My Kubota Rant - You've Got To Be Kidding Me! 

It's just four bolts, so while a slight inconvenience, no big deal so long as you use lock washers and not permanent threadlocker.

That grill guard on the front was at one time optional. You could add it on the build my kubota page.

Thanks for making this. I own JD but literally right behind that, for a buy, would be Kubota for me. JD has a swing down front bumper, might want to fab up one and not have to push yours forward. Love the hitch idea too!

kioti same way, you have about 1/2 inch clearance when you take the loader off or you will catch the hydraulic lines so I bought two stabilizer pins so I could take the brush guard off by just pulling two pins

Nice video you have that right you would think they would of fixed that but I think they just hope you will take it to the dealer when you see you can't get the sides off with out taking off the brush guard and all the time and work ! I have to unbolt my sides to get to the oil filter ! Have a great weekend ! Kioti Curt 😁👍🚜

I hear ya, as someone that worked in the manufacturing sector. My frustration with engineering is real. Looks as if they would have had side plates mounted to the front of the frame. They could have had a bolt on the bottom, and a locking pin on the top, so that the guard can swivel down. I do not own a tractor, and thank you for this video, as I continue to deside on which tractor to buy. All and all kabota seems to have the most perks, but it's to bad that with just a little consideration towards the buyers they can be so much better.

I agree, you have a very good reason to rant!

The new grill guards tip forward to allow access to remove the cowl.

I hear you! But there are only four bolts 🤔. I never thought about it and service my machines myself with no complaints.

I dig that little hatchet holder.

you need to get a socket oil filter wrench. auto parts store or kubota dealer. looks like a small cup, fits just like a socket on the wrench. the oil filter is flat on the outside edge for it. No need to remove brush guard or hood or the bucket. I'm done with mine in 15 min. 20 if I take my time.

It's been that way since at least the 2002 BX22, Figured it out the hard way myself - I know exactly how you felt when you realized it.

I feel your pain. Many other manufacturers are guilty of this kind of thing too. There are a couple of reasons for this. More than likely, the guys doing the design work have never done any maintenance on a tractor. They probably don’t even change the oil in their car. They are just guys with mechanical engineering degrees who happen to have gotten a job designing tractors. Secondly, they are usually only looking at the assembly process. When the tractor is built, the engine cowling is probably installed BEFORE the grille guard, therefore they didn’t look at the clearances to get the hood off with the bumper installed. This happens in the automotive world too, sadly. I have often said that the entire design team should get together when the first prototype is built, and perform all required maintenance on it. All of these issues would reveal themselves pretty quickly.

Be careful adding a 1" spacer. I don't believe you have enough clearance to the crossbar of the loader in the most down position. I've been dealing with this same problem for years now. It's just something that has to be done when removing the cowling. Unless you want fab a type of slip joint for quick removal of the bumper

I have a L3301 and have no problems changing oil. I have heard bad reviews on the B series tractors.

I've worked for years on several different kinds of Kubota an tractors never removed no cowling to change oil. So this is a new one to me.

I have the same but, on a New Holland Boomer TC45D. All I do is RAISE the loader, drop the add-on BUMPER and now I can lift the HOOD and do whatever UNDER the hood.

If you take the Four bolts off under the hood next to the hinge you can lift the hood completely off. The cowling will then come straight up after the two thumb screws are removed with out taking the bumper off. The BX 25D is a Fantastic machine (my opinion the Best SCUT on the Market).

I did my 200 hr oil change and only had to loosen them and pull it forward to the bumper it was good enough where i didn't had to remove it!

I have a bx2660 I found it a lot easier to remove the Hood than the bumper. Pop the bulbs out of their housing and take the four bolts off remove the hood the side cover will come off without removing the bumper.

Sadly not surprising being it’s a Kubota!! Worked at Kubota dealership for many, many years in the Service Dept, Kubota has a lot of very strange ideas and when they screw up like they did with your bumper, don’t ever expect or wait for Kubota to fix it! That will never happen!!! If Kubota screws up they expect the end user to fix it themselves, very, very sad!!! Sorry I am NOT a Kubota fan at all!!!! Seen way to many horror stories with Kubota equipment and the company does not stand behind there products!!! Thanks for the video, you did a good job!

Thats why I like the new Bx's.. I have the 23s.. nothing needs to removed to service it..

I saw the part in the manual which says you have to remove the cowling. I'm around 300 hours, a few oil changes and never have had to remove the cowling. The manual must be for the non engineering crowd.

