BX25D Instrument cluster issue

[NS-D]

I am writing to express my profound disappointment regarding the lack of replacement support for the instrument cluster on my 2015 Kubota BX25 tractor.

This is not an obscure or antique machine. It is an approximately eleven-year-old compact tractor built and sold on the understanding that Kubota equipment represents durability, longevity, and long-term serviceability. Those qualities are precisely why many of us choose Kubota products and pay premium prices for them.

Yet I have now discovered that a critical instrument component is effectively unavailable or unsupported, leaving owners in the extraordinary position of either scavenging used parts, attempting electronic repair at component level, or engineering entirely custom replacements simply to keep an otherwise functional tractor operational.

This reflects a deeply troubling modern trend: the quiet abandonment of repairability in favour of disposability.

A compact tractor is not a mobile phone. It is not a fashion item. It is a working machine expected to serve farms, acreages, and rural properties for decades. Many older tractors remain operational precisely because they were designed with maintainability in mind.

Ironically, I am now in the position of removing Kubota’s proprietary electronics and replacing them with individual analog gauges and independent components because they are likely to be more reliable, more understandable, and more repairable than the original integrated system.

That should concern any company that takes pride in engineering.

I appreciate that supply chains and product evolution create challenges, but discontinuing support for essential instrumentation on a relatively modern tractor undermines customer confidence and contributes unnecessarily to waste, frustration, and loss of goodwill.

I would strongly urge Kubota to reconsider its long-term parts support policies for compact tractors and to recognize that many customers purchase these machines precisely because they expect them to remain serviceable far beyond a decade.

Sincerely,

Nicholas Sladen-Dew
British Columbia, Canada

 

[PaulL]

1. This is not an official Kubota forum, so if you're hoping that somehow Kubota will give you a different response by posting here, you'll probably be disappointed

2. Really? Kubota generally provide parts for at least 20 years for their tractors. What reason do you have to believe that the instrument cluster cannot be replaced?

3. The BX tractors are pretty much the same through all the generations. Can you not put an earlier or later instrument cluster on it without too much difficulty?

Perhaps, instead of posting a rant, you could explain what's actually broken and seek help from this forum? That might be more likely to get you to a useful resolution.

 

[NS-D]

1. This is not an official Kubota forum, so if you're hoping that somehow Kubota will give you a different response by posting here, you'll probably be disappointed

2. Really? Kubota generally provide parts for at least 20 years for their tractors. What reason do you have to believe that the instrument cluster cannot be replaced?

3. The BX tractors are pretty much the same through all the generations. Can you not put an earlier or later instrument cluster on it without too much difficulty?

Perhaps, instead of posting a rant, you could explain what's actually broken and seek help from this forum? That might be more likely to get you to a useful resolution.

 

[NS-D]

Good evening Paull

I resent the fact that you consider what I have written a rant, whatever that is. I have given considerable thought before putting together this piece of information for the benefit of others who are considering buying Kubota equipment and specifically a Kubota BX25. Of course, I have also written to Kubota Canada and Kubota USA, although I'm given to understand that they have no intention of producing any replacement part for the defective instrument cluster.

Your suggestion that somehow other instrument panels can be made to fit the BX25 is ridiculous in the first place, even if you could find such a product.

In my experience, an 11-year-old tractor used in all weathers but kept inside when not being used should not develop a leak in the instrument panel that goes on to destroy the electronics within. When I went to replace it, there was a single replacement unit 5,000 miles away in Newfoundland at a cost of $1,000, and the dealer there was very reluctant to let it go as it was the only one left in Canada!

A thorough search on other sites, including those in the U.S., failed to reveal a new replacement item. A subsequent search on the web revealed that many, many other owners have had the same problem. Clearly, the instrument cluster is poorly designed and poorly made, to the extent that they have ceased making them and are not providing any replacements. Can you believe it? After just 11 years!

I have therefore had to rebuild my own instrument panel using analogue instruments, which, by the way, are far more reliable and less expensive, but it has taken me a great deal of time. I hesitate to think what it would have cost for me to have had the job done professionally.

As a final note, I also have a 1955 Ford 600 tractor (when they knew how to build and maintain tractors) and I can still get parts for that tractor.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Good evening Paull

I resent the fact that you consider what I have written a rant, whatever that is. I have given considerable thought before putting together this piece of information for the benefit of others who are considering buying Kubota equipment and specifically a Kubota BX25. Of course, I have also written to Kubota Canada and Kubota USA, although I'm given to understand that they have no intention of producing any replacement part for the defective instrument cluster.

