Disapointed with KTC

[TripleR]

Just an observation, if I followed through with "I will never buy another (insert brand/tractor/truck/appliance, gun etc. here)", I would be farming with my bare hands, hunting with a rock living in a cave as I once had a mule with which we had problems and a shovel I bought once broke and I have had a few guns that misfired once or twice.

I have had problems with John Deere, Case, Massey Ferguson and Ford, but would still buy one.

 

[crazyal]

I would say your options are, live with it as is, fix it yourself, or sell/ trade it in towards another brand. My personal opinion is the original owner should have gotten the issue fixed. When they didn't the dealer figured the problem was fixed and moved on. Now the tractor is long out of warranty (I know of no tractor companies that have a warranty that would still be in effect after this many years) getting Kubota to work on it was always going to be an up hill battle. It's too bad but that's why they offer warranties with an amount of time attached to them.

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

I think I'm seeing why you did not get a response... your expectations are simply unreasonable, and your asking for services that are provided by the dealer network. Kubota does not send parts directly to anyone, provide bullitins, etc, etc. you need to go though a dealer to do that. Thats what we do.

Personaly, I'd never expect any company to owe me anything for a 10 year old, 2nd hand whatchmigiggy.

 

[ASVGUY]

On a final note as soon as you declare to any manufacturer that you will no longer purchase another one of there products, they have lost all incentive to work with you on your current one. If you really want to pursue this go to your dealer look them in the eye and ask for there help. When you are there don't tell them that you will never buy another orange tractor.

 

[My Hoe]

On a final note as soon as you declare to any manufacturer that you will no longer purchase another one of there products, they have lost all incentive to work with you on your current one. If you really want to pursue this go to your dealer look them in the eye and ask for there help. When you are there don't tell them that you will never buy another orange tractor.

As a general rule, I agree with the above. No one (IMO) can say whether it will work here, but I do think the above is sound advice. My .02--YMMV.

My Hoe

 

[ultrarunner]

When hoping for a goodwill adjustment there needs to be at least the hope of future transactions.

Many outcomes are determined by approach... I've known people that have the ability to convince just about anyone of anything in such a way as not to become offensive... maybe a pest that won't go away or in such a way that the person will go the extra mile to satisfy.

The same is true when someone comes in demanding and abrasive... no one wants to get involved and everyone runs for the hills.

When I did Lemon Law Arbitration cases... some consumers were their own worst enemy...

 

[Texas Fella]

ModMech, who is your local dealer?

 

[Gator6x4]

I like old Wheel Horse Garden Tractors. I know where one is with the Onan motor blown. If I purchase it, will Wheel Horse provide me with a new motor? The cost of refurbing otherwise would be prohibitive. After all they did make the thing 30-40 years ago and should provide warranty service.

 

[orangebluegreen]

Personaly, I'd never expect any company to owe me anything for a 10 year old, 2nd hand whatchmigiggy.

