Kubota Regen Warranty Policy Change?

[SDT]

It appears that Kubota has recently changed their policy regarding regen warranty claims.

I will not go into details at this time but it appears that Kubota has decided that they are spending too much money for regen issues submitted during the warranty period, and is aggressively looking for reasons to deny such claims due to "operator error," even if it is not.

Accordingly, to avoid having your claim denied, it may be wise to say as little as possible if you have a regen issue within the warranty period.

Though this issue regards primarily the small 4 cylinder engine used in the B3350 and high end F series zero turn mowers, it would appear that the policy is not limited to this engine.

This, of course, puts Kubota dealers in a no-win situation.

It would be interesting to hear if anyone has additional information.

SDT, who once did warranty analysis for GM, and knows how such things work

 

[diesel85]

Interesting.

A guy at work has a B3350. He hasn't had a lick of problems... but you never know on this type of stuff. Good today, bad tomorrow.

I'm looking at getting a L3901 in the future and it doesn't appear to have regeneration/DPF.

I don't understand why they would put something like that in such a small machine. I can't imagine it would even get hot enough to burn off particulates unless it was run hard -- not just mowing the lawn or doing chores. I mean run hard to generate heat. I don't think most users do that to that level machine -- AKA run their machine at full potential for hours. Just my opinion.

I'll be honest, the tasks that I will be throwing at a L3901 will be a complete joke. 90% of it's hours will be as a glorified lawn mower...

 

[tomplum]

"SDT, who once did warranty analysis for GM, and knows how such things work"
That would have been an interesting side of things. Spent a while as a GM dealer service manager. Even in other things you see what used to be covered then becomes part of schedule maintenance etc. Though maybe it is from the confusion or implementation at the dealer level. It will be an interesting thread to watch.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Interesting.

A guy at work has a B3350. He hasn't had a lick of problems... but you never know on this type of stuff. Good today, bad tomorrow.

I'm looking at getting a L3901 in the future and it doesn't appear to have regeneration/DPF.

I don't understand why they would put something like that in such a small machine. I can't imagine it would even get hot enough to burn off particulates unless it was run hard -- not just mowing the lawn or doing chores. I mean run hard to generate heat. I don't think most users do that to that level machine -- AKA run their machine at full potential for hours. Just my opinion.

I'll be honest, the tasks that I will be throwing at a L3901 will be a complete joke. 90% of it's hours will be as a glorified lawn mower...

I have a L3901 that's a bit over a year old with 120+ hours or 150+ hours or so. Never knew it regened the first 100 hours and only know of it doing so once when the light came on. Sure it did it more often but never knew it. There is a mark on the tach and that's where I run it once it warms up which seems to be a bit higher RPMs than I've ran my other ones over the years but in 15 years of Kubota ownership of around 25 Kubotas things change. I have found that my F3080 cuts the grass better when it is ran almost full out but for some years I thought it was a mountain goat but not the best grass mower but since running almost full out or full out it's a great grass mower and mountain goat.
What makes you think a L3901 isn't equipped with the "Stuff" or is it a pre "stuff" model?

 

[SDT]

Interesting.

A guy at work has a B3350. He hasn't had a lick of problems... but you never know on this type of stuff. Good today, bad tomorrow.

I'm looking at getting a L3901 in the future and it doesn't appear to have regeneration/DPF.

I don't understand why they would put something like that in such a small machine. I can't imagine it would even get hot enough to burn off particulates unless it was run hard -- not just mowing the lawn or doing chores. I mean run hard to generate heat. I don't think most users do that to that level machine -- AKA run their machine at full potential for hours. Just my opinion.

I'll be honest, the tasks that I will be throwing at a L3901 will be a complete joke. 90% of it's hours will be as a glorified lawn mower...

The 3901 does, indeed, have a DPF.

The reason that Kubota and others put the Tier IV nonsense on engines is that the federales demand that they do so. The engine used in the B3350 and the TOL F series zero turn mowers produces more than 30 HP, and is required to meet the current "final" Tier IV regulations, hence the DPF. (Of course, NOTHING is final with the feds.)

That said, the DPF system has a reformer, which is basically a device that injects fuel into the exhaust to raise the exhaust temperature. Both small and large engines have such devices.

SDT

 

[ultrarunner]

Subscribed... I was on the other side of GM warranty issues as an Arbitrator hearing the cases...

 

[coolbrze]

Interesting. Is this a common thing w/ the models mentioned? How long has the DPF / regen been around on the Kubotas?

 

[diesel85]

The 3901 does, indeed, have a DPF.

The reason that Kubota and others put the Tier IV nonsense on engines is that the federales demand that they do so. The engine used in the B3350 and the TOL F series zero turn mowers produces more than 30 HP, and is required to meet the current "final" Tier IV regulations, hence the DPF. (Of course, NOTHING is final with the feds.)

That said, the DPF system has a reformer, which is basically a device that injects fuel into the exhaust to raise the exhaust temperature. Both small and large engines have such devices.

SDT

Ah, I didn't know that. Makes sense now that I take a second to think about it.

In any event, it seems like it wastes fuel to keep the air cleaner.

 

[chim]

Ah, I didn't know that. Makes sense now that I take a second to think about it.

In any event, it seems like it wastes fuel to keep the air cleaner.

Typical government logic. Like taking the corn out of the food chain to make bad gasoline. Or, subsidizing solar power generation while requiring coal and gas generation facilities to build so they can provide power when the sun doesn't shine.

 

[SDT]

Interesting. Is this a common thing w/ the models mentioned? How long has the DPF / regen been around on the Kubotas?

Since federal regulations required it, 2014, IIRC.

SDT