Your suggestion that somehow other instrument panels can be made to fit the BX25 is ridiculous in the first place, even if you could find such a product.

In my experience, an 11-year-old tractor used in all weathers but kept inside when not being used should not develop a leak in the instrument panel that goes on to destroy the electronics within. When I went to replace it, there was a single replacement unit 5,000 miles away in Newfoundland at a cost of $1,000, and the dealer there was very reluctant to let it go as it was the only one left in Canada!

A thorough search on other sites, including those in the U.S., failed to reveal a new replacement item. A subsequent search on the web revealed that many, many other owners have had the same problem. Clearly, the instrument cluster is poorly designed and poorly made, to the extent that they have ceased making them and are not providing any replacements. Can you believe it? After just 11 years!

I have therefore had to rebuild my own instrument panel using analogue instruments, which, by the way, are far more reliable and less expensive, but it has taken me a great deal of time. I hesitate to think what it would have cost for me to have had the job done professionally.

As a final note, I also have a 1955 Ford 600 tractor (when they knew how to build and maintain tractors) and I can still get parts for that tractor.

Your posts are really coming across as Screaming rants to me too.
I've already edited your post to take out the Bold screaming text.

And you owe @PaulL an apology as it's not a ridiculous suggestion that other instrument clusters fit it, there are several that do.

Kubota does have a replacement cluster for it, you're just not happy with the price of it.

 

[PaulL]

A thorough search on other sites, including those in the U.S., failed to reveal a new replacement item.

Well, a 2 minute search on Messicks takes me to this exploded parts diagram:

https://messicks.com/catalogs/kubota/bx25dlb/electrical-system/b11500-panel

and suggests to me that this is the part:

https://messicks.com/parts/kubota/k2751-96110

It's expensive, yes, but I don't see any evidence it's not available. Have you called them and asked? I also see a whole list of equivalent (superseded) parts, so it remains true that other instrument clusters could fit. You could also look at secondhand parts (although since these tractors really don't break that often, there aren't a lot of secondhand parts around).

 

[Tranberg]

Some Chinese company can hopefully find a business opportunity making a retrofit instrument panel for Kubota BX's. With a proper rev counter and oil temparature gauges for both engine and the hydraulics.

 

[Sidekick]

That's the one for my BX2360 also and $2500.00 is highway robbery for what it does. If you change to mechanical gauges, make a new thread because it may be helpful to others.
Maybe we can find a Chinese company to copy it with a full digital replacement for $200 to $300 because it doesn't look complicated and there are tons of aging machines out there.

 

[Sidekick]

Some Chinese company can hopefully find a business opportunity making a retrofit instrument panel for Kubota BX's. With a proper rev counter and oil temparature gauges for both engine and the hydraulics.

You just beat me to it.

 

[hodge]

You joined a Kubota fan forum to warn people not to buy a particular model. That's a rant.
If you change your approach, you will find tremendous comradarie and help here. What you won't find are a bunch of goobers who desperately need your warning.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

Gee, I don't see his post as being a rant, just another owner frustrated with lack of reasonably priced parts being available for his tractor. Sounds like he did his homework, called dealers, used the Web, etc.
It's troubling that the dealer with the panel would not sell it. Have to wonder IF the 'clusters that might replace it', actually have the same connector will 100% function properly. That Messick's unit will be close to $3300 and that IS an obscene price for what's in it.
If there is a true replacement, please post the part number and link, as I'm sure others would like to know.
Sidekicks price of $300 is probably reasonable for a dash that has temp,fuel and tach. The actual electronics (PCB and 'computer') will be cheap, the case will cost though.

 

[TheOldHokie]

Kubota sells a complete electronic assembly - they do not sell individual components which is what the OP wants. I think thats pretty standard practice.

OEM prices on new clusters for ten year old cars and trucks can easily hit $2k plus. Kubota has adopted the Jaguar pricing model for just about everything from $100 mylar labels to that $2100 cluster. They are no longer the company of 20+ year parts availability and low cost repair parts they were 30 years ago. Like it or not its the cost of going orange.

There are tons of companies that repair/refurbish electronic automotive instrument clusters for $200-$500 because there is a large profitable market. Not so much with a low volume lawn tractor. Call around and see if you can find one that will take on that BX panel. Tell them you will refer your friends. You might get lucky.

Dan

 

[SDT]

1. This is not an official Kubota forum, so if you're hoping that somehow Kubota will give you a different response by posting here, you'll probably be disappointed

2. Really? Kubota generally provide parts for at least 20 years for their tractors. What reason do you have to believe that the instrument cluster cannot be replaced?

