Why are manuals not available for free download?

[5030]

Wait a minute virtually every manual, parts catalog, etc. is now done on a computer. The file is already there, all they have to do is make it available. Once it's been made on a computer it's only costing them a small amount of space on a server somewhere. I don't expect them to give away service manuals but it would be nice to have access to owners manuals. You can buy a piece of small outdoor power equipment and I believe there's not a manufacturer left that doesn't allow free downloads of owners manuals of chainsaws, string trimmers, etc. That's a $200 to $1500 piece of equipment, a $25K tractor should have a pdf manual made available.

It's nice to know that you side with the manufacturers but just remember if it weren't for us "consumers" manufacturers would disappear.

My tractors were a bit more than 25K. That's a down payment.

Contigent on the sale of my new NH was the manual. I was on the NH website and that manual was 48 bucks in paper and 41 for the download. I would prefer the paper so I can get it greasy anyway.

I just don't warm up to downloading anything I have to reference, especially in the field or the shop. I'm old school, I guess.... But then I have trouble envisioning myself, broke down, in the middle of a field, peering at a computer and getting eaten by mosquito's while I'm attempting to get going again. A computer is the last thing on my mind. I want a paper copy, diagrams and an index to reference and if I spill my beer on the page, I can wipe it off. If I spill my beer on the computer, it goes to the landfill..... The computer, not my beer.

 

[Mudfarmer]

Huh,
Shoulda bought a Deere. My 3005 came with two paper manuals and the Deere website also has it for free download.
Mf

 

[dennis52]

I have acquired 4 manuals for my B7100: Operators Manual
Parts Manual
Technical Manual
Workshop Manual

I regularly have to make reference to more than one of them to get the complete information I want for a repair or overhaul.

One came with the tractor, and I paid ( not a lot) for the other three.

 

[keyman1808]

I am not in anyway saying that they should make WSM available for free but an operators manual "yes". It has been mentioned that they are "in this to make money", but if Deere offeres online manuals and Kubota doesn't the deere guy will be a happier customer and that means a repeat customer where the Kubota customer might now look somewhere else. You want to make money thats great but if your support stinks people will look elsewhere. I for one will not buy from some places if the support for the product is lacking I feel it that they care more about thier bottom line than the customer.

 

[BotaBigot]

Agreed...every product with a website should should offer "owner's" manuals...most do. I see multiple reasons for not providing technical manuals...beyond scope of user/liability/deference to retailers.

As lifelong gearhead, I live by manuals...mostly technical. Ones I use, if not online, get turned into PDFs, especially rare ones. Found WSM disappointing...overpriced/much left out or lost in translation. In general, don't think Kubota's made it to 21st century yet...

 

[snpower]

Well I called Kubota USA earlier today, and asked Customer Service why the manuals were not available as .pdf (or some other online format) and was told only that, "there are no plans to make them available at this time". I then asked if I could speak with someone who could definitely tell me WHY NOT and was transferred to the parts department. No one answered and I left it at that as I loathe this sort of thing (dealing with corporate bureaucracy). Perhaps I'll pick it back up on Monday.

 

[zmjc]

Actually, I emailed Kubota Canada to get a PDF of the L3800HST operating manual. To their credit, they did send it to me!

They explained it was a relatively new manual, and wasn't on their internal documentation system when I bought my tractor, but that my dealer would now have access to it.

My dealer had already given me the workshop manual in PDF format.

It's still silly that they do not provide them for easy download, but it is possible to get PDF copies of current manuals from Kubota.

- Mike

 

[sw03]

Parts manuals here. (Sure its not a B7800?)

Kubotabooks.com

That site sucks..It is WAY out of date. Call a dealer and get REAL data...That site cost me about $40 in crap part numbers/returns.

 

[Grateful11]

My tractors were a bit more than 25K. That's a down payment.

Contigent on the sale of my new NH was the manual. I was on the NH website and that manual was 48 bucks in paper and 41 for the download. I would prefer the paper so I can get it greasy anyway.

I just don't warm up to downloading anything I have to reference, especially in the field or the shop. I'm old school, I guess.... But then I have trouble envisioning myself, broke down, in the middle of a field, peering at a computer and getting eaten by mosquito's while I'm attempting to get going again. A computer is the last thing on my mind. I want a paper copy, diagrams and an index to reference and if I spill my beer on the page, I can wipe it off. If I spill my beer on the computer, it goes to the landfill..... The computer, not my beer.

What's a down payment if we can't pay cash for it we don't buy it. The $25K
one is one of the smaller ones.

Here's one our others after a little detailing, it deserved it, we know how to
maintain and I would prefer to have whatever is available at my disposal and
if that means a pdf on the iPad so be it. We have all the printed manuals on 6
tractors but I'd take other options any day. Mechanic was out the other week
and needed to look a part on CaseIH so I pull out the iPad and bam he's looking
and zooming in on all the parts he needs to check out. Want to see our new
Grain Drill?

This one is 20 years old, original paint and all.

 

[Grateful11]

Huh,
Shoulda bought a Deere. My 3005 came with two paper manuals and the Deere website also has it for free download.
Mf

Got a link because I'd like to have one for our 2 yo JD 448 Round Baler, the X720
and the new Grain Drill that was delivered this week. I've never been able to
find downloadable manuals on Deere's website.