B3200/B3000/B3030 vibration update anyone?

[Teikas Dad]

In my tractor research (considering a B3200) I've read a bunch of posts about engine vibration with the 4 cyl engines. Several people indicated that the timing was set differently at the factory to meet emissions requirements and when correctly set the vibration was no longer a problem.

All of the posts seem to be a couple years old. Has anyone had any recent experience with the 4 cyl engine and vibration or has Kubota figured out the solution on the tractors built in the last year or so.

The vibration is the biggest thing that scares me about the B3200, it's got me considering the B2630 instead. I know the 2630 has more bells and whistles and position control over the quarter inching valve, but seeing that I don't have a tractor and never used either system I don't think it's really a deal breaker for me.

Thanks

 

[moog]

I just bought a B3200, I've had it about 2 weeks now. So far I haven't noticed any unusual vibrations. Seems to run really smooth with a surprising amount of power for such a small tractor. I wouldn't worry about it, it's under warranty for 2 years. Go to the dealer where you plan on buying and tell them you want to drive the tractor, see for yourself if the tractor your buying has unnecessary vibrations. Everywhere I went shopping for tractors they always offered me a little seat time around their lot to check things out.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

I have owned a B3200 and a few other Kubotas. I now own a B2620. It seems to vibrate more than some others I've owned a certain RPMs like at 1400 to 1800 with a smooth spot at 1600. Over 2000 rpm smooths out. The B3200 was "fairly" smooth up to a bit over 3000rpm and then had a bit more vibration but I rarely ran it over 3000rpms.
I went to Barlows and tried another new B2620 and it to had some rpm levels that had a bit of vibration under 2000 rpms like mine but not at exactly the same points but mine and the other new one smoothed out at 2000rpms.
They are tractors and not cars or trucks sooooo they will vibrate more than a car or truck and they will ride rougher than cars and trucks since they don't have the same suspensions or no suspension.
I agree, go try some at your dealers and see how it feels to you and they will vibrate some and more/less at different rpms. Going to a 30 series will not effect the vibration, I don't think because that isn't a part of the 30 vs 20 series. The 30 is much more money for a few luxury add ons.

 

[CDN Farm Boy]

I've got a 2012 B3300SU, bought it new in May and now have 63 hrs on it. Basically the same tractor as the 3200 without the mid pto. The biggest source of vibrations is from all the QA and loader pins.

Replaced the loader QA pins with 1" bolts as I have QA bucket and never plan on removing the loader frame
Tightened all the keeper bolts (dealer didn't) on the loader cyl mount pins.
Still need to find some wave washers or similar for the ROPS pins and the quick release on the parking stand.

The loader bolts made a huge difference. Chasing vibrations is a pain but well worth it. I don't think it's any worse now than any of the others I've driven or looked at.

 

[Teikas Dad]

Thanks for the replies, maybe they got the major vibration issues figured out. I stopped by my local Kubota dealer today and kicked some tires on the lot. (They're closed on Sunday so no salesman to chase me around the lot.:thumbsup

They had a B3200 parked next to a couple B2620's....it's all over....I want a B3200. It might be a little bigger than what I need...right now...but all of you on TBN keep saying buy bigger than you think you need, so I'm just obeying the rules.

 

[Stewie1]

I have a B3200 with 115 hours in just over a year. There are voracious at certain RPMs but nothing terrible. As pointed out earlier, locating noise sources goes a long way to helping things. I put grommets on the FEL pins and my dealer put springs on the ROPS pins too. A few tens of hours also smoothed rungs out. I am happy with mine now and don't have an issue with vibrations.

I also looked at the b2xxx to begin with but very quickly found myself at the 3200. It is still really manoevrable in the forest but has plenty of power for hauling and running my chipper. An L series was too big for my trails.

Really happy with my choice.

Stewie

 

[CDN Farm Boy]

Don't overlook the 3300. If you are like me and have no plans - ever - of running MMM or front blower etc you can get a bit more power than the 3200 for alot less $$$ but still the same overall dimensions. My 3300 was the same price as a 2920

 

[Teikas Dad]

Don't overlook the 3300. If you are like me and have no plans - ever - of running MMM or front blower etc you can get a bit more power than the 3200 for alot less $$$ but still the same overall dimensions. My 3300 was the same price as a 2920

Interesting...something I'll have to look at. I don't plan on a front snowblower or a MMM so maybe I don't need the mid PTO. Can it be added after the fact?

 

[CDN Farm Boy]

Interesting...something I'll have to look at. I don't plan on a front snowblower or a MMM so maybe I don't need the mid PTO. Can it be added after the fact?

Nope, not an option, the guts aren't there. That's where the big cost savings comes from.

 

[CDN Farm Boy]

As for the 1/4" valve vs position control on the 3pt hitch, I have no problems feathering it as smooth as I want. 25 yrs experience on countless different tractors may help but I haven't experienced the jerkyness reported by some. Way more throw to the lever than I'd like to make it work but I'm hoping the Tech will be able to adjust that when he's out next