The Kubota L3301 is a powerhouse of a tractor and thousands of homeowners and professionals enjoy using it on a day-to-day basis. With that said, you’re bound to encounter Kubota L3301 problems as you rack up hours on your tractor.
Luckily, the most common problems can be fixed at home relatively cheaply. Problems that are more serious might be covered by your warranty and can be handled by a local dealer.
You can even avoid these Kubota L3301 problems by following our suggested routine maintenance guide at the end.
Engine Problems
Engine problems are serious and you should immediately shut off your tractor if you notice any performance issues or strange noises coming from the engine.
Engine problems are typically related to fuel issues, leaky gaskets, or oil problems. Here’s what to do if you notice insufficient engine power.
Fuel Pump Issues
The fuel pump on an older Kubota L3301 has been known to fail or clog after several hundred hours of use.
Ensure that your fuel pump is operating properly and isn’t clogged.
A clogged fuel pump will restrict the flow of fuel to the engine and cause it to either stop working or have performance issues.
How To Replace The Fuel Pump
Replacing the fuel pump is relatively easy and can be done at home with minimal tools. You’ll have to get under the tractor to get to it.
Unless the fuel tank is empty, you’ll leak fuel when you disconnect the fuel injection pump. Either crimp the lines before hand or plug them immediately after you take them off.
Once you have the fuel lines crimped, you’ll have to take off two bolts that mount the pump to the tractor and disconnect the electrical connection.
Now it’s as easy as repeating what you did in the opposite order with the new fuel pump.
Every time you replace fuel lines or remove a part of the fuel system, you introduce air that will need to be bled out.
You’ll need a 10mm to slightly loosen the air vent plug on the fuel filter and bleed the lines. Turn the key to the on position and wait a minute.
Tighten the air vent plug and idle the tractor for about a minute to purge any air leftover in your tractor.
Fuel Filter Issues
If you have engine issues, you may have a clogged fuel filter on your Kubota L3301. The fuel filter on any machine can get clogged and bogged down by debris.
Clogged fuel filters will restrict the flow of fuel and you’ll notice a decrease in performance or other issues.
How To Replace The Fuel Filter
To replace the filter you’ll need a filter wrench or some adjustable pliers and a rag.
You’ll find the filter on the side of the engine, it’s a black cylinder with a line coming in and out on either side.
Use a large wrench or filter wrench to grip the body of the filter and unscrew it. Have something ready underneath to catch any fuel.
Wipe the filter mount clean and begin prepping your new filter. Remove the cover and prep the filter seal with a thin layer of diesel.
Screw the new filter in by hand until it touches the filter mount. Finally, give it another turn and a half to ensure it’s snug and tight.
You’ll have to bleed the fuel tank vent after you’ve finished installing the filter as air could have entered the fuel line.
Head Gasket Issues
A leaky head gasket will cause coolant or combustion gasses to leak out of your engine.
While you can still operate the tractor with a leaky gasket, it is not recommended as it can eventually lead to more serious problems that will hit your wallet even harder.
The coolant system won’t be able to operate properly with a leaky gasket and your engine can eventually overheat and fail.
Replacing a leaky head gasket is usually beyond most homeowners capabilities if they’re unfamiliar with more complicated tractor repair.
You’re often better off bringing your tractor in to the dealer or a local repair shop to get it fixed. It might even be covered under warranty if you recently purchased your tractor.
Starting Problems
If you can’t get your engine to crank, or the tractor cranks but doesn’t start, you could have a few different problems.
Typically, the most common reasons your Kubota L3301 won’t start are related to the battery, glow plugs, or trying to improperly start it in cold weather.
Cold Weather Starting
Cold weather can be hard on your tractor’s battery, oil, and the engine. If you don’t take the proper steps to start your tractor in the cold, you’ll definitely have some trouble.
The easiest thing to do is buy a block heater and warm your engine up before you go to start it.
People often use block heaters on their trucks, but don’t think to use one for their tractors too. A diesel engine benefits from block heaters too.
If you don’t want to buy a block heater, parking your tractor in a heated garage, or slightly warmer than outside, will definitely help you start your tractor in cold weather.
If you live in a particularly cold climate, you may want to bring the battery inside the day before you plan to start up your tractor.
It can be slightly annoying to do it each time, but keeping the battery warm will extend its life and make sure it can deliver the charge needed to start the engine.
Battery Problems
Whenever your engine doesn’t start and it just clicks, the battery should be one of the first things you check.
Check the connections and ensure they’re not corroded. Loose electrical connections can also cause starting issues.
