Kubota Warranty on B2650 3rd Function Remote Switch is really LAME

[Porchfan]

A few months back I had a third function remote value and switch installed on my B2650 tractor and loader. I have yet to use it. A couple weeks back the switch fell apart. It's located ont he loader control stick. The switch fell apart without ANY use. I hav yet to even put quick disconnect couplers on the lines. I called the dealer and sent a few emails and was finally told Kubota will not warranty it since it's past 90 days. 90 days? The friggin system cost me about $900 and it hasn't been used once. The kicker is the switch is $125...Maybe I should have bought a JD?

Anyone else out there have warranty issues with Kubota?
I was also wondering if there are switch equivalents out there that would do the job? $125 retail is insane for a simple switch.
I was so pissed, I told the dealer to forget fixing it.


Here's my coorespondance with the dealer. Below are two pics I sent and a diagram he sent me back

FROM ME:
Hey Chris,
I haven't even used the third function remote yet and the wire has fallen off of the button switch. It's not very robust. I've tried to put it back on and it has fallen off each time. When I have the wire on the switch it's not actuating the valve either. It's probably because it's either busted or I don't have it seated up there correctly.
Suggestions?



FROM THE DEALER:
Here is a breakdown of the 3rd function valve handle assembly. Number 190 is the valve button. I discussed the issue with the Kubota tech representative and sent them the pictures from you. I inquired about sending us a replacement under warranty. They stated that the 3rd function valve kit only has a 90 day parts warranty. I advised that the unit has not had any field use. They would not warranty it but I am going to sell it to you at cost. The part list for $125.37, your cost on the switch will be $94.03.

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

Sounds like you have a good dealer at least. So your first post might be a little misleading at the part to you is $95 not $125. Bet he'd even put it on for free.
Mostly heard good things about Kubota's equipment warranty and the national surveys always put Kubota on top but parts warrenties might be a different thing.

 

[daveinwestmi]

Same thing happened to me last Saturday, haness dangling loose from switch. I think I caught mine on some tall brush as I was clearing an area that had a lot of two foot sapplings. I wasn't going to ask about the warranty but at $125 I will. I'll let you know if my result is different.

 

[Porchfan]

Yes. My Kubota dealer was a good dealer. On another issue I had ( hydro leak) He told me last week that the contract fees and sales requirements Kubota is now requiring would put them out of business. So as of July 1 he's no longer a dealer. The fees, capital and space he would have had to acquire would be in excess of $350,000. His shop was started by his grandfather more than 75 years ago. He told me essentially Kubota is squeezing out all the old mom and pop shops. As a result he's no longer a Kubota dealer, no longer has parts nor will do service or so warranty work on Kubotas.

That really sucks. I now have to take warranty work to a shop I did not buy the tractor from. For the hydro leak, the wait at the big dealer is 7-10 days.

Maybe I should have gone with the JD?
Ugh.

 

[Porchfan]

daveinwestmi - let me know how that goes.... I don't know how mine failed - maybe like yours did? I'm in the woods quite a bit. I think they need a better strain relief system or a wire harness sleeve/grommet over the entire FEL control stick. That would cover up the wiring and prevent snags. I will do that when I fix it. I'm going to look at the switch carefully with a voltmeter and O-Scope when I get it back from the other dealer on the Hydro leak and figure out how to actuate the valve correctly. Then I may either try to fix the thing or fabricate another equivalent switch. It can't be that complicated. I'll post whatever I do for it.

 

[Porchfan]

On the cost of the switch - my old dealer was correct. Every site I've found for the switch is right at $125. Here's one link https://parts.mbtractor.com/item/7J056-84150/

 

[Porchfan]

Sounds like you have a good dealer at least. So your first post might be a little misleading at the part to you is $95 not $125. Bet he'd even put it on for free.
Mostly heard good things about Kubota's equipment warranty and the national surveys always put Kubota on top but parts warrenties might be a different thing.

-- My complaint is with Kubota, not my dealer. This post is not misleading. I do mention the cost is retail and provide all the other details below where my dealer offered it at cost. Even at $90 dealer cost for a simple switch is still ridiculous. Especially for one that failed so easily with ZERO use. If it had lasted 10-20 years (which it should have), I wouldn't have posted anything.

 

[aczlan]

I think they need a better strain relief system or a wire harness sleeve/grommet over the entire FEL control stick. That would cover up the wiring and prevent snags. I will do that when I fix it.

I would pop the knob off the handle, then put a piece of shrink tube over the lever and the wire (such as Amazon.com: Install Bay Heat Shrink Tubing 3M 1/2 Inch 8G - 4 Feet: Car Electronics for 1/2" or Amazon.com: Install Bay 3MHST34 3M Heat Shrink Tubing 3/4" Diameter 4G 4-Ft: Car Electronics for 3/4")

Aaron Z

 

[Porchfan]

That might work. I'm not sure it would fit over the nuts on the stick though. Mayve an expandable mesh sleeve or split nylon wire conduit? The wires should definitely go through a GROMMET on both terminations so even if you do happen to snag it (even if it's in a sleeve) , it won't pop out. The design on the existing system sucks. Here's the photo again of the underside of the switch / wire termination - there is NO strain relief to speak of.

 

[s219]

I understand the frustration, but I think this is one of those cases where you ought to just fix it right yourself and move on. I'd ***** about $90-125 costs a little, then grumble to myself, and then fix it. Sometimes it's less/hassle and stress to just fix it and get on with life. That's in the price range where my sanity is worth more than the $$. When problems have higher costs, then it's not so easy to walk away. Thankfully I haven't had any of those moments for a while...