Hitting all the common BX problems

sandyc · Nov 24, 2004

As an FYI, my dealer fixed my fuel leak...his mechanic has a way to do it without removing the fenders and it took him less than half an hour.
I wouldn't bother the CPSC with leaking fuel....sounds like an EPA pollution problem....might try them and get better results.

aardvark · Nov 24, 2004

The only "problems" I hade were:

1) broken seat pivot bolt - annoying, but I had sort of expected it, and I replaced it very quickly. I was going to warranty it, but I figured they would just put the same bolt back in, and I decided to replace it with a grade 8, 5/16-18, carriage bolt. It fits perfect in replacement of the M6 metric carriage bolt Kubota supplies, and you can buy it at most local hardware stores.

2) Air cleaner strap came loose, but did not break - tightened it with a 15 mm socket, no more problems but I check it every so often now, mostly just because I like to look at the engine. Again, I expected this after reading this website.

3) HST pedal - I'll be taking it in for warranty repair, and general checkup of the machine, after I finish the 50 hr service next week.

4) Torn ball joint rubber boot on steering knuckle - this one's probably my own fault. I must have dragged it over a stick or something without realizing it.

edit - 5) actually I had a couple shear pins shear, the ones that keep the pins in the front loader pivts from rotating. See my previous posts, it has some pictures if you are interested.

Still very happy with my machine though. Although I do want to get the HST pedal resolved.

LBrown59 · Dec 5, 2004

( 2) Hood rattle (alright, minor) Patrick )

Mine only rattles when starting or stopping engine.Has always done it from the first time started.
Any suggestions on how to fix.

LBrown59 · Dec 5, 2004

( . It is a 2000 model with only 53 hours on the clock.
)

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Has the 50 hour service been done on it.?

LBrown59 · Dec 5, 2004

( With all of these problems people are discussing here I am beginning to think maybe I shouldn't have bought my BX1500 two months ago. I did a lot of reading on this site as well as two others but I never uncovered a topic like this one. Makes me think that I have some serious issues to look forward to in the future especially considering that some of you put a lot more hours on your tractors than I do so you are at least hitting the problems before your warranties run out, for some of you anyway. I on the other hand, will probably see my two/three year warranties run out before I encounter many of these problems. )
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Did yo also notice that all the BXs with these problems are older than the 2004 models?

AKFord · Dec 6, 2004

Yes, I noticed that these problems seem to be surfacing on the older BXs but is that because the older tractors simply have more hours on them so are encountering the problems? I have a feeling that Kubota didn't address these problems on the 2004s. Maybe I am wrong.

ByronBob · Dec 6, 2004

Kubota came out with a new model line of tractors in the past year. The 2200 was replaced with the 2230. 1500 was replaced with the 1530 and the 22 was replaced with the 23.

The strap problem was changed on the new models to an entirely different design. The fuel leaks I've read on this forum all tend to be on the older models. I've not looked to see if the 2230 models have a different sending unit.

Remember also that like cars and trucks. Every good tractor maker will have flaws. 100% inspection only is 85% effective. My point is humans make these things and they're not perfect. Most of us here still love the BX but all of us could do without problems.

r0GuE · Dec 6, 2004

Mine leaked over left wheel (sending unit). My freind had his sending unit stop working, but no leak.

NY_Yankees_Fan · Dec 6, 2004

Still waiting for Kubota Corp to respond on my leaking sending unit/fuel leak. I understand they were all at a Dealer meeting last week to be fair to them. I hope I get a call this week.

r0GuE · Dec 6, 2004

( ( 2) Hood rattle (alright, minor) Patrick )

Mine only rattles when starting or stopping engine.Has always done it from the first time started.
Any suggestions on how to fix. )

Cheap black foam sticky weather stripping type stuff. Run it up both sides when hood is open. That makes the fit tighter and no more rattles. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

NY_Yankees_Fan · Dec 8, 2004

Finally /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gifKubota will pay for the leaking tank sending unit problem. After going around and around with my dealer I went direct to Kubota and they agreed to pay for the replacement part and installation. So if your dealer will not go to bat for you, call Kubota, they may take care of it after all it is a design defect.

NY_Yankees_Fan · Sep 18, 2005

Guess we can add cracks in the front axle as another known problem for the BX /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif Will this be the end to the list of known problems????, I hope so. My 3 warranty was up in March of 05, it is on my $$ now for anything that can/will go wrong. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif Can you recall any other Kubota product with so many problems???

