Kubota Stepped Up And Replaced My Sidekick

[@greenflash1863]

Before we ever bought our first new tractor I received some great advice : “Buy the dealer, not the brand”. We were looking at orange machines but ended up with a green one. The local dealer was not only 4 miles from our house but had a great rep. What sold me on them was that before we ever bought a thing from them I had them fix our non green zero turn and they did a great job. Glad this all worked out for you 👍

[@unemployedredneckhillbilly2023]

I have spent a lot with this dealership over the years but not sure it makes a big difference. Kubota calls all the shots I found out in the end and the area rep is the one making choices, not the dealer. luckily Kubota replaced the rep and the new one worked this out. Having more pop up with the issue seemed to help also. I am looking for a new machine to replace my old Deere and actually looking at the Kioti brand also now after the tire swap they pulled. Deere tractors have gotten way too expensive. Thanks for watching.

[@steveferguson1232]

Glad you have a dealer that sort of has your back. It should not have taken this long to replace it. Like the new name

[@unemployedredneckhillbilly2023]

Lucky he let me upgrade to a different machine. They said the new ones are fixed but I just didn't want to take a chance after this. Seems to only affect some in colder climates. My granddaughter helped pick the name. Thanks for watching.

[@maintenancewithmike]

Glad the dealer stepped up. Now you get to install it all over again. Lol. Should last much longer as you say been around forever. Thanks for the update! Cheers, Mike.

[@unemployedredneckhillbilly2023]

I think the diesel models are pretty bulletproof and will last like my BX has. I wonder why Kubota didn’t design their own gas engines and went with a Subaru from a division that was closing down. Thanks for watching.

[@mishalea]

Wow, that oil was murky. Glad you were able to get it replaced. Have fun this gardening season!😊

[@mishalea]

Lol, Slowpoke is hilarious! 😂

[@unemployedredneckhillbilly2023]

Yes very thin and contaminated. I have never seen anything like this happen before. Please stop the rain so I can get planting. Righrt now it is all mud. My granddaughter helped me with the name. Thanks for watching.

[@mishalea]

@@unemployedredneckhillbilly2023 extremely windy and now storms here in Ks. You know the old saying, April showers bring May flowers! 😁

[@majenness]

Ed....... Glad to see that Kubota finally stepped up to the plate. It certainly took them long enough. Hope it turns out to be great replacement. Take care.

[@unemployedredneckhillbilly2023]

I was getting worried with the warranty almost over and no solution. I hope this one is trouble free and outlasts me. Thanks for watching.

[@clintprice2123]

Nice final outcome, happy to hear it’s all behind you. Enjoy it!

[@unemployedredneckhillbilly2023]

Just before the warranty ran out. One less thing to worry about. Thanks for watching.

[@dianeladico1769]

Glad they stepped up for you. Sorry for the trouble and all the work you had to do switching everything over. Hope Slowpoke does you right.

[@unemployedredneckhillbilly2023]

Thanks. Glad to be moving on and not having to worry about how long the engine would last anymore. Thanks for watching.

[@brucemcdougall7282]

Thanks for the honest reviews .

[@unemployedredneckhillbilly2023]

Didn’t even get to review this one. Hopefully the RTV will last longer. Thanks for watching.

[@Hog-g2z]

Hi , just been reading about the power output of your new vehicle, it only has about 24 brake horsepower, compare with the new version has 54 brake horsepower, and they have changed the engine this year, The petrol version is supposed to be to do nearly 50 miles an hour,

[@unemployedredneckhillbilly2023]

The sidekick had 46 hp and was speed limited to 40 mph. The new rtv has almost 25 hp and is supposed to do 25 mph. I took it up the road and it tops out at 19 mph now on flat asphalt. Have to use low gear to get up my hill from the pond. Big difference going from 5 pounds per hp to 10 pounds per hp. the hydrostatic transmission on the diesel really sucks up a lot of horsepower. In the US any diesels over 25 hp require tier 4 emissions that gets very complicated and expensive so that's why they keep them under that. the redesigned sidekick this year has 54 hp and its supposed to be fixed.

