2016 DPF issues fixed?

[jddoerng]

I am new to this forum, hopefully posting in the correct location.

In the market for a larger orange unit (B3350??), been reading horror stories about DPF issues, regen, the whole mess. Contemplating a different color. But would think the issues would be worked out at some point. Does anyone have knowledge that the issues are solved? Dropping 35k on a new unit and goodies only to have it in the shop non-stop is not very appealing.

Thanks for any updates.

 

[Grandad4]

The DPF issues I read about were limited only to the B3350 and to my knowledge no other models have had any significant Tier IV problems. As I recall, the B3350 models had some kind of trouble with cold weather operation, not last winter but the previous one, for which there were some service bulletins and in-the-field modifications.

If that's not right, I hope someone will correct me, but I've also read about many owners who have no problems with their Tier IV Kubotas and are quite happy with them. It's good to be skeptical of such major design changes, but concluding it's a "whole mess" is probably a bit over the top.

 

[Daren Todd]

Pretty much all of the brands are having issues of some form or another with the dpf systems.

 

[sheepfarmer]

http://www.orangetractortalks.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18025

The link above has some general information and also some links to OTT threads from people with tier IV tractors. Among the Kubota tractors the B3350 has had the lion's share of the problems, and the current version may or may not have the bugs worked out. There have been recent computer software upgrades addressing regen problems for that engine, and some people have had NO problems, and others have very much gotten the short end of the stick.

The hard part to sort through if you are thinking about a new tractor is that each of these models can have very different engine types and strategies to reduce emissions, so you can't easily generalize. My L3560 has a totally different design from the B3350 and knock on wood has run perfectly for nearly 2 years, and there are many folks on the forum that are happy with the Grand L series (Lxx60), as well as the 3301, 3901 series. If you have a budget of 35K and are needing about 30hp, I would recommend you look at the L--60 series. Among the various upgrades that gets you, are several that make it much easier to deal with the regen cycles.

 

[BaDave]

Do not Buy anything Orange!!! I bought a B3350 in August 2014 it currently has 150 hours because it has spent more time at the dealer than it has doing its job. Before you buy anything orange just take a test run with customer service and find out how difficult it is to talk with anyone Via email,phone,getting info through dealer ect........ IMPOSSIBLE.
All they will do is reset the piece of shit computer that monitors the piece of shit DPF send it back to your house so you can use it for another 10 hours before it breaks down then repeat until your out of warranty. Still fighting with them today. To use my best analogy, it would be like your neighbor dog taking a shit and your other neighbor picking it up and putting it in a brown paper bag, then selling it to you for 25,000 and when you realize all you bought was a bag of shit and go talk to the neighbor he explains that he only sells dog shit, and the dog that made it ran away.

 

[BaDave]

Do not Buy anything Orange!!! I bought a B3350 in August 2014 it currently has 150 hours because it has spent more time at the dealer than it has doing its job. Before you buy anything orange just take a test run with customer service and find out how difficult it is to talk with anyone Via email,phone,getting info through dealer ect........ IMPOSSIBLE.
All they will do is reset the piece of shit computer that monitors the piece of shit DPF send it back to your house so you can use it for another 10 hours before it breaks down then repeat until your out of warranty. Still fighting with them today. To use my best analogy, it would be like your neighbor dog taking a shit and your other neighbor picking it up and putting it in a brown paper bag, then selling it to you for 25,000 and when you realize all you bought was a bag of shit and go talk to the neighbor he explains that he only sells dog shit, and the dog that made it ran away.

 

[RonBoyBX25D]

Sorry to hear you are having such problems, have you tried s different dealer? I know mine has been very helpful, not that I have had many issues with my little BX.

 

[D2Cat]

jddoerng, you can tell by the way some folks post, their response is of no value. Their anger overloads their brain!

Review what Sheepfarmer has linked to and you can get an informed opinion.

All mechanical things fail. Color and brands make no difference. Sometimes you get the bear, and sometimes the bear gets you!

I owned my first Kubota because I went to a Ford Tractor dealer one Sat. morning to buy a tractor. Three people there (I hesitate to call them salesmen) and no one even said, "hi". I went in can poured some coffee and looked around some more. No response yet. Went back outside and kicked some more tires. After a few more minutes a guy came out and said, "May I help you?"

I said, "ya, I'm curious who is your stiffest competition?" He said, "Kubota".

So I asked him where they were located. Told him I came to town to buy a small tractor, and if their response this morning is any indication of how this business is run.... I'll go there and see what they have.

Bought a new B6100, had it delivered in 2 days. Ran it for 26 years and sold it for literally a few hundred dollars less then new price.

 

[thedevilyoulove]

I have an L3901 with DPF and, honestly, the DPF is a non-issue. The only complaints I have heard about it are from people who don't have DPF tractors. I have had my tractor for a year, put 80 hours on it so far, and not a single issue of any kind.

This thread is the first I have heard of the DPF issues with the B3350.

 

[NEPA Guy]

Don't take the chance. True, not all 3350's got hit. Mine did.

Took ownership of B3350HSDC in Dec of 2015, In and out back and forth. Last taken back Feb 19th. I'm still waiting for my trade in. Now over 3 months, no tractor, no money in bank account. I'm tired of it. It's frustrating.

Don't take the chance.