You should also check that the battery isn’t low or dead. A dead battery certainly will cause starting issues.
Glow Plug
Check the glow plugs on your diesel engine and ensure they’re working properly.
You can pull them out and visually inspect them. They should not be burned up or be covered in black substances.
Glow plugs are easy to replace and can be done at home. They’re relatively cheap and can be purchased at really any parts store.
Transmission Problems
The transmission on a Kubota L3301 is meant to last for the life of the tractor. If yours is giving you trouble, it may be time to bring it in to a dealer.
Transmission Gear Shift Lever
If the shifter is giving you trouble, you may need to take it apart and inspect the connection between it and the transmission.
Oftentimes, you may have damaged the shift linkage or another part of the system.
It’s often better to bring your tractor in to a professional than try to perform serious repairs on the transmission by yourself.
Steering Problems
People with Kubota L3301 problems often talk about steering issues.
If you notice that the tractor is unresponsive to the steering wheel or drifts to one side, here are some things to check.
Steering Pump
Over time, the steering pump on a Kubota L3301 can suffer from wear and tear. Eventually, it will fail or the tractor may not be as responsive to the steering wheel.
While you can purchase and install a new one at home, this might be hard for homeowners that aren’t as mechanically inclined or lack the necessary tools.
L3301 Hydraulic Problems
The hydraulic system on your Kubota L3301 can have a few different problems pop up over the years as you continue to operate it.
If you notice reduced power or function in your loader arms or other issues regarding the system, here’s what to check.
Air In The System
Air and hydraulic oil don’t mix. If you have air in your system, the arms won’t be able to function properly and the right pressure won’t build.
Bleed the fluid of air and check your fittings and connections for any leaks. If you don’t find how the air got in the system, it will just happen again.
Clogged Hydraulic Filter
A clogged hydraulic filter can starve the system of the necessary fluid.
Check the filter and ensure its free from debris or anything that might be impeding the flow of the fluid. You should be checking the fluid and filter regularly during your maintenance routines.
Maintenance Routine For Kubota L3301
Like any car or other piece of equipment, you need to be performing regular routine maintenance and checks.
Diesel engines can run forever, but only if you follow the proper maintenance laid out by the manufacturer.
Engine Oil
You should be checking your oil daily before operating your tractor.
Running your tractor on low or dirty oil is the easiest way to damage your engine and put a bigger hole in your wallet than the cost of a few new quarts.
The oil will need to be regularly changed every 50 operating hours. The oil filter should be changed at the same time too.
Engine Belts And Air Filter
You should keep an eye on any engine belts and replace them as needed. If you notice signs of wear or imminent failure, immediately replace the belts to avoid larger problems.
You can easily check any belts while doing your daily walk-around of your Kubota L3301.
The air filter should be replaced every 100 hours or as needed if it is clogged with debris.
Transmission
Part of your daily check should also include checking the transmission fluid levels.
The fluid itself should be replaced every 400 hours or as needed if it is dirty or low.
Steering
Your power steering fluid and the lines should be checked every 200 hours and replaced every two years.
If you are having problems, you may need to replace these sooner than that.
Fuel System
Fuel lines and the fuel grommets on your tractor need to be checked every 100 hours and replaced every two years.
Your filter should be replaced every 400 hours or sooner if you notice engine performance issues.
Fuel injectors and their tips should be cleaned or replaced every 1500 hours. Dirty or faulty injectors will affect performance.
Whenever you remove or replace a part of the fuel system, you will probably have to bleed the lines to remove any air introduced into the system.
Cooling System
You should check your coolant fluid levels every time before operating the Kubota L3301.
The entire cooling system should be flushed every two years and replaced with fresh coolant.
Add coolant to your cooling system as needed throughout the two years between flushes.
The radiator should be checked and cleaned as needed, especially after heavy work with lots of debris or dust.
Battery
You should check your battery every hundred hours and change it when needed if it struggles to hold a charge.
Hydraulic System
The hydraulic oil filter needs to be replaced every 400 hours on the Kubota L3301.
You should check the hydraulic fluid before start up and ensure its at the proper levels and free of debris.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):
How much does a Kubota L3301 cost?
A brand new 2022 Kubota L3301 will cost about $25,000 from a dealer.
How many hours will a Kubota diesel last?
A Kubota L3301 will typically last anywhere between 4,500 and 5,500 operating hours.
How much can a Kubota L3301 lift?
The Kubota L3301 has a lift capacity of 900 kg or 1984 lbs.
