Okay, another L2800 post, I need it all!

[dieselram]

I have been here for awhile and I would like to know every issue that has ever come up with the L2800. I have an '05 with the updated valve and added oil capacity update. What else do i need to know will go wrong with it? My PTO cable is sticking and I kicked the knob off of the new dipstick in the center hump and my warranty is running down. I also have a 3 point woods hoe that is soon to be subframe for 900 bucks from Woods. Where do they crack with the hoe? pics? Is my pto going to give out because of the overun clutch? I need to know every possible problem I could have. Will this machine last me for MANY years or is it a problem tractor? The 3 point quit picking up one day intermittently right after the new valve and the dealer said a piece of silicone might have lodged and blocked the flow temporarily, did it a few times and then it has worked fine for the last year and a half since then. Mine has 172 hrs, and now I am scared to use it. Anyone install the subframe themselves? My hoe is the Woods 7500, not the new 80x even though they use the same subframe. Lots of help here guys! I am worried about shopping for a new tractor.

 

[canoetrpr]

dieselram, with due respect, there is a reasonable amount of due dillegence that one can do before any piece of machinery comes out of warranty, and then there is paranoia.

Kubota generally has built a reputation on making relaible machines and I don't think that the L2800/L3400 is an exception. They probably sell more of these than many smaller brands sell of all of their lineup combined!

My L3400 has the improved valve but has neither the dipstick/oil level update nor the improved non over-running PTO CAMs.

I haven't had the PTO engagement problem that there have been a few reports on. If you have then definately have your dealer look up the PSB and replace the parts necessary.

As for your over-running PTO CAMs, many have had theirs replaced with the upgraded design for no cost. If your dealer will do this - go for it. It was a mega hassle for me so I still have the old cams and I don't think that they are about to self destruct.

I'm willing to bet that the issues that come up on every Kubota model might have not even come up on a band that has fewer sales - just statistically.

IMHO, relax. MAKE your dealer address any issues that you are having (sticking PTO cable), ask if they will also take on the CAM replacement.

Enjoy your tractor and expect that all machinery will have some problem from time to time - even a Kubota. At 172 hrs... its a baby.

 

[ccsial]

I. I need to know every possible problem I could have.

Being an engineer I have always dreamed about this. Not possible though. Murphy does exist. One thing is pretty sure, If you don't use it it won't break.

Personally I'd only worry about things you can do somthing about like:

1. Do the scheduled maintenance.

2. Don't pop the clutch when engaging the PTO. Do it at low RPM and ease the clutch out.

3. Disengage PTO and push clutch in together.

4. Don't abuse it.

5. Get the PTO cable replaced. Failure to engage completly could lead to PTO clutch failure.

The 3PH not working sounds more like air than a piece of silicone. The air should be bled out now.

I don't have a back hoe but I would never put one on a 3PH on any tractor. The sub frame is the best.

Lastly, I wish you the best of luck with your L3400.

 

[wushaw]

I have an 05 L2800 with 239hrs.

The problems I have had fixed is the 3pt valve which was replaced under warranty and the sight glass leaking and that was $4.00.
I dont use the PTO right now for anything so but I am this summer to run my tiller a little just to use the PTO.

I have plans to keep this tractor for a long time so I am not going to worry about what might happen, I will just fix it if it breaks

 

[dieselram]

I don't have a sightglass on mine. The book says there is one but I don't see it.

 

[MDM]

I've had mine for 1.5 years almost 75 hrs no problems. New valve, old PTO cabel and old cams. I believe there was 1 incident with the old style cams on here and everyone rushed to try to get theirs updated. I never tried to get mine replace. If it was a problem, you would see more with the number of tractors sold.

 

[canoetrpr]

dieselram - the sightglass is within the center hump on the left side (side that has the clutch). It might be that the dipstick kit replaced the sight glass as when the HST fluid is overfilled as per that PSB, the sight glass is useless to guage level of the fluid.

I think that ccsial's post was a good one. Just did my 100hr service and she's purring like a ***** cat.

 

[dieselram]

Mine is 3 years old and 172 hrs. 1 broken cable, new valve and still runs great. Will the dealer replace the pto deal even if the tractor is out of warranty? I still have a little powertrain left but no more bumper to bumper. My cable is sticking again now and he won't replace it under warrany. I also kicked the top off of my dipstick on the center hump. Should I get the pto thing done now? What is the tech bulletin #?

 

[JC-jetro]

Hi all,

I have been following the clutch cam/over running clutch with quite a bit of interest. I have looked at the cam design and in my opinion is not robust enough specially if not fully engaged. Does anyone know what the current design is? Does it use sliding gear coupler for the new design? Sliding gear coupler is an old but very stout and reliable design... that along with a ratcheting one way clutch should be the way to go. I appreciate the inputs and hope that I have not high jacked this thread as the original poster had the same concern.

JC,

L2800 & 3400 cam design,

 

[canoetrpr]

JC - I'm not disagreeing with you but I am absolutely no expert on on the design of these components.

Given that Kubota has updated these cams I think it would not hurt to try to get the update installed if the dealer did it. It was quite a hassle for me and did not end up getting done eventually. That said, my own opinion is that the concerns are probably vastly overblown for the following reasons:

- There has only been one report of a problem caused by the cams. Kubota sells a lot of these tractors. Endemic problems really do show up on this forum. The valve for example has hundreds of posts. Even the sticking PTO engagement cable has several examples of people who have encountered it. The PTO cams - one. That's hardly a sign of design that is so bad that any one actually needs to be 'worried' about a perfectly good tractor.

