Happy with my Kubota L3901 but less happy with Kubota. Have asked KubotaUSA several questions. The last question was about wheel spacers, i.e., what size would be too large for the tractor to handle (2", 3", 4", 5", ...). This forum provides great info!! Kubota refuses to answer the question. Has anyone else encountered Kubota refusing to answer questions? Thanks.
Kubota Response to Questions
- Thread starter IHateHills
- Start date
NCL4701
Well-known member
Equipment
L4701, T2290, WC68, grapple, BB1572, Farmi W50R, Howes 500, 16kW IMD gen, WG24
Next time you see a cop at a radar trap pull up beside him and ask how fast you can drive past him before you get a ticket.
I think these are difficult questions for an OEM because it’s like you are asking them to tell you when things will fail. Your question is a complex one as wheel spacers involve a lot of other dynamics, like load, what are you doing with them etc. Put yourself in their position, it’s about liability.
GreensvilleJay
Well-known member
Equipment
BX23-S,57 A-C D-14,58 A-C D-14, 57 A-C D-14,tiller,cults,Millcreek 25G spreader,
Since Kubota doesn't offer wheel spacers, I understand them not replying to that question.
Meanwhile, during my last medical withthe familty doctor, I asked a question concerning my Tinnitus(ringing in ears 24/7). I haven't heard back from her. BTW, that office visit was in 2008.
Neither FORD not TSB have replied conrning my question as to WHY the defective tierod ends on my F150 wern't deemed a SAFETY ISSUE ! Still waiting, not holding my breath as that was back in 2001.
At the very least , I expect a reply to acknowledge my question, even if it's a 'sorry,can't help' reply. THAT would be 'common courtesy', something we used to have.......
Meanwhile, during my last medical withthe familty doctor, I asked a question concerning my Tinnitus(ringing in ears 24/7). I haven't heard back from her. BTW, that office visit was in 2008.
Neither FORD not TSB have replied conrning my question as to WHY the defective tierod ends on my F150 wern't deemed a SAFETY ISSUE ! Still waiting, not holding my breath as that was back in 2001.
At the very least , I expect a reply to acknowledge my question, even if it's a 'sorry,can't help' reply. THAT would be 'common courtesy', something we used to have.......
Kubota DOES offer wheel spacers. On my model anyway. And the dealer had plenty of information on them.
If nothing else, Kubota could easily say "Please contact your local dealer".... instead of blowing the customer off.
Drive by that same cop at the speeding trap and ask him if your exhaust is OK, you will get an answer.
If nothing else, Kubota could easily say "Please contact your local dealer".... instead of blowing the customer off.
Drive by that same cop at the speeding trap and ask him if your exhaust is OK, you will get an answer.
I asked my endocrinologist if I could reuse insulin syringes. He told me I asked the question wrong.
Our conversation taught me a lot about asking questions properly if I expect an complete answer, no matter what the subject is.
Our conversation taught me a lot about asking questions properly if I expect an complete answer, no matter what the subject is.
Hobbit Habits
New member
Equipment
LX2610 with Cab, LX2963-Blower, Land Plane, Grapple, Forks, Flail-Mower
I actually asked a cop that once... his response was "9 you're fine... 10 you're mine!". I've tested the low end of that 1 mph range a few times and haven't gotten a ticket yet. (knock knock). I wouldn't necessarily make it a habit of flying by them at 9 over though ;-).
Kubota does make spacers. I bought them for my tractor and they came in a box marked Kubota and the directions were also.
Yeah, I have OEM spacers on my L2501.
The point of the OEM spacers is to give slightly more room for chains. They are about 1 inch on the standard L series.
Others here have noted they have 2-3 inch models. One person implied they thought 3 inches was fine on the R4s since that makes it about as wide as R1s at widest position.
The point of the OEM spacers is to give slightly more room for chains. They are about 1 inch on the standard L series.
Others here have noted they have 2-3 inch models. One person implied they thought 3 inches was fine on the R4s since that makes it about as wide as R1s at widest position.
Yes I have encountered the same thing. I had a question about maintenance schedule requirements that seemed totally unnecessary and they would not answer the question. Finally I sent a letter to Kubota Southeast Division and was contacted by the guy that is over my whole area and he thoroughly addressed all my of my questions and concerns. I will give you a little advice that took me my whole career to figure out. Don't waste your time calling a major corporation. Those people answering the phones are not there to help you. They are not customer service. They are bureaucrats/claims agents for the company and their job is to mitigate the company's losses and liability. The only way you will get to a real person is to send them a certified letter. Once you do that your communication now becomes official record and starts the legal process. They will then take you serious and treat you very differently.
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Please explain your thinking.
Kubota states their maintenance requirements and even puts it in writing. You call to complain that you know better than Kubota and everybody that works there.
What response are you realistically expecting?