Axle cracks

Junkman · Sep 18, 2005

Many have a loose nut behind the steering wheel.... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

kubby · Sep 18, 2005

My BX1500 is a 2003, and has been very reliable overall. At 280 hrs, the only problems have been:

1-fuel leaking from both hose connections at tank. Not sure if the 1500 has a sending unit since it only has a fuel idiot light, but there are two hose connections, one lower rear and one upper front under the fender. They are plastic and seemed to not be tightened enough at the factory. I just pulled the clamps back down the hoses a bit and tightened each fitting several turns, without removing the hoses. End of problem.

2-broken air filter bracket. I welded it, but now that I hear there is a redesigned one, I'll make sure the dealer upgrades to that when I take it in for the cracked axle housing.

3- cracked axle housing leaking oil, per my recent post. I'll be alerting the dealer about this right away so he can order parts, but I need the tractor a lot for a few weeks so won't bring it in till the rain starts here in California.

Other than these things, the tractor has been incredible and I would not hesitate to buy it again. It seems obvious that Kubota does upgrade things when problems appear, it just takes some time for enough reports to reach them and the improvements to happen.

-Bill

valleydweller1 · Sep 18, 2005

Some of the problems addressed by my dealer upon delivery:

1. Front Axle weepage; the oil it comes with is "break-in" oil. Replace it with 90W at 50 hrs.

2. Temp guage high when mowing; you're probably running it in high range with little throttle input. Run it in low range with higher throttle input to achieve the same speed.

Greg

kubby · Sep 18, 2005

( Some of the problems addressed by my dealer upon delivery:

1. Front Axle weepage; the oil it comes with is "break-in" oil. Replace it with 90W at 50 hrs.
Greg )

Thicker oil may reduce leakage, but in my opinion that is treating the symptom, not the problem. The original oil is not "break-in oil"; SUDT is what my manual recommends as standard. If the oil was the problem, all units would leak from both sides all the time. They don't. What they really need is a vented axle, and possibly a better seal design. The first time I changed my axle oil, the drain plug shot out about three feet from the internal axle pressure (should have stood to the side!)
-Bill

Junkman · Sep 18, 2005

It isn't vented because they want to keep moisture out of the unit. If it shot oil out when you opened the dipstick, then the unit must have been hot or overfilled. I haven't had one problem with the differential on my BX. I also agree that installing 90W gear lube will eliminate the problems of leakage, but will it protect the gears as well? There has to be a reason that Kubota installs Super UDT in the differential at the factory. 90 W gear lube would cost a lot less. I am not certain why they even recommend it for the replacement lube.

kubby · Sep 18, 2005

( It isn't vented because they want to keep moisture out of the unit. If it shot oil out when you opened the dipstick, then the unit must have been hot or overfilled. )

Nope, it was cool and the level was correct. A couple of weeks after changing it, I removed the dipstick and got air pressure again. (Gee, maybe the oil is fermenting in there!) Also, when the dealer drained it to replace the seal the first time, he said it had quite a bit of pressure then too - that was before I vented it. They experienced the same thing on another unit as well.

I'm skeptical that proper venting would cause a significant moisture problem. I ran about 3 ft of fuel line up under the hood, ending with a lawn mower fuel filter. I doubt much air exchange will occur through that. Also, the transmission case appears to be vented, as are most automotive gear cases and axles I've seen.

By the way. the dealer recently mentioned getting a service bulletin from Kubota showing, in his words, their mickey mouse answer to the need for venting: a plastic vent plug that stands up a couple of inches above the top plug, ready to break off as soon as you hit some brush.

jim_wilson · Sep 18, 2005

One of the reasons why there may be more problems reported with BX series tractors vs. other Kubota products is just the sheer numbers of them out in the field. I recently put a post up asking how many BX tractors had been manufactured - a couple of dealers responded that they hold sold "hundreds" and my dealer as well has said that they have sold "hundreds". From the serial #s that were posted in that thread there is a minimum of 15,000 or so BX23's alone out in the field. I doubt that Kubota sells as many in numbers of their other model lines as they do of the BX series. The numbers alone will skew the problems that are reported so I would take all of this with a big grain of salt. Maybe Messick would have some insight into the reliablility of the BX's vs other tractors?

MessickFarmEqu · Sep 18, 2005

( Maybe Messick would have some insight into the reliablility of the BX's vs other tractors? )

I'm with you, we have seen most of these problems at one time or another, but I would say that most are not chronic. I'd say the biggest problems with the BX's are the filter bracket and a hood latch thats never been ideal. Like you said, Kubota has probably sold more BX series tractors than the entire sales volume of many other companies. Given the volume of machines out there I'd expect to see a wide range of experiences.