A Word of Caution to 3rd Function Valve Owners

[Jchonline]

Hey FWIW I have a new M62, and one of my factory installed front 3rd function valves (these are hardwired, aluminum tubing, not typical hydraulic hoses) was loose enough for me to turn with my hand. It started spewing hydraulic fluid all over the tractor the first time I used the grapple. This is a very expensive machine. It is just best to check all of your fittings and components.

 

[mapper]

Neighbor has a Kubota B2650(?), purchased new last June, 3rd function installed and delivered with bucket and grapple. 3rd function control failed around mid to late July, the dealer told him he overheated it by using it too much. He had to pay full price for the replacement valve. Did not seem right to me, it should have been replaced under warranty, how can you over use your grapple? He was using it to clear underbrush and clean up a half acre or so of his woods where his back yard will be when they build this spring.

 

[Oldpath05]

So is this a brand new tractor with a 3rd function add on by a RK tractor dealer? Sounds like someone dropped the ball on this add on, no one went through or threw the check list and testing, just let the tractor go out the door, why do dealers do that, seems like it's going on more and more everywhere, to me that's a sigh of poor sloppy service, I lay the fault at the owners feet, hopefully when the tractor left the factory someone went that check list. How about picture of whole tractor with 3rd function...........

 

[Btown]

Neighbor has a Kubota B2650(?), purchased new last June, 3rd function installed and delivered with bucket and grapple. 3rd function control failed around mid to late July, the dealer told him he overheated it by using it too much. He had to pay full price for the replacement valve. Did not seem right to me, it should have been replaced under warranty, how can you over use your grapple? He was using it to clear underbrush and clean up a half acre or so of his woods where his back yard will be when they build this spring.

They can overheat, but that usually happens when they are used with an implement that uses a constant hydraulic flow. Like a front mounted hydraulic post hole digger. They are not designed for that type of use.

 

[g8erh8er]

How about picture of whole tractor with 3rd function...........

Here ya go, sorry best angle I have at the moment. I did receive the delivery checklist with my documents and everything was checked off as inspected.

Not mad at RK - stuff happens. Just suggesting other folks with the 3rd function check their components for fastness.

 

[Wakey]

Nice tractor.

Something else I'd ALSO recommend to someone with a new tractor is to immediately hit all the zerks with your grease gun. My new Kioti had no grease in the front end and a few years later my new Deere zero turn had no grease in the spindles nor the front end. I went 10 hours dry..

You'd think I would have learned, after the Kioti. My spindles will be replaced this winter under warranty.

I'd also recommend to check the bolts on the loader, Kioti has that in their manual.

 

[Oldpath05]

Here ya go, sorry best angle I have at the moment. I did receive the delivery checklist with my documents and everything was checked off as inspected.

Not mad at RK - stuff happens. Just suggesting other folks with the 3rd function check their components for fastness.

View attachment 584567

What is this 3rd function for? I was picturing a grapple on the front, or thumb.

 

[g8erh8er]

What is this 3rd function for? I was picturing a grapple on the front, or thumb.

Grapple - it's just not on the loader this pic.

 

[cvestes]

Thanks for this post.
Timely for me, as my RK55 with 3rd function valve is on order and relevant for all folks with the 3rd function.
I will inspect the setup at Rural King before I take delivery.
Will update you with my experience.
Thanks again!

 

[g8erh8er]

Thanks for this post.
Timely for me, as my RK55 with 3rd function valve is on order and relevant for all folks with the 3rd function.
I will inspect the setup at Rural King before I take delivery.
Will update you with my experience.
Thanks again!

Please do cvestes. I'm really curious to know if your electrical box is laying on the battery like mine, or actually mounted somewhere.

In Mike Morgan's oil changing video, his is not on the battery and I can't tell where it might be. It also looks like he has a slightly different 3rd function valve than the one installed on mine, so that could have something to do with it.