Repair record
maximum729
Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 2 central minnesota |
2005-10-10 117668
I currently have a John Deere GX 345 with a 54 inch belly mower, I’m looking at getting a new Kubota BX-2230. I am wondering what the repair record looks like for this tractor (Is there any noticeable recall/ common problems with it?). I ask because our JD GX345 was said to be one of the top of the line models, but it has gone through 4 different deck bearings even when greased every 5 hours, a front right wheel bearing, and a belt pulley bearing all in the 206 hours I have owned it.
Basically repair wise….. John Deere VS. Kubota? (Considering maintenance)
Reply to | Quote Reply | Add Photo
Repair record
DennisCTB
Join Date: Nov 1998 Posts: 2707 NorthWest NJ Pics |
2005-10-10 117669
Both machines are very good. I would have to say after running the TP site since 1998 that there seem to be more recalls on the Deere side so I would give an edge to Kubota on that score, the good news is that the Deere issues seem to get resolved with fixes from Corporate to the dealer network. So both owners of Green and Orange are generally pretty happy and loyal to their brand. ....
Reply to | Quote Reply | Add Photo
Repair record
kwschumm
Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 5764 NW Oregon Pics |
2005-10-10 117671
If you browse the Kubota and JD forums here I think you'll find roughly comparable numbers of problems. All brands have their issues, and some manufacturers are more up-front and public with their problems than others. JD posts their recall notices on their web site, not sure what Kubota does. As with cars, first year models tend to have more teething problems. ....
Reply to | Quote Reply | Add Photo
Repair record
lbrown59
Join Date: Posts: 1 |
2005-10-21 118237
Have had my KUBOTA BX23 for a little over 13 months.
Only repair i had to make on it was replacing a 2 dollar spring on the seat catch that fell off and got lost.
If I could have found the spring it would not have cost me anything.
I caught a BH hose in a tree branch and bent the metal line, but that was my fault not the tractors.
Cost me all of 17 bucks fot the replacement tubing. ....
Reply to | Quote Reply | Add Photo
Repair record
kthompson
Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 5275 South Carolina Pics |
2005-10-21 118244
In my county there are 2 JD dealers and 1 Kubota. For small machines there must be twice as many Kubota's as JD. My B 2710 has been very good with about 450 hours. No mid mount mower, use 3 point hitch but not their brand. I do not own a JD but that seems unreal for your problems. Are you using high temp grease? Are you getting fittings clean and not pushing dirt into the bearings. Are you pumping enough grease into the fittings? I went to air gun and it sounded great, even when not pumping grease. So I only trust bearings (or any other closed part) to hand gun that I can feel the grease moving though. (I am assuming these are not sealed bearings that you do not grease.) ....
Reply to | Quote Reply | Add Photo
Repair record
Art White
Join Date: Jan 2000 Posts: 6898 Waterville New York Pics |
2005-10-28 118563
I have three brands that I sell and the Kubota's have since day one had the best reputation of all makes. They have never had total models recalls for inefficient design work and have normally tested their equipment well enough that the general public has not had problems. Kubota also leads the industry with inovative designs like the B-20-21,L-35-39 and the L-48 as well as the first manufacturer to offer heated and air conditioned cabs for operator comfort. They were the first to be here and are proud enough of their product to only sell it under their own name. If you do read the posts here you will see that there are far less issues with them then the other makes and when you figure they hold the bulk of the market that says a lot! There no two machines created equal! ....
Reply to | Quote Reply | Add Photo
Repair record
tractornewbie
Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 51 Massachusetts |
2005-10-28 118572
Art,
Does that Kubota high quality include first year designs?
Would you have any hesitation or caution buying say, a new 2006 BX24?
Thanks,
DT.
....
Reply to | Quote Reply | Add Photo
Repair record
Art White
Join Date: Jan 2000 Posts: 6898 Waterville New York Pics |
2005-10-28 118576
They normally have tested and had the units in many of the dealer and end-users hands long before the units hit the streets. Look at the sucess of the BX tractor's which they also pioneered (I missed one) with little or no problems. They didn't copy anyone they fit a market, they made the market. They have sold more sub-compacts before the industry caught up with them then the rest of the industry has built to date (just a guess as they had a two year head start). I have yet to find any Kubota product that was less then desireable with the introduction for overall build quality yet. They don't have all of the features like a tach that some feel a need for but it does help keep the prices down and might also keep quality control problems at a minimum if they ever do show up. The old model BX's will have some good discounts coming out for them shortly so you might want to hang on a bit but I have no problem recommending their new models! ....
Reply to | Quote Reply | Add Photo
Repair record
ncrunch32
Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 762 Kingston, NY Pics |
2005-10-28 118581
Sounds like something is misaligned on the GX345 mower deck. Bearings should not be failing like that even if never greased after the initial dealer setup. I have a gravely 4 wheel lawn tractor that you just can't kill the frame or bearings with any amount of abuse. I would expect that kind of performance with any high priced garden tractor like the GX345. I just purchased the LT190 this year. I hope it measures up to my standards after having had the gravely. ....
Reply to | Quote Reply | Add Photo
Go Top
Share This