Wishing I still had a Deere!

[copperhead1967]

Update.

Talked to the dealer. He said the drain plug itself was stripped, but the oil pan threads were not stripped. So, he just needed to put in a new drain plug (said they had to order it, which seemed strange).

Although RobJ suggests I give up on servicing my tractor at all (I think the implication in that suggestion is that I am just not competent enough to do basic maintenance myself), I can't see why I would do that, considering this is the first time I've been unable to do something as simple as an oil change after many years of doing my own service without any trouble on many of the vehicles and other powered equipment I have owned.

Don't be to surprised that your dealer needs to order parts that you think should be "stock items". The biggest joke between my wife and I is "I'm going to the tractor dealer to pick up a few parts" She always says "you mean to order in a few parts"
I can understand not having a complete engine on the shelf gathering dust, but I am amazed at the lack of parts my dealer stocks for my BX22.
I guess thats why it takes a few weeks to get stuff fixed there.

I wouldn't take it to heart if you feel your "wrenching" skills are lacking. I've broken a few grease fittings off, rounded a bolt or two and am currently battling a half dozen stubborn hydro fittings on my 4 year old tractor. I'm convinced they don't make bolts like they used to or I'm getting a heck of a lot stronger.

I really like my BX and it has done a tremendous amount of work for me, but I'm afraid that it's about par for todays quality. I bought a new John Deere riding mower last year and can't believe the difference in quality from my old STX38.
Yes, it cuts great but I doubt I'll get 18 years out of the new Deere.
But then I didn't pay 15k for the Deere either, like the Kubota.

 

[FamilyFarm]

The design of the Fumoto valve is very foolproof. I think it highly unlikely it would open just by being bumped. It is basically in a locked position until you intentionally open it. The only danger I could see would be if you hit a rock, stump or some practically immovable object hard enough to break it. If you did that, you'd have damage no matter what was on the bottom of the pan. If you need a rubber washer to prevent leaking, there is probably a way to have that repaired (filled in?), but I would think the Fumoto would require the same rubber washer the way it is now. Hopefully, the worse case scenario is that you will need to put on a new rubber washer each time you change the oil.
Best wishes,
Terry

 

[Doc_Bob]

Update.

Talked to the dealer. He said the drain plug itself was stripped, but the oil pan threads were not stripped. So, he just needed to put in a new drain plug (said they had to order it, which seemed strange). He said that, after the put in the new drain plug, it still leaked oil. They then determined that the original washer had gouged the underside of the oil pan, so they put in a rubber washer, which they said stopped the leaking (I wonder for how long though), otherwise, he said, they would have needed to put in a new oil pan.

We didn't discuss whether this would be on my dime, but I assume it is, which is fine.

Unless you did the damage, why would you pay for it?
Bob

 

[Sully2]

Don't be to surprised that your dealer needs to order parts that you think should be "stock items". The biggest joke between my wife and I is "I'm going to the tractor dealer to pick up a few parts" She always says "you mean to order in a few parts"
I can understand not having a complete engine on the shelf gathering dust, but I am amazed at the lack of parts my dealer stocks for my BX22.
I guess thats why it takes a few weeks to get stuff fixed there.

I honestly believe if you removed the words "BX22" and substituted the word "Kubota" ( period) you would be more correct!! I broke the headlight..??..cover.? whatever ( clear plastic thingy that covers up the light bulb itself) on my B3030 a while back. I just KNEW that was gonna set me back $30-$40 bucko's!! WRONGO!!! You cant replace JUST that part! You have to buy the whole shooting match ( upper front cowl) that costs $150 buckos!!...AND...AND...when I had an online dealer order it for me..he checked that item status..and there were ( count them now...) 5...yep..FIVE of them in the whole US of A.!!!..totally assinine!!

