Disgusted W/ BX2350 workmanship

/ Disgusted W/ BX2350 workmanship #1  

mytbucket

New member
Joined
Feb 13, 2011
Messages
5
Tractor
Kubota BX2350
I have had my BX2350 for 2-1/2 yrs . I thought I would really love the Quality that I thought was to be represented by a Japanese company , but unfortunately is is built here. The engine yes, does have plenty of power, but dealer prep, and factory workmanship STINKS. the tractor w/loader had the grease fitting in one of the loader pins , welded in at an angle , I grease it (the loader) at my 10 hr interval . to my suprise , no way in **** could anyone get a grease gun on it to grease it, so the dealer didn't grease it , the tach didn't work right from the dealer (recall/ warranty) , but I recieved it 1st and they had to come and get it ,the 3pt arm restraints have crappy welds in the loop area , even the dealer admitted it, BOTH broke, from only a 5' mower on the back ! Water & this has been discussed on here many times, gets in the fuel tank . & NO its not condensation , I have done the calculations, it would take a tank of 40 gallon, with 100% humidity & a 50 degree temperature drop to get this much water in my tank. It is a poor design fuel cap (tractor does set outside). My fuel cans are kept DRY! Now this past winter, I was pushing snow and fortunately I saw the hy/trans fluid leaking all over the ground /snow. It was coming from the loader valve under the battery. AWKWARD LOCATION to work on. You DO NOT have to remove the cowl /steering console as the dealers says. But expect to spend 4 hrs.+ of your time removing the valve & replace all 7 of the banjo fitting O-rings 2 per fitting. They were not installed properly. While changing I found the some bolts were missing on the floor board, approx 6 nuts were finger tight, getting to the loader valve. When reinstalling the O-rings , put a little grease/oil on the top of the banjo bolt O-ring . this will help eliminate the O-ring from being chewed up , like 5 of my 7 were , FROM THE FACTORY. make sure you insert the O-ring in the bottom of the fitting COMPLETELY, they weren't from the factory & 1/2 of mine were CUT from the factory. They will hold for a while , but if you use your loader much or max . out the capacity it will give out. If I seem up set I am , and the Japanese should be as well , knowing the folks in Georgia are doing this type of workmanship. I hope this helps in your decision on looking into the purchase of a Kubota.
 
/ Disgusted W/ BX2350 workmanship #2  
Sorry about your troubles, but i have owned an l48/u35/kx121 i put 2500hrs on and now an l3540 all of which i had no major problems. Guess you got a bad cookie. That happened to me with a new holland ls190... Huge lemon bought new, next c190 worked like a charm. Go figure. Maybe yours was built on a friday afternoon.
 
/ Disgusted W/ BX2350 workmanship #3  
I got an L3130 in 2003 and was impressed with the quality and workmanship of the tractor so much that in 07 I got a BX2350 and like you could not believe that it came from the same company. Had it in the shop for several different things including that hydro that should have never left the factory. Every time the dealer with the help from Kubota worked on it the thing was worse. When a deal came along to trade for a 2360 I went for it kicking and screaming all the way for them selling such a product in the first place. This is my third year with the 2360 and have had none of the problems that the 2350 had. I'm now happy I made the change but at the time I almost chucked the whole thing for something else. I think Kubota had a bad quality problem and fixed it. No the workmanship on the 2360 is not perfect but much better than what I had. I would now recommend the BX based on my 2360.
 
/ Disgusted W/ BX2350 workmanship #4  
I think a lot of people were unhappy with the BXxx50 Series. I had a BX2200 and now own a BX2660 and have been happy with both units.

I sold my 2003 2200 to my son in law and it has sat outside for the past three years without any problems other than a bit of rust.

We have a John Deere that we have not been happy with how many times it has been in the shop, but I do not consider it an example of John Deere overall and do not hesitate to recommend John Deeres as good products.
 