3. The BX tractors are pretty much the same through all the generations. Can you not put an earlier or later instrument cluster on it without too much difficulty?

Perhaps, instead of posting a rant, you could explain what's actually broken and seek help from this forum? That might be more likely to get you to a useful resolution.

I have been told by two Kubota regional service representatives that Kubota regularly monitors this site.

 

[SDT]

Good evening Paull

I resent the fact that you consider what I have written a rant, whatever that is. I have given considerable thought before putting together this piece of information for the benefit of others who are considering buying Kubota equipment and specifically a Kubota BX25. Of course, I have also written to Kubota Canada and Kubota USA, although I'm given to understand that they have no intention of producing any replacement part for the defective instrument cluster.

Your suggestion that somehow other instrument panels can be made to fit the BX25 is ridiculous in the first place, even if you could find such a product.

In my experience, an 11-year-old tractor used in all weathers but kept inside when not being used should not develop a leak in the instrument panel that goes on to destroy the electronics within. When I went to replace it, there was a single replacement unit 5,000 miles away in Newfoundland at a cost of $1,000, and the dealer there was very reluctant to let it go as it was the only one left in Canada!

A thorough search on other sites, including those in the U.S., failed to reveal a new replacement item. A subsequent search on the web revealed that many, many other owners have had the same problem. Clearly, the instrument cluster is poorly designed and poorly made, to the extent that they have ceased making them and are not providing any replacements. Can you believe it? After just 11 years!

I have therefore had to rebuild my own instrument panel using analogue instruments, which, by the way, are far more reliable and less expensive, but it has taken me a great deal of time. I hesitate to think what it would have cost for me to have had the job done professionally.

As a final note, I also have a 1955 Ford 600 tractor (when they knew how to build and maintain tractors) and I can still get parts for that tractor.

FWIW, I find your original post as well as this one to be well thought out and written.

Though I can offer no useful advise for your immediaite problem, I can certainly understand your frustration.

 

[SDT]

Gee, I don't see his post as being a rant, just another owner frustrated with lack of reasonably priced parts being available for his tractor. Sounds like he did his homework, called dealers, used the Web, etc.
It's troubling that the dealer with the panel would not sell it. Have to wonder IF the 'clusters that might replace it', actually have the same connector will 100% function properly. That Messick's unit will be close to $3300 and that IS an obscene price for what's in it.
If there is a true replacement, please post the part number and link, as I'm sure others would like to know.
Sidekicks price of $300 is probably reasonable for a dash that has temp,fuel and tach. The actual electronics (PCB and 'computer') will be cheap, the case will cost though.

" Gee, I don't see his post as being a rant...."

Neither do I.

 

[skeets]

Yes SDT they do, I know for a fact that sometime ago I was complaining abut my BX. And got a call from my stealer telling about a fix. Right out of the blue, go figure. And it you think the cluster is outrageous look at body parts. And yes, that was a rant plan and simple, but out of frustration not blatant arrogance, Kubota has followed suit with HD and every other manufacturer ,,, we got your money, good by.

 

[lynnmor]

I recently bought some dash parts for my 20 year old Malibu and they were reasonably priced, so after reading this thread I price checked the instrument cluster. $219 new and $40 used.

 

[SDT]

Yes SDT they do, I know for a fact that sometime ago I was complaining abut my BX. And got a call from my stealer telling about a fix. Right out of the blue, go figure. And it you think the cluster is outrageous look at body parts. And yes, that was a rant plan and simple, but out of frustration not blatant arrogance, Kubota has followed suit with HD and every other manufacturer ,,, we got your money, good by.

I guess it depends upon one's definition of "rant."

 

[MapleLeafFarmer]

I guess I'm lost in the detail.
OP says post #4 he found one at dealer in NFLD. for $1,000. Seems reasonable price.
Be nice, make a deal and "bobs your uncle" or am I wrong? Dealer should sell as is no value for him having it sit unsold on his shelf unless attitudes getting in the way. Something seems fishy.

 

[Hugo Habicht]

When it comes to electronics, it may not be Kubotas fault. Embedded microcontrollers are available for 10-12 years. So if Kubota did not estimate the number of spare instruments correctly they may sell out. They won't be able to build that board again if the controller is obsolete. They could redesign it with another controller, but that normally does not make economical sense. Or it explains their high price now. "Replaced by" would be a sign in that direction.