B2650 Steering Column Boot fix?

[nbryan]

Since I bought my new 2650 new a year ago (Dec. 2017), the steering column rubber boot just below the steering wheel ALWAYS comes loose while tractor is in use, and just dangles there in a useless manner. This seems to be a design oversight as any attempt to re-engage the boot will fail to hold it.

Has anyone here come up with a reasonable fix for this? I'm looking for a way to make the boot remain in place without any serious mods (i.e. drilling holes, permanently attaching, screwing through the tractor body, etc.

I'm fairly confident any and all later model B50 series owners have had to deal with this useless piece of design work already. Or do you all just put up with it, like me?

Thanks!!

Neil

 

[Freeheeler]

Mine only has 24 hrs on her, but I haven't noticed any issues with the boot. I use the tilt function on the steering column each and every time I get on or off and the boot stays put. Maybe I got lucky but if it were loose that would drive me nutz.

 

[nbryan]

Mine only has 24 hrs on her, but I haven't noticed any issues with the boot. I use the tilt function on the steering column each and every time I get on or off and the boot stays put. Maybe I got lucky but if it were loose that would drive me nutz.

Does your steering boot have any clips or other visible fasteners that pin it in place? There's zero on mine, just some grooved slots on its lower perimeter that are supposed to hold it in place, and do not. Is your B2650 a 2017 model like mine?

Thx.

Neil

 

[dirtydeed]

I just ignore mine. Once in a while I'll re-position it when I first start the tractor.

 

[TiggerToo]

Mine is 3 years old now with no issue. May have something to do with the tractor having a cab to protect the insides from the elements.


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[Freeheeler]

Does your steering boot have any clips or other visible fasteners that pin it in place? There's zero on mine, just some grooved slots on its lower perimeter that are supposed to hold it in place, and do not. Is your B2650 a 2017 model like mine?

Thx.

Neil

It's a 2018 and I haven't had a need to even look at how the boot attaches. If I get a chance to run out to the mancave, I'll take a look and maybe a pic if it helps.

 

[rkidd]

My B2650 rops is 4yrs old with 1000 hrs on it and have never had a problem with it. So I have never really looked to see how it fastens. I will check, and if I come up with something will report back.

 

[Freeheeler]

No clips holding it in, it just has a groove that the edge of the dash sits in. The throttle bar also goes thru the boot so that keeps it in place as well. I took pics but can't seem to get them from my phone to my computer.

 

[rkidd]

I went out and looked at the boot on my tractor. As I said mine has never come loose, so I was curious. There are grooves on the rubber boot that slide over the plastic dash or cowling cut out. As long as those are all engaged properly, and the rubber boot was molded correctly, you should not have any problem.

 

[nbryan]

Thanks for the responses, I guess my boot is one of those that refuses to stay put, a minor pita fixing it back in place every time I use the tractor. Could definitely be a better design imo, but some don't seem to have a problem with it, so wtf. It's just that rain, snow and dust are always getting under there, not a big deal yet, maybe I'll come up with an unobtrusive fix some day.

Thanks!

Neil

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[Freeheeler]

Sounds like a defective boot to me, molded items can vary a lot. You might consider discussing it with your dealer. If it's not damaged and just a molding defect, they might replace it for free or just shipping costs. Does your throttle bar go thru the boot as well or is yours a different design?

 

[nbryan]

Sounds like a defective boot to me, molded items can vary a lot. You might consider discussing it with your dealer. If it's not damaged and just a molding defect, they might replace it for free or just shipping costs. Does your throttle bar go thru the boot as well or is yours a different design?

I'll be seeing my Kubota dealer I bought the tractor from later today - snapped 3 more snowblower auger shear bolts yesterday doing a neighbor's gravel driveway -I think I found all the loose rocks finally - need more bolts now, will mention the loose boot and see if they have seen any others with the problem, maybe I'll look over their machines in showroom see if they pop off so easily. Thanks!

Neil

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[nbryan]

Sounds like a defective boot to me, molded items can vary a lot. You might consider discussing it with your dealer. If it's not damaged and just a molding defect, they might replace it for free or just shipping costs. Does your throttle bar go thru the boot as well or is yours a different design?

And yes the throttle bar goes through the boot, and it's rather tricky to get the boot firmly back in place around the throttle bar - very tight! But it still comes loose every time I use it.

Neil

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[Kubota Paul]

And yes the throttle bar goes through the boot, and it's rather tricky to get the boot firmly back in place around the throttle bar - very tight! But it still comes loose every time I use it.

Neil

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I have found the same issue as you. Only when i am using the rear mount snowblower. When I turn my self around in the seat to see out the other side my knee hits it and it comes loose. I am thinking the others with out the problem are not using the blower or are a very thin person

 

[sardillim]

Same issue with mine

 

[Orange1forme]

I'm not having any issues.

I have taken mine off many times to do work behind the dash. If you don't get the grooves under the dash all the way around, it does seem to flop around.

 

[Daveinwestmi]

Mine was coming loose all the time at 200 hours, guess you use can use some silicone sealer to hold it in place. It finally ripped on the bottom side from constant use at 500 hours, replaced it and was holding fine for the when I sold it a 600 hours.

 

[Bcamos]

My old B2301 had this issue. It started after a few months of owning it and then every time I'd put it back in place, it would pop out again within a day. I eventually just learned to ignore it because it was stressing me out trying to stay on top of it lol.

 

[Steve67]

Must be a fairly common issue, happens once in awhile on my b2601