L2800 PTO Woes

[pax_tractor]

My 2006 L2800 PTO starting making that awful clanking sound the other day described by others at TBN. So off it went to the dealer yesterday for repairs. In the past, I've been able to adjust the PTO cable at the pto clutch arm which allowed it to work properly. But I ran out of adjustment threads on the cable. I should have them look at this earlier since I only have ~65 hours on the machine. But I'm never eager to visit any dealer for repairs.

Just wanted to find out if anyone else had this problem fixed. The dealer said it would be covered by warranty but they would likely have to "split" the tractor to access the PTO clutch parts if this turns out to be the problem. I can imagine this is no small job...sigh.

 

[ccsial]

Sorry to hear about your problem. Just be sure your dealer installs the new PTO clutch that does NOT ratchet. Don't accept the old style.

 

[la200o]

When did they start building them with the new non-ratcheting clutch? I have #59283, and now I'm scared, since I use my PTO all the time to mow.

Bill

 

[MDM]

You should be good, I think the change was in the 57,000 range. Me, I still have the old style and no problems yet. I'm at about 100 hours total and 75 PTO hours. I've got till the end of next summer before I'm out of warranty, then I will be screwed if she goes down. If that happens, I will probaly trade if for another 2800 or go up to a 3400 since I have the backhoe and subframe to fit it. I'm happy with my maching, but impending PTO failure is always in the back of mind. I'm very careful engaging and disengaging and I'm jumpy at the smallest of sound. I have add an external overrunning clutch as a preventative measure.

 

[la200o]

Thanks for the info. Are all the problems with the old style clutch?

Bill

 

[MDM]

As far as I know, and even then there were only 2 instances. This case here may be the second or third instance here on TBN.

 

[Marcussen]

Thanks for the info. Are all the problems with the old style clutch?

Bill

There are several version of PTO clutches for the L2800/3400. The old ratcheting style, a newer ratcheting style (to replace the old style) and a new non ratcheting clutch.
I don't think you can go from racheting to the new style.
There is also a fix for the binding sticking PTO cable. and don't forget the sight glass to dipstick transmission fix that submerges the clutch in transmission fluid.
I have not heard any failures of the new style clutches.

 

[la200o]

Wonder which one I've got. . .

Bill

 

[MDM]

My 2006 L2800 PTO starting making that awful clanking sound the other day described by others at TBN. So off it went to the dealer yesterday for repairs. In the past, I've been able to adjust the PTO cable at the pto clutch arm which allowed it to work properly. But I ran out of adjustment threads on the cable. I should have them look at this earlier since I only have ~65 hours on the machine. But I'm never eager to visit any dealer for repairs.

Just wanted to find out if anyone else had this problem fixed. The dealer said it would be covered by warranty but they would likely have to "split" the tractor to access the PTO clutch parts if this turns out to be the problem. I can imagine this is no small job...sigh.

Do you know if you had the old style ratcheting cams or the new style racheting cams?

 

[MDM]

Wonder which one I've got. . .

Bill

Given your serial #, you should have the newest non racheting type. Get a pto implement spinning and then push in the clutch. If you don't hear any racheting you got the new style. Matter of fact, if you have never heard the ratcheting before this, you likely have the new style.

 

[ccsial]

I have 170 hours on my L3400HST, mostly mowing and some snow blowing. I have the old cams and I am not really worried. I keep the cable lubed and have never adjusted it yet.

My dealer would have changed the cams but I didn't want to tear the tractor apart for that.

If I get a hint of a cable problem I will junk the cable and build a lever to engage it. My belief is the PTO failures are caused by the cable not being adjusted to fully engage. Popping the clutch with a load could also be a problem. I let the clutch out very slowly.

Old cams P/N TC220-99980
New cams P/N TC220-99990

 

[Chris2]

I have a 2005 L2800 HST when I bought it had the new style overrunning(ratcheting) PTO after reading a thread on TBN I had my dealer install the new new non ratcheting PTO, works great no noise. I recommend doing it while in warranty ($1700.00 job) I had the dealer save the old parts for me to look at and I saw the new ones before installation they are very small about 1 7/8" in diameter.

 

[canoetrpr]

Same situation as ccsial here. I have the old style cams.

Way too much hassle at my end to go with the new style. If I could have gotten it done without a hassle then I would have.

Never had a problem. Like ccsial I am keeping the PTO cable lubed and I'm not gonna worry about it. I've only heard of one bonafide problem with the old style cams not engaging on TBN. IMHO, I think the overall issue is blown out of proportion. Definately not as good a design as the new style but not worth loosing sleep over.

Like ccsial, I don't shock the clutch. When disengaging I try to move the lever and clutch at about the same time so that the cams don't rachet much.

 

[pax_tractor]

Same situation as ccsial here. I have the old style cams.

Way too much hassle at my end to go with the new style. If I could have gotten it done without a hassle then I would have.