- I highly doubt that most components on most brands and models get to the level of scrutiny and critique that these poor ol' cams did. Most of us are far from qualified from critiquing the design of these things (I'm not suggesting you are not as I don't know what your background is). As a result, I think it is safest for the average user to rely on failure reports as can be found on TBN as a rough indication for any reason to worry.

- All machinery has its weaknesses in design and workmanship. On balance, Kubota's design and workmanship is top notch. This shows in the reliability of all their tractors and the minimal problems that anyone has had with this particular model. Compare the jerky 3PT to the teething problems to the problems my neighbour had with a green model that had just come out - leaky front axle etc. etc, and I think one will realise that overall the reliability of the Kubotas - including this model, is pretty darn good.

Given this, my opinion is that there isn't that much reason to worry. I'd use common sense as posted by ccsial to not rachet any more than necessary. If after a few years use, the cams do indeed fail, heck, I'll get them replaced. Something or the other is bound to break on all machinery. Life's too short to go about worrying about it before it even happens.

 

[wushaw]

Yea Dieselram the Pto sump update replaced the sightglass and now you have the dipstick to kick around

 

[dieselram]

I dont even see a plugged hole! I vaguely remember a glass I think?

 

[wushaw]

The update incorporates the hole where the sightglass used to be.

This picture shows where it was. http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...182096972-l2800-sight-guage-leak-dsc00363.jpg

 

[ccsial]

Does anyone know what the current design is? Does it use sliding gear coupler for the new design?

The new cam is similar except there are two lugs and the slant is gone. It will not provide the over running feature and will not make a clacking sound when the clutch is depressed.

I'm not sure how much more robust this new cam is. The issue I'm most concerned with is the PTO cable. I would have used a linkage instead. If the cable gets out of adjustment, or sticks, the cam may not fully engage. It does not take much imagination to see how that could shorten the life of either the new or old cams.

 

[dieselram]

Will they take care of it anytime or as long it is under the powertrain warranty?

 

[ccsial]

Will they take care of it anytime or as long it is under the powertrain warranty?

I assume you mean changing the cams.

It depends on your dealer I think. A lot of dealers wouldn't do it. My dealer said they would but I opted not to because I didn't want to tear down a good running tractor. I was also not convinced the new cam is WAY better. I did have them check the cable adjustment.

 

[dwitcher]

Hi guys, Almost 2 hundred hours on 05. The only update I had was jerky 3pt. I do have to lube the pto cable weekly, I just slide the rubber dust sleeve down and spray some liquid teflon on cable. seems the only way to keep the cable free in its housing. My dealer told me no need to clutch when shutting off pto. just throw the lever, This seems to work so I will continue doing it this way. Dan

 

[JC-jetro]

The new cam is similar except there are two lugs and the slant is gone. It will not provide the over running feature and will not make a clacking sound when the clutch is depressed.

I'm not sure how much more robust this new cam is. The issue I'm most concerned with is the PTO cable. I would have used a linkage instead. If the cable gets out of adjustment, or sticks, the cam may not fully engage. It does not take much imagination to see how that could shorten the life of either the new or old cams.

ccsial

Thanks for the picture. Much more improved design since one way clutch operation is delegated to a separate one way clutch. I am very curious why Kobuta insists with this design of this nature. It is more difficult to jump the teeth with this design but there is still a shock loading anytime the cutter hit an stump, or anytime you clutch. The bad thing about this design is that it needs some free play so the opposing cam can mesh and that free play is not a good thing. Just about any manufacturer uses sliding coupler design which is very classic , much more shock resistant that even the new improved kubota cam design. Another problem that I also see is also using just a flexible cable that could only accept tension but not compression. The engagement mechanism again needs to be a simple linkage with a detent position to positively lock either cams or sliding coupler in complete mesh all the time. below is the picture of sliding coupler of an old 8n, you really have to go out of your way (way out there!!) to kill it.

 

[canoetrpr]

dwitcher - this comes from someone who has never had to lube the cable so it might be a silly question.

Where exactly are you lubing the cable again? Is the rubber dust sleeve at the PTO engagement lever end or else where. I'll go look tonight after the kids are in bed. Figure I should just lube the darn thing regularly - can't hurt

BTW, I remember another poster here saying that the L3240 also has the same cable type mechanism for PTO engagement / disengagement. That didn't make sense as I thought it was electrically engaged on the L3240. Anyone know about this?

 

[canoetrpr]

JC - no clue why Kubota went with these designs. It does sound like the over-running action of the old cam design was meant to take some of the shock out of the loading. The new design while more solid would appear to me to shock the system more than the old. Any thoughts on that?

I can't disagree that I would have preferred a solid linkage and a sliding coupler. That said, in these basic models, Kubota seems to resurruct old designs rather inventing new ones. This tractor shares a lot in common with the L2900 for example - right down to the fenders. It would surprise me that the PTO cable and CAM design is brand new to this model. I'm guessing it's been around the block in older models.

Anyone with an older model Kubota (L2900 for example) know what the PTO engagement mechanism / PTO cam design is like?