B3350 DPF Bypass

[Bushrat]

The emissions system is warranted for 5 years. The reformer (common cause of expensive claims) is now warranted for the life of the tractor and is transferrable.

Operator error is NOT warranted so be VERY careful what you say to your dealer. Read your Operator's Manual very carefully before speaking to your dealer. Dealers and (especially) factory representatives are trained to spot "operator error" issues to deny warranty claims.

What year (original sale date) is your tractor?

SDT

That would be so great if it is still under this extension. I am trying to get the paperwork from the guy I bought it from. I believe it is a 2013. It sits now at the dealer he bought it from. Funny, the dealer said nothing to me about the possibility of it being under warranty Thanks

 

[Joe Messmer]

I bought a used B-3350 2016' about 4 to 5 yrs. ago and I did like so many others and not checked it out , I mean it's a Kubota what could be wrong. I've owned their products for over 40 years .. Well a couple of months after getting it the problems started, I won't go into the details b/c they are the same as listed here before . But last summer when I needed it the most it went down and I was advised to stop running it and bring it in. Well it had 1,000 hrs on it and I was told it needed a new DPF filter with the total cost of around $3,000 !! Like everybody I was MAD !!! So I appealed to Kubota went thru a couple of channels till somebody finally called me. I made a deal with them, I paid $1,000 and Kubota paid the rest. I wasn't happy but figured what was my choice. I had looked into getting it cleaned and also removed, but in the end I had them put a new one on. Then after about 4 to 6 mo. later I was talking to my dealer and he said I have news that will make you mad then glad ????? He told me Kubota just sent out a bulletin that said that they were going to warrant the 3350's for a lifetime !!!!!!!! That anything that went wrong with the emission system I would no longer pay a dime on !!!!!!!! Needless to say I am shocked so my advice to all of you is check with your dealer and see if they can find that bulletin.

 

[sheepfarmer]

I recently bought a B3350 from a neighbor that is moving to the beach. It only has 330 hours. I had my very first experience with the regeneration the other day, and delayed it by pushing the button, only twice. Ran the unit at high RPM for another 30 minutes before I stopped to let it regen. It billowed smoke profusely every few minutes. It did not appear to be burning anything off, just the opposite All in the space of a half hour I got to level 4. I took it to the dealer and their equipment recommends replacement of the DPF unit to the tune of $2200. They told me they are getting a dynomometer to load the tractor and get the DPF hot enough to regen. That figure is not even including any labor. I am the third owner of a tractor with 330 hours and I have to get raped by Kubota on this DPF? No wonder people are looking for a way to get away from it. It belched more particulates during the attempted regen than any tractor I have seen. I will be searching for a long term solution myself based on what I read in the forums. I just don't know enough to trick the sensors to keep it running normally with the DPF removed. I will not be held over a barrel because of fed regs when a manufacturer has put me in a compromised position that can become cost prohibitive. I did nothing wrong, dammit. I see on another part of the forum a link (http://www.agrotronic.pl/en/1548/Kubota_tractors__deactivation_of_EGR_and_DPF_already_possible) for a black box that will deal with the computer stuff, but it appears to come from Poland or something. I'm a little uncomfortable with that, but not as uncomfortable as getting hit with over $3000 a couple months after buying the tractor. I know of no shade tree mechanic I would trust with this mod. Wish I did.

I don't know that it is exactly WRONG to inhibit regen twice, but it is sure a tactical error. The 60 series you only have so many minutes after the notification calling for a regen before it shifts into another level and going into limp mode etc. I don't know how many minutes you have to get an auto regen started, so I suggest you learn that and not postpone the regens. Unless you are in flammable environment, just get the auto regen started and carry on working.

 

[SDT]

That would be so great if it is still under this extension. I am trying to get the paperwork from the guy I bought it from. I believe it is a 2013. It sits now at the dealer he bought it from. Funny, the dealer said nothing to me about the possibility of it being under warranty Thanks

It is.

The extended warranty covers the reformer and any other components damaged due to reformer failure.

The warranty covers the tractor and has nothing to do with owners.