Kubota was calling for the replacement of a lot of miscellaneous parts under the hood in 2 to 4 years regardless of condition which should of been labeled "Service As Required" . When I questioned why the parts should be replaced if there was no sign of deterioration the National Customer Service Satisfaction people couldn't provide me an answer. I asked to escalate the case to a supervisor to give it one last shot but when I did the person I spoke with there got so hostile and belligerent with me on the phone that I had to cut the conversation short.
GreensvilleJay
Well-known member
Equipment
BX23-S,57 A-C D-14,58 A-C D-14, 57 A-C D-14,tiller,cults,Millcreek 25G spreader,
re: Kubota was calling for the replacement of a lot of miscellaneous parts under the hood in 2 to 4 years regardless of condition which should of been labeled "Service As Required"
It's NOT just Kubota and sadly sounds 'normal' these days. I seriously doubt ANY car dealer will REBUILD a U-joint, instead REPLACE the entire unit. Just one example, bu ttoday it's all about replacing subassemblies or 'units; NOT actually FIX the one piece of the part that caused the problem.
re: The only way you will get to a real person is to send them a certified letter.
YES, back in the mid 80s, I needed help with a Microsoft product( I cut real code),so I wrote a one page letter to Mr. Bil Gates,the man himslef. I expected a 3 week 'snail mail' turn around, but 4 days later got a call from a VP in 'software'. 3 days later DHL shows up with a 50# box of 'documentation' specific to the nasty,low level problem I was having. Problem SOLVED.
It's NOT just Kubota and sadly sounds 'normal' these days. I seriously doubt ANY car dealer will REBUILD a U-joint, instead REPLACE the entire unit. Just one example, bu ttoday it's all about replacing subassemblies or 'units; NOT actually FIX the one piece of the part that caused the problem.
re: The only way you will get to a real person is to send them a certified letter.
YES, back in the mid 80s, I needed help with a Microsoft product( I cut real code),so I wrote a one page letter to Mr. Bil Gates,the man himslef. I expected a 3 week 'snail mail' turn around, but 4 days later got a call from a VP in 'software'. 3 days later DHL shows up with a 50# box of 'documentation' specific to the nasty,low level problem I was having. Problem SOLVED.
Over the last 10 years or so I haven't been into Kubota very much but found them to be very unaccommodating. My B5200 has been discontinued so they don't want to be bothered with me even after I reminded them I bought the tractor there.
I think it depends on the question. I have had good responses, but sometimes it takes 2 or more tries. Mostly it was right after the common rail tractors first came out and the directions in both the owner’s manual and the shop manual were unclear, both to me and it turned out, to the first person reading the email. But eventually I reached someone to explain how the regen cycle was programmed, and learned a lot.
Some questions like yours about replacing parts on a time table probably do not have a right answer. My manual says something about replacing all the fuel lines after so many years, like 2 or something. After I looked at what seemed to be a hairy awful job, I have voted to just keep an eye on them. It may be foolish because you can’t tell by looking at the outside if the inside is crumbling or not, and rubber crumbs in the injector region would be bad. I might compromise and replace everything in the fuel circuit AFTER the fuel filter...those high pressure components are thousands of dollars.
Just because you “haven’t heard back from her” doesn’t mean she didn’t reply.
That was one of the things on the list. According to the maintenance schedule, Kubota wants you to replace the fuel line every 4 years regardless of condition. Why??? And when you ask them why they don't have an answer.
If you bought the machine its up to you to decide what you will or won't do. Kubota decides what they think you should or shouldn't do and warranties it accordingly.
At the end of the day you vote with your wallet. If you strongly disagree with what they say don't buy it. Buying is your vote of approval.
GreensvilleJay
Well-known member
Equipment
BX23-S,57 A-C D-14,58 A-C D-14, 57 A-C D-14,tiller,cults,Millcreek 25G spreader,
re: Kubota wants you to replace the fuel line every 4 years regardless of condition. Why???
Probably cause they're 'Made in China' and Kubota has zero confidence that they'll last 8 years of 'normal' use ? I seriously doubt anyone does extensive actual 'Real World', proper testing of the hoses(combnations of heat,cold, fuel additives, vibration,variable pressures,etc.) .Yyeesh, it's 'just a hose' ,right ?? They just buy the cheapest they can( increases profit) and get the new owner to 'replace every 4 years', betting it'll last at least 5, just past the 'we told you so' time limit.
Now if you want 'lifetime' hoses, make them from steel tubing or use hydraulic hose. Yes, up front cost is higher BUT over say 40 years, you should have replaced the OEM one 10 times !
Probably cause they're 'Made in China' and Kubota has zero confidence that they'll last 8 years of 'normal' use ? I seriously doubt anyone does extensive actual 'Real World', proper testing of the hoses(combnations of heat,cold, fuel additives, vibration,variable pressures,etc.) .Yyeesh, it's 'just a hose' ,right ?? They just buy the cheapest they can( increases profit) and get the new owner to 'replace every 4 years', betting it'll last at least 5, just past the 'we told you so' time limit.
Now if you want 'lifetime' hoses, make them from steel tubing or use hydraulic hose. Yes, up front cost is higher BUT over say 40 years, you should have replaced the OEM one 10 times !