Kubota B3350 tractor regeneration problems

[bumperm]

I am looking for a used tractor about the size of the Kubota B3350, I will buy the best deal I can find, I have seen a few used Kubota B3350's not sounding like a bad price. How do I know if it had the $1100. upgrade? One thread stated that dealers won't even sell the 3350. Would anyone recommend buying a used 3350? Thanks for any help.

I bought the 3350 as I live at 4,800' and thought the turbo would be a good idea - power loss with normally aspirated being about 3% per thousand feet. The summer heat in the high desert makes that even worse.

Had I to do it over again, I'd get the B2650HSDC. That's a sad testament, but true. The 3350 hasn't given me any trouble, though at 600 hours the regen interval is less than 10 hours. The whole idea is, IMO, a liability.

 

[sixdogs]

Is the B2650 tier IV or is under the HP limit?

 

[skuchin]

Is the B2650 tier IV or is under the HP limit?

Tractor Data com shows the B2650 as Tier IV I found a interesting Kobota link showing when tier IV is used, but this site won't let me post the link.

 

[tempforce]

as a former owner of a b3350 and currently an owner of a b2650.... the 33 had loads more power. when it wasn't in the repair shop... the a/c worked so much better as well... but due to the regen issues never being resolved. and after a year of the tractor almost constantly being in the shop, (sometimes after only a few minutes of use), they offered to buy it back.... it had a little over 350 hours on it... it had a new computer, wiring harness, a dpf, larger alternator and over 8 trips to the dealer for repairs, not counting two service calls. one where the district service manager was present... i won't count the time, the dealers computer died before he could hook it up to the tractor... two weeks later they came and picked up the tractor.. out of the year, the dealer had it almost 9 months... i even ran it at full throttle for over half of the hours on the engine, i never let it idle, after the second trip for repairs, not even to let the turbo cool. as per dealer instructions... i forgot to mention, they replaced all of the sensors for the engine... and installed a different thermostat.

 

[check]

as a former owner of a b3350 and currently an owner of a b2650.... the 33 had loads more power. when it wasn't in the repair shop... the a/c worked so much better as well... but due to the regen issues never being resolved. and after a year of the tractor almost constantly being in the shop, (sometimes after only a few minutes of use), they offered to buy it back.... it had a little over 350 hours on it... it had a new computer, wiring harness, a dpf, larger alternator and over 8 trips to the dealer for repairs, not counting two service calls. one where the district service manager was present... i won't count the time, the dealers computer died before he could hook it up to the tractor... two weeks later they came and picked up the tractor.. out of the year, the dealer had it almost 9 months... i even ran it at full throttle for over half of the hours on the engine, i never let it idle, after the second trip for repairs, not even to let the turbo cool. as per dealer instructions... i forgot to mention, they replaced all of the sensors for the engine... and installed a different thermostat.

Holy smokes, poor you! Are the newer ones any better, or did you perhaps just get a lemon?

 

[mpham]

Is the B2650 tier IV or is under the HP limit?

The B2650 doesn’t have any of the emission controls like the B3350.It is under the horse power requirements. Mine runs great, no issues.

 

[s219]

Is the B2650 tier IV or is under the HP limit?

All tractors must meet Tier 4 now, whether they do it with or without emissions controls. Tractors 26HP and under automatically meet Tier 4 without emissions controls.

 

[SDT]

I am looking for a used tractor about the size of the Kubota B3350, I will buy the best deal I can find, I have seen a few used Kubota B3350's not sounding like a bad price. How do I know if it had the $1100. upgrade? One thread stated that dealers won't even sell the 3350. Would anyone recommend buying a used 3350? Thanks for any help.

I've never heard of a "$1,100" upgrade.

Kubota did issue several upgrades during the model run (not issuing any more) but no recalls.

Dealers are supposed to perform any and all upgrades when the machines come into the shop for any reason but not all do.

Only a dealer can determine if a specific tractor is up to date.

SDT

 

[TimP]

All the DPF/regen problems with the 3350 is what convinced me to buy a used B3000. I would have liked to have a brand new tractor with the warranty, but was scared off.

A couple of dealers talked me out of getting the 3350. The 2650 was just a tad too small for me.

So far, I like the B3000.