/ Disgusted W/ BX2350 workmanship #5  
I had pretty much the same experience with an 1860 a couple of years ago. I could not belive the poor workmanship on this machine after having owned a couple of small kubotas in the past. The fel was covered with welding pop-corn(I call it) and just painted over and even a chunk of metal the size of a dime had been cut out of the side of the loader frame. All the decals on the tractor had wrinkles in them and the gasket that the back end of the hood rests on was completely out of place. And the list goes on and on. I had not bought a tractor in years and was not aware that kubotas were being made in Georgia. To make a long story short, after about six months the dealer make me a very good deal on a BX25 as he knew just how disgusted I was with the quality of the 1860. This time I went over the tractor with a fine tooth comb before I took delivery. The BX25 was a huge improvment in fit and finish and overall quality over the first machine. Have 150 hours on the 25 now with only a couple minor problems. However, I still feel that the quality of Georgia built machines is lagging compared the the Japan built machines that I bought back a few years ago. Don't get me wrong, I would definitly buy another kubota, as I feel that overall there quality is just as good or better than the other colors. Just seems no one takes pride in there work anymore, like they use to. But then, guess I'am just an old geezer looking for something to Bi-ch about.
 
/ Disgusted W/ BX2350 workmanship #6  

2003 BX1500


2004 BX23


2005 BX1500

All 3 of these are great trouble free tractors.
Haven't had any of the problems discussed in this thread .

The way I see it A 3 time winner beats a one time looser.
I have had my BX2350 for 2-1/2 yrs . I thought I would really love the Quality that I thought was to be represented by a Japanese company , but unfortunately is is built here. The engine yes, does have plenty of power, but dealer prep, and factory workmanship STINKS. the tractor w/loader had the grease fitting in one of the loader pins , welded in at an angle , I grease it (the loader) at my 10 hr interval . to my suprise , no way in **** could anyone get a grease gun on it to grease it, so the dealer didn't grease it , the tach didn't work right from the dealer (recall/ warranty) , but I recieved it 1st and they had to come and get it ,the 3pt arm restraints have crappy welds in the loop area , even the dealer admitted it, BOTH broke, from only a 5' mower on the back ! Water & this has been discussed on here many times, gets in the fuel tank . & NO its not condensation , I have done the calculations, it would take a tank of 40 gallon, with 100% humidity & a 50 degree temperature drop to get this much water in my tank. It is a poor design fuel cap (tractor does set outside). My fuel cans are kept DRY! Now this past winter, I was pushing snow and fortunately I saw the hy/trans fluid leaking all over the ground /snow. It was coming from the loader valve under the battery. AWKWARD LOCATION to work on. You DO NOT have to remove the cowl /steering console as the dealers says. But expect to spend 4 hrs.+ of your time removing the valve & replace all 7 of the banjo fitting O-rings 2 per fitting. They were not installed properly. While changing I found the some bolts were missing on the floor board, approx 6 nuts were finger tight, getting to the loader valve. When reinstalling the O-rings , put a little grease/oil on the top of the banjo bolt O-ring . this will help eliminate the O-ring from being chewed up , like 5 of my 7 were , FROM THE FACTORY. make sure you insert the O-ring in the bottom of the fitting COMPLETELY, they weren't from the factory & 1/2 of mine were CUT from the factory. They will hold for a while , but if you use your loader much or max . out the capacity it will give out. If I seem up set I am , and the Japanese should be as well , knowing the folks in Georgia are doing this type of workmanship. I hope this helps in your decision on looking into the purchase of a Kubota.

Sorry about your troubles, but i have owned an l48/u35/kx121 i put 2500hrs on and now an l3540 all of which i had no major problems. Guess you got a bad cookie. That happened to me with a new holland ls190... Huge lemon bought new, next c190 worked like a charm. Go figure. Maybe yours was built on a friday afternoon.

I had pretty much the same experience with an 1860 a couple of years ago. I could not belive the poor workmanship on this machine after having owned a couple of small kubotas in the past. The fel was covered with welding pop-corn(I call it) and just painted over and even a chunk of metal the size of a dime had been cut out of the side of the loader frame. All the decals on the tractor had wrinkles in them and the gasket that the back end of the hood rests on was completely out of place. And the list goes on and on. I had not bought a tractor in years and was not aware that kubotas were being made in Georgia. To make a long story short, after about six months the dealer make me a very good deal on a BX25 as he knew just how disgusted I was with the quality of the 1860. This time I went over the tractor with a fine tooth comb before I took delivery. The BX25 was a huge improvment in fit and finish and overall quality over the first machine. Have 150 hours on the 25 now with only a couple minor problems. However, I still feel that the quality of Georgia built machines is lagging compared the the Japan built machines that I bought back a few years ago. Don't get me wrong, I would definitly buy another kubota, as I feel that overall there quality is just as good or better than the other colors. Just seems no one takes pride in there work anymore, like they use to. But then, guess I'am just an old geezer looking for something to Bi-ch about.
 
