What is user UNFRIENDLY on your tractor?

[PhysAssist]

I have three Kubotas, complaints on each:

(2013) B2920 HST - Rubber floor mat doesn't like to stay stuck down to the floor. Instrument panel is backlit nicely, *but NOT the gauge needles!* You cannot see your needles as night, so the gauges are essentially useless. The headlamps are terrible...they use 21W brake light bulbs for headlights. The seat feels cheaply mounted. No tilt wheel. No 12V outlet. No clock. However, it has a basic plastic toolbox under the seat, well protected, which is quite useful. Let me be the first to say I am very satisfied with this machine.

Our 2011 B2320- has all the same issues and still is an excellent little work horse for us too!

 

[davrow]

And the hassle of having to beg for the Maintenance Manuals from the Dealer. A 40K tractor should come with manuals.

+1

Begging wasn't enough, I had to buy them for an exorbitant amount. And then they are crappy manuals! :thumbdown:

 

[Doofy]

I saw the crappy manuals and also read that they weren't very good for such an exorbitant price. I whined and begged and even offered to buy LS Manuals from my dealer...he finally caved and made them available as a download for 24 hours. Very nice and seems complete.

Even the owners manuals that came with the tractor are lousy. The printing is very faint and hard to read.

 

[Trails End]

3rd FUNCTION SWITCH on my FEL joystick :thumbdown:



The switch, held in place with zip ties, is always slipping out of
position. I'd sure like to find a handle with a switch built in to
replace the existing one.

I'll also have to figure out how the present handle is fastened to
the shaft (threaded or just glued on?) I haven't been able to
remove it yet.

 

[joefromga]

Put a piece of foam strip under it then re zip tie it. Shouldn't slip anymore. You could also try nonskid drawer mat like in toolboxes or even the foam double sided tape. I'd hot glue it and get rid of the zip ties altogether.

 

[Gary Fowler]

You know, I was wondering about that. Not being a salty veteran with tractors, I haven't had a reason to use just one side of the brakes but thought to myself that'd be pretty hard to do even if I wanted to. Maybe you're supposed to ride side saddle in those situations :laughing:

I had a 332 John Deere garden tractor/mower that had split brakes but everytime you touched the brakes, it kicked the HST into neutral, so why did it need split brakes which I have never seen on any other lawn tractor.

 

[Trails End]

Put a piece of foam strip under it then re zip tie it. Shouldn't slip anymore. You could also try nonskid drawer mat like in toolboxes or even the foam double sided tape. I'd hot glue it and get rid of the zip ties altogether.

Thanks for the suggestions, Joe! I think I'll try the hot glue - sounds like a permanent solution
if the hot glue will stick to the handle. Should be good enough until I find a handle with the
switch built in.

 

[Texasmark]

Had to laugh at this one. You can always find something wrong with a piece of equipment when it's been a long day and things aren't going your way.

 

[Joe Batt]

MF 1250 with a Woods FEL.
1. It's impossible to remove the radiator screen. Even removing the side panels and hosing the screen off is a PITA. The whole sheet metal design is bad with lots of little bolts and nuts and brackets. Looks like it was prototyped with an erector set.
2. Radiator screen clogs up way to fast (less than an hour when I'm mowing).
3. Filters are crazy expensive compared to auto. This is silly. The aren't that different. The seal around the PTO shaft was $80, for a single seal.
4. Fender or ROPs mounted work lights would be a great feature.

 

[skorff]

It would help if the knob for Cruise Control was a different shape than gear range (L-M-H) knob which are right next to each other on my Kubota so I wouldn't to look down to see which I'm grabbing.
Whoever designs PTO connections for implements should be shot. "Squeeze and pull back on the sleeve while pushing and slightly turning the implement connection onto the tractor's shaft?" Gimme a break! I'm a 70+ year old woman with small hands. I have to have someone with big strong hands to install most implements on my tractors. I am able to do most of the pin types. I keep pliers around so I can pull cotter pins. I believe machines are supposed to HELP us, not frustrate us to death!