B series Kubota Step Failure.

[Porchfan]

I know I need to lose a little weight, but come on Kubota, maybe you should beef these steps up? Its a friggin’ tractor. . The stamped sheet metal step is junk IMO. I think I’m gonna just fabricate a new one out of 1/4 or even 1/8 inch plate steel. The steel of the step looks to be thinner than 1/8 inch. If anyone has any modifications they have done to steps on a tractor, show them. Thanks!

 

[Porchfan]

Technically speaking, the weld failed. The floorboard steel is thin as well. Tractor is 6 years old. B2650 I’ve worked it pretty hard 1100 hours or so. Also. When it failed a couple days ago, it gave my left shin a present.

 

[Peter 315]

Ouch better get that step fixed, I welded round stock around mine so it would not bend .....

 

[Thomas]

Thanks for sharing I'll be check out my step.

 

[Porchfan]

Ouch better get that step fixed, I welded round stock around mine so it would not bend .....

I’m not sure that would’ve kept my step from failing. The weld just popped off at the rear side of the step to the underside of the floor. It bent after the weld broke as my foot and leg went down. I may just take the step off. I can get on the tractor fine without the step. It’s just nice to have one there in winter when I have thick clothing or bibs on.

 

[jeff9366]

Step failed on my L3560 after five years. I took the replacement, new step to my welder and he reinforced it heavily before it was installed.

I do not know if the B and Grand L steps are the same.

I weigh 210.

 

[Porchfan]

Actually it looks like the sheet metal failed at the weld. Not specifically the weld itself. Either way, this should not have happened if it was a better design. Everyone is trying to go cheap with the thinnest of steel these days.
I also jammed my left knee pretty bad as my shin hit the floorboard and my foot hit the ground as I fell off the step. It hurts just talking about it.

 

[dodge man]

A safety feature on the BX I used to own really bugged me, the seat belt broke twice. The buckle side the metal fatigued and broke twice, about 3 years each time. I e-mailed Kubota a pic the first time with no response.

 

[jeff9366]

Steps take a beating when you are operating a Rotary Cutter in thick brush.

 

[Porchfan]

Yeah I bet. I don’t have a rotary cutter. I use my tractor for material movement mostly, digging, skidding logs out of the woods and occasionally chipping brush. I’ve got a PTO chipper that works pretty good. This failure I attribute solely to me stepping on and off the tractor. Sometimes I step down pretty hard as I’m working fast or changing the loader implement (usually bucket to forks and back). To my knowledge, I’ve never hit the step with a limb or log or whatever. It still sits high off the ground and is directly between the front and rear tires.

 

[oldballs]

I was wondering the same thing per jeff's observation, i.e.the step should bend when hit from below versus pushing up the floor board. Yet, me weighing only 135 lbs has wondered what a big guy would do to this step as I feel it give when I mount up.

 

[Porchfan]

So I decide to drill a couple holes in the floor and back side of the step and tie it together with machine screws and fender washers and a couple nuts underneath. The front connection near the brake pedal is bolted on. Now the back is. Check it out.

 

[Porchfan]

 

[Porchfan]

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