Grading Blade question and 50 hour question

[jam2004]

1) I used my rear blade for the first time today. I spun it around and used it to push a pile of soggy horse-stall bedding. I noticed the blade had a bit of "give" as I pushed it backward. The give seemed to occur where the top link meets the blade. Is that natural?

2) How much is a reasonable price to pay for the 50 hour service? Unfortunately, I didn't negotiate a freebie when I bought it.

 

[btolle]

The Kubota dealer here in East Texas charges $140 for the 50 hour service on a BX2230.

It's been a long time since I used a blade but I suspect that the "give" is not abnormal, especially when pushing. The way a 3PH is designed it works a lot better when pulling than pushing.

Bill Tolle

 

[jam2004]

Was that $140 without pick up/delivery?

 

[btolle]

Without. Sorry, I forgot about that. I only live 3 miles from the dealership. I can either drive it over or they charge me $27.50 each way to pickup and deliver ($55). That would run the price up to $195 but I would probably drive it over.

Bill Tolle

 

[jam2004]

Bill,

What kind of trailor do you use?

jam

 

[btolle]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Bill,
What kind of trailor do you use?
jam )</font>

None, literally meant I can drive it to the dealer. He is 3 miles away and in a town of 8,000 it is not unusual to see a front end loader driving down the street. The police don't care since we are semi-rural here and have a higher number of tractors per capita than most places.

However, I will let the dealer deliver a B7510 tomorrow or Tuesday since he has several trailers and won't chage for delivering a unit he sold.

Bill Tolle

 

[jam2004]

Congratulations. Enjoy the new machine.

 

[nitroxn]

I just paid 175 for 50 hr service. Delivered and picked up myself. They tell me the first service is crucial because they send fluids to kubota for testing. After this one I will service myself.

 

[jam2004]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I just paid 175 for 50 hr service. Delivered and picked up myself. They tell me the first service is crucial because they send fluids to kubota for testing. After this one I will service myself. )</font>

I suspect they'll get me for more than that here in NJ. Especially since it must be picked up and delivered.

 

[jeffmazz]

<font color="blue">( They tell me the first service is crucial because they send fluids to kubota for testing. )</font>

Does anyone know if this is true?

Jeff

 

[BRIGUY]

My dealers service dept is excellent. They sold me all the necessary parts and lube for my 50 hr service. The head mechanic spent quite a bit of time with me explaining what needed to be done for the 50 hr service. I might add that they do more than is spelled out in the owners manual. They never said anything about sending the fluids out for testing, and they know that I sometimes send oil out to Blackstone.

MY .02 HOG WASH, SNAKE OIL etc.

 

[BigAl]

When I worked as a supt. for the county road division , we always sent in oil samples on all of are heavy equipment at each oil change . Catepillar performs this service at many dealers locations . It was money well spent and the analysis they sent back were very complete and informative . It saved the county thousands of dollars each year by pointing out possible problems before they became big ones and shut the machine down . I don't remember what they charged but it might be something to consider when you start doing your own fluid changes .
Big Al

 

[dmftoy1]

Blackstone charges $20 or $21 for an analysis. There are other companies that will do even more complex analysis but I don't know what they charge.

I use blackstone for my truck. I figure it's simple insurance against future problems. Probably complete overkill but I get a kick out of it.

Have a good one,
Dave