Multiple updates have been released since 2013. Insist that all such updated be performed on your tractor. Such updates are performed without charge but your dealer may not tell you about such as they make little or no money doing such work.

SDT

 

[SDT]

I bought a used B-3350 2016' about 4 to 5 yrs. ago and I did like so many others and not checked it out , I mean it's a Kubota what could be wrong. I've owned their products for over 40 years .. Well a couple of months after getting it the problems started, I won't go into the details b/c they are the same as listed here before . But last summer when I needed it the most it went down and I was advised to stop running it and bring it in. Well it had 1,000 hrs on it and I was told it needed a new DPF filter with the total cost of around $3,000 !! Like everybody I was MAD !!! So I appealed to Kubota went thru a couple of channels till somebody finally called me. I made a deal with them, I paid $1,000 and Kubota paid the rest. I wasn't happy but figured what was my choice. I had looked into getting it cleaned and also removed, but in the end I had them put a new one on. Then after about 4 to 6 mo. later I was talking to my dealer and he said I have news that will make you mad then glad ????? He told me Kubota just sent out a bulletin that said that they were going to warrant the 3350's for a lifetime !!!!!!!! That anything that went wrong with the emission system I would no longer pay a dime on !!!!!!!! Needless to say I am shocked so my advice to all of you is check with your dealer and see if they can find that bulletin.

Not all B3350 emissions components are warrantied for the life of the tractor but the reformer is.

The reformer is the most expensive emissions system component and the one that often causes trouble even without "operator error."

The warranty extension also covers any systems that are damaged by reformer failure such as the DPF, the second most expensive emissions system component.

Sadly, the new policy does not reimburse owners for repairs made prior to extension of the warranty no matter how recent.

SDT

 

[Bushrat]

It is.

The extended warranty covers the reformer and any other components damaged due to reformer failure.

The warranty covers the tractor and has nothing to do with owners.

Multiple updates have been released since 2013. Insist that all such updated be performed on your tractor. Such updates are performed without charge but your dealer may not tell you about such as they make little or no money doing such work.

SDT

You have been tremendously helpful, thanks. I will be asking for those updates for sure. This seems like a dumb question, but what exactly is the reformer?

 

[SDT]

You have been tremendously helpful, thanks. I will be asking for those updates for sure. This seems like a dumb question, but what exactly is the reformer?

The engine used in the B3350 is mechanically injected rendering injecting extra fuel on the exhaust stroke to heat the exhaust in order to burn carbon from the DPF (regeneration) impossible.

The reformer is a device installed between the turbocharger outlet and the DPF that injects fuel and air into the exhaust to produce extra heat.

Most companies that have use this technology , e.g., VW, have had questionable (at best) results.

SDT

 

[Bushrat]

The engine used in the B3350 is mechanically injected rendering injecting extra fuel on the exhaust stroke to heat the exhaust in order to burn carbon from the DPF (regeneration) impossible.

The reformer is a device installed between the turbocharger outlet and the DPF that injects fuel and air into the exhaust to produce extra heat.

Most companies that have use this technology , e.g., VW, have had questionable (at best) results.

SDT

Huh, it is no wonder that manufacturers of diesel cars, VW, BMW, Mercedes Benz have stopped bringing them to the states.

 

[Bushrat]

Some have drilled holes in the dpf filter and others have removed the filter completely

I don't know if this method is what you may have been referring to Jared, but this was one of the COMMENTS posted under a Youtube video of a guy cleaning out a DPF. "No need , just drill thru it and avoid all sensors, you wony have to mod the ECU or worry about checks.the car will regen normally and behave normally.no need to pay much. Just weld a masonry drill to a 1/4inch rod and attach to a cordless drill and drill thru it whole way clean with water and then just make sure all has come out.put back in go for a long drive at high speed to push out all water and dust .30 min is enough.job done.did it at home no need to go to specialist ." Of course this was on a diesel car of some kind, not a Kubota tractor.

