Quick backstory: I've been a Kubota fan forever, parents bought a B7100dt new in late 70's, in 2018 we bought a 2014 B3350 off of craigslist with 450 hours. I was aware of the DPF issue but my arrogance assured me it was operator error and we bought it anyway. After less than 15 hours of use our local dealer replaced the reformer under warranty, and we paid to have the HST/engine oil/filters replaced at the same time. Since, I have had minimal issues with regen, with occasional parked regen when the ambient temp is low. I run the tractor at 2500 RPM most of the time. Only real exception is I idle the tractor with PTO running while filling/mixing spray in our Rears airblast.
Implements used: Rears 50 gal air blast, 5' rototiller, 4' rotary cutter (deere 413 that was used on the B7100), 5' box blade, 5" bearcat chipper, and loader.
Location is a hillside with grade close to 50% in some areas.
My issue: HST overheating. After about an hour of mowing I start to lose the ability to climb the hill. I get increased noise and physical feedback from the HST pedal, like it is going into relief. Engine never bogs or seems loaded. This typically happens when mowing blackberries on the slope in the summer. I use low range, 4wd, engine rpm at 2500, and typically backing up the slope and mowing forward downhill. I frequently clean the radiator and air filter, happens more when the ambient temperature is higher. Most recent episode happened while mowing on ~20% slope with ambient around 80F, had to park the tractor until it cooled off enough to climb out of the area I was mowing. This has also happened while using the loader in mid range to move manure downhill then returning empty, approximately 1000' round trip, 9% average slope. This problem occurs regardless of regen state.
My attempts to diagnose: I have a Fluke type K thermocouple that I taped to the HST filter located under the right rear fender so I could watch the temperature changes while operating. I observed that when I read temperatures in excess of 155F is when I lost tractive power. When temperatures returned to 145F the HST would function normally. I could easily recheck these numbers, they are just from memory.
The tractor was just at the dealer and they "checked the HST function," which I understood to mean that they checked pressures. Dealer also did 800 hour maintenance at the same time. I'm here because I feel like the dealer either didn't understand the problem I'm having or didn't trust my diagnosis of overheating. I don't have much other experience with HST tractors, I've never ran anything except the gear drive B7100 in these conditions.
My questions:
1: Is there something wrong with the HST on this tractor? Is there a relief valve that is temperature compensated that is defective or something along these lines?
2: Is this a typical problem with this size/model of Kubota? Is it a typical problem with HST in general?
3: There are two other dealers within an hour drive, should I ask their opinion?
I don't really feel good about passing a problem tractor off to someone else but I'm tempted to try and unload this thing on craigslist.
Thanks in advance,
Joe
Implements used: Rears 50 gal air blast, 5' rototiller, 4' rotary cutter (deere 413 that was used on the B7100), 5' box blade, 5" bearcat chipper, and loader.
Location is a hillside with grade close to 50% in some areas.
My issue: HST overheating. After about an hour of mowing I start to lose the ability to climb the hill. I get increased noise and physical feedback from the HST pedal, like it is going into relief. Engine never bogs or seems loaded. This typically happens when mowing blackberries on the slope in the summer. I use low range, 4wd, engine rpm at 2500, and typically backing up the slope and mowing forward downhill. I frequently clean the radiator and air filter, happens more when the ambient temperature is higher. Most recent episode happened while mowing on ~20% slope with ambient around 80F, had to park the tractor until it cooled off enough to climb out of the area I was mowing. This has also happened while using the loader in mid range to move manure downhill then returning empty, approximately 1000' round trip, 9% average slope. This problem occurs regardless of regen state.
My attempts to diagnose: I have a Fluke type K thermocouple that I taped to the HST filter located under the right rear fender so I could watch the temperature changes while operating. I observed that when I read temperatures in excess of 155F is when I lost tractive power. When temperatures returned to 145F the HST would function normally. I could easily recheck these numbers, they are just from memory.
The tractor was just at the dealer and they "checked the HST function," which I understood to mean that they checked pressures. Dealer also did 800 hour maintenance at the same time. I'm here because I feel like the dealer either didn't understand the problem I'm having or didn't trust my diagnosis of overheating. I don't have much other experience with HST tractors, I've never ran anything except the gear drive B7100 in these conditions.
My questions:
1: Is there something wrong with the HST on this tractor? Is there a relief valve that is temperature compensated that is defective or something along these lines?
2: Is this a typical problem with this size/model of Kubota? Is it a typical problem with HST in general?
3: There are two other dealers within an hour drive, should I ask their opinion?
I don't really feel good about passing a problem tractor off to someone else but I'm tempted to try and unload this thing on craigslist.
Thanks in advance,
Joe
