new tractor not working

carolyn meloni · Sep 11, 2007

I recently purchased a bx 1850 and I am having trouble with the tractor and Kubota!
After having it 2 days there was a leak in the pto and back to the shop it went. Then when it came back we had overheating of the engine. Back to the shop for another round. Came home one more time and it overheated again. Now it is in the shop!!!!
I have not even made my first payment yet. I asked for a new tractor as it seems mine is a lemon

Kubota does not seem to want to honor that they just wish to keep fixing it. Does anyone have any advice for me.
Also the mechanic said to me -----------well you cannot mow when it is too hot outside as the engine will overheat! Now let me ask you---------do you check outside to see what the temperature is before you mow???
Thanks
Carolyn

golfbum · Sep 11, 2007

Welcome to the Forum, Carolyn. Sorry you are having a bad experience with your new BX. In my experience hydraulic leaks are fairly common, but not usually with new equipment. Hope the dealer got that part fixed OK.

I do not personally know of any equipment manufacturers that will give you a new machine if you are having some light problems with the one you purchased. A lot of tractors have minor bugs that need worked out when new. However, two overheating problems sounds strange. Some damage may have been done to the engine.

You should probably give the dealer another chance at making it right. If it is not fixed this time you may have a legimate request for a new BX.

Good Luck

Marv

carolyn meloni · Sep 11, 2007

thank you
Carolyn

themichelob · Sep 11, 2007

What a ridiculous thing for a mechanic to say!!! If he's the one been "fixing" your BX, maybe that's why it's been in the shop three times....Talk directly to the owner of the dealership.
Regards, Mike

zeuspaul · Sep 11, 2007

What are you mowing?

I have used my Kubota in 100 degree weather and it did not overheat. However I have overheated in cooler weather when mowing. You have to check the radiator while mowing to make sure it is clean. It can get covered with *dust* which can reduce air flow and cause overheating.

Zeuspaul

don716 · Sep 11, 2007

I would give the dealer one more chance to fix the problem but when I went to pick it up I would talk to the owner and explain to him what's been happening.This way if there is another problem he will be aware of the problem ahead of time and he should do everything he can to make it right even if it means a new tractor.There are "Lemons" in everything.I hope you didn't get one.Keep us informed and we will support you all the way and give you any advise that we can. "Welcome to the forum".We all have problems from time to time but this is the best place i know of to get help when you need it.
Donny

ccsial · Sep 11, 2007

themichelob said:
What a ridiculous thing for a mechanic to say!!! If he's the one been "fixing" your BX, maybe that's why it's been in the shop three times....

That's what I'm thinking. I wouldn't trust him putting air in the tires after that statement.

I would go right to the owner of the dealer.

RoyJackson · Sep 11, 2007

"Also the mechanic said to me -----------well you cannot mow when it is too hot outside as the engine will overheat! Now let me ask you---------do you check outside to see what the temperature is before you mow???
"

themichelob said:
What a ridiculous thing for a mechanic to say!!! If he's the one been "fixing" your BX, maybe that's why it's been in the shop three times....Talk directly to the owner of the dealership.
Regards, Mike

That is one of the more asinine things I've heard too. I expect the mech was patronizing you because you're a woman. Even a chauvinist pig like myself wouldn't be that ignorant.
If I were you, I'd be marching into the dealer's general manager's office and asking him/her where do they hire those kind of morons? Also, that perhaps you made a mistake buying Kubota and you'd like your money returned.
Then...take it from there...I'm sure you'll figure out what to say next.

Jeez!

Double Orange · Sep 12, 2007

Can't mow when it's hot outside!!..... I can hear it now. Honey I was going to cut the lawn today, but I didn't want to abuse the tractor....and since you up can you pass me another cold one and wake me when it's 72 outside. Of course I would be telling this story to the Emergecy Dr's as they stiched me up!! Frank

Kendall69 · Sep 12, 2007

My Kubota's have worked in 123 degree PLUS, and never overheat - well once when I was chest high in brush and the screen guard in front of the radiator was 2" thick with leaves, brush, dust etc. Yep, it did get hot them, but generally I've worked the HARD in the most brutal temps on the planet, and all they never overheated.