I did decide for the B2650. My father had owned an L3900 for years and years without any problems. Maybe I'm just being sentimental, but now that I've inherited the old farm, I'll stick with kubota.

Most locals say John Deere. I priced them out comparatively. Attachments and all, it was like 10K more. Eh.

So no, not fixed. And yes, everyone is having emissions issues. My current dealer's service rep told me all the big brands are having problems.

Stay away from emission restrictions if you can help it. B2650 baby!

(whenever it gets here...)

 

[MadMax31]

Tier 4 for anything of any color is bad news. I totally understand peoples rage over the down time of a tractor that likely costs more than a truck. I know a few guys who wont purchase a diesel truck newer than 07 for the same reasons.

The honest truth is B3350 owners are in fact, guinea pigs. Your real world use exposes the design shortcomings. Refinements and changes will come.

 

[whitetiger]

We have sold 8 or 9 of the B3350's, so far one had a failed key switch. No DPF problems at all. A couple of them have 200 plus hours on them.

 

[BaDave]

Anger? I bought a Kubota because my neighbor has owned the same one for 25 years and he has abused it everyday of its life and it runs like a champ. For my money I got NOTHING and cant even get a Rep. to call me back. And When I look at the wall behind the service counter at my local dealer I noticed 4 other B3350's on the list just sitting out back DEAD. I am glad you have had a pleasant experience but I'm at nearly 2 years with NOTHING but a orange lawn ornament that lives out back of the dealership.
If anyone would like to contact me to join forces, let me know

 

[thedevilyoulove]

Anger? I bought a Kubota because my neighbor has owned the same one for 25 years and he has abused it everyday of its life and it runs like a champ. For my money I got NOTHING and cant even get a Rep. to call me back. And When I look at the wall behind the service counter at my local dealer I noticed 4 other B3350's on the list just sitting out back DEAD. I am glad you have had a pleasant experience but I'm at nearly 2 years with NOTHING but a orange lawn ornament that lives out back of the dealership.
If anyone would like to contact me to join forces, let me know

Sounds like Kubota needs to make this right.

 

[armylifer]

I own a 2007 Chevy Silverado pickup with the Duramax diesel engine. When I bought it new it had a myriad of problems related to the DPF, it still does to this day. If I drive it for normal short distances (less than 25 miles one way) my truck does not complete a DPF regen and it throws a code that will make the truck unable to go more than 20 MPH until the code is cleared and I drive it long enough and/or far enough for it to complete a DPF regen. This does not mean that GM makes or made a bad product, it simply means that the emissions controls are not well suited to the diesel engines, as they are now. This is true of all diesel engines that are required to meet tier IV emissions standards, regardless of the name of the manufacturer.

The troubles with a DPF are the nature of diesel fuel. Diesel fuel produces smoke and soot and that is what clogs the DPF. It is not the fault of the equipment manufacturer but partially the fault of the EPA forcing manufacturers to comply with clean air regulations that are implemented before technology is developed to handle the exhaust issues that are inherent in diesel engines.

This is an overly simplistic explanation to a complex problem but that is what it all boils down to. The manufacturers have a big share of the blame in this too because they had plenty of time to develop a better solution to the problem but instead they chose to wait until the last minute to develop the technology to handle the problem. There is also the problems associated with technology development, EPA certification, and manufacturing costs. The companies are all trying to meet the EPA mandates at the lowest cost possible.

Kubota is no different in this respect than any of the automobile manufacturers. Kubota makes a good product. They are just having the same pain points that all diesel engine manufacturers are going through.

The bottom line is all related to money, of course. Don't take that as a knock against capitalism, it isn't. We all need to make a buck.

 

[mikes1165]

I know different models are different and have different problems but I bought an L3901DT last August. It now has 170 hrs on it and so far it hasn't had so much as a hiccup. I've been very satisfied. Sorry to hear about others problems.

 

[shredhawk]

Hey Devil, you have a L3901 and that is in a different class than the 3350.you have anL and we have a B. which is what I am going to the dealer to talk and see what he will do. After the rep gets hold of me if he does

 

[tempforce]

my B3350 hsdc is currently in the repair shop again.
it has so far received two or three software patches, a new computer, a wiring harness and a larger capacity alternator.
i've lost count how many times the B3350 has been picked up, due to the dpf issues. i think it's getting close to 8-10 times now. it has been in the shop time wise, longer than it has been in my yard.. it was bought the first of the year. has just over 70 hours on it. just under half of that, has been repair shop time.. with normal use, i would have about 2-300 hours on it by now.

 

[armylifer]

my B3350 hsdc is currently in the repair shop again.
it has so far received two or three software patches, a new computer, a wiring harness and a larger capacity alternator.
i've lost count how many times the B3350 has been picked up, due to the dpf issues. i think it's getting close to 8-10 times now. it has been in the shop time wise, longer than it has been in my yard.. it was bought the first of the year. has just over 70 hours on it. just under half of that, has been repair shop time.. with normal use, i would have about 2-300 hours on it by now.

I don't know if lemon law applies to agricultural equipment but it seems that you should have some legal recourse. If they cannot fix the issues they should step up and allow you to either trade for something else or get your money back. One does not buy a tractor that big for fun, it is there to make you money and it seems that it is currently causing financial loss.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

emulator is ILLEGAL to use and VOIDS Kubota warranty