Oil & Fuel Another Kubota DEF/SCR Problem M6-111

[vpracer]

I know this topic has been covered but didn't see any response on a resolution. I have a new M6-111, 135 hrs on it and the DEF warning comes on. Says I am in Level I with 8 minutes left before it goes to Level II (idle only I believe). Drained DEF tank and replaced with fresh DEF. No change in warning indicators. I call dealer, they say common problem and bring it in. Well a tractor that big doesn't just get tossed into the back of a pickup and taken in to the shop. Warranty covers repair but not the hauling ( $3/loaded mile....ouch).

Can't believe Kubota hasn't figured this issue out by now. Dealer hasn't told me the final result but says most commonly a DEF heater problem. Sadly they are replacing it with the same exact part number....WTH?? Oh and I can buy another year of extended warranty for $2,500!!!! Crazy that I'm considering it, but given the cost of anything DEF/SCR related I have to look into it.

I mean productivity with this machine was supposed to improve my life not make it worse. No tractor for almost a month now. Spend a fortune on these machines and I don't think its to unreasonable to expect they work as designed.

 

[diesel85]

Reading your post sounds depressing.

In any event, does your dealer do field service?

That part sounds like is field serviceable. Maybe you can work it out that the dealer comes out to do the work on it.

 

[MHarryE]

Check with your dealer - every time I complain to Kubota they say to see your dealer - but I believe the emissions law requires every emissions related component to be warranted for something like 5 years or 5,000 hours. I’m sure I have a warranty copy in my files as a copy is required to be delivered with new machines.

I have a neighbor with a M6-131 that had a similar problem. First time they had a mechanic come out and replace his DEF. that resolved the problem for a few months but it recurred. They then hauled his tractor into the shop and repaired. He is 91 and doesn’t sweat the details. He told me it had the problem, they took it to the dealership and it was returned repaired. That is a good thing about our dealer - he will haul in something like this without charging even though we get a large sticker saying warranty transport not covered. I have a M7 and haven’t had a problem but they likely have a different system being designed and built in Europe instead of Japan. About the only thing similar between the M7 and the M135GX I traded is the paint color.

 

[SDT]

I know this topic has been covered but didn't see any response on a resolution. I have a new M6-111, 135 hrs on it and the DEF warning comes on. Says I am in Level I with 8 minutes left before it goes to Level II (idle only I believe). Drained DEF tank and replaced with fresh DEF. No change in warning indicators. I call dealer, they say common problem and bring it in. Well a tractor that big doesn't just get tossed into the back of a pickup and taken in to the shop. Warranty covers repair but not the hauling ( $3/loaded mile....ouch).

Can't believe Kubota hasn't figured this issue out by now. Dealer hasn't told me the final result but says most commonly a DEF heater problem. Sadly they are replacing it with the same exact part number....WTH?? Oh and I can buy another year of extended warranty for $2,500!!!! Crazy that I'm considering it, but given the cost of anything DEF/SCR related I have to look into it.

I mean productivity with this machine was supposed to improve my life not make it worse. No tractor for almost a month now. Spend a fortune on these machines and I don't think its to unreasonable to expect they work as designed.

When buying a new tractor I always negotiate for free hauling for anything that requires returning to the shop during the warranty period.

Thank the federales for disruption in quality/durability as manufacturers scramble to react to nonsensical regulations every few years.

Dean

 

[art]

When buying a new tractor I always negotiate for free hauling for anything that requires returning to the shop during the warranty period.

Thank the federales for disruption in quality/durability as manufacturers scramble to react to nonsensical regulations every few years.

Dean

Dean I can only agree with you! When teir four air is cleaner coming out of the exhaust then the air coming into the air cleaner in NYC I think these regulations have cost consumers enough! I peg in the auto industry about ten thousand per car for this and about the same for crash worthiness!!! All to pad a politicians pocket! The average cost between 26 and 27 horsepower is over 3,000 dollars for the smog equipment!!!

 

[fried1765]

I know this topic has been covered but didn't see any response on a resolution. I have a new M6-111, 135 hrs on it and the DEF warning comes on. Says I am in Level I with 8 minutes left before it goes to Level II (idle only I believe). Drained DEF tank and replaced with fresh DEF. No change in warning indicators. I call dealer, they say common problem and bring it in. Well a tractor that big doesn't just get tossed into the back of a pickup and taken in to the shop. Warranty covers repair but not the hauling ( $3/loaded mile....ouch).

Can't believe Kubota hasn't figured this issue out by now. Dealer hasn't told me the final result but says most commonly a DEF heater problem. Sadly they are replacing it with the same exact part number....WTH?? Oh and I can buy another year of extended warranty for $2,500!!!! Crazy that I'm considering it, but given the cost of anything DEF/SCR related I have to look into it.

I mean productivity with this machine was supposed to improve my life not make it worse. No tractor for almost a month now. Spend a fortune on these machines and I don't think its to unreasonable to expect they work as designed.

Tractordata.com shows your tractor weight as 9789 lbs.
If the tractor tires are not loaded, you could haul that on a 14,000 lb. GVRW trailer.
With only 135 hours, and tractor trouble already, you might want to look into buying a 14K trailer.
A new 14K trailer (a solid, but not fancy one) can be bought for less than $5000, and will have excellent resale value, if you should eventually decide to sell it.

 

[fried1765]

When buying a new tractor I always negotiate for free hauling for anything that requires returning to the shop during the warranty period.

Thank the federales for disruption in quality/durability as manufacturers scramble to react to nonsensical regulations every few years.

Dean

I have a different philosophy!
I don't buy new tractors!

 

[vpracer]

Good idea about extended warranty on emissions related items. I'll check with dealer.

Hauling is different, I do have several trailers to chose from, including a gooseneck tandem dual 30' but it just more of the hassle factor. Tires are loaded plus a front loader and its a cab tractor. Knowing my luck, I'll get a flat on that trailer, on the inside tire, just to spite myself. Ha. Its more the principle of the thing, I have a day job and would need to take vacation just to haul in a broken tractor that never should have been broken. I have owned 3 other kubota's, of course none with DEF, and never had a problem. I'm just hoping Kubota would step up and either extend the warranty or re-engineer something that works.

 

[ruffdog]

DEF fluid is very susceptible to contamination when stored incorrectly or when it comes in contact with common metals. Eg...One tsp of salt will contaminate 5000gal of DEF.
DEF Contamination and how to avoid it

 

[diesel85]

Forgot to add earlier... I know it's not a large farm tractor, but when I bought my BX2200, I had an issue with something (forgot what), and no questions asked, they came out and hauled back and forth. They also had it fixed within a week turn around.