Comments on Kubota's engineering

[gabrichter]

I know this has been discussed but want to input my thoughts. New B2930 with 60" mmm adjustments to get level was little bit of work and all links rear and front not at same adjustments - That tells me either tractor links or mmm is not square from factory. Rear link to 2 point arm is a joke, Why couldn't they engineer a link direct off the 2 point main shaft on left side and not use the poorly designed arm that goes over two point arm chewing it up. Also the height adjustment - yes everyone the height adjustment. My kindergardner could design something better, should have a adjustable link lever connected to main lift system like other brands. I did remove and fashioned a plastic spacer shim to go on top of cam and reassembled to take the play out of the assembly and keep it tight as not to move when weight is off cam. Brakes same side as hydro pedals was that engineer on drugs or hung over that day? Other than that love the tractor in every respect so far. My thought on Engineers if they had to work/service what they design we would have well thought out designs on everything we use. They sit at their cad systems designing in the cubicals and never get out in the real world. The few that do change there inefficient designs to work properly.:confused2:

 

[creekbend]

Just my thoughts? I am not an engineer, but I would think that a Corporation as large and diversified as Kubota would have a design team that includes more than just Engineers. Using deductive reasoning, they most probably have teams that are comprised of engineers, mechanics, technicians, welders, and common laymen working as a team to aid in the design and functionality of the machine. Another thought? Is your tractor on a level surface while you are attempting to add your attachments or implements? Perhaps your tractor was improperly put together at the dealer or something has been bent or out of line? I sincerely wish you the best.

 

[gabrichter]

Just my thoughts? I am not an engineer, but I would think that a Corporation as large and diversified as Kubota would have a design team that includes more than just Engineers. Using deductive reasoning, they most probably have teams that are comprised of engineers, mechanics, technicians, welders, and common laymen working as a team to aid in the design and functionality of the machine. Another thought? Is your tractor on a level surface while you are attempting to add your attachments or implements? Perhaps your tractor was improperly put together at the dealer or something has been bent or out of line? I sincerely wish you the best.

That is what an issue is here is with Engineers, Mechanics, Technicians, Welders and common laymen wouldn't somebody speak up on the pros cons of these design inefficiencies? Came from dealer new so would not think anything would be bent or would hope not, May possibly something not put together properly as when recieved tractor was missing entire height adjusement assembly for mmm and had to order all the parts for that afterward and install myself.

 

[rickoshay]

HST Problems. I have a 2005 BX23 that has had two transmission failures. The first failure was at 176 hrs and the one yesterday was 89 hours later.

I was using the backhoe for approximately an hour when I return to the storage area and park the tractor outside. At that point everything seemed to be working fine.

After about 4 hrs I went out to park the tractor in the pole barn and experienced problems with the engine wanting to stall when engaging the directional petal. I then checked fluid levels and found everything to be OK.

I then tried again going forward and reverse experencing the same problem. Engine even wanted to stall when the transmission was in the neutral position and engaging the directional petal.

Does anyone have ideas what is causing these failures.

 

[BeezFun]

I don't have a MMM so can't comment on that, but I'm amazed how many great engineering ideas there are on these tractors. Like how easy it is to attach the FEL- whoever dreamed that up should get an award. Don't need a single tool, no cribbing to hold it up, total no brainer. Like popping the engine front and side panels off in 5 seconds so it's easy to service. Like the ROPS that folds up and down so easy, makes it possible to get it through a normal height garage door. On my tractor they made it trivial to tap in to add rear hydraulics, some tractors it's a total kludge. The brake/HST issue has been argued to death, rose from the ashes, argued again, so won't comment on that.

 

[Code54]

You may want to post this in a new message so more people will see it and be able to help you out.
Sorry to hear of your problem and good luck!



QUOTE=rickoshay;2809646]HST Problems. I have a 2005 BX23 that has had two transmission failures. The first failure was at 176 hrs and the one yesterday was 89 hours later.