 

[Jchonline]

I am looking for a used tractor about the size of the Kubota B3350, I will buy the best deal I can find, I have seen a few used Kubota B3350's not sounding like a bad price. How do I know if it had the $1100. upgrade? One thread stated that dealers won't even sell the 3350. Would anyone recommend buying a used 3350? Thanks for any help.

I would not under any circumstances purchase a B3350 in the current configuration. The system is flawed. So much so that Kubota is releasing an entirely new Tier4 setup for this machine soon. I thought it was supposed to be this year sometime, but maybe next. I dont say this often...but steer clear of this machine for now.

 

[grey goose]

Hi bumperm, I'm still struggling with my 2014 B3350 and it's on again/off again regen problems.

I gotten used to running it full-throttle so it hasn't been too bad - until our last snow storm. Now the right regen light won't come on at all (it does light up when the key is first turned so the lamp is good). Since then, it beeps and demands a parked regen.

It goes thru one parked regen process normally but after it throttles down, the parked regen warning light immediately comes back on after 4-5 minutes. I've let it run thru two back-to-back regen cycles without interrupting it, but it still wants another parked regen.

During the winter I remove the air filter snorkel, and keep a piece cardboard in front of the radiator to keep the temp up.

Any other ideas? (no, I'm not gonna use dynamite - lol)

 

[moship]

Any other ideas? (no, I'm not gonna use dynamite - lol)

I would be bringing this to your dealers attention to have it fixed. If no satisfaction, file a complaint with the EPA. All of the emission related stuff is warrantied beyond the typical tractor warranty.

They simply can not give up with emission related complaints.

Good luck with your tractor and I hope it works out for you.

 

[SDT]

Hi bumperm, I'm still struggling with my 2014 B3350 and it's on again/off again regen problems.

I gotten used to running it full-throttle so it hasn't been too bad - until our last snow storm. Now the right regen light won't come on at all (it does light up when the key is first turned so the lamp is good). Since then, it beeps and demands a parked regen.

It goes thru one parked regen process normally but after it throttles down, the parked regen warning light immediately comes back on after 4-5 minutes. I've let it run thru two back-to-back regen cycles without interrupting it, but it still wants another parked regen.

During the winter I remove the air filter snorkel, and keep a piece cardboard in front of the radiator to keep the temp up.

Any other ideas? (no, I'm not gonna use dynamite - lol)

Have you verified that your B3350 has had all of the updates installed?

Dealers are supposed to do this anytime that a 3350 comes into the shop for anything but not all do.

Later models (all updates) exhibit fewer (no, not none) problems.

SDT

 

[grey goose]

Have you verified that your B3350 has had all of the updates installed?

Dealers are supposed to do this anytime that a 3350 comes into the shop for anything but not all do.

Later models (all updates) exhibit fewer (no, not none) problems.

SDT

We bought this machine in late 2014 so, I doubt it has had any updates. Also because it still has 'regen off' as the default - meaning I must press the right regen button to activate the regen system.

I realize dealers are directed to repair these, but consensus on the forums is that the previous updates haven't actually solved the ongoing regen problems.

The current problem has *changed* in that, previously I'd press/activate the regen system and the light on the right button lit up. I'd run the machine at max RPMs, keep working, and the tractor would regen once in a while.

NOW the light doesn't come on (except for the initial light test when I turn the ignition switch on - proving the lamp is ok).

I called the dealer who sold me this tractor and explained this problem to the service manager. He said they're so backed up that they wouldn't be able to work on it for months. I can't wait that long because mowing season starts soon. I called the only other dealer here in Colorado. They wouldn't even return my call.

Thanks the responses but it seems I'm stuck. Guess I'll just keep running it at top RPMs until...

from a dealer who took it back from someone who disliked the DPF issues (in hindsight, I guess I was naive).

 

[RGAZ]

I have your tractor and parked regen never works for me. I think the temp just cannot get high enough. I recommend that when you get the regen warning beep, keep working (full throttle no matter what you are doing) it but be careful not to overload and throttle down, it will die and not re-start for about 20 minutes (due to overtemp spike). The harder working will provide the higher temps the regen needs. I have found this will work, the key is to not let the RPM drop accidentally (like a bog down) or to get off.

