Sorry for the essay but only way to explain everything.
Experienced a complete and catastrophic u-joint failure on the drive shaft of my f3990 with less then 400 hours on the machine.
problems started when the machine was operating (blades engaged) at full rpm would suddenly cut out and bring the machine to a sudden stop. Happend several times and I contacted the dealership about it and they gave me a new seat sensor. At this point I should point out that I followed proper maintenance procedures on the machine. Problem seemed to go away but would still happen once in a while over the next month. One day I was just finishing up a property when I heard a loud clunk followed by a river of coolant flowing down the sidewalk. Upon inspection I found the drive shaft hanging and broken from the u joint. Had it trailered by the dealership to the shop to look at the issue. A week later I received a call from the dealership informing me that it appeared there was no grease on the side of the u-joint failure (turned the metal blue) and Kubota probably wouldn't cover repaires, but they would put in a request to Kubota Canada. Several days later I receive a call from the regional Kubota Service Manager who rudely informs me that because I failed to ever apply grease (only factory lubricant ever applied) to the nipple in question that they would not even entertain any warranty work. He stated this was the first time a u-joint has failed on their machines with so few hours... yea right.. Suggested if I looked after my machine this would not have ever occurred. I informed him that I have used this type of equipment for 15 years with my other employer and know the importance of proper maintenance and the costly results of not. ( spent over 30k for this one so a paint chip causes me pain) Basically insulted me further and continued to blame me without answering any of my questions like : 1)why does the Kubota RTV u-joint commonly fail under 500 hours as numerous forums discuss online. - his answer of course was that's the first he's heard of that.
2) why was there grease covering the underneath body around the area of the u-joint if I wasn't greasing
3) and how could he come to his conclusion as he only received a pictures of the shaft from the dealership as he is based in another province.
Beyond angry at this point I suggested that the part be sent to a lab to determine if there was a problem with the cast etc. As I know I grease all nipples on the unit every 30 hours or less. He laughed and said I could do anything I wanted with the part since I owed it but Kubota would not pay for anything. Before he hung up the phone on me I requested he send an email to me stating Kubota's position incase I wanted to proceed with legal options. Of course to this date even after texting him several more times I have yet to receive anything.
I forked out close to $5,500 to the dealership for the repairs because I needed the Machine for my business, but after this experience I doubt I would buy another machine from Kubota.
Has anyone heard anything about faulty u-joints on the 3990? Could the sudden machine shutdown at full Rpm's which the dealership blamed on faulty seat sensor have cause damaged to the u-joint?
Also any reason why the new drive shaft has grease nipples on the outside of the u-joint unlike the old one on the inside? When I noticed that I figured they realized it was a design flaw as you can't see the grease nipple on the back u-joint so you really can't tell wether it is taking the grease or not.
Experienced a complete and catastrophic u-joint failure on the drive shaft of my f3990 with less then 400 hours on the machine.
problems started when the machine was operating (blades engaged) at full rpm would suddenly cut out and bring the machine to a sudden stop. Happend several times and I contacted the dealership about it and they gave me a new seat sensor. At this point I should point out that I followed proper maintenance procedures on the machine. Problem seemed to go away but would still happen once in a while over the next month. One day I was just finishing up a property when I heard a loud clunk followed by a river of coolant flowing down the sidewalk. Upon inspection I found the drive shaft hanging and broken from the u joint. Had it trailered by the dealership to the shop to look at the issue. A week later I received a call from the dealership informing me that it appeared there was no grease on the side of the u-joint failure (turned the metal blue) and Kubota probably wouldn't cover repaires, but they would put in a request to Kubota Canada. Several days later I receive a call from the regional Kubota Service Manager who rudely informs me that because I failed to ever apply grease (only factory lubricant ever applied) to the nipple in question that they would not even entertain any warranty work. He stated this was the first time a u-joint has failed on their machines with so few hours... yea right.. Suggested if I looked after my machine this would not have ever occurred. I informed him that I have used this type of equipment for 15 years with my other employer and know the importance of proper maintenance and the costly results of not. ( spent over 30k for this one so a paint chip causes me pain) Basically insulted me further and continued to blame me without answering any of my questions like : 1)why does the Kubota RTV u-joint commonly fail under 500 hours as numerous forums discuss online. - his answer of course was that's the first he's heard of that.2) why was there grease covering the underneath body around the area of the u-joint if I wasn't greasing
3) and how could he come to his conclusion as he only received a pictures of the shaft from the dealership as he is based in another province.
Beyond angry at this point I suggested that the part be sent to a lab to determine if there was a problem with the cast etc. As I know I grease all nipples on the unit every 30 hours or less. He laughed and said I could do anything I wanted with the part since I owed it but Kubota would not pay for anything. Before he hung up the phone on me I requested he send an email to me stating Kubota's position incase I wanted to proceed with legal options. Of course to this date even after texting him several more times I have yet to receive anything.
I forked out close to $5,500 to the dealership for the repairs because I needed the Machine for my business, but after this experience I doubt I would buy another machine from Kubota.
Has anyone heard anything about faulty u-joints on the 3990? Could the sudden machine shutdown at full Rpm's which the dealership blamed on faulty seat sensor have cause damaged to the u-joint?
Also any reason why the new drive shaft has grease nipples on the outside of the u-joint unlike the old one on the inside? When I noticed that I figured they realized it was a design flaw as you can't see the grease nipple on the back u-joint so you really can't tell wether it is taking the grease or not.