8540 trouble

[markwmcmanus]

I bought new an 8540 4wd loader in 07. it currantly has 470 hours. since new I,ve put on a new loader cable a new shuttle cable repaired the draft control and just put an 1700 dollar steering box on it. The dealer has been no help I,mthinking of trading for NH or Massie we are in hay season and i missed the best chance to cut. Any idea if Kubota is having trouble with the larger tractors?

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

Any idea if Kubota is having trouble with the larger tractors?

No. Thats not typical.

 

[TripleR]

No problems with ours nor have I heard of any with other owners on here. Anyone can let a problem tractor slip through. We have had trouble with a new John Deere, Case and Massey Ferguson. The John Deere is getting a short block put in now, but JD is covering the cost and we traded the Case off when it went toes up AGAIN after owning it 12 years when we needed it most.

 

[markwmcmanus]

thank you for you response. I bought the kubota for its reputation and have been disapointed in the reliability and the dealers response.

 

[TripleR]

thank you for you response. I bought the kubota for its reputation and have been disapointed in the reliability and the dealers response.

A good dealer and/or shop foreman can make all the difference in the world. We had a John Deere dealership refuse a warranty repair when it was an ongoing problem reported twice prior to the expiration of the warranty and now our John Deere dealer has gone to bat and made a very favorable impression on the brand.

Our Kubota has an excellent reputation and even called about a month prior to the expiration of our warrant to make sure there were no issues that needed to be addressed prior to its expiration.

 

[Zscoop33]

Had a m6040 with 600hrs no problems, have a m9540 with 740hrs and going only had to replace blinker that I pulled off. New m7040 with 40hrs no problems yet.

I would find a new dealership to bring it to.

 

[markwmcmanus]

thanks for your reply.I think igot a bad tractor unfortunately it will cost much to replace. Started to look at mahindra too.

 

[rbargeron]

It's too bad your faith is shaken. It will take some time to get it back. Normally Kubotas are trouble-free so even having a no-help dealer doesn't matter much. The odds are that these problems were flukes and it will be ok now.

 

[powerstroke444e]

We have a M5400 that is 10-15yrs old and no issuies I don't remember the hours but more than 1,000 and have next to no issues that were not operator error. I have a 'friend' that has a M105 and 3 yrs 200 hrs he has had many breakdowns but not one that was not operator error/abuse related.

I find that a good dealer can make small issues go seem like less of an issue.
One question you said you had to replace the steering box???? I thought that model had hydraulic steering? Just wondering what you had to replace?

 

[art]

The steering has not been an issue that we have seen. I'm not familar with a steering box though. We have had no loader cable issues and no draft control issues.

I have to agree most repairs and problems are with operator training.

 

[markwmcmanus]

The cable issues seem to be common.
Another farmer down the road with a 7040 had similiar issues. The steering box is the
distribution box at the end of the steering shaft.

 

[piller]

My M8540 is about the same age as yours, I got mine from a great dealer (Barlows), my tractor has been excellent.

The first time I removed my loader I messed up the hydraulic connection seal when I went to re-attach, it was operator error. Dealer picked up my tractor, fixed the hydraulic connection seal, took care of the recalled step issue, and replaced my hydraulic shuttle cable all under warranty.

The second (and last) time my tractor needed attention was when I noticed it started to lose power, the dealer found that I had managed to pinch a fuel line, they fixed that at no cost to me also.

My M8540 has been just great, I will probably keep this tractor for a long time. Except for the hydraulic shuttle cable the few problems I have had were my fault.

Sorry to hear that you are not happy with your tractor or your dealer.

 

[markwmcmanus]

$1700 later and fixed. cut a couple acres of hay yesterday and did very well. i like the tractor so may give another chance hope not to be stranded again

 

[red4now]

$1700 later and fixed. cut a couple acres of hay yesterday and did very well. i like the tractor so may give another chance hope not to be stranded again

Murphy's Law - it will breakdown when you need it the most. Same thing happened here with our M8540. One of the cables on the joystick - nylon bushing went - of course we needed it that day when typically that tractor is not so busy.

For the benefit of others with this type of loader / joystick combo - Allo M30 loader (not sure if it makes a difference for the joystick) but this nylon bushing is regular problem - if you do not keep it greased up - so good to know. Check to see if yours has grease on it - if not it might dry up and bind and then the cable pulls through the bushing and you are into replacing the whole cable - at the dealer since they have to tension them properly. - fyi

 

[slowzuki]

The alo loader is not used much in the US except on other brands, on Canada its on almost all the brands. That bushing problem on the cable is the same on all alo control valves for years.

 

[charleyfarmall]

Just make sure that ALL the fluids are at the right level and everything is greased well. It should be a reliable tractor. Change the oil if you haven't. Maybe the previous owner didn't maintain it.

 

[markwmcmanus]

thanks for all the replies. this is a great forum, tractor still doing well will keep you posted