 

[SDT]

I don't know if this method is what you may have been referring to Jared, but this was one of the COMMENTS posted under a Youtube video of a guy cleaning out a DPF. "No need , just drill thru it and avoid all sensors, you wony have to mod the ECU or worry about checks.the car will regen normally and behave normally.no need to pay much. Just weld a masonry drill to a 1/4inch rod and attach to a cordless drill and drill thru it whole way clean with water and then just make sure all has come out.put back in go for a long drive at high speed to push out all water and dust .30 min is enough.job done.did it at home no need to go to specialist ." Of course this was on a diesel car of some kind, not a Kubota tractor.

Rubbish.

SDT

 

[Bushrat]

Rubbish.

SDT

SDT, Just yesterday I called to check on my tractor. Since they have had it (ca, Sept 1st) they have sent it to another branch that had a functional dynomometer to put a load on it to get a good regen. They informed me that they transported it to a third branch of this dealer further west in the PNW region. They tried to regen and twice it "got too hot" and would try again. My question to the manager was whether Kubota had a protocol which would indicate replacement of the DPF vs continued efforts of regeneration. His response "oh, this is not covered under warranty". I told him that their service manager in the first branch, where I took the tractor initially said it was. He said "no", the diagnostics said I had delayed regen 4 times, and that it would not be covered. I was aghast. I can see I am in for a battle and I dread it. I know for certain I did not delay regen 4 times. I called them the day it started auto regen to confirm it was behaving normally with the billowing gray smoke during the cycle. They sounded uncertain. When I was able to part it and do a parked regen, I let it go twice. That was the day I took it to them. Any suggestions?

 

[SDT]

SDT, Just yesterday I called to check on my tractor. Since they have had it (ca, Sept 1st) they have sent it to another branch that had a functional dynomometer to put a load on it to get a good regen. They informed me that they transported it to a third branch of this dealer further west in the PNW region. They tried to regen and twice it "got too hot" and would try again. My question to the manager was whether Kubota had a protocol which would indicate replacement of the DPF vs continued efforts of regeneration. His response "oh, this is not covered under warranty". I told him that their service manager in the first branch, where I took the tractor initially said it was. He said "no", the diagnostics said I had delayed regen 4 times, and that it would not be covered. I was aghast. I can see I am in for a battle and I dread it. I know for certain I did not delay regen 4 times. I called them the day it started auto regen to confirm it was behaving normally with the billowing gray smoke during the cycle. They sounded uncertain. When I was able to part it and do a parked regen, I let it go twice. That was the day I took it to them. Any suggestions?

You must work with a dealer, at least initially.

If you do not believe that you have been fairly treated after doing so you may open a claim with Kubota Customer Satisfaction. The procedures for doing so are in your warranty documents.

You may be able to open your claim with a phone call but it will likely take more than a phone call to get beyond initial rejection, which is little more than a Customer Satisfaction contact with the Kubota regional service representative, who has, no doubt, already rejected your claim.

I've been there, and was successful with my claim but only after writing a VERY well written and VERY persuasive letter (not email) documenting just what happened and why the Kubota regional service representative was incorrect. Yes, I have kept VERY good records.

DO NOT trust your (any) dealer regarding such issues and be VERY careful what you tell your dealer or, especially, the Kubota service representative. They have been trained to look for opportunities to reject such warranty claims on the basis of so-called "operator error."

Not certain but it appears that Kubota may have become somewhat more accommodating vis a vis B3350 emissions claims since announcing the new warranty extension.

SDT

 

[whitetiger]

they have sent it to another branch that had a functional dynomometer to put a load on it to get a good regen.

There is no reason or need to put a load on it for a ReGen. With Diagmaster, all you need is the unit warmed to about 140 degrees and start the Manual Forced ReGen function. It will either ReGen or it will not.
If it does not ReGen, there is a failure within the system.

There is a "Reformer Repair Process" referenced in PSB-2021-050-E-R1 that will diagnose the system.

Notice, nowhere do you see a reference to putting a load on the unit, if it doesn't work while setting on the driveway, it will not work with the tractor engine loaded on a dynamometer.

 

[Bushrat]

There is no reason or need to put a load on it for a ReGen. With Diagmaster, all you need is the unit warmed to about 140 degrees and start the Manual Forced ReGen function. It will either ReGen or it will not.
If it does not ReGen, there is a failure within the system.

