Tractors are an essential thing to have when caring for and maintaining your property. The trouble is finding one with the power and reliability to support the task. Unfortunately, not all tractors will be a good fit for the jobs you need them to handle. This article will give you the common problems you may encounter with the Kubota B3350 and whether or not they should stop you from buying.
The most widely experienced problem with the Kubota B3350 is the problem with the regeneration system. The DPF system on these tractors is sometimes unable to complete the regeneration process, which causes the filter to clog. As a result, many have experienced reduced power and engine stalls. Additionally, this can sometimes cause the tractor not to run at all.
6 Major Kubota B3350 Problems – Should I Buy?
When deciding whether to buy the Kubota B3350, it’s best to consider the major problems that are common for the machine. This will help you decide if the issues you’re likely to experience with it are something you are willing to risk. Below we give a detailed look at the repairs you may need to perform if you buy the Kubota B3350.
Problem #1: Problematic Software
One major problem with the Kubota B3350 is that it has problematic software. Even after many updates, owners are still running into issues because of this tractor’s software.
Of the complaints regarding the software on the tractor, the largest is that a recent update had many compatibility issues with the ECU. This incompatibility led to a wide range of issues, including additional problems with DPF, which we will discuss in more detail later in this article.
The most common sign of the problematic software is that the tractor will shut down without warning.
Should You Buy?
With any machine, the software functioning properly is a critical key to it functioning correctly. When the software is problematic, you can run into issues ranging from minor to severe. So, you may not want to buy this tractor if you are concerned about the issues that could result from the faulty software.
However, the software can easily be updated. It’s just a matter of waiting for Kubota to develop it and make it available.
If you’re prepared to wait for the fixes without a guarantee of how long the wait will be, this shouldn’t be a reason to avoid buying a Kubota B3350. Once the software is improved, the problems will go away when you install the update, and you will be able to use it without these complications.
Problem #2: Engine Failure
If you buy a Kubota B3350, it’s possible that you could experience engine failure, as it has been a common experience for many owners. These tractors are equipped with an Emission-Three Vortex combustion system. This system can have many benefits, including 33 horsepower.
New 2015 regulations included the requirement of the DPF system. However, the regeneration process that this system is responsible for can cause excessive oil consumption. If the oil levels are not checked regularly and the engine is run with low oil, it can easily cause the engine to fail.
There were also several other minor complications related to the adjustment to the new regulations.
Should You Buy?
The Kubota B3350 engines do not work well in colder climates. In addition, several factors create the potential for engine failure. Many complications that may cause the engine to fail can be fixed easily with a software update, regular maintenance, or simple part replacement.
However, if the engine fails, it can be expensive to fix. Many owners have also voiced their frustration with the wait time they encountered while waiting for the engines to be repaired.
There also isn’t much that can be done to fix the things that cause the engine to run poorly in cold climates. So, if you’ll heavily rely on the tractor being available daily or live in an area where a cold environment could be an issue, you may not want to purchase this tractor.
Problem #3: Hydraulic System Failure
Hydraulic System failure can present itself in several different ways. The most common signs are slower operating speeds and jerky movements. Luckily, most of these issues are not complex.
Many times, this results simply from low or poor hydraulic fluid levels. If you experience jerky movements, it’s a good sign that you may need to replace the hydraulic fluid with new fluid. However, you should also check the hydraulic oil filter, as it may need to be cleaned or replaced.
Sometimes, you may need to replace the hydraulic fluid pump or cylinder. If you notice that your fluid levels are continuously running low, it could be because of leaky pipes that will need to be repaired.
Should You Buy?
All of these issues are either resolved by repair or replacement of broken pieces caused by normal wear and tear or by managing routine oil and fluid maintenance. So in most cases, you won’t run into severe issues that would be reasons to avoid buying a Kubota B3350.
Additionally, you could easily run into these issues with other tractors, as most of them use a hydraulic system. Furthermore, the problems you’re likely to run into with the hydraulic system on these tractors are common to many other systems.
Problem #4:Hydrostatic Transmission Issues
Issues with hydrostatic transmission vary in symptoms and solutions. Some of the symptoms of transmission issues are noise during use, the fluid being too hot, and fluid leaking.
Unusual Noise
If you hear a lot of noise from your transmission, the speed control linkage may be bent or need adjustments. If this is the case, determine if it requires replacement or if it just needs to be adjusted to work correctly.
These noises could also indicate low or dirty transmission fluid levels. This is easily resolved by adding additional fluid or having the fluid changed.
Hot Transmission Fluid
It’s also common for the transmission fluid to be too hot when the transmission is overloaded, which is resolved by carrying a lighter load. It could also be caused by a clog in the transmission, oil filter, or the lines running to the radiator.
Should You Buy?
As long as you’re able to keep a close eye on the transmission fluid levels and will not be using the tractor for extremely strenuous tasks, there’s no reason you shouldn’t buy it based on the transmission.
Low transmission fluid levels and the need to replace the fluid from time will be something required with any other tractor you choose.
Problem #5: Electrical Issues
You’re also likely to run into electrical issues with the tractor. These issues can cause the starter to fail or may appear as a slow start. Both of these issues are related to an electrical problem that causes the battery to drain.
You can recharge the battery as a temporary fix, but it will not resolve the issue. Eventually, it could damage the battery, which you will then have to replace.
Fixing this problem will require professional help, given that electrical issues can be tricky to find and fix.
Should You Buy?
Electrical issues can be rather expensive to repair in some cases. So, the fact that you may run into these problems may be a good cause to avoid this tractor and go without another choice.
However, if you really feel that the Kubota B3350 is the tractor you want, you may not experience this issue, as it is not as common as others. Additionally, once the problem is fixed, your tractor will operate as it should.
Problem #6: Regeneration System Issue (Unusual Shutdown)
The Kubota B3350’s regeneration system has the largest problem for most owners. If the DPF system does not complete a regeneration, it will cause the filter to clog, which prevents the sensors from reading properly.
Then, the Engine Control Unit (ECU) will cause the engine to not run at full power. The problem is that you cannot remove the DPF and its sensors without flashing or replacing the ECU.
Should You Buy?
If you plan on running this tractor for more than a couple of hours at a time or live in an area that experiences very cold climates, this probably isn’t a good purchase for you. When running the tractor for more extended periods, you’re more likely to run into issues with the DPF. These issues are also worsened in colder climates.
Overall, owners have felt that the DPF issues were not worth it. Many have spent excessive amounts of money and wait time on repairs, only for the issue to persist.
Conclusion
While there are many good things about the Kubota B3350 that may make it an appealing choice when looking for a new tractor, it does come with several downfalls.
You could run into severe issues, such as engine failure or problems with the DPF, that are not simple to resolve. Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide whether the good things are worth the bad things you may run into.
If the solutions above do not fix the issue, consider hiring a professional to repair the problem. They will have the specialized tools and training needed to better evaluate and fix the common problems of the Kubota B3350.
Ruben has been doing online marketing for the last 4 years. Prior to that, he spent 15 years managing different brick-and-mortar businesses, in the home improvement and logistics industries. Overall, he has 20 years of business experience under his belt. Recently, he added SEO, affiliate marketing, and link building to his business skills.