Neil...salesmen like to say things like "they never break, just run them and enjoy or "I've never seen any problems with bla bla" or "they last forever" I can think of hundreds of other "sayings", but when the truth comes out all of a sudden the line changes to "you know, it's pretty old what do you expect" It's a salesman's double standard that encompasses nearly all items sold. The fact is many people with problems never discover them if they don't use the tractor under the conditions that cause the trouble to show itself, these companies hope time will run out and people will go away. The fact that Kubota put out a fix for the steering problem shows they recognized it as a problem. Rather than hide in the parts manual as an "option" they should have recalled or sent notices to owners. I don't believe K ever did that according to my local dealer. When recalls are sent out it doesn't matter how many owners a product has had and I doubt the age matters either. If one buys a used car that had a recall but the work was never done, the second hand buyer is just as able to get that work done as the original purchaser. This is a widespread problem throughout the product manufacturing world, deny everything if it is deemed cheaper to ignore. Funny the OP mentioned Ford 3.8 head gaskets. I had one of those that failed, it was a 1996 Ford. The 1995 and previous were recalled for the exact problem and they claimed it was fixed in 96, a reason I bought. I found later through my own research the only change was they doubled the head bolt torque spec. The real design problem was the combustion chamber was too close to a water jacket in the head gasket and would burn through causing the combustion to enter the water system. It was never fixed and I'll assume hundreds of thousands got screwed by Ford who never did anything about it. I have a similar problem with a 2003 Honda Odyssey where the transmissions are junk and Honda extended the warranty on the prior years due to failure (after a law suit) then claimed it was fixed with their "new 5 speed" yeah right... look at Consumer Reports under 2003 Honda Odyssey transmissions, solid black circles, yet Honda has refused to fix them. In a couple more years that bad rating will be gone from the CR books and new buyers will never know. I bought mine new and at 30k miles it showed signs of failure (dark sludgy looking fluid) but Honda did nothing because it didn't set off any computer codes. It cost me over 4k last year to replace a transmission I complained about during the warranty period and Honda refused to do anything. This is the game they all play, very few companies deserve any respect. Honda and Ford are at the top of my personal list of companies not deserving of business, I'm sure others have their own list. In Fords case I've seen so many problems over the years I can truly say NEVER again will I buy into "we've fixed the problems of the past".

 

[Don87]

I'm 50 years old, and have purchased two new tractors. The first being a Cub Cadet, the second being my Massey. I expect and have received warranty repairs, and/or recall repairs.

I've purchased countless used ones, but never have I looked to the manufacture for a needed repair.
Buyer Beware is the motto on used.


If KTC works with you, it is out of the graciousness of their hearts.
They are not legally bound to work with you, nor, should it be expected.

 

[TripleR]

I am selling a 1986 Massey-Ferguson 375 to myself; one LLC to another; wonder who I will blame if I have problems.

 

[fiddlerkelly]

Can you explain exactly what is going on with your steering.My steering in the last year in the dead of winter when it hasn't been used for a while is unturnable till it is running for a while it is then stiff and after a few minutes is normal again. I was told that I may have water in my steering as the steering runs off the hydrostatic fluid .

 

[ASVGUY]

fiddler

Before you start a witch hunt in your machine keep in mind that in the "dead of winter" the hydraulics are cold. They do not move as well until the fluid gets to operating temperature. Kubota Super UDT is more stable in colder temps and tends to move a little better when it is cold. May be worth switching at your next hydraulic change if you are not running it already.

 

[ModMech]

All:

Let's not lose sight of one thing, all I *expected* was a return communication, maybe indicating a "local" dealer with experience with the problem who could accurately diagnose and get it fixed or provide guidance as to what parts I need to fix it.

I am MOST disappointed that KTC has refused to acknowledge my communication with them, no reply AT ALL. I did not at the time of my message to them and definately do not now, expect KTC to "do anything" about the problem. Their failure, or as I see it, refusal to acknowledge my complaint is not only poor business but discourteous.

As I indicated earlier, I am not interested in naming those dealers that have been less than helpful, primarily because that will not accomplish anything useful.

fiddler:

This is a problem that occurs when the fluid is warmed up to hot and at low engine speeds. There is no "power" in power steering when this happens. It does not take much running to duplicate the problem, the hotter the fluid gets the higher the engine speeds need to be to keep the power steering working.

I am estimating a little, but with "room temp" fluid and the engine at idle everything is fine, with fluid at about 120*F the engine needs to be off idle a little and by 130*F (too hot to touch for any length of time) you need 1400 rpm or more or there is no power steering at all and the steering "bucks" as you turn the wheel.

Every other hydraulic system works fine regardless of temperature.

 

[fiddlerkelly]

ASVGUY

The strange thing about it was that this was the first winter that it happened . I have had the same oil in it now for the past 3 winters. Tractor gets most use during the summer early fall. Not a lot of hours on it by no means about 320 now as the only use I have around the house for is snow clearing. otherwise is used up around the cottage for ditching and land clearing and such.