 

[Lockport]

... I broke the headlight..??..cover.? whatever ( clear plastic thingy that covers up the light bulb itself) on my B3030 a while back. I just KNEW that was gonna set me back $30-$40 bucko's!! WRONGO!!! You cant replace JUST that part! You have to buy the whole shooting match ...QUOTE]


In support of the tractor industry, it's no different than the auto industry. Break a taillight lens and what does that assembly set you back? You're lucky to walk away for less than $1k, nowadays! Just be careful.

 

[proudestmonkey]

Unless you did the damage, why would you pay for it?
Bob

Well, I imagine the added cost of getting the old drain plug screw off and putting a new one on is nominal. So, I figure its a good idea to pick your battles, even if it really shouldn't be my cost. That way, if something actually worth arguing about comes up, I can say, "you know, last time I had service, when you charged me "X dollars" for a screw that was stripped before I ever touched it, I didn't complain, so its not like I just look for reasons to complain." Besides, putting myself in the dealer's shoes, other than me telling him I didn't think I did it, how can he really know how it happened.

My guess is, if they did charge me anything for it at all, the amount will be so minimal, it isn't worth an argument. Keep in mind, they could have told me, hey, your oil pan was gouged and the threading was stripped and leaked when we put a new drain plug in it. There wasn't anything we could do to fix it, so we put in a new one, and it will cost you "X hundreds of dollars." I would not really have been able to verify that. But they didn't. He called it as it was, a minor problem and a little hassle.

They are the only Kubota dealer in a pretty large area, so I want to keep on good terms with them.

 

[Doc_Bob]

They are the only Kubota dealer in a pretty large area, so I want to keep on good terms with them.

Understood. How much they going to charge you?
Bob

 

[RobJ]

Update.

Although RobJ suggests I give up on servicing my tractor at all (I think the implication in that suggestion is that I am just not competent enough to do basic maintenance myself), I can't see why I would do that, considering this is the first time I've been unable to do something as simple as an oil change after many years of doing my own service without any trouble on many of the vehicles and other powered equipment I have owned.

PM, You shouldn't take things so seriously. I was following up on some comments you made earlier. You said..."I am not a mechanic"....also "Problem is, this is my first real experience working on it in any serious way. "....and " I am new to the whole "rural" lifestyle". I don't think I took these totally out of context. Also taking off the front grill and such when others know that this is not needed. Some people are cut out for working on things and some are not. Some have an "eye" to see that you don't have to remove the front grill or cowl. Not every mech. engineer can rebuild at engine or weld up a building. But they can design them just fine!

No harm intended just that future repair needs might be better served by a professonal. Less hassle for you.

Rob

 

[RobJ]

The only danger I could see would be if you hit a rock, stump or some practically immovable object hard enough to break it. If you did that, you'd have damage no matter what was on the bottom of the pan.

I disagree. A 2-3" could reach up and slap the brass fitting clean off. If it hits my L's cast iron pan and fairly low profile bolts I would not see any damage. I agree I don't think the valve is easiely open, but sometimes I'll mow whatever by front guard can push over.

I take it the BX doesn't have a belly pan, so I would be worried on any tractor.

 

[proudestmonkey]

PM, You shouldn't take things so seriously.
No harm intended just that future repair needs might be better served by a professonal. Less hassle for you.

Rob

Rob, just so you know, I don't actually take anything you say seriously, after the comments you made to a previous thread I posted, and all the comments about "not taking it to the dealer across the street" in this thread when that wasn't an issue here.

I also don't think I need to be a mechanic to change the oil on a vehicle, not when, as my previous posts have said, I have done it before dozens of times over the past 20-25 years. It shouldn't be surprising that this is the first time I have done any serious maintenance on the tractor, considering the entire thread is about doing the first 50 hour service. I would take the tractor to a dealer for service I am unequipped to handle, either because having the right equipment would cost too much, or because my ignorance could cause more harm to the tractor than its worth. A basic service interval fluid and filter change doesn't amount to either.

Okey Dokey?