BX2200 Steering Problem...Solved

[k8ny]

Well guys, we finally have a fix for the previously posted BX2200 steering response mystery that redneck and I complained about.
After no luck with my dealer trying to solve the steering problem with the BX, I decided to take matters into my own hand and called Kubota Technical Service in California.
A field engineering representative returned my call promptly and I had a great discussion with him regarding this problem. He recorded all the info (serial #'s, purchase date, dealer name and location etc.) then asked me to describe the problem. When I related to him that the steering would wander and when trying to regain control it would take between 3/4 and 1 1/2 turns for a response, he knew exactly what the problem was. There was a service bulletin issued on this problem last year and the culprit is the hydraulic steering cylinder which was manufactured by a firm that did not fully hone and polish the cylinder wall. This in turn caused an O-ring to fail and the pressure was not able to immediately build up to operate the hydraulics causing a delay in the steering response. The fix is for the dealer to replace the cylinder (obviously under warranty). They also notified my dealer and gave him the bulletin number. My dealer will be ordering the parts Monday. Hopefully it will be a minimum amount of down time for me.
I am very pleased with the Kubota Factory Service response and knowledge.

k8ny

 

[DaveNH]

You get the SB #?

 

[k8ny]

He didn't give the SB# to me Dave.

 

[JRP]

I found out real quick when I was aa auto mechanic that on mass produced items, statistics should be considered when troubleshooting a problem. I problem that happns to one car (or tractor) probably has/will happen to a few or many more of the same model. Concerning my post about M6800 popping out of second gear, I found another M6800 withing 5 serial numbers of mine that had the same problem. Possibly the same batch of parts. Kubota did an A+ job of fixing my problem.

Perhaps part of what I learned from your post is that Kubota could do a better job of training the dealer mechanics about how to access and use the technical help available.

JRPoux

 

[redneck]

I got my bota back today. The mechanic showed me the o-ring, and it had a big nick out of it. I wonder if my Bx is one of the ones with the bad cylinders. How can i find out? My dealer fixed mine with no hassell, they came and picked it up and i live an hour from them they would have brought it back , but i was in a hurry.---got my water line half way filled in . then it started to rain,, seems like it rained since i bought the thing------lol

 

[RoyJackson]

"I am very pleased with the Kubota Factory Service response and knowledge."

Why didn't your dealer contact the Service Rep?

 

[smthng2do]

I just want to make something clear. Not all the tech's are incapable of finding problems. I have been a Kubota Tech for 17 years. All of the current bulletins are listed on the Kubota "intranet". You may have spoken to the wrong person. If the service manager of this dealer was unable to help you, then he is directly responsible. When I get common problems, or problems I have not seen, especially on new equipment, the first thing I do is check the parts and service bulletins within the Kubota Bulletin Board. If I can't find my answer there, my next course of action is to contact my local rep. If I can't get in touch with him, I go to the next, and the next, until I get an answer that I find helpful. There is always an answer. I take great pride in my work as a Certified Kubota Tech, and I can't stand the thought that other dealers won't take the time to help their customers. Especially when they have paid thousands of dollars for a unit. I hope that you all understand that Kubota provides excellent training and support for their dealers, techs, and especially thier customers. All bulletins from 1995 to now are listed electronically for the dealers. All previous bulletins are listed on paper, but the dealer should have them. I hope that one bad apple doesn't ruin it for the rest of us.

 

[k8ny]

To: jrpoux, RoyJackson and smthng2do
Hey guys, here's the low down on my dealer. He's the owner, service manager and technician and we are in West Virginia. I have asked him for help on this the past few weeks but I don't really get a satisfactory response. Most of the time I have to leave him a message. At any rate, it's quite obvious that he HAS NOT checked the Service Bulletins so that's why I decided to call Kubota directly. I am not in any way bashing technicians as I was a tech and in tech service for 15 of my 21 years with Xerox Corp. By the way, the first thing I would do with problems I had not run into before and were difficult to resolve was to check the Service Bulletins.
To net it all out for me, it is a Dealer problem.
I'm just glad we got to the bottom of this one.

k8ny

 

[smthng2do]

Thanks for the reply.

 

[Pks]

Could someone post the Kubota technical service contact number? I'd like to have it as a reference.