't remember what position the lever has to be in for 4WD.

CT_Tree_Guy · Jan 4, 2006

Re: What are the \"weak spots\" on your tractor?

Hiya Chuck -

Ditto's on everything you said. I was thinking about the paint worn off of my step as I was writing that post, but neglected to include it. I definitely need to add some more lights, and while I've bumped the light switch many a time while getting in and out, I haven't knocked it off yet. (The way things seem to go, I'll probably do it tomorrow).

And I'm going to "stuff the ballot box" and vote one more time for a 4WD indicator (and I'm not even from Florida). /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

ns_in_tex · Jan 4, 2006

Re: What are the \"weak spots\" on your tractor?

I had about the same concerns on my L4610. I think I have addressed most of them & don't have to worry about much when I go to the woods.

You would think Kubota would address these problems. I would be hesitant to trade up, just because of the work I would have to go through to get the next one ready.

slowzuki · Jan 4, 2006

Re: What are the \"weak spots\" on your tractor?

Ditto on the tie rod ends. I've torn off the boots on the inners and outters and the guards are a bit mashed but not bad.

My headlights are disconnected to save the juice when I have my running lights on.

The belly is a bit soft but much better than others out there including full on ag machines. Many ag tractors run hydraulic hoses under there rip for the plucking.

Wish the access around the fuel filter was a bit easier.

Filling the washer fluid tanks is brutal.

Wish someone would let japan know we leave loaders on our machines 99% of the time so the convienient fill location becomes awful.

Thats about it for me... I busted my grill once but it popped back.

Oh! Could they make it in a 65 pto hp model scaled up to match! That would be perfect.