Kubota B3350, Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) Regeneration Issues.

[SDT]

Would that work? Is it a foolproof fix?

I would certainly not recommend doing that.

SDT

 

[sandyc]

I read somewhere that there is a company in England that makes the dpf eliminator that also includes a computer chip or something like that. At the time I thought it was a bit pricey. You might google dpf eliminator and see what happens. Just looked up dpf delete and there is a bunch of info.

 

[RGAZ]

Would that work? Is it a foolproof fix?

First, its illegal. I am saying that first, because you need to know the EPA could bust you pretty hard. Second, the DPF is very expensive, so lets say to remove it and then have to put it back because of some legal issue. That gets pricey fast. SO if you have read my last two sentences and you understand its illegal and costly to reverse, lets go further.

IF you search the internet you will find many non-US customers do this all the time (search DPF delete tractor). They show methods and tricks and are outside the US. Research these and see which method they use you might consider. They will show the warnings and etc.

After that, the reason the DPF is welded in is because if you could get into one end of it, all you need is a nice 2" pipe and a hammer and voila, no more filter. Of course you should remove all of it to prevent it rattling around, but you can't just remove the whole thing and replace with straight pipe because the ECU is expecting to see pressure and temp from it. Some people say that the two pressure sensors have to have a difference between them or it throws a code, but others say no. So there is a risk there that no one wants to talk about.

All that being said, to answer your short question: Yes it works, no it might not be foolproof.

If you aren't ready for that level of crazy, Install one of these to help accelerate the regen cycle. Heat Shield Armor | Heat Shield Sheet | Heatshield Products
It still may be considered illegal, but if you can keep the DPF hot it regens easier.

RGAZ

 

[RGAZ]

When this last happened, the engine was at WOT.

After mowing for about 10 minutes, I noticed that the regen lamp was on. The engine was at about 2,100 RPM at the time and I immediately pullet the throttle to WOT. Continued to mow for about 5 more minutes until the area that I was working on was finished.

Wanted to return to barn now but decided to waste time and fuel with make work to allow the regen process to complete. Left throttle at WOT, raised mower, turned FWA off and headed to another area where I could waste time and fuel making work. Annoying.

Left PTO engaged to avoid abusing PTO brake by turning PTO off while operating rotary cutter at WOT. Afraid to reduce throttle.

Engine abruptly shut down at WOT with rotary cutter (bush hog type) at full speed. No beeps, warnings or error codes. Blades slammed forward and jammed. Very annoying. Engine would not restart until after lengthy cool down. Fortunately tractor on slope so could push out of road.

Kubota wants to check pump and injectors. I believe this to be a waste of time but not my decision. Believe replacing expensive reformer best bet to correct or at least improve situation, but very skeptical. Frankly, do not believe that it can be made reliable with current design.

Stay tuned.

SDT

SDT,

Did they try replacing the temp sensor on the DPF? I was told that when that sensor sees a temp spike it shuts down the engine for safety. Might be that sensor is bad on yours?
RGAZ

 

[SDT]

SDT,

Did they try replacing the temp sensor on the DPF? I was told that when that sensor sees a temp spike it shuts down the engine for safety. Might be that sensor is bad on yours?
RGAZ

There are 3 and no, none have been replaced.

While there on the 21st, I watched dealer tech and Kubota rep remove and visually inspect all 3 but none were replaced. Neither ECM diagnostic nor service laptop diagnostic software indicated failure(s). Techs will not replace parts that software does not flag because Kubota will not pay for it and neither will I.

I expect that they will eventually replace the reformer but so far they have not decided to do so.

SDT

 

[SDT]

When this last happened, the engine was at WOT.

After mowing for about 10 minutes, I noticed that the regen lamp was on. The engine was at about 2,100 RPM at the time and I immediately pullet the throttle to WOT. Continued to mow for about 5 more minutes until the area that I was working on was finished.

Wanted to return to barn now but decided to waste time and fuel with make work to allow the regen process to complete. Left throttle at WOT, raised mower, turned FWA off and headed to another area where I could waste time and fuel making work. Annoying.

Left PTO engaged to avoid abusing PTO brake by turning PTO off while operating rotary cutter at WOT. Afraid to reduce throttle.

Engine abruptly shut down at WOT with rotary cutter (bush hog type) at full speed. No beeps, warnings or error codes. Blades slammed forward and jammed. Very annoying. Engine would not restart until after lengthy cool down. Fortunately tractor on slope so could push out of road.

Kubota wants to check pump and injectors. I believe this to be a waste of time but not my decision. Believe replacing expensive reformer best bet to correct or at least improve situation, but very skeptical. Frankly, do not believe that it can be made reliable with current design.

Stay tuned.

SDT

Took the (common rail) L6060 out to mow today for about 1 1/2 hours. Did not check the regen bar graph (there is none on the B3350) but I remember that last time I used it, it showed around 98%, so regen is imminent.

Upon returning to the barn to clean up and put away, I scrolled through the display options to find out the total hours on the engine (168) because I plan to change the HST oil and filters (again) at 200 hours. Regen graph showed 0%. As always, the L6060 and M9960 regen seamlessly. I never know that it has happened unless I check.

Not so with the mechanically injected B3350. Shuts down every time it tries to regen.

Folks, I do not believe that this issue will ever be solved with the mechanically injected B3350 engine, which is why Kubota is developing a common rail engine to replace it.

Stay tuned.

SDT

 

[RickB]

3 Kubota’s I’d refuse to own. B3350, ZD1511 and F3990. Similar flawed technology in all.

 

[Ortimber]

3 Kubota’s I’d refuse to own. B3350, ZD1511 and F3990. Similar flawed technology in all.

Totally agree with this.

 

[bumperm]

My 2013 B3350, updated computer a few years back, is now doing a regen every 6 to 7 hours. When new, it was more like 18 hours, the engine is at 735 hours now and it's no longer in warranty of course. A few regen cycles ago, it started making some black smoke for a few minutes during the regen cycle, which not takes more like 30 minutes rather than the original 20 or so. Any one else with similar hour on the tractor experiencing this?

 

[tractorfix]

Has anyone started a class action ? Force Kubota to buy them back, fix them or trade even for B2650. I can't believe the dealers even sell these POS. When I was looking for a b series cab machine for snow work there was a new 3350 sitting at the dealer. I knew nothing about them at that point but the saleman wouldn't even show it to me. "trouble" he said. LOL. I read about it when I got home. He showed me a B2650 instead. Lucky I found a great deal privately on a mint used B3000 and bought that. But that was my close call. An unscrupulous dealer could have offered me a deal I couldn't refuse on it and I'd have been screwed.