M8540 LEMON or operator problem

Russ103

New member

Equipment
M8540 4wd 85hp
Apr 27, 2013
8
0
0
Baton Rouge, La.
I have a Kubota M8540 4wd Hydraulic Shuttle 8x8. Serial # 50199. Bought it 7/27/2007. I think it's a 2008.
It keeps ending up in the shop for lack of power. It won't pull itself on dry ground. Does anyone know if there is a recall due to this? Any suggestions?

Also when I bought the tractor I was told to NOT use the clutch when shifting from forward to back. Sorta like shifting a forklift is what the salesman told me. Salesman also said life time guarantee on clutch.
Can't find the salesman now. Quit or got fired.
 

Eric McCarthy

New member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
Kubota B6100E
Dec 21, 2009
5,223
6
0
42
Richmond Va
Maybe Service Dept Vic will help shed some light. He's a service tech for a dealership in Canada.
 

TripleR

Active member

Equipment
BX2200, BX2660, L5740 HSTC, M8540HDC and some other tractors and equipment
Sep 16, 2011
1,911
7
38
SE Missouri
I can't help with the lack of power, but on our M8540 HDC, the hydraulic clutch is activated by the shuttle shift lever or foot clutch, we don't use the foot clutch for much of anything.
 

E/S

Member

Equipment
2009 M8540HDC 4x4 w/ Cab
Jan 6, 2010
251
1
16
Reno, NV
I don't use the foot clutch much either,
Just on panic stops and easing into something.
What are they saying is the cause of the power loss ?


E/S
 

Tx Jim

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
M7040 HDC-1,JD 4255,Ford 6700
Apr 30, 2013
1,180
117
63
Coyote Flats,Texas
I have a Kubota M8540 4wd Hydraulic Shuttle 8x8. Serial # 50199. Bought it 7/27/2007. I think it's a 2008.
It keeps ending up in the shop for lack of power. It won't pull itself on dry ground. Does anyone know if there is a recall due to this? Any suggestions?

Also when I bought the tractor I was told to NOT use the clutch when shifting from forward to back. Sorta like shifting a forklift is what the salesman told me. Salesman also said life time guarantee on clutch.
Can't find the salesman now. Quit or got fired.
Has fuel filter has been changed lately?? I would suggest to check fuel flow from the tank. There should be a good stream. Have you tried operating it with fuel cap removed. If it has power with fuel cap removed then look for plugged fuel tank vent. I had a M4900 several tears ago that a tiny white strainer in the water separator filter was blocking fuel flow. Another thing that can keep a diesel from developing full power is a blocked fuel return line that goes back to tank. On the lifetime warranted clutch I have to "read that in Kubota info. to believe it".
 
Last edited:

Russ103

New member

Equipment
M8540 4wd 85hp
Apr 27, 2013
8
0
0
Baton Rouge, La.
WOW!! I wasn't prepared for such a quick response.
TxJim-- not a fuel issue. I'm sure of that. Motor running great.

E/S -- went to Kubota today. Mechanic said "he's cracking the rear end and replacing the clutch pack and everything related" . Price about $8000.

My tractor about 8 years old but only has 345 hrs. on it. seems like I shouldn't be having this issue this soon.

would this not have happen if I was using the clutch?
 

Tx Jim

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
M7040 HDC-1,JD 4255,Ford 6700
Apr 30, 2013
1,180
117
63
Coyote Flats,Texas
On page 22 at bottom RH corner of my M7040 operators manual it states under the heading: Hyd-Shuttle shift lever "This shifting does not require clutch operation" Important:the hyd shuttle may be shifted while tractor is moving slowly.

I bought my M7040 to load/unload rd bales plus cut hay. I sure hope the hyd shuttle lasts a while.
 

Russ103

New member

Equipment
M8540 4wd 85hp
Apr 27, 2013
8
0
0
Baton Rouge, La.
On page 22 at bottom RH corner of my M7040 operators manual it states under the heading: Hyd-Shuttle shift lever "This shifting does not require clutch operation" Important:the hyd shuttle may be shifted while tractor is moving slowly.

I bought my M7040 to load/unload rd bales plus cut hay. I sure hope the hyd shuttle lasts a while.
Tx Jim. I am pretty rough on equipment as far as pushing it to it's limit in rough muddy spots but I'm still concern that I only had low hours. This tractor is not have the tractor my Kubota L3000 4wd. That poor little tractor has been put through a living hell as I cleared 11 acreas of woodland after a dozer tore it up. Ruined a 4 ft. box blade 3 times. I would not trade that tractor for a brand new D9 cat dozer
 

E/S

Member

Equipment
2009 M8540HDC 4x4 w/ Cab
Jan 6, 2010
251
1
16
Reno, NV
So it dies when you try to move it or the clutch slips ?
If its slipping have the mechanic check the output pressure from the shuttle shift controller to the clutches.


E/S
 

Russ103

New member

Equipment
M8540 4wd 85hp
Apr 27, 2013
8
0
0
Baton Rouge, La.
Well Monday is the big day. I'm getting my M8540 back from Kubota shop. I'm told the entire clutch pack was replaced. I'll let ya'll know the out come.
 

Bluegill

New member

Equipment
L3750DT Shuttle, L3800DT FEL both
Jan 11, 2012
1,560
3
0
Success Missouri
Our old L3750 has hydro shuttle and we rarely use the clutch. Is over 20 years old and has over 3000 hours. Never any trans problems.

But we rarely change directions F/R in high range, but do so in low range often. We also throttle down the rpm when doing this.