Dealer service vs doing it yourself

[fernbank_bound]

I just completed the first 50 hour service on my L3010. It was pretty straight forward following the manual. Is there anything that a dealer does during these routine checkups beyond what is laid out in the manual?

 

[BobinCols]

They would not do anymore than what the manual said. Sometimes they do even less because they don't really read it-at 50 hours they only change the oil and filter and not the rest of the fluids and filters as some don't think it needs to be done at 50 hours. At least when you do it yourself, you know what was actually done and you get to learn more about your tractor in the process of performing the maintenance.

 

[Will_C]

I agree, and that is what ,akes me suspicious of some dealer's shops. I helped walk a friend through the 50 hour service on his BX 2200 just a couple of weeks ago. I gave him a list of what to get, told him to check his manual (to satisfy his curiosity about what I was having him buy), and warned him that the dealer might try to sell him another brand of hydraulic fluid.
When I arrived to hrlp him, he told me the dealer did not understand what he was doing buying a hydraulic filter and fluid. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif They also tried to give him JD hydraulic fluid, and when he said he wanted Kubota brand, they gave him UDT, not the Super UDT I had on his list.
This was not my dealer, and I am glad of that!!
Will

 

[Don_Sullivan]

Did the 50 Hr thing for my BX1500 on a recent semi-warm day. Read the manual thoughly. Got the appropriate fluids and filters with advice from my local dealer (Super UDT and 15W40). The whole thing took about 4 Hrs including a trip to the store for a 65 mm end cap filter wrench without which the engine oil filter was not about to leave home (totally inaccessible otherwise).

Took a lot of time to pour in the 2.7 gallons of cold UDT via a funnel and 1/2" plastic tube and, toward the end, calibrating how many ounces of juice leads to how much level change on the dipsticks. Next time I'd warm the juice. Otherwise no problems except being specially cautious in a new situation. After waiting a bit for things to settle in, ran the tractor gently to stir things up and let it sit overnight. Next day ran it more vigorously, let it sit again and topped up the fluids which took about 16 oz on both transmission and engine.

The local dealer's service department cheerfully fielded three questions during the process, including one dumb one.

 

[44trxfun]

Don't mean to barge in on your thread, but I'm curious if anyone has ever run into any warranty issues by doing services themselves during the warranty period (i.e. any "claims" being denied because the tractor wasn't serviced through the dealer). I would like to do more of my own work, but have hesitated in part for that reason.

 

[kaz]

I let the dealer do the 50 hour service. He came and picked up the tractor and brought it back for free. He changed oil and filter, changed air filter, changed fuel filter, replaced hydro filter, changed hydro fluid, sharpened blades, balanced deck, cleaned battery terminals, checked all nuts, bolts, bearings, etc. and then pressure washed the entire tractor and armor-all the tires. I know many will say that I payed for all of these services and the delivery was probably not included free. This was a good deal for me b/c of several reasons.\
1. I live over 1 hour away from the dealer.
2. I don't have a trailer to haul tractor to dealer.
3. I work different hours and would have a hard time making it to the shop during their business hours.
4. The dealer works around my schedule and is accomodating to me. All service works is guaranteed to be turned around withing 6 days even during peak season!

And the most important reason why I let them work on the tractor is that if something happens and they don't tighten up something it's their fault and no blame can be shifted to me.

The above service cost me $192.21 including parts and labor.

My time is worth something too. As a new homeowner who just built a house, my time is far more valuable in completing the finishing touches rather than draining oil.

 

[Will_C]

Kaz; That is a fantastic price!! Most of the local dealerships quote anywhere from between $325.00 to $400.00 for that service, and I know (as I mentioned earlier in this thread) that some don't use genuine Kubota fluids. If I could get service done at that price, I wouldn't do my own either!
Will

 

[fernbank_bound]

Thanks for all those who responded. I am becoming more and more wary of the dealer I've been going to. Luckily I did not buy my tractor there. I think I'm going to look for a better place.

Also, I used the Kubota UDT transmission fluid (my wonderful dealer was out of the Super UDT). Is there significant difference? Should I consider changing it out?

 

[Egon]

Don't get to hung up on " genuine kubota fluids "
Chances are the genuine product is a very generic product from one of the refineries of which Kubota has none.

Egon

 

[del]

Fernbank,

That's an interesting question and I never could find an
answer from Kubota or ANY dealer.

It's all opinions.

I have a L35 with GST trans. Book says use SUPER UDT.

Many dealers use UDT saying SUPER is not necessary in my
climate (mostly 40-80).

A few dealers (I called around) said use only SUPER because that is what Kubota says to use.

Kubota would only say USE WHAT THE BOOK SAYS and not discuss
why their own dealers are not advising that. I also brought
up the warranty issue using the wrong oil and they said CONSULT YOUR DEALER...DUH.

Technically the UDT is useable in a GST in my climate as it
is rated for these temps I think UDT predates SUPER.

I found my own answer in the fact that my loader operates
noticeably slower with the UDT then the SUPER.

I also figured that with my frequency of short jobs, even
though air temp outside was not too cold, the unit would
shift and operate the hydraulics better with the SUPER
which is what I am back to using. (speaking of short jobs,
I ran into one fellow that uses a dipstick heater in his
tractor so it's always closer to being ready to go)

Actually for all around use I'd like to mix SUPER and REG
50/50 but I don't think that's advised. I haven't asked
dealers or Kubota, I don't have my mind right at the moment
for the variety of answers I'll probably get.

As to work done yourself I'd suggest keeping your receipts
for your filters and oil at least, and a good logbook. Be
specific in your listings on what happened at what hours,
it will make you look like you're obsessive-compulsive about
your tractor if they start to argue with you and they'll
back off /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

How can they possibly fight you on any warranty issues when
their own dealers don't follow their (Kubota's) oil specifications and change intervals?/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

I've spent time on the other side of the parts and service
counter in my life and under a few cars on hoists so I like
to think I'm open minded about this but it seems to be getting
harder and harder to find a mechanic I'd trust. They're out
there but they are hard to find.

I hardly ever let anyone work on my stuff, sometimes wife
gets on me to do something I don't have time to do or hoist
is blocked. My record letting stuff get done is not too good.

Careless mechanic dropped Tahoe off of hoist at GM dealer.
I was rather amazed at how fast he got it positioned on the
hoist, takes me about 10+ minutes to be happy in how something
is mounted, and this is my own stuff I do all the time.
Was really cool seeing our brand new vehicle come off one
corner and have the front end 20 feet in the air.

The most shocking part... I swear on a stack...When it fell
NOT ONE OF THE OTHER MECHANICS EVEN LOOKED OVER! Huge noise
and no one stopped what they were doing. Must have been an
everyday happening!/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

A Ford dealer mechanic let all the intake manifold gasket
material go down into the oil pan which of course filled
the oil pickup screen and pump and lunched the engine.

Then the simple things, finding an oil drain plug has been
rounded off by pliers, seeing my daughter drive in with the
skidplate on her truck hanging down...

Even if you aren't doing the work yourself, try to become as
educated as you can about what should be done and check it,
or ask a friend for help.

I don't profess to know everything or even anything but I
can sure tell when a grease fitting hasn't been touched.

dig on...

del