[@Hog-g2z]

@@unemployedredneckhillbilly2023 Hi , I think if you do some digging into info, on the new 2024 gas version it puts out 54bhp , With a higher top speed, it’s all wheel drive, but you can disconnect the front if you need to, and I believe this is where they get the more speed from, But there does seem to be a lot of variation from different people on its power output, but still a very nice vehicle, I would love anything at the moment, Within reason, Been looking for something secondhand, As I do not have a lot of pennies to spare as I have a lot of work to do on my property, I looked at something about five or six weeks ago for €2000. It was too small, got very high hour rating on it. And didn’t looked like it been looked after, Good luck,

[@unemployedredneckhillbilly2023]

Yes, as I said this year the engine was redesigned an bumped to 54 hp. There is a simple lever to switch between 2 and 4wd. The rear axle has a manual locker and the front differential is limited slip on both. They are very handy around the yard and grandkids love to drive them.

[@rjrj4617]

Good luck with the new wheels.

[@unemployedredneckhillbilly2023]

Thanks. I ordered a set of the wheels orange aftermarket sells that are approved by Kubota to be safe. Hopefully the slightly larger offset will allow me to use my old tires that are 1 inch larger then stock. Will also line up with the trailer e tracks better. Thanks for watching

[@BjornBear21]

I’ve always had the Polaris Rangers and never had a problem with them. The ones I know of they said Polaris was great at taking care of the problems.

[@unemployedredneckhillbilly2023]

I definitely made a mistake going with Kubota. The Ranger was my first choice. Thanks for watching.

[@terryl7874]

I prefer diesel engines over gas powered ones for several reasons. Over the long haul I think the choice you make will be satisfying.

[@unemployedredneckhillbilly2023]

I like diesels also and it should last. Just have to get used to how slow it is and how the narrower wheel base makes it tippier on off level areas then the wider gas machine. I think the rounded atv tires have a lot to do with that also. Thanks for watching.

[@bendigr]

The offset is not anissue with the RTV because it's not as fast. less chance of a rollover. The Sidekick is fast and needs a wider offset to prevent a rollover.

[@unemployedredneckhillbilly2023]

The Sidekick was more stabil on side hill areas. This feels tippy. I think the rounded tires also contribute to it. Almost feels like the center of gravity is higher on the RTV. Thanks for watching.

[@brentmcmahon8188]

The 3 cylinder diesels are great motors just change oil and antifreeze and don’t over heat and they will outlast the vehicle itself. I bought a newBX 2200 4 x4 tractor it it runs and operates like it did when new only thing I have done is I replaced both power steering hoses and that’s it and it has 1200 hrs so you will be happy with the diesel .

[@unemployedredneckhillbilly2023]

My BX2360 is 10 years old with 800 hours and never one problem with the engine. I changed the oil every 50 hours. would be nice if this engine ran at higher rpm and the transmission adjusted speed like my BX. This is basically a BX that seats 2. Thanks for watching .

[@michaelszyjka565]

Had a 55 chevy. Block cracked. that's what the oil looked like. Antifreeze and oil don't mix.

[@unemployedredneckhillbilly2023]

The oil reports showed gasand moisture at critical levels. Ran fine but the oil level constantly rose. Below freezing weather was worse. Several others just like it. Thanks for watching.

[@johnmonschauer6238]

Glad they replaced it. Wonder if your you tube status swayed them.

[@unemployedredneckhillbilly2023]

I think the emails I sent to all the manufacturing locations asking this be escalated with all the facts may have helped. I don't think the one to the CEO in Japan got through though. Kubota sent in a new rep a week later. Plus others are popping up at this point. Sounded like they wanted mine for testing. I told my dealer I wanted it fixed before the warranty ran out and this was a surprise. Thanks for watching

[@janetleeharrison]

At least they tried to do "something" to get you and the others a reliable vehicle. Neither one is perfect, BUT, I really like the new diesel a lot more. I think once you adjust to this new one, you will enjoy it much more than the other. It's too bad you had to remove everything and switch it over yourself, but at least you know the mechanic was top-notch.😉

[@unemployedredneckhillbilly2023]

So far they only wanted mine back. Others with higher hours are waiting for a fix. This one should last without any future engine problems. Thanks for watching.

