The issue as I see it rests solely on the manufacturers to adopt and implement a universally accepted system of diagnostics. Today, no matter what brand of automobile you buy, they all ascribe to a universally accepted diagnostic system, OBD and because they do, you can purchase a scan tool for a reasonable sum that allows any end user to access the ECM and related electronic components and diagnose the issues and, depending on the cost of that scan tool and it's built in 'intel', even pinpoint the issue and suggest a repair (I have one btw).
As it stands presently, each manufacturer has it's own diagnostic parameters so it's impossible to purchase a 'one tool fits all' scan tool and the OEM scan tools are extremely expensive and /or cannot even be purchased because of the licensing restrictions. Not just Kubota either, it's every one. No interchangeability and even the diagnostic ports are unique to each manufacturer.
Consequently, until the manufacturers adopt a universally acceptable access, the only avenue you have to diagnose and/or repair an electronics driven issue is the dealer and while that is all good and fine while under warranty (manufacturers warranty and EPA mandated 5 year emissions component warranty, at that point, once the warranties have expired, any and all repairs related to anything driven or controlled electronically (emissions and fuel management) becomes your baby or the next owners baby. Last time I checked, parts cost not withstanding, shop labor costs were around $100.00 per hour
Unlike toilet paper, tractors, even small ones aren't disposable after the warranty period lapses. They all represent a sizeable financial investment and as such should remain serviceable for the life of the unit, not until the OEM or EPA mandated warranty runs out.
I will say that after discussing the issue with the Kubota rep and my dealer tech, I came away feeling that if owners followed the Kubota recommended procedures for regeneration of the DPF, there would be little issue. However, that don't excuse the down the line cost of DPF element replacement or cleaning because at some point in the unit's lifetime it will have to be addressed and at the current owners or second or third owner's expense. Bottom line is, someone pays at some point and how that will impact the resale value (if sold or traded in), I have no idea.
Without an industry standardization of diagnostic software and universal access to the ECM, guys like Wolfman won't be able to do much to them except mechanical rebuilds.
They won't be able to diagnose, repair or replace related to the ECM components simply because they won't be able to access the ECM to extract the fault codes. Consequently, your only avenue of repair is an authorized dealer with that absurdly expensive and limited available scan tool and in my view, while it's an excellent source of income for a dealer, it sucks for the individual owner.
Keep in mind, that just isn't unique to Kubota, that is a general accepted practice across all tractor manufacturers.
Until the manufacturers adopt a standardized diagnostic regimen and standardized access to the ECM, I don't want one, any color, any brand.
The ball is entirely in their court as I see it. The other issue is, will units built prior to any standardization, if adopted, can they be retrofitted and if they cannot, what is their value as they age?
Why I have and will maintain my pre Tie 4 tractirs. They are purely mechanical with very minimal electronic or electrically actuated controls, in fact, the only electric control on either is the fuel cut solenoid.
Are they 'green' not on your life but they aren't an electronic accident waiting to happen (at my expense) either.
I'd buy a T4 final tractor in an instant if there was some industry standardization. At the present time that's a pipe dream.
That is the driving force why buyers are buying Pre 4 units, whay they are becoming more and more valuable and command high resale value, because there are an infinite number of them and like the a good retail seller says... When it's gone, it's gone and there ain't no more. That applies in spades.
As it stands presently, each manufacturer has it's own diagnostic parameters so it's impossible to purchase a 'one tool fits all' scan tool and the OEM scan tools are extremely expensive and /or cannot even be purchased because of the licensing restrictions. Not just Kubota either, it's every one. No interchangeability and even the diagnostic ports are unique to each manufacturer.
Consequently, until the manufacturers adopt a universally acceptable access, the only avenue you have to diagnose and/or repair an electronics driven issue is the dealer and while that is all good and fine while under warranty (manufacturers warranty and EPA mandated 5 year emissions component warranty, at that point, once the warranties have expired, any and all repairs related to anything driven or controlled electronically (emissions and fuel management) becomes your baby or the next owners baby. Last time I checked, parts cost not withstanding, shop labor costs were around $100.00 per hour
Unlike toilet paper, tractors, even small ones aren't disposable after the warranty period lapses. They all represent a sizeable financial investment and as such should remain serviceable for the life of the unit, not until the OEM or EPA mandated warranty runs out.
I will say that after discussing the issue with the Kubota rep and my dealer tech, I came away feeling that if owners followed the Kubota recommended procedures for regeneration of the DPF, there would be little issue. However, that don't excuse the down the line cost of DPF element replacement or cleaning because at some point in the unit's lifetime it will have to be addressed and at the current owners or second or third owner's expense. Bottom line is, someone pays at some point and how that will impact the resale value (if sold or traded in), I have no idea.
Without an industry standardization of diagnostic software and universal access to the ECM, guys like Wolfman won't be able to do much to them except mechanical rebuilds.
They won't be able to diagnose, repair or replace related to the ECM components simply because they won't be able to access the ECM to extract the fault codes. Consequently, your only avenue of repair is an authorized dealer with that absurdly expensive and limited available scan tool and in my view, while it's an excellent source of income for a dealer, it sucks for the individual owner.
Keep in mind, that just isn't unique to Kubota, that is a general accepted practice across all tractor manufacturers.
Until the manufacturers adopt a standardized diagnostic regimen and standardized access to the ECM, I don't want one, any color, any brand.
The ball is entirely in their court as I see it. The other issue is, will units built prior to any standardization, if adopted, can they be retrofitted and if they cannot, what is their value as they age?
Why I have and will maintain my pre Tie 4 tractirs. They are purely mechanical with very minimal electronic or electrically actuated controls, in fact, the only electric control on either is the fuel cut solenoid.
Are they 'green' not on your life but they aren't an electronic accident waiting to happen (at my expense) either.
I'd buy a T4 final tractor in an instant if there was some industry standardization. At the present time that's a pipe dream.
That is the driving force why buyers are buying Pre 4 units, whay they are becoming more and more valuable and command high resale value, because there are an infinite number of them and like the a good retail seller says... When it's gone, it's gone and there ain't no more. That applies in spades.