Never had a problem. Like ccsial I am keeping the PTO cable lubed and I'm not gonna worry about it. I've only heard of one bonafide problem with the old style cams not engaging on TBN. IMHO, I think the overall issue is blown out of proportion. Definately not as good a design as the new style but not worth loosing sleep over.

Like ccsial, I don't shock the clutch. When disengaging I try to move the lever and clutch at about the same time so that the cams don't rachet much.

Here's an update:
My dealer is awaiting parts - both the new style PTO clutch and cable/lever mount. The repairs will be covered by warranty. They didn't seem to bat an eye over having to do this repair. They told me they've done several in the past. My serial number is 54K series. I bought the tractor two years ago. I have a whopping 65 hrs on the unit. I first starting having problems with the PTO not engaging with my post hole digger. Made adjustments to the cable, worked for a while, then the problem came back with my tiller - several times.

My only regret is not taking care of this sooner as I need the tractor for tiller work. My advise is to think carefully about the upgrade before your tractor runs out of warranty.
thx!

 

[canoetrpr]

pax, the difference is that you actually have a failure. If I had a tiller or a PHD, I might be more concerned as the original problem on this board was with a user that pretty much mostly tilled and I think he did it commercially.

If I has a real failure I wouldn't expect my newly adopted dealer (not my purchasing dealer) to bat an eye either. However, the situation is very dependant on the dealer and regional service reps if there is no failure and the customer is asking for a upgrade.

I got a real run around from both my the purchasing dealer, who in my opinion wasn't terribly competent to begin with, and the Kubota regional rep. I was personally insulted by them in my interaction with them so I decided that I wouldn't loose any sleep over it anymore. I have about a year of warranty left on the power train. If it breaks, I will ask the dealer I deal with now to get it fixed under warranty.

If it breaks after that, I will bite the bullet and pay for it. There are no gaurantees with any machinery.

What I won't do is loose any sleep over it. I'll deal with it if it ever becomes a real problem.

 

[MDM]

They told me they've done several in the past.

This is they exact opposite of what I have been told by my local dealers. I tend to agree that it is a cable adjustment issue. I never really tried to have mine replaced. I just hate to have my tractor split if its not broke.

 

[canoetrpr]

MDM, if anything I would trust pax's dealer. He's got no reason to not tell the thruth. Pretty much all the dealers played dumb on the jerky 3pt valve.

That said, I'm not sure wheter pax's dealer meant that they have fixed this exact issue i.e. defective old style cams replaced with new ones, or some general issue.

Pax - were they aware of a specfic issue with PTO cams on the L2800/L3400? If they were then I think you've got a heck of a dealer. Most of the time, readers of this forum tend to be more aware of all potential issues with their model than dealers are.

 

[pax_tractor]

MDM, if anything I would trust pax's dealer. He's got no reason to not tell the thruth. Pretty much all the dealers played dumb on the jerky 3pt valve.

That said, I'm not sure wheter pax's dealer meant that they have fixed this exact issue i.e. defective old style cams replaced with new ones, or some general issue.

Pax - were they aware of a specfic issue with PTO cams on the L2800/L3400? If they were then I think you've got a heck of a dealer. Most of the time, readers of this forum tend to be more aware of all potential issues with their model than dealers are.

Yes. My dealer was aware. But I mentioned it first. Told them I was aware that Kubota had an upgrade on the PTO clutch and cable bracket. That's when they told me to bring it in and they'd look at it. So, now they are replacing the parts with the replacement upgrade that removes the ratcheting PTO and new bracket. Incidentally, they came and picked up the tractor without charging me a hauling fee. Which I really thought was a plus since I live an hour from the dealer and Kubota's warranty states it does not cover pickup or delivery of equipment.

Now, keep my fingers crossed that it all works out when I get the tractor back next week. I'll post the results.

 

[pax_tractor]

My 2006 L2800 PTO starting making that awful clanking sound the other day described by others at TBN. So off it went to the dealer yesterday for repairs. In the past, I've been able to adjust the PTO cable at the pto clutch arm which allowed it to work properly. But I ran out of adjustment threads on the cable. I should have them look at this earlier since I only have ~65 hours on the machine. But I'm never eager to visit any dealer for repairs.

Just wanted to find out if anyone else had this problem fixed. The dealer said it would be covered by warranty but they would likely have to "split" the tractor to access the PTO clutch parts if this turns out to be the problem. I can imagine this is no small job...sigh.

All is well. Got the tractor back yesterday. My dealer installed the newer PTO clutch and lever bracket as warranty work. No charge. They also did not charge me for pick-up and delivery. AND, they even washed and wax (ok maybe not wax) it.

Spent 3 hours on it yesterday with the flail mower and tiller. Works great.

 

[Ob1kubota]

Most of the time, readers of this forum tend to be more aware of all potential issues with their model than dealers are.[/QUOTE]

Man do I agree with this statement. Kubota keeps their Dealers in the dark until discovering an issue exists and then engineering has to explain it to Japan for authorization to make repairs. It's just their way guys.