[@janetleeharrison]

@@unemployedredneckhillbilly2023 WOW, you are really lucky!😲

[@unemployedredneckhillbilly2023]

I think sending emails about it asking for help to every Kubota location in the US may have helped. Don't think the one to the CEO in Japan made it though.

[@janetleeharrison]

@@unemployedredneckhillbilly2023 Hahaha, well your efforts certainly paid off! I'm really happy this arrived in time for this growing season. Thx 4 ur replies!

[@Hog-g2z]

Hi URHC , it looks like a great machine, I seem to remember many many years ago back in my teens, early 20s, having a problem with an engine with oil similar to what you’ve got, and I believe it was a Oring or something inside the engine that had filed, not the head gasket, obviously a design fault with the internals, as for your tires is it possible to have some spaces made up with longer studs so you can put your better tires on?, as for engine performance., Not sure whether it can be done, I had something done to a Mercedes sprinter a few years ago, I had it remapped, A lot of models, the engine size is all the same, And it went from a I think 90 horsepower to 125 horsepower, You could probably get the engine tuned in such a way to give you more performance , but you might end up losing reliability, I’m sure you’ve better to find somebody that might give you some advice about it, And I’ll now remember, there’s been a lot of controversy about the EPA restrictions that might be another reason why it’s not producing a lot of power, I have been reading up a lot on KZbin about Harley Davidson, There is a lot of people not happy, we are being controlled, stay safe,

[@unemployedredneckhillbilly2023]

Thanks. I think it should last. I am looking at some different offset wheels now, but still worried about frame interference. This has wet brakes in the hubs and the old one had disc brakes that has changed the whole geometry. I see you can adjust the fuel to bump performance but that affects warranty and emissions so hopefully after a couple more hours it will losen up. I heard the problem may have been something with the intake manifold design and fuel injection system during cold starts on a high compression engine. Only seems to affect some in cold climates. Thanks for watching.

[@Hog-g2z]

@@unemployedredneckhillbilly2023 wet braking system is supposed to be very good, stop on a sixpence , as they used to say, That is what commercial tractors use , A shame about it hasn’t got any get up and go, I presume that it is all wheel drive,

[@Ladythyme]

That’s a bummer….hope Slowpoke serves you well

[@unemployedredneckhillbilly2023]

So glad they finally did something. Thanks for watching.

[@mattp4079]

Wonder how many dealers across the country just keep telling the customer its their fault for not warming it up? Car manufacturers do the same when a known defect doesn't qualify for a full NHTSA recall.

[@unemployedredneckhillbilly2023]

That originally came from Kubota. With more popping up there's definitely issues with some of them that are used in colder climates. I heard they have been using mine to develop a fix so hopefully any with issues will eventually be repaired for all. Thanks for watching.

[@kdscrapping4452]

Looked like a head gasket problem!!

[@unemployedredneckhillbilly2023]

They checked that first. It seems to affect machines in colder climates randomly. I think it is the Subaru design. They shut down the small engine division about the same time Kubota started using this engine and Kubota doesn't seem to have diagnostic tools for it. Thanks for watching.

[@crtcustoms6140]

It’s a good that they tried to make it better. I would have swapped the bed head rack over too for all the time you lost due to the issues of the first one plus additional accessories swapping.

[@unemployedredneckhillbilly2023]

Hopefully no problems with this one. I was surprised they don't put a shield in place on this machine to protect the seat back for what it costs. I'll probably just make a wooden one. Glad its almost over. Thanks for watching.

[@wildbill23c]

I'm surprised Kubota hasn't been sued for the use of the Sidekick name by Suzuki.

[@unemployedredneckhillbilly2023]

Never thought about that. Wonder if the time limit has run out. Thanks for watching.

[@patriotchic3364]

Why on earth would you have to let it warm up for a half hour before you use it. Buy an old 2 seater Toyota truck. Runs cheat and you dont have to burn gas everytime you use it.

[@unemployedredneckhillbilly2023]

That's what I said when it is sold for homesteads. Short tripping is something I had never heard of before. That sidekick sucked down gas. Thanks for watching.