There is a "Reformer Repair Process" referenced in PSB-2021-050-E-R1 that will diagnose the system.

Notice, nowhere do you see a reference to putting a load on the unit, if it doesn't work while setting on the driveway, it will not work with the tractor engine loaded on a dynamometer.

Interesting that I have been fed yet another line, it seems. I am in the process of putting together a time line and phone calls, etc. as SDT suggests, as well as the information you have provided. Thanks to you members, I might have a fighting chance.

 

[mzimbaro]

For what it’s worth, I just got my b3350 back from the dealer 2 weeks ago. I don’t have a copy of what work was done but they replaced the regen and dpf under warranty. My warranty runs out next week. This is the third time this unit has been serviced for regen issues. The Kubota rep did try and insinuate that it was operator error. I read the manually a few times and just can’t understand how you can do an incorrect parked regen. i mean as long as you don’t interrupt the cycle.

I will be looking at all options so that I will not have to go through this again. It is a shame because I have owned many brands of tractors in my lifetime. It was always a goal to get a nice cab Kubota tractor. I with I would have had other dreams.

 

[GeoHorn]

For what it’s worth, I just got my b3350 back from the dealer 2 weeks ago. I don’t have a copy of what work was done but they replaced the regen and dpf under warranty. My warranty runs out next week. This is the third time this unit has been serviced for regen issues. The Kubota rep did try and insinuate that it was operator error. I read the manually a few times and just can’t understand how you can do an incorrect parked regen. i mean as long as you don’t interrupt the cycle.

I will be looking at all options so that I will not have to go through this again. It is a shame because I have owned many brands of tractors in my lifetime. It was always a goal to get a nice cab Kubota tractor. I with I would have had other dreams.

I would recommend that IN WRITING you ask that Kubota Rep that very good question…. “How can a parked regen be “operator error”???” …and I would ask that in a certified letter, with copies sent to my congressman and my state/Federal EPA agencies. That letter would include the invoices/shop work orders from the two previous “warranty” repairs….and it would inquire why I should expect to have to pay for these kinds of Kubota failures to comply with the law in the future..??

 

[fried1765]

I would recommend that IN WRITING you ask that Kubota Rep that very good question…. “How can a parked regen be “operator error”???” …and I would ask that in a certified letter, with copies sent to my congressman and my state/Federal EPA agencies. That letter would include the invoices/shop work orders from the two previous “warranty” repairs….and it would inquire why I should expect to have to pay for these kinds of Kubota failures to comply with the law in the future..??

"The squeaky wheel gets the grease"
The OP needs to squeak........loudly !!!

 

[Bushrat]

I would recommend that IN WRITING you ask that Kubota Rep that very good question…. “How can a parked regen be “operator error”???” …and I would ask that in a certified letter, with copies sent to my congressman and my state/Federal EPA agencies. That letter would include the invoices/shop work orders from the two previous “warranty” repairs….and it would inquire why I should expect to have to pay for these kinds of Kubota failures to comply with the law in the future..??

The regional rep was supposed to look at my B3350 last Thursday, the 23rd with the branch manager. He apparently already told the branch manager it would not be covered. I told the branch manager that I would not accept that determination without strong evidence that the problem was caused by me. I did not hear back from the branch manager Thursday or Friday. Tomorrow I will step back into the ring. My gloves still on for now.

 

[fried1765]

The regional rep was supposed to look at my B3350 last Thursday, the 23rd with the branch manager. He apparently already told the branch manager it would not be covered. I told the branch manager that I would not accept that determination without strong evidence that the problem was caused by me. I did not hear back from the branch manager Thursday or Friday. Tomorrow I will step back into the ring. My gloves still on for now.

Sorta makes me chuckle (not really funny), about the comments often made: "buy the dealer".....because you have a warranty, and need his help/support.
Bah humbug !!!!

 

[MOTOROLANUT]

This thread and others like it remind me of why it took over none months to seek out a low hour pre emission tier IV tractor. Also the same could be said for my diesel truck. I sure hope you get your issues worked out under warranty. Dealing with vehicles you can't fix with a manual, wrench and common sense really sucks anymore. Damn I miss the simple good old days.