Disgusted with new riding mower

[droy]

Have about 10 hours on a Kubota T2380, (new purchase); wondering if anyone has issues with theirs. (23hp Kohler / 48" cut (counter-rotating blades)

Streaking of uncut grass-especially during turns.
Trouble shooting section of manual lists the following possible causes:
(a) ground speed too fast- Slowing to a crawl does help (does NOT eliminate), but who wants to mow at a crawl?
(b) engine rpm too low- Can full throttle be too slow? Do not have a tach to check exact rpm, so I do not know if throttle is adjusted correctly, however it does sound "wide open".
(c) grass too long- Not for our old Cub 19hp Kaw / 46" cut. SWMBO has forbidden the orange one in our front yard until it learns how to properly mow the lawn.
(d) blades dull or damaged- NO! 10 hours mowing, Yes! I have double checked.
(e) Debris in mower deck- (please see (d) )
Dealer has also suggested
(1) Checking tire inflation, (I did, no problem).
(2) Putting the mower on a level surface, and..... (I did, deck is mounted level, I also tried moving the casters to different heights, no help.
Back to dealer, who then shrugged his shoulders, he did allow me to go in the shop and talk to shop foreman, and a mechanic, where I got two more shoulder shrugs.

I also made the mistake of commenting to the boss that perhaps I should have simply replaced the rusted deck on our Cub, and not bought another machine;
Now she has given me orders to get a price on a new deck. At least I didn't sell or trade it. I'd be trying to buy it back.

Also, has anyone rigged the KRA system so it would come on when the pto is engaged? This is my first machine with something like that, and if we do keep it, I'd like to work on that. (yes I am aware of the dangers, and foolishness of tampering with a safety feature)

Thanks in advance; and sorry for the long post.

 

[Blagadan]

Seems like you've covered most of the bases with what you've done to check it out so far... Your new bota does have the correct blades fitted doesnt it?

I know it sounds dumb, but a friend of mine bought a riding mower last year with a 42" deck and he had the same problem. Turns out a rookie mechanic in the dealership managed to fit a set of blades for a 38" deck when he was assembling the machine prior to delivery!!!

Dont ask me how, but it happened....

If I were you, I'd lean harder on the dealer and get him to deal with the issues.

Could be that the deck isnt aligned correctly?

 

[JeffinIA]

2) Putting the mower on a level surface, and..... (I did, deck is mounted level, I also tried moving the casters to different heights, no help.



Heres your problem? The deck should be lower in the front than the back, about a half inch. may not cure your problem but it should help

 

[KevPH1]

2) Putting the mower on a level surface, and..... (I did, deck is mounted level, I also tried moving the casters to different heights, no help.



Heres your problem? The deck should be lower in the front than the back, about a half inch. may not cure your problem but it should help

My owner manual instructs the front of the blade should be 1/8" to 1/4" lower than the rear.
I also, replaced the factory mulch blades ordered from web outsourced supplier. (Not the dealer) The new blades made a BIG difference!!

 

[EddieWalker]

My Craftsman ridealong mower did the same thing until I replaced the blades. Even though it's brand new and you only have ten hours on it, I'm thinking it's the blades.

Good Luck,
Eddie

 

[droy]

First, thanks to all for the replies-
This problem is a first for me, and obviously I DID NOT do all my homework.
In defense of the dealer, he did not say the deck needed to be mounted level, I do not remember the exact words, something like "checking to insure that the deck is adjusted correctly", which I interpreted to mean level. Now reading the operators manual, for the first time, it states that the rear blade needs to be 5mm (0.2 in.) higher than the front blade. Doesn't seem like much change. I do not remember my measurements, but there was so little difference, (close to being level), that I assumed it was within specs.
Next, I had moved the blades parallel to the rear axle, and measured the distance from the concrete to the blade, more concerned that I might have a bent blade. I did use the correct method, this time, although once again, I had not read the manual. Now reading it, a difference of 3 mm (1/8 in.) or less is within specs.

I think my next step should be to re-measure everything (with the manual in my hand), then if within specs, I'll probably replace the blades.

KevPH1 could you post, or pm me with the website from which you purchased your blades? Do you own a Kubota? I guess I'm wondering why you did not go through the dealer- I'm thinking cost or dealer location, but if it's quality or something like that, I'd like to know. (my dealer is 7 mi., and enroute to town.)

One last thing concerning the blade problems, my Cub which I so often praise, has the 46" 3 blade deck. I purchased it assembled, and at the end of the first season, it began leaving streaks of un-cut grass, (sound familiar ?) Thinking worn blades already, I purchased another set. When I began the replacement job, I found the middle blade was installed upside down, it had worn (on the non-cutting side). It just flipped it correctly, and cut for 3 more seasons with the original blades.

One again, many thanks, and apologies for the rambling.

 

[zzvyb6]

Could be blades installed upside down or belt is slipping? Is there a lot of grease on the idler or drive pulleys that would allow a friendly belt slip (no wear or smoke, just slip).

 

[HappyCPE]

It seems you're going thru a lot of trouble checking things that, IMHO, are the dealer's responsibility. Maybe you should take the thing back to his shop and demand your money back.

Not to start trouble, but when I was looking for a tractor, I got the orange-shoulder-shrug sales pitch. I went RUNNING out of that dealer and I haven't looked back.

 

[alchemysa]

H (23hp Kohler / 48" cut (counter-rotating blades)

Streaking of uncut grass-especially during turns..

I thought only a mower with a central rear 'over the axle' discharge chute into a catcher would have counter rotating blades.

Anyway, one blade is usually slightly in front of the other so that when the mower is travelling in a straight line the the cutting paths of the two blades overlap. Unfortunately this arrangement means an uncut line is often visible when you turn sharp corners in the direction of the rear-most blade, because the turning motion eliminates the overlap. BUT when you turn the other direction the overlap is even more pronounced so you get no streaking. So a solution for you may be to cut in the other direction if possible.

Looking at the pics of your mower on Kubota site it looks to me like the streaking would be worse when you turn right (clockwise) because it appears the rear most blade and the grass chute is on the right. Do you normally cut clockwise or anticlockwise?

 

[mjncad]

Also, has anyone rigged the KRA system so it would come on when the pto is engaged? This is my first machine with something like that, and if we do keep it, I'd like to work on that. (yes I am aware of the dangers, and foolishness of tampering with a safety feature).

I took a look at Kubota's web site and your T2380 looks similar to my JD L130. I assume the KRA system is the same things as Deere's RIO (Reverse Implement Operation) Lawyer Switch. If your Kubota is similar to my Deere, a couple of 1/4" quick connectors and a short length of wire will end your frustration. The following three photos show how I disabled the Lawyer Switch on my L130. Much easier to use now.

Picasa Web Albums - Matt - John Deere L1...

Picasa Web Albums - Matt - John Deere L1...

Picasa Web Albums - Matt - John Deere L1...