I agree it can suck at times, but usually, I just fire up my rotary cutter and cut a bit and it takes care of it.

Lastly, I agree with the previous, the dealer must fix your no-light problem. Too bad your dealer gives lead times like my dealer does (it'll be months!!).

Randy

 

[sandyc]

Hey grey goose, I was reading about your problem and it sounds like your dealer did not update your 3350 in that the update includes a magnetic winter front that cover all the front openings of the hood. There was also a new higher output generator installed...there was a new side panel that was required because the Gen is much larger than the old one. In addition there are decals applied that say to use winter front and remove snorkel below 32 deg f. The Regen button should be pushed to light up every time you use it. Also I think an insulation wrap was put around the blower pipe....
According to my dealer the entire package costs them over $1000. I'll bet if you get ahold of Kubota they could check your serial number to see what was done to your unit.
Since my update I have had zero problems and I run mine hard in the winter doing plowing and snow blowing. Regen every15 hours or so even in Sub zero weather

Wish you luck

 

[grey goose]

sandyc - Thanks for your response. I've sent a request to Kubota USA via their contact form seeking technical advice to resolve this DPF regen system failure. I'll post updates as progress occurs.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Well, that was impressive response time, however, I'm still faced with awaiting the dealer's apparently overworked service department.

At least I now know the service bulletin number to reference - PSB-2015-066. Time for a road trip....

Again, my profound thanks go out to everyone who responded.

Reply from Kubota Customer Service:

Response By Email (******* *******) (04/19/2019 03:52 PM)
Mr. ********,
Thank you for bringing this concern regarding your B3350HSDC to the attention of the Customer
Satisfaction Department; while we are able to verify campaign status and record your comments, this
department is unable to provide any form of technical, repair or maintenance assistance.

We were able to locate the mandatory campaign PSB-2015-066 that may need to be completed on
your unit. This campaign is in regards to the DPF Regeneration system of your unit. Kubota Tractor
Corporation recommends reaching out to an authorized Kubota dealership for additional repair
assistance in this matter.

We sincerely appreciate your email in this regard and have logged your comments in the event that
future review is necessary.
Regards
******* *.
Customer Satisfaction Representative

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[SDT]

We bought this machine in late 2014 so, I doubt it has had any updates. Also because it still has 'regen off' as the default - meaning I must press the right regen button to activate the regen system.

I realize dealers are directed to repair these, but consensus on the forums is that the previous updates haven't actually solved the ongoing regen problems.

The current problem has *changed* in that, previously I'd press/activate the regen system and the light on the right button lit up. I'd run the machine at max RPMs, keep working, and the tractor would regen once in a while.

NOW the light doesn't come on (except for the initial light test when I turn the ignition switch on - proving the lamp is ok).

I called the dealer who sold me this tractor and explained this problem to the service manager. He said they're so backed up that they wouldn't be able to work on it for months. I can't wait that long because mowing season starts soon. I called the only other dealer here in Colorado. They wouldn't even return my call.

Thanks the responses but it seems I'm stuck. Guess I'll just keep running it at top RPMs until...

from a dealer who took it back from someone who disliked the DPF issues (in hindsight, I guess I was naive).

If mine, I would insist that the unit be updated to current release.

Contact Kubota directly if your dealer does not want to help you.

SDT

 

[hupur]

I have been reading this thread for quite a while and thinking about posting. I have a 3350 that is 1 year old and has 180 hours on it. I have had regen issues since day 1.

I have a JD 4115 for 15 years so that is my baseline when comparing to the Kubota. Other than some minor issues and a transmission leak that was relatively easy to fix, the 4115 has run great for me. Excellent on fuel and can be run at low, mid to high rpm's without issue.

Not the case on the 3350. I discovered very early on to run the 3350 at full throttle or the regen will occur very frequently. With normal running, the tractor will regen at least every 10 hours or less. At times the regen light will be on for 20-30 minutes while running at full rpm. If I have to shut the tractor off for some reason, like parking it because I am done with it, it will stay in regen mode when it is started again. The light will stay lit for another 20-30 minutes at full throttle when started.

I have actually gotten to the point that I will let it run at full throttle while loading/unloading the bucket with firewood with the hope that it completes the regen.

