Warranty for Self installed Backhoe?

[TeamJZ]

I've owned my L2501 for a few years and I'm ready to buy a backhoe for it. I've done a lot of research and I believe I've settled on purchasing a Kubota BH77.

I'm confident in my ability to install the subframe kit on my own. My concern is regarding the warranty. I've read a few times that the Kubota warranty is only valid if the backhoe is installed by a dealer. I can certainly understand that an issue with the backhoe which was the result of improper installation is not likely to be covered. I would however expect that a self installed backhoe still has some level of warranty.

Looking at Kubota's site where they show the warranty information, they indicate that proof or purchase for an authorized dealer is needed, but no mention of being installed by a dealer.

I'm looking for thoughts or experiences that might persuade me to move towards or away from having a dealer do this install. (The installation labor appears to be about $850.)

 

[Dave_eng]

Since no one else has responded in 13 hours I will give you my opinion.

In any warranty claim, the dealer is having to spend money. Kubota is not covering all expenses.

Why would a dealer want to get between you and Kubota in a disputed warranty claim when the dealer's profit has been limited by your work.

As an example, you incorrectly connect a hydraulic hose. This wrong connection causes damage to a hydraulic valve. You realize your mistake and correct it but the damage has been done. You deny ever making the wrong connection....

I expect many dealers would not sell a frame mounted backhoe without installing it.

You are far better off negotiating for things that do not cost the dealer money but which are of value to you. Workshop manuals for your tractor, FEL and now backhoe all in pdf format put unto a USB stick which you provide.

Hope this helps. It is just my view of dealership relationships.

Dave

 

[Fordtech86]

Dave, they will sell a backhoe and subframe kit to you without installing it. Thats how I got mine and did the install myself. They even offered an extended warranty (I did not buy it) with it.

 

[Dave_eng]

Dave, they will sell a backhoe and subframe kit to you without installing it. Thats how I got mine and did the install myself. They even offered an extended warranty (I did not buy it) with it.

Thanks for the more complete info.

The true test of your deal will be should you ever need warranty but then again I am old and tend to be a pessimist

Dave

 

[Fordtech86]

Thanks for the more complete info.

The true test of your deal will be should you ever need warranty but then again I am old and tend to be a pessimist

Dave

Yeah you do bring up a good point though. Being in a similar field I know about the warranty side of it. I would imagine as long as it wasn’t due to improper installation then there shouldn’t be any issue. But that will also have complications depending on the dealer.

TeamJZ, their quote to install it seems pretty high. They quoted me $300 at my dealer, but I did it myself. Not hard to do at all, I also don’t like other people working on my stuff.

 

[GeoHorn]

Two things come to mind: Are you wanting an Opinion? Or are you wanting a committed answer...?
For the first, ask here on the forums.
For the best answer (should you have need of warranty-work) as Kubota and get it in writing.

In my opinion (worth what you’ve paid for it) Kubota will warranty the unit for workmanship and materials but not for installation if you install it. Any problem which results from installation-error will not be covered.

Kubota will not cover any installation-error committed by an installing dealer either. The dealer will have to warrant their labor. That is a fine... but important point.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

yeesh.. $850 to install the BH ?? That'd be a full day at $100/hr I suppose ? If so can YOU install it in a day or two ?
One way to look at it, is if THEY install then 100% of any problems should be on THEIR dime and time, NOT yours. No 'improperly installed' bail out should 'something' happen....
Unless you've got a full, complete, well lit shop,LOTS of tools,great eyesight and NOTHING else to do for 1-2 dayze, then I'd let the dealer do it.
As much as I like a challenge, BH is a lot of heavy,awkward parts and if YOU break anything YOU have to order and buy it....
it kinda ends up being a coin toss and you'll have to decide.

 

[Fordtech86]

yeesh.. $850 to install the BH ?? That'd be a full day at $100/hr I suppose ? If so can YOU install it in a day or two ?
One way to look at it, is if THEY install then 100% of any problems should be on THEIR dime and time, NOT yours. No 'improperly installed' bail out should 'something' happen....
Unless you've got a full, complete, well lit shop,LOTS of tools,great eyesight and NOTHING else to do for 1-2 dayze, then I'd let the dealer do it.
As much as I like a challenge, BH is a lot of heavy,awkward parts and if YOU break anything YOU have to order and buy it....
it kinda ends up being a coin toss and you'll have to decide.

The backhoe itself comes fully assembled (minus the bucket). All he needs to install is the subframe and the hoses to the back. When I did mine it took maybe 2 hours.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

WOW... $400 an hour !!!
I was wondering just how complicated the job would be....sounds more like
a) bolt on subframe
b) have a coffee
c) attach BH unit
d) have a coffee and donut
e) connect 2 hose
f) have a coffee and 2 donuts
g) all done go play, er...test out the BH....