I'll be glad to educate your mechanic.

RoyJackson · Sep 12, 2007

Double Orange said:
Can't mow when it's hot outside!!..... I can hear it now. Honey I was going to cut the lawn today, but I didn't want to abuse the tractor....and since you up can you pass me another cold one and wake me when it's 72 outside. Of course I would be telling this story to the Emergecy Dr's as they stiched me up!! Frank

If I pass on mowing because of the heat...it's because I can't hack it...not the tractor.

ccsial · Sep 12, 2007

RoyJackson said:
If I pass on mowing because of the heat...it's because I can't hack it...not the tractor.

Good point, lf they didn't work in heat why would there be air conditioned cabs?

LBrown59 · Sep 12, 2007

carolyn meloni said:
well you cannot mow when it is too hot outside as the engine will overheat! Now let me ask you---------do you check outside to see what the temperature is before you mow???
Thanks
Carolyn

Yes I Do!

jsborn · Sep 12, 2007

If I could only use my tractor when it's cool I would only be able to use it 2 days a year here in South Ga. It has been in the 100's with 80% humidity for 2 months here.

But on the other hand I would use caution when confronting the Owner/ Manager. Around here a lot of times the mechanics are the dead beat kids or relatives of the owners or worse yet the owners wife's relatives.

May need to contact Kubota customer service directly.

66gladiator · Sep 12, 2007

What exactly leads you to believe it is overheating?
If you are going strictly by the gauge, is the needle actually in the red, or still in the white?
The BX series had some "panel cluster" problems, could it be a faulty panel?
The dealer should be able to use an infared or non-contact thermometer to determine if an overheat exists, and/or the gauge/panel is faulty.
Hydraulic leaks are rare, but sometimes you do get a loose fitting, cut o-ring, or even a bad casting. Should be an easy warranty repair.

hazmat · Sep 12, 2007

Where are you located? Perhaps a member is local & can help you out. Or at the very least, recommend a reputable dealer in the area.

carolyn meloni · Sep 12, 2007

I wish to thank eveyone for all their help so far. Yes it was checked with infrared light---------temp was 202. I received a call today that they put in a new radiator---------last trip they put in a new thermostat. We will see what happens. Last time they made me pay a service charge but now I am told it will be refunded.
I will keep all of you posted and again ty.
Carolyn

carolyn meloni · Sep 12, 2007

Ps----------I was worried about engine damage---------but they said they did tests on the cylinders and all 3 passed.

DiezNutz · Sep 12, 2007

jsborn said:
...or worse yet the owners wife's relatives...

Now that's funny. I bet there's a story or two in there...

DiezNutz · Sep 12, 2007

carolyn meloni said:
Ps----------I was worried about engine damage---------but they said they did tests on the cylinders and all 3 passed.

Breaking it down:
"They said" - hmm, anything they say at this point is suspect...
"they did tests" - what exhaustive battery of tests did our "NASCAR-crew-chief-hopeful" administer? "Hey Jim-Bubba, is they 3 cylnders?" "Check."
You have a right to know the details of the tests performed, and their results. With nothing else to go on we'd assume they did a compression check (e.g., to see if the head gasket's fried) but it can only tell so much...not a 100% indication of engine health. T-stat and cooling system pressure tests are pretty basic and could've perhaps diagnosed the real problem correctly the first time.

I'm with the guys that suggested giving them one final chance to make it right, and then I would start war-dialing Kubota. Exploring other dealers for future needs is also a very good idea. These clowns seem to be of the "let's throw parts at it til it works or they go away" mentality, hoping that you'll think they're moving heaven and earth for you in the meantime.

I think your experience is atypical and I'm very sorry to hear about it.