Am only a couple of hours on the machine since I changed the oil. I was told there may be some water in the lines also so with this change we will see this winter.

I have a B2630 model .

 

[Texas Fella]

ModMech:

I don't care which dealers did not help you. What I am interested in is who your local dealer is (or one you would like to work with). I happen to work in the east texas area and I am just curious, I know several people at alot of TX locations (training and etc.) and maybe I could be of some service in finding out if there is a fix.

 

[ModMech]

Ohhhh, sorry!

I have had good advice from Bagley Tractor in LV before and the Tyler dealer, both are a good drive east of me, but I am near both often while working.

 

[Texas Fella]

There is a bulletin (PSB-2002-045) that address this issue. You may or may not need it. It only applies to HSD (hydrostats). If you will private message me your serial number, I will tell you if you need the kit based on the serial number breaks.

 

[Pac Coast]

To somewhat paraphrase the old Dell computer ad: Dude, you bought a used tractor.

I am assuming that you didn't pay the price of a new tractor for a used one. If you pay the new price you get a warranty, however many keys the manufacturer typically provides, nice crisp new manuals, etc. When you buy used you are somewhat taking your chances, and saving some money over buying new.

If you are indeed sophisticated you should have been able to do some research and turn up this potential problem. You bought from an individual, and an individual typically isn't going to look at you as a potential future tractor customer like a dealer may.

I agree that someone from Kubota should have contacted you and at least given you contact information for a local dealer, or at a minimum suggested that you contact a local dealer. I can understand your frustration at not getting any type of reply. I've developed real estate and built homes for years. If we received some type of contact from a customer that bought one of our 10 year old homes that had, as an example, a problem with an appliance, they would at least get a reply expressing our regret that they are having a problem, along with contact information for a service facility. Whether they buy one of our homes new or not, we still feel a responsibility to be responsive and helpful. It certainly helps a reputation.

At this point I would think the best thing to do would be to try a new dealer and explain the problem to their service department and see what type of help they can offer. Don't assume that because they say they aren't familiar with your paticular problem that they're lying. There is a good chance that someone there knows more about your tractors systems than you do and can help you if approached the right way. The dealer didn't sell you the tractor or make a dime off of you, but their service department should be there to make money too. Hopefully they will be willing to help you figure out what is wrong.

 

[ModMech]

There is a bulletin (PSB-2002-045) that address this issue. You may or may not need it. It only applies to HSD (hydrostats). If you will private message me your serial number, I will tell you if you need the kit based on the serial number breaks.

Yup, that's it!

Kubota Service Bulletin # PSB-2002-045 (Date: 08-27-200) describes the complaint and needed repair. I won't post the document as it would violate their copyright, but I have written up the jest of it for the later 2410s.

1) Drain fluid from HST
2) Remove steering wheel and console to access steering box
3) Remove return hose from steering box
4) Shorten hose to ~3", install pin into hose and clamp in place (Ts to return pipe)
5) Route length of new hose to underseat area - CAUTION, KEEP hose free of moving components and pinch-points!
6) Remove seat, and top transmission cover (some bracketing will need to be removed/repositioned as well)
7) Obtain a 90* fitting (hose barb x NPT)
8) Drill hole in top transmission cover (or use new KTC part w/threaded hole) and thread for fitting
9) Install a 90* fitting into the top trans cover w/sealant (alternately use SAE o-ring type 90* fitting)
10) Connect hose from PS return to fitting with a clamp
11) Install cover
12) Refill and purge system

Problem solved.

That is the "cliff notes" version, basically you are routing the PS return flow back to the HST instead of to the PS pump directly.

Texas... thanks, a friend of mine got it from a dealer SM he knows as well, your info matches what was provided to me and the complaint with associated repair.