Even with all this, it will randomly go into a parked regen where the regen light will flash and beep. The machine will literally be unusable for 30-45 minutes. It will progressively run up to full throttle and stay there. I realize this is the normal process for a parked regen, but this is after the machine has already been showing it is in regen mode for 20-30 minutes.

This is where it sometimes gets really crazy. The machine will randomly shut down or die while going through a parked regen. When I say shut down or die I mean shut down or die. The machine will not respond to anything. It won't start, it won't even turn over. It's like when a thermal cutout kicks in. The heat 'guage' shows 3 bars which is the same as normal but it is as if it has overheated. It is usually at least a 30 minute wait until it will start. When it starts it will go through another parked regen. This has happened at least 5 or 5 times with one occasion where it actually went through 3 parked regens. Do I need to say this is a huge time killer?

I had the dealer out for the 50 hour service (the machine had already had this occur once or twice) and the tech basically told me my machine had all updates and this is an issue kubota basically has no fix for.

Before I bought the 3350 I knew there were issues with the dpf, but knew of the updates and confirmed they were all done to the unit I bought.

I am well aware of the tier 4 diesel emissions as I run an Isuzu diesel in my business and have spent $9k on the filter and associated parts to repair it.

This was purchased as a business unit for maintaining a warehouse location near my residence and it is really not performing well. If I depended on this to make me money I think I would have driven it through the dealers showroom window at this point.

Since it was a commercial purchase, it only has a 1 year warranty which is due the end of January. I am going to be contacting the dealer about the issue and if need be will continue the warranty until this is resolved.

As of now, everyone that would use it refuses to do so. Coming from the 4115 that was basically start, let idle for a minute or two and drive, this unit with lights, beeps, can't operate at 1/2 throttle, etc I can understand why. They don't understand the entire dpf system and to be honest, it is a little confusing to me and I understand diesel exhaust systems fairly well. The kubota system is confusing when it works which makes it hard to know if it isn't working properly.

On top of this, the issue that occurs now is the machine will shut off when you move it forward or reverse. I think there is a safety interlock problem somewhere in the transmission. It is way worse in cold weather, but gets better as the machine or outside temperature increases.

I know this is a long post, but I figured I would post it now since I will be contacting the dealer in the next week or so.

Mike

he machine will randomly shut down or die while going through a parked regen. When I say shut down or die I mean shut down or die. The machine will not respond to anything. It won't start, it won't even turn over. It's like when a thermal cutout kicks in. The heat 'guage' shows 3 bars which is the same as normal but it is as if it has overheated. It is usually at least a 30 minute wait until it will start. When it starts it will go through another parked regen. This has happened at least 5 or 5 times with one occasion where it actually went through 3 parked regens. Do I need to say this is a huge time killer?

Hi I work on these and I feel bad for your issues.The exhaust 3 sensor is whats shutting it down.its a fire prevention thing when the exhaust temp is above 815 degrees.The biggest issue i see with these is frequent stopping and starting raises the soot level extremely fast.So when starting it ,always hold your key part way on to keep the glow plugs on a little longer,dont shut it off if you are going to start it again right away, and keep your revs up high,other than that they are a nice little tractor.One more thing is if it suddenly dies and your dash goes out and you find a 5 amp fuse blown.The culprit will be the hst treadle switch.The transmission makes a vibration that destroys the internals of the switch over time

 

[bumperm]

-snip- One more thing is if it suddenly dies and your dash goes out and you find a 5 amp fuse blown.The culprit will be the hst treadle switch.The transmission makes a vibration that destroys the internals of the switch over time

^^^
This, exactly!

Mine did the same, I ordered a new switch, but while waiting, a did a bandaide fix that works well. Firstly the switch fails internally, as hupur said. It does in a manner that shorts the positive terminal to the switch body (i.e. ground), which is why is blows the fuse. My fix was to remove the switch from its bracket, screw on a 1/2" PVC pipe "end cap" to hold the plunger down. I then insulated the switch with a bit of rubber sleeve and Velcroed it up out of harms way.

Tractor runs fine, no blown fuse. You do have to remember not to step on the forward or reverse treadle while starting the machine (I never do that anyway so it's not an issue). I haven't installed the new switch yet and may not ever, as the new switch probably has the same failure mode as the old one.