I totally agree with you about the grill. I thought it would have a hinge so you could lay the grill forward to get the cowling off. Your rant is valid! There's so many things a person must consider prior to purchase that it's simply overwhelming. You don't ever get the 'rest of the story' until you buy it and take possession. Still you don't know until it's time to do maintenance. I'm sure I'll be confronted with a similar problem when I start my maintenance work. Your Bota is clean as a whistle. I like that. Okay my friend, sorry about the grill but thanks so much for this video. Your rant is heard. Take care of your knee.

My (2017) L2501 has a hinged front brush guard. Someone must've paid attention.....

The bumper on my BX23S does tilt forward. Perhaps they figured it out. By the way...check out 'modicication' in your disclaimer.

Glad I went with a Terramite. 10min oil change, lifts 1k more. Really makes the BX look like a glorified riding mower.

I found the same frustration the first time I serviced my BX25, not the best design for sure!

You don't need heat to remove Locfite! Work the fastener back and forth with a breaker bar until it loosens.

Why do you need to remove the cowling to change the engine oil ? Just take the filler cap off, open the sump plug under the block and drain the oil out.

Isnt the bumper part of the loader kit? I dont think my L series came with a bumper without the loader package.

Issue is fixed on the new BX series - the bumper folds forward. It is a lot cheaper though - feels like sheet metal.

the bigger Mx5000 back in the day had a bumper that was hinged. If you can't do it yourself get a local welder to make it hinged. its not hard to do.

I change the oil on my 25d without removing cowling.Not difficult.

Is that a Kabota made bumper or is it an aftermarket if so the aftermarket manufacture needs to change it.

Fixed on the new bx23s 👍

Welcome to mechanics 101. Why didn't you put a clamp on hitch on your bucket?couldnt live without mine

All manufacturers have their accessibility issues. Kubota makes a great tractor. New Holland, Deere, Massey, etc...all make great units. But they all have engineering issues that make you scratch your head. Makes you wonder what they were thinking. I don't think they do those things with the thought of making you take it to the dealer but it makes you wonder.

I welded the nuts on the back side to make that task easier, but I was pissed about this problem as well!!

Doesn't the bumper unpin and tilt forward like my MX4700 does?

I couldn't tell why the cowling needed to come off. Can't reach the filter, or the drain?

2018 i got the bx23 and the bumper does unclip and hinge away. i guess they heard you.

Yep another reason I’m so glad that I went with the John Deere 1025R

Where did you get the muffler extension?

Is that a dealer part or factory part why is it branded different 🤔

Take the bolts completely out. Done deal, nice tractor:)

Why would you ever red loctite the bolts?

Here's what all is involved in changing my Ford tractor's oil: 1) Remove drain plug with wrench and let oil drain. (A 5-gal bucket will fit underneath.) Reinstall plug. 2) Remove oil filter by hand or with filter wrench. Install new filter. Wipe any drips. 3) Remove filler cap by hand, pour in new oil, reinstall cap. 4) Check dipstick, crank tractor, check for leaks. All done, just about that fast.

Made me want a Kubota.

I feel your pain. Not enough traction and plenty of power. Engineering 😁

Cut off the top half of the bumper with an angle grinder, - remove the engine cowling , do the service - re-weld the top half of the bumper back on with an extension plate. fixed .

the bumbers I have installed tilt

Why put a bumper on? I always have the loader on, even mowing.

We had an old Kubota for years and it was great, this looks awfully cheap and not owner friendly

come on man grade 8 still break... get that new 1" Milwaukee impact it will bust them off or snap your arm

Why not use the 3 point to move youre trailers

We have a 1710 Massey Ferguson we love it. Very easy access to the engine.

Should start off by saying what model you have. My L3901 isn't too bad. Other than the stupid OPC switches.

They are just making it safe if your tractor hits a deer. Try working on a VW vehicle. You have to take the exhaust off to change your oil. And rotate your tires while you're at it.

Yeah my intentions are to show them the error of their ways and not actually try to strong-arm them in any way. But I'm retired so I have all the time in the world for this. Be well.

Drill a hole in front bucket for hitch

My mistake, I thought your add on bumper had a hinge like my TC45D New Holland tractor. That has got to be very dumb on Kabotas part. The year of my tractor is 2002, so Kabota has not kept pace with the compitition for that long. Be thankful you didn't buy Mahindra. The company and dealers will give you a run-around as soon as the check is cashed from what I see on videos.

Bid deal what's 4 bolts to remove you make it a deal because you have a bad knee. You should have looked at that issue before you got the tractor

*BotaTrac* the main thing is go as slow as you need 1-st time; They are making these things now so that one is forced to spend money needlessly; Known as Planned obsolescence, or built-in obsolescence; we were told 50 years ago that companies could not stay in business without forcing the buyer to purchase new produce often; Resist the urge to keep tractor super-clean as most cleaning agent including soap will defeat grease and oils; You can wipe it clean with cloth if it really matters;

Luv my Kioti!!! Easiest oil changes ever.

