F3080 wheels don't turn with steering wheel....sometimes. Anyone else???

[JOHNTHOMAS]

What have you heard about the future of the F series after JAN 2014 when the latest emissions standards are applied to our machines?

I asked Steve Barlow today and he said "They'll be higher priced". He's a man of many words. I asked then if they'd be any different in any other ways and he said "Probably not".

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Problem is back and maybe even worse. Going along mowing at 3/4 and sometimes full throttle and do some semi quick right turns and the rear wheels do not respond to the steering wheel which keeps free turning until I stop turning and do a left turn of any amount then it returns to working properly. Talked to Steve Barlow briefly, he's in the middle of construction/expansion project on office/display/parts building and parking lot full of customers, and he said bring it in so they can mow their tractor display fields and see if they can find/fix the problem.

 

[TailDragon]

Sorry to hear this, only thing I can suggest is do not turn to the right, make 270 degree turns to the left.
Have not replaced XP yet. Having problems getting on the net. Can check the forum at work but not post.

 

[Sigarms]

Problem is back and maybe even worse. Going along mowing at 3/4 and sometimes full throttle

John

Not to hijack your thread, but why run the engine only 3/4 and not full throttle? I let the machine warm up, and never have to get out of the "turtle" position, but just find the machine seems to handle better running at full throttle, particularly on all the hills. Is running full throttle bad for the machine? Didn't see anything stick out in the instructions on it.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

John

Not to hijack your thread, but why run the engine only 3/4 and not full throttle? I let the machine warm up, and never have to get out of the "turtle" position, but just find the machine seems to handle better running at full throttle, particularly on all the hills. Is running full throttle bad for the machine? Didn't see anything stick out in the instructions on it.

Someone suggested it may be a not running at full throttle problem previously. I normally do not run at full throttle but sometimes do when the grass is really high and really thick. I've owned 17 Kubotas, ones a RTV1140 so it operates by the foot pedal and doesn't have a throttle like the tractors. I rarely ran/run any of them at full throttle unless it's needed and sometimes it is. There are lots of full throttle only owners here and I have no problem or judgement for them. I just don't if it's not needed and nevr have. I also currently own a F2680e and only run it at full throttle when the grass is really high/thick and the mower feels like it is under stress and nevr had any issue with it when I previously owned it or now that I;ve bought it back.
Mainly was trying to head off the maybe full or not full throttle possibility for the not turning to the right some times issue that pops up 5 or 9 times in a 5 hour mowing session.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I hardly ever run my tractors at full throttle, but lawnmowers I think should be ran at full throttle for proper cutting. I have a few times had my Ferris at about 3/4 throttle (thinking I had it WOT) and did notice that in thick grass it wasn't cutting as well as it should. I had been mowing some sparse grassy area and it did fine. When I noticed the shaggy grass, I pushed the throttle and got the speed up and the cut was much improved. The engine noise is greatly raised also though. As far as mechanical damage, I don't believe that you damage the engine or even decrease the life of an engine by running full throttle, but you can by running too low RPM if you are lugging the engine.
Keeping the oil changed, air filter cleaned and keeping sharp blades will make the engine last longer (MY OPINION)

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

I hardly ever run my tractors at full throttle, but lawnmowers I think should be ran at full throttle for proper cutting. I have a few times had my Ferris at about 3/4 throttle (thinking I had it WOT) and did notice that in thick grass it wasn't cutting as well as it should. I had been mowing some sparse grassy area and it did fine. When I noticed the shaggy grass, I pushed the throttle and got the speed up and the cut was much improved. The engine noise is greatly raised also though. As far as mechanical damage, I don't believe that you damage the engine or even decrease the life of an engine by running full throttle, but you can by running too low RPM if you are lugging the engine.
Keeping the oil changed, air filter cleaned and keeping sharp blades will make the engine last longer (MY OPINION)

Same experience and belief.:thumbsup:

 

[Sigarms]

Funny John.

Almost 50 hours on the 3080, and was out today for about 3 hours and had the same issue going into the last 15 minutes.

Only happened twice while I was on a slight hill backing up trying to turn, and then perfect until I was finished.

Usually I only mow for a max of two hours, going multiple days to finish up "sections" of the yards. I believe you had mentioned it normally happens to you after you've been on the machine for some time? I only ask because today was the longest I used the machine in one mowing.

Perhaps something with running the machine for a longer period of time?

 

[TailDragon]

John, have you had any luck with this problem?

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

John, have you had any luck with this problem?

Not yet.
Steve Barlow says Kubota has no history of this problem and to date has no plan of how to repair. I hate to take it in and them say they couldn't get it to "do wrong" so nothing to fix. They replaced steering pump last fall. I'll mow again in a week or so and see how it does.
My biggest dissatisfaction/most disappointment with Kubota so far in 11 years and many Kubotas. I bought a BX2350 a few years ago that had the abrupt stop in reverse issue and Kubota gave me $500 off for a replacement BX2660 which seemed fair but sure Barlows was why they (Kubota) did it.