I was using the backhoe for approximately an hour when I return to the storage area and park the tractor outside. At that point everything seemed to be working fine.

After about 4 hrs I went out to park the tractor in the pole barn and experienced problems with the engine wanting to stall when engaging the directional petal. I then checked fluid levels and found everything to be OK.

I then tried again going forward and reverse experencing the same problem. Engine even wanted to stall when the transmission was in the neutral position and engaging the directional petal.

Does anyone have ideas what is causing these failures.[/QUOTE]

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

I can say from dozens of meetings with the engineering teams, they always have an answer why somthing is the way it is. they do a great job vetting these products and there is a reason for everything. dealers see most products in development with the intent that we pick them appart before they get to the customer. Kubota does this far more than the dozens of other vendors who we support. in my experience their engineering is second to none.

 

[AStanton]

I would like to know why my $25,000 plus cabbed B3030 came with no 12-volt accessory plug, no interior light, and needed wheel spacers to attach chains to the rear turf wheels.

 

[Verticaltrx]

One thing that a lot of people seem to forget is Kubota Corporation Japan is an entirely different entity than Kubota Tractor/Kubota Industrial USA. Most all the tractors, excluding the BXs, are made in Japan by Kubota Corp, Japan. They are shipped over here and fitted with loaders, mowers, backhoes, etc that are made by the Kubota Industrial Division in GA. IMO the tractors themselves are engineered and built to a much higher standard than many of the attachments that are made in the good ol USA. I know for a fact that all the welds on my B3200 are better quality than those on the LA504 loader. Not sure why they can't get their act together over here.

 

[s219]

I can say from dozens of meetings with the engineering teams, they always have an answer why somthing is the way it is. they do a great job vetting these products and there is a reason for everything. dealers see most products in development with the intent that we pick them appart before they get to the customer. Kubota does this far more than the dozens of other vendors who we support. in my experience their engineering is second to none.

So do you know why they mount some wheels with flat nuts and lock washers, and others with tapered nuts and tapered seats? For instance, look at page 44 of the B2320/2620/2920 manual. That was a recent topic of interest here.

 

[some zilch]

I would like to know why my $25,000 plus cabbed B3030 came with no 12-volt accessory plug, no interior light, and needed wheel spacers to attach chains to the rear turf wheels.

its a tractor, not a mini-van. its a utilitarian tool. also, its not like most owners of these little tractors are going to be sitting in it 8+ hours a day, 5-6 days a weeks. most of the fairly modern heavy machinery i work on does not have a 12v accessory plug, though most have an interior light. we have brand new 2012 dump trucks that dont have 12v accessory plugs..........

 

[powerpace]

HST Problems. I have a 2005 BX23 that has had two transmission failures. The first failure was at 176 hrs and the one yesterday was 89 hours later.

I was using the backhoe for approximately an hour when I return to the storage area and park the tractor outside. At that point everything seemed to be working fine.

After about 4 hrs I went out to park the tractor in the pole barn and experienced problems with the engine wanting to stall when engaging the directional petal. I then checked fluid levels and found everything to be OK.

I then tried again going forward and reverse experencing the same problem. Engine even wanted to stall when the transmission was in the neutral position and engaging the directional petal.

Does anyone have ideas what is causing these failures.

As for the stalling I would check fuel flow. Possibly junk in the tank or plugged filter. Also it's pretty remote but check your safeties for a grounded short problem.

The transmission failures need more explaining. Two in that short of time would lean toward operation issues. Is the Clutch pedal adjusted correctly?
I have seen operators rest their foot on the clutch and operate the HST pedal at the same time.

 

[tcartwri]

...with the engine wanting to stall when engaging the directional petal....I then tried again going forward and reverse experencing the same problem. Engine even wanted to stall when the transmission was in the neutral position and engaging the directional petal.

As was said previously, this sounds like an electrical fault with your safety switches.

I had one instance with my Bobcat, where the machine shut off when it was completely locked out and stood to leave the seat. Could not reproduce it, nor has it happened again. I put it down to an open switch.