/ Disgusted W/ BX2350 workmanship #8  
I am just as discusted with the crappy plastic body on my bx24!! My hood has already been replaced as well as the headlight assy and the lower cowling. All the plastic mounting tabs vibrated/cracked right off!! Total crap, not to mention the leaky banjo fittings on the loader control block. If i could break even i would have gotten rid of the 24 for a 25. Ohh yeah not to mension the jerky hydrostatic pedal and the abrupt stops when letting off of the hft pedal!!! I wish there was some kind of class action suit. I would have never bought the bx24 if I knew then what I know. Shame on you kuota
 
/ Disgusted W/ BX2350 workmanship #9  
"I wish there was some kind of class action suit" Maybe we should start one.
 
/ Disgusted W/ BX2350 workmanship #10  
"I wish there was some kind of class action suit" Maybe we should start one.

More lawsuits??? Wonder why everything is coming from China?

Could you see the welds before you bought the tractor? Oh! I think it's a tractor, BTW. I really don't want to pay someone to grind off every bit of weld spatter from a TRACTOR that's going to get scuffed handling dirt and rock.

My BX24 is fine. Reliable, sturdy and dependable.
 
/ Disgusted W/ BX2350 workmanship #11  
My BX2350 is just about a year and a half old. I'm pretty happy about the design of the tractor. However, I too have had workmanship issues that were very blatant - meaning that there was no way someone did not notice them when assembling the machine at the factory.

One of the two metal "ears" that the engine cover tightens to was on such a bad angle that the plastic retainer tab on the cover was cracked just from the factory or dealer tightening it. They did replace the cover under warranty though so that was good.

On my 60" MMM, the self balancer bar zerk would not take grease. It turned out that the pin was too large for the bushings. To disassemble it I literally had to bang the pin out. I had to ream the bushings to get the pin to slide in freely. One of the bushings was also right under the zerk and blocking it. After fixing all that, it finally took grease. To get this together initially, someone at the factory HAD to have grabbed a hammer or something to bang that pin in to install it.

It kind of ticks you off when you pay such big $ for the machine. :mad: It also worries me that their poor quality assurance may have let something pass in the engine or HST where thousanths of an inch make a difference.
 
/ Disgusted W/ BX2350 workmanship #12  
More lawsuits??? Wonder why everything is coming from China?

Could you see the welds before you bought the tractor? Oh! I think it's a tractor, BTW. I really don't want to pay someone to grind off every bit of weld spatter from a TRACTOR that's going to get scuffed handling dirt and rock.

My BX24 is fine. Reliable, sturdy and dependable.

Thats great but for those who have or are having major issues and the dealer and/or company will not step up then a lawsuit is the alternative.
 
/ Disgusted W/ BX2350 workmanship #14  
I have a BX2350, maybe a little over 3 years old, 325 hours on it, and haven't had any problems with it yet. The plastic hood doesn't fit that great anymore, but thats from running into things more than anything else. Can't say I'm 100% happy with it, but pretty close.
 
/ Disgusted W/ BX2350 workmanship #15  
In '84, my Grandparents bought one of the new at the time sleek Mercury Cougars. It was a heap! Took it back on the Lemon Law. The replacement was same car, engine, color package ect. It was flawless.

Maybe the OP got a Friday at 4pm tractor?

Re: plastic, I wonder how the long term will be. I have a NH TC40 now, with lots of plastic(My old Kubota was all metal, mostly). I wonder too how the plastic will hold up long term... All the manufacturers are using it now.
 
