repost - step on Grand L

[HunterdonPaul]

I decided to repost in a different post for more feedback.

I really like the Kubota Grand Ls. The thing that really bothers me about the Kubota L's shouldn't (but it does). I really dislike the quality of the step to board the tractor. The step is made of very thin and insubstantial metal while the Deere's step is really rugged. Any comments here? Has anyone had any problems with it bending?

I realize that this is probably my problem, not Kubota's. Just a little input -

Regards

 

[Boondox]

I feel the same way. That step is the one "cheap" part on my L3010. It's a little bowed after 325 hours, but still holding up just fine otherwise.

Pete

www.GatewayToVermont.com

 

[SimS]

No problems with the step. You mentioned bending. Do you mean from your body weight? It would be pretty hard to bend it from just stepping on it. I'm only 210# though.

Sim

 

[gordon]

I bent mine the other day. A log kicked up as I was backing up and bent the heck out of it. The good thing was it bent right back no problem. Because it was the weakest link.

After looking at it and thinking about replacing it with heavier steel I decided against it. Why---it was the weakest link. That way the step bent, if it was heavy steel I would have bent the operators platform as well, causing alot more damage than just bending the step.

Once winter hits I'll more than likely have some more dents to post about as well. Hope not, but I bought her to work not to look pretty./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Gordon

 

[Boondox]

Sim -- I'm the same weight, and mine has developed a slight bow in the step over the months I've had Clementine. My solution was to plant my foot on the edge of the step.

Pete

www.GatewayToVermont.com

 

[SimS]

Boondox;
I don't have as many hours as you. I see that others have had problems too. I will keep my eye on it. Thanks for the heads up. Maybe I'll reinforce the step now before the bowing begins!

Sim

 

[Boondox]

I think Gordon had an excellent reason NOT to reinforce it, and the bending stopped the moment I started stepping on the sides instead of in the middle.

Pete

www.GatewayToVermont.com

 

[TonyC]

You guys are working too hard. Mine came with the step already bent from below. Saved me the trouble!

 

[frank_f15]

paul: not really familar with L model but i can assure that if u had ANY tractor, u would be able to find a few things u did not like. there is no such thing as perfect. all tractors, cars, etc.etc. have at least one thing we don't like.

 

[GrantMO]

I weigh 230 give or take and haven't noticed any problems with the step yet. I'll keep my eye on it though...

 

[Joeinindy]

My L3410's step isn't showing any bowing or bending so far. Before I bought it I checked with a few contractors and looked their units over for breaks, cracks ect and don't remember seeing any problems with the step.

 

[RichNJ]

The step on my used L4310 was previously broken and welded back together. It had broken at the corner where the step section is bent upward. The original owner is a husky muscular farmer. Yes, it is flimsy but so are the fenders.
I noticed these things when I was shopping around looking at the different makes. In the end I made my decision based on getting the most tractor for the buck and making sure I got what I needed to do the jobs around here. The flimsy step was a non-issue. Like the other posts mentioned - it all depends on your weight. I'm 170lbs and the step does flex a little when I get on the tractor but who cares.

 

[HunterdonPaul]

Rich,
Are you in Pittstown? Did you buy yours at PowerCo? I live in Tewksbury Township.

Paul

 

[RichNJ]

I'm in Clinton Twp. and bought the unit at Powerco. So far everything has been fine. No problems and am glad I got the L series as the B series would have been too small. Haver's on Rt 22 has the green brand and they just cost too much. Rymon's on 31 has MF but too much money. Smith's in Washington has the NH line. Tried to buy a used one from them but they wanted more than book value for everything. Even beat up old 8Ns were overpriced. I was just about to buy a new Kubota from Carver's - I actually picked up the phone and dialed - but then decided to wait one more day when that evening I met the owner of the L4310 which was to be traded-in in just a few days. Called Ray at Powerco and made a deal. He brought it over for a weekend demo. I tried real hard to break it and checked it out with a microscope. Checked out everything I could think of short of an engine compression test. And that's only because I don't have a compression gauge for a diesel.

 

[Oscar]

I just purchased a L3710 and noticed the same thing, that the step was weak. However I would agree with the suggestion that its better to have a bent step than a bent platform. If something had to give I would rather it be the step.

 

[hayden]

I checked out this issue today on a dealer lot. I found the whole deck and fender flexed quite noticably getting on and off. I bet I could have bent the whole thing if I bounced on it hard enough. I weigh 215 which despite what my wife says, isn't THAT big. I'm disappointed. It seems that a simple brace or two would completely correct the problem.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

I have to agree that the step is a bit flimsy on my 3010. I weigh about 260 and that definitely flexes the step.