All corporations leave room for improvements so they can sell more products in the coming years. If things were made perfectly right out of the gate, no one would be a "repeat" customer.

I don't have to do all that with my Kioti. Just open the hood and take the side panels off. I can leave the loader on too. I also think that Kubota is way over priced.

Just wondering why you are changing oil at 100 hrs.? The first service is at 50 hrs. then I believe they are every 200 hrs. after that. It also appears you are not greasing your loader enough, there should be excess grease at your pins by now, unless you are even more picky than me and wipe them clean. LOL. Enjoy your tractor they are awesome toys ( I mean tools ).

Meanwhile at your local mechanic shop...

Oh I got a good one for you. The differential lock. I used it a couple times and it failed. It shattered the locking mechanism and they had to disassemble half the tractor. It Is not covered by the warrantee and I had to pay $2400.00 to have it fixed. Research in YT shows that many of us have had the same problem. Its Kubota Known problem. My tractor is now a three wheel drive. I cannot afford to use the Differential lock pedal again.

That two piece hood is the STUPIDEST thing Kubota ever did. I need about 8 hands to line everything up to get it back on. As for leaving it on for an oil change, just how small do your hands have to be? Not to mention seeing around corners, and being double jointed. At least they realized it when they came out with the 80 Series, which doesn't help those with prior models any.

Never seen that bumper by Kubota, it's not even a color they use, my L35 front bumper folds down,,and I drilled out a hole for trailer hitch in front bucket

Why does your oil need to be changed at 100 hours especially since it was changed at 50 hours? Seems excessive to me.

mmm meat and potatoes, doh!

Lol they fixed that

That’s the problems with the bx series. Don’t think kubota designed to be a working tractor. I mean one that shreds, moves hay, blades, disks or plows often. The L series or M series are all accessible for fluid changes and other maintenance.

I think you should of bought Green

Don't think Kubota is responsible. Gotta take the bumper off my Cadillac to change a headlamp bulb. And it's a lot more than4 bolts.

Should have gotten a Massy!

Its only 4 bolts and you do understand every bx kubota ever built is the same way. If thats a pain you must have loved the fuel filter under the floor pan.

John Deere grill guard will fold down!

I have 2100 hours on mine and have only removed the cowling twice. Once to move the engine to install a new fan, driveshaft and trans-axle. See my RU-vid videos.

Scrap bumper drive smart problem solved

Put your receiver on your bucket instead

Nope. The bumper rocks forward. RTFM, dude.

When it's all over I will wordsmith a nice letter to Kubota pointing out the long term problems with their warranty. I will then do a year's end video showing potential buyers all the crap I went through and warning others.

If you had bought a big boy Kubota tractor you wouldn't be whining about the homeowner version 😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅

What do you expect?...Most Kubota SMALL tractors are probably made in Thailand, these days.

Hi, there is a RU-vid Channel called Paul and Kathy Short, he is a Kubota lover like yourself, he does modifications all the time for improving design flaws or simple upgrades to make the tractors meet customers likes, check with him to see if he has addressed that issue before or maybe that is something he can come up with for you. Good Luck

The BX tractor is a cross between a lawn tractor and a real tractor. Seriously. It's best to have a dedicated lawn tractor and a real tractor than to have that abomination.

Grill solution for you guys. earthandturfattachments.com/bx-front-grill-guard/

Not a big deal just did one

That's a little tractor....Suitable for lawn care. I did a ton of research before I bought my 2018 Kubota L2501....Its a REAL tractor....and the grill-guard has a pin'''hinge..release lever you can utilize to swing the brush guard out of the way before you pull a release and have the hood "Magically" swing up by itself Pneumatically ....you are actually slamming Kubota because you bought a little tractor and you are using it as a tow truck?......Good news is that you can sell your Kubota for a LOT of money to someone who wants a good, reliable tractor for medium tractor work....without expecting it to be a Goliath....Really? You bought a compact-size tractor to use as a tow truck? You should have ponied-up for the L2501.....I use it to move trucks around....and the good thing about Kubota is....you only have to pop the hood to do regular maintenance.....oh wait....I did open my hood once ....to clean the engine compartment......just because...

Should have bought a New Holland you would not have that problem.

Trade it in for a bx23s

Should have went with Massey Ferguson they aren't like that

Kubota tractors are good machines. But they are over priced.

You should of bought the best tractor on the market, and that tractor is ( KIOTI ) just sayin.....

That is exactly what you get with kabota

I can tell u are not a mechanic as far as someone who works on vehicles , it would drive u nuts to work on a new truck or car or pickup diesel engines , which now in some cases u have to take the body off or lift it up to get to things , so engineers are not high on my list of likeable people ,lol