 

[AStanton]

its a tractor, not a mini-van. its a utilitarian tool. also, its not like most owners of these little tractors are going to be sitting in it 8+ hours a day, 5-6 days a weeks. most of the fairly modern heavy machinery i work on does not have a 12v accessory plug, though most have an interior light. we have brand new 2012 dump trucks that dont have 12v accessory plugs..........

I ended up doing what Kubota didn't do, I installed a 12-volt plug myself. It cost me a whopping $9.99 at my local Radio Shack. If you tell me where you live, I can direct you to the local Radio Shack in your neighborhood. You will then be able to purchase one for your new 2012 truck. They only come in one color--black.

 

[Texas Fella]

Man, all I have got to say is some of you guys sure sound piss for people with new tractors! Where I come from, if we want something built a certian way or want it to have a certian thing on it, we make sure it is there BEFORE we buy the product. A company can not anticipate every detail that a customer wants before hand, and just because a few people want it, that does not mean that everyone else is willing to pay more to get it. Everything you add cost money. It is not just buying the part, it is installing it on the line, keeping parts stock, changing wiring harness, safety testing, etc. If there was a plug, some people would gripe it stayed on all the time (without the key) and some would gripe if it was switched with the key. Can't keep everybody happy. Just a few thoughts.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

As for the stalling I would check fuel flow. Possibly junk in the tank or plugged filter. Also it's pretty remote but check your safeties for a grounded short problem.

The transmission failures need more explaining. Two in that short of time would lean toward operation issues. Is the Clutch pedal adjusted correctly?
I have seen operators rest their foot on the clutch and operate the HST pedal at the same time.

BXs don't have a foot clutch. HST and brake is all there is.

 

[murphy1244]

its a tractor, not a mini-van. its a utilitarian tool. also, its not like most owners of these little tractors are going to be sitting in it 8+ hours a day, 5-6 days a weeks. most of the fairly modern heavy machinery i work on does not have a 12v accessory plug, though most have an interior light. we have brand new 2012 dump trucks that dont have 12v accessory plugs..........

My lawn mower has a 12 volt out!!!! LOls

 

[countryboycansurvive]

I'm an engineer and though I don't design tractors, I do design custom machines for factories. Every machine design is a triple balancing act between functionality, reliability and cost.

 

[magicheater]

I'm an engineer and though I don't design tractors, I do design custom machines for factories. Every machine design is a triple balancing act between functionality, reliability and cost.

Man, all I have got to say is some of you guys sure sound piss for people with new tractors! Where I come from, if we want something built a certian way or want it to have a certian thing on it, we make sure it is there BEFORE we buy the product. A company can not anticipate every detail that a customer wants before hand, and just because a few people want it, that does not mean that everyone else is willing to pay more to get it. Everything you add cost money. It is not just buying the part, it is installing it on the line, keeping parts stock, changing wiring harness, safety testing, etc. If there was a plug, some people would gripe it stayed on all the time (without the key) and some would gripe if it was switched with the key. Can't keep everybody happy. Just a few thoughts.

Compare, compare, compare, then buy and still ...Can't keep everybody happy. Guess they have not made the perfect tractor yet. If a cup holder/ electrical outlet makes or breaks a deal then I am way lost on this.

 

[slowzuki]

I know part of that answer I think, turf tires usually don't need track width adjustment like ar tires as you don't plow with turfs, so one piece rims are used to cut some of the cost.

The other part of that is there is a max width that the axles are design for, and the one that surprised me, the rops is designed for. Follow me on that, with loaded tires, the wider you set them out, the bigger the loads on the rops when it does go over. For my cabbed L5030, you aren't supposed to load the tires as it exceeds the cab rops design. The open station tractor doesn't have the same limitation.

I would like to know why my $25,000 plus cabbed B3030 came with no 12-volt accessory plug, no interior light, and needed wheel spacers to attach chains to the rear turf wheels.