Maintenance shocker

[MarshallTractor]

I was talking to a Kubota dealer yesterday about buying either a BX2230 or a B7510. I asked him about maintenance (thinking I knew a bit about the subject) and he told me I better be prepared to do it myself. I said "of course, but why do you say it like that?", given the serious tone he used.

He told me that to have him change (and here's where I realized how little I know about maintaining one of these tractors) the oil/oils (various places like the front axle,etc) and filters would cost me about $600. I almost fell out of the chair.

He went on to describe to me the difficulty in changing the front axle oil (for example) that requires quite a bit mechanic labor, and hence more $.

Anyone ever had a dealer service their tractor or ever hear of something like this? Other than that, his tractor prices are pretty good.

 

[Pks]

Hmmm, sounds fishy to me. The B2400 is a piece of cake to do.

 

[Von]

I don't know what kind of dealer would blow sales like that!!! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif I can change the front axle oil on my B2710 ( which is the same as a B7510, don't know on the BX) in about 15 min. and that is mostly just waiting for the old oil to flow out! I can do the whole service to change all fluids in under 2 hours, and that is while having a beer and standing back to admire the tractor!! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Just buy the oil and filters and do it yourself, should cost well under $100. Oh, I would buy the tractor from someone else as well!

 

[Hambone]

<font color="red"> I would buy the tractor from someone else as well! </font>

I agree with Von! That guy doesn't sound too energetic. You would think the dealer would be reassuring you that service would be there after the sale!!

Good luck with what you decide.

 

[Boondox]

Look elsewhere. I changed all the fluids in my L3010HST for about $130...and that was using full synthetics.

Pete

 

[Henro]

I believe others have reported dealers charging $250 to $300 for a 50-hour service...even if this includes transport both ways, there still is an incentive to do it yourself.

Why don't you call a couple other dealers in your area and ask what they charge, then go back to the original dealer and ask him to explain why he charges so much more.

He certainly is not giving you a reason to buy from him, so maybe he is honest at least or somehow made a mistake [don't know how he could have, but anything is possible...]

My real concern would be if he REALLY charges that much for a simple service, what might he charge if you had a real problem that needed repaired? That is the scary question...

 

[NY_Yankees_Fan]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( He went on to describe to me the difficulty in changing the front axle oil (for example) that requires quite a bit mechanic labor, and hence more $.
)</font>

Well what do you think, remove 5 plugs, wait for oil to drain, put plugs back in, fill with oil, 5 quarts. I guess if you use your bare hands it may take a bit of mechanical labor. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I would just go to the next dealer who really wants to sell you a tractor.

 

[EastTexFrank]

That has to be the strangest thing I've ever heard and after a lifetime spent in the oilfield, working all over the world, I thought I'd heard and seen just about everything. Amazing!!!!!
The others are right, changing the fluids is pretty simple and doesn't take any time at all. The only problem I've ever had changing the front axle oil is trying to do it without having it dribble down on to the rims and tires. If any of you guys have a neat way of doing that, let me know.

 

[moweraxle]

if you read the maintenance schedule you don't change the front axle case oil until 300 hrs. My dealer was going to come to my house, bring the Kubota oils and filters and show me how to do it. I did it myself, engine oil & filter, transmission fluid & filter & strainer for about 75.00 The instructions in the operator's manual under maintenance are vary clear on how to do it

 

[slowzuki]

I think the dealer here does it for 300$

I remember being shocked at the price of hydro fluid though.


Where I used to work we bought all the filters at carquest for the kubota 4310's.
Ken

 

[SacandagaBrad]

I'll do it for $200 /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

I just passed the 50 hour mark on my NH TC24D, the dealer I bought my tractor from includes the 50 hr service with the purchase, labor only. I paid for the filters, oil, and hydraulic fluid lost during the filter changes, total about $89. NH doesn't suggest hydraulic fluid and gear/axle oil changes until the next interval. They came right to the house, worked in my garage, cleaned up and took the waste oil and spent filters with them. That is why everyone here always says to shop for your dealer as much as the tractor. I hope you find one that takes the value of a customer a little more seriously than the experience you just had.

Good Luck

Brad

 

[Rimmer]

"... "(thinking I knew a bit about the subject) ... (and here's where I realized how little I know about maintaining one of these tractors) ..."

Sounds like you know more about it than the dealer! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

I'd go find a dealer who will provide suport after the sale.

Twice now I have called my dealer just to ask a question about a simple adjustment on my new BX23 that I'm sure he could have talked me through over the phone, and the next thing I knew one of his guys was coming up the driveway to do the work. Two days ago I had a really simple question that he was able to help me with, and he still offered to send someone over, and closed with the reminder that they are only a 'phone call away if I had any other questions.

When I stopped by the dealership a couple of weeks ago to pick up oil, transmission fluid, and filters, the salesman who sold me the tractor greeted me at the door, asked how I was getting along with the tractor, asked if I had any problems and reminded me that everything is covered under warranty if there was anything wrong.

If you're getting the "Don't come 'round here bothering us after we get your money." message, it's time to keep looking!

 

[fishman]

How odd. I don't know what the dealer's angle is, or even if he has one. I would go to another dealer forthwith.