 

[Fordtech86]

WOW... $400 an hour !!!
I was wondering just how complicated the job would be....sounds more like
a) bolt on subframe
b) have a coffee
c) attach BH unit
d) have a coffee and donut
e) connect 2 hose
f) have a coffee and 2 donuts
g) all done go play, er...test out the BH....

Substitute beer for coffee and donuts and you basically described my install

 

[mdhughes]

It took me 3 hour to install the sub-frame and change the hydraulic hoes. Take the 3-pt off and attach the backhoe.

 

[TeamJZ]

Thank you everyone for their insight, this conversation has been super helpful!

Their labor does seem very high and from what I’ve seen comparing product quotes their product mark up is also high.

Just to share where my mind is at in this, at $300 that just seems like cheap insurance. At $850 it substantially bumps the cost of the purchase for something I’m sure I can do myself. I’m not the kind of person to hold other people accountable for my decisions, but thought it would be helpful to understand others views and personal experiences. This input has certainly helped me in that regard.

Thanks all!
-Jason

 

[lugbolt]

I have put a bunch of them on.

Subframes go on, they are heavy, most of the time the threaded holes in the FEL frames are full of junk, weld boogers, paint, etc. I have to run a chaser and occasionally a tap through every single one of them. Sometimes the spacers that are welded to the subframes aren't welded correctly, off center. There are all sorts of problems encountered, not always, but too often. Once the subs are on, then you have to do the hoses. No big deal but if you have a 3rd function and/or a rear remote, there is a specific "order" that the hoses MUST go, or the bh valve might not agree with the install (leaks, will drive you nuts). The hoe comes on a big wood crate. The hoe is heavy. You (the installer) have to figure out a way to get it installed onto the subframes. Do you have a hoist or another way to get it onto the frames safely? Then sometimes the main pins don't line up once you have the bottom pins in the saddles. And no you just can't beat them in, although I know plenty that do-and then later on gripe about not getting them back out, etc. The lock pins go a certain way too. Then put the seat on, hose bracket, and bucket.

Takes me about 3 1/2 hours from the time I go get the hoe & subframes & bucket out of our warehouse to the time I take the scrap wood to the dumpster (very beginning to the actual end). I've not seen anyone do it any faster (yet). BH92 can be a real booger but we ain't talking about a 92 here. 77 is easier once you address the little stuff like threaded holes, etc.

I'm established at the house to do it, however I don't want to. I do them at work, we have the tools and are better equipped, and much more space. You'd be surprised. When I got into the business many moons ago I thought I had all the tools. NOPE. Every day, I find some little thing I needed to do my job. I didn't make the matco/mac/cornwell/stap-on truck rich, but I did spend approximately a years' salary on tooling, of course spread out over 30 years. The boss certainly don't want to buy tools for me to do my job and I think that's what most places do (with the exception of "special tools").

 

[Fordtech86]

I have put a bunch of them on.

Subframes go on, they are heavy, most of the time the threaded holes in the FEL frames are full of junk, weld boogers, paint, etc. I have to run a chaser and occasionally a tap through every single one of them. Sometimes the spacers that are welded to the subframes aren't welded correctly, off center. There are all sorts of problems encountered, not always, but too often. Once the subs are on, then you have to do the hoses. No big deal but if you have a 3rd function and/or a rear remote, there is a specific "order" that the hoses MUST go, or the bh valve might not agree with the install (leaks, will drive you nuts). The hoe comes on a big wood crate. The hoe is heavy. You (the installer) have to figure out a way to get it installed onto the subframes. Do you have a hoist or another way to get it onto the frames safely? Then sometimes the main pins don't line up once you have the bottom pins in the saddles. And no you just can't beat them in, although I know plenty that do-and then later on gripe about not getting them back out, etc. The lock pins go a certain way too. Then put the seat on, hose bracket, and bucket.

Takes me about 3 1/2 hours from the time I go get the hoe & subframes & bucket out of our warehouse to the time I take the scrap wood to the dumpster (very beginning to the actual end). I've not seen anyone do it any faster (yet). BH92 can be a real booger but we ain't talking about a 92 here. 77 is easier once you address the little stuff like threaded holes, etc.

I'm established at the house to do it, however I don't want to. I do them at work, we have the tools and are better equipped, and much more space. You'd be surprised. When I got into the business many moons ago I thought I had all the tools. NOPE. Every day, I find some little thing I needed to do my job. I didn't make the matco/mac/cornwell/stap-on truck rich, but I did spend approximately a years' salary on tooling, of course spread out over 30 years. The boss certainly don't want to buy tools for me to do my job and I think that's what most places do (with the exception of "special tools").

Hardest part for me was getting the hoe out of the crate and onto the tractor doing this in my driveway. Used a chain saw to cut the crate out from under the hoe. And I know your pain with them tool trucks