/ Disgusted W/ BX2350 workmanship #16  
I have a BX24 upwards of 500 hard hours. Other than the Tach lcd screen issue and some operator caused issues, I have and no trouble. Granted the plastic is not what most people consider the best but, it doesn't dent and I have yet to crack it with falling logs and small rocks.

Grease Fittings are not welded into the loader so I am unsure how there is an issue with that, certain cases the zerk is over tightened to an odd angle.
I am surprised at the turnbuckles breaking on you, I make sure mine are tightened up properly and have worked a box blade in this rocky New England soil.

I work my machine very hard doing many chores around the farm, clearing land, handling firewood, moving round bales of hay, mowing, snow plowing. I am pretty happy with the machine, just wish I bought bigger.
 
/ Disgusted W/ BX2350 workmanship #17  
Not only are grease fittings not welded in but I don't see any way rain can get in the fuel cap. That is one of the most elaborate, well designed and expensive fuel caps I've ever seen! My BX24 is never in the rain and I get condensation in the tank also. That isn't the machines fault.
Overall all I'm delighted with my Kubota, not a seconds trouble and I'm at 200 hours/4 years.
I was pretty PO'ed at whatever assembler cross threaded one of the rear lug bolts at the factory though. Female threads cleaned up and a new lug bolt fixed that.
I have to admit the welding on the FEL is some of the poorest I've ever seen on a mass produced item.
As to the comment about the engine and HST...I know the engine and hope the HST are genuine Made In Japan...not by some DGAS assembler in Georgia.
 
/ Disgusted W/ BX2350 workmanship
  • Thread Starter
#18  
OK , I guess there are plenty of people who feel the same way I do and just about 1/3 disagree , but that is where the overall problem should be realized , NO CONSISTANCY in quality , I did misspeak in my original comment , the zerk was not welded in , it was the pin that was welded incorrectly that the Zerk is installed in , so that the zerk did NOT point toward the 3/4 in hole that you put the tip of the grease gun in. Also , for those who disagree with the "condensation " I can put the calculations down here ,but most wouldn't understand it . The water is getting in some how , I don't care how expensive the cap is . and my tank is kept full or almost full, (partially because the guage is not accurate). But thats another issue.. My dealer also agreed the welds on the turnbuckles of the 3 pt hitch arm were poorly welded "looked like bubblegum" was stuck on it and painted over. I too keep them with proper tension on them. I hope that all the issues that other people have seemed to have similar problems with have been resolved in the new models . I wanted to buy a Kubota when I bought my FORD 1210 20 yrs ago , and wish I did, the FORD had water pump issues and blew a head gasket @ 900 hrs, and this primarily was a mowing tractor and pushed snow in the winter . Granted the BX2350 has a bigger engine , it runs smoother , but also higher RPM , which has not always been good for diesel engines , but time will tell and like some of the other comments , I hope the engine and trans were built in JAPAN. I would like to thank this Forum for letting me know I am not the only one . Maybe Kubota will read this and work on their quality and CONSISTANCY, to produce the type of equipment I expect of them. Thank you for your comments
 
/ Disgusted W/ BX2350 workmanship #20  
I have a BX24 upwards of 500 hard hours. Other than the Tach lcd screen issue and some operator caused issues, I have and no trouble. Granted the plastic is not what most people consider the best but, it doesn't dent and I have yet to crack it with falling logs and small rocks.

Grease Fittings are not welded into the loader so I am unsure how there is an issue with that, certain cases the zerk is over tightened to an odd angle.
I am surprised at the turnbuckles breaking on you, I make sure mine are tightened up properly and have worked a box blade in this rocky New England soil.

I work my machine very hard doing many chores around the farm, clearing land, handling firewood, moving round bales of hay, mowing, snow plowing. I am pretty happy with the machine, just wish I bought bigger.

Same here. I work my machine hard, have few cracks in plastic already from working it hard. Its just not protected enough for plastic. I just broke one of my turnbuckles 3 weeks ago and the way it looks, I may have overtightened it a little. I just welded it back together and so far its holding. I am happy with machine overall, just not happy with jerkyness of tranny. I am not willing to trade in for a longer payment as its very close to being paid off. If anyone starts the class action on 50 series for tranny issue, then let me know.
 

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