Has anyone else had any problem with getting your open cab kubota SVL75 skid steer to unlock in cold weather? We have two of them and when it is below 30 degrees they will not unlock. If it gets above 32 they have no problem unlocking. If you've had this problem what was your solution?
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Kubota SVL75
- Thread starter Scottk87
- Start date
ETMF 58 White
Well-Known Member
I hope to resurrect this old thread because I’m desperately searching for something to fix this problem in my 2015 svl 75-2. Weather makes no difference; it’s been doing it for the last 4 months and I’ve gotten to work it very little during that time. It’s been in the shop at two different dealers for weeks at a time, have replaced the hydraulic lock switch (the green one), the armrest switches, the operator presence switch, and various wiring. Spent gobs of money on dealer repairs and renting a Cat to do my work. Last week dealer called and said replacing the operator presence switch didn’t fix it but he thought that since it’s two wires to that switch, and not three wires, that he could bypass it. I told him do it by all means. They called and said it’s ready to pick up. I drive up there with my trailer, and nothing has changed. It still won’t unlock. Various dealers, not just the two I’ve had it in, have various suggestions they pull out of the sky. One shop foreman on the phone said it doesn’t even have an operator seat switch (it does) and the the engine coupler to the pump is sheared off. Of course he is nuts, because the machine works fine on the rare occasion that it decides it will unlock today.
Please give me something to go on or send contact info of a good insurance arsonist.
Please give me something to go on or send contact info of a good insurance arsonist.
Welder Dave
Senior Member
From reading about the problems with these Kubota's I don't think I'd consider buying one. Maybe it's common for newer equipment with all the electronic crap??? Would hate to have to have the dealer mechanic on speed dial.
kennyj
New Member
I was having the same problem on my SVL75 when it's cold out. Found out the seat gets stiff enough that it won't "trip" the switch in the seat. I give the cushion a few hits with my fist before sitting down. That's been working so far. This didn't happen until a couple years ago, leading me to suspect the seat foam has absorbed moisture from the humidity.
seville009
Well-Known Member
don’t know if applies to the Kubota, but i have a safety switch under the seat of my MF tractor. When it’s cold, the seat won’t compress to trip the switch. Solution was to unplug the switch and stick a bypass wire in one end to have both wires make constant contact
Dawson Welch
New Member
Did you ever find a solution to this problem? Having somewhat of the same problem except mine will occasionally lock up while I’m just driving. It gets extremely frustrating.
ETMF 58 White
Well-Known Member
Yes. I finally found a dealer with a mechanic experienced with this issue. He changed a fuse somewhere is I believe what he said. Anyway, it fixed it. I’ll look at my service ticket when I go to my office and see if there’s anything on there that will be of benefit to you. Mine was also occasionally locking up while driving. We thought it was just due to operator shifting around in the seat and deactivating the safety switch, but in looking back at it I now realize it was the fuse issue, or whatever it was that the mechanic changed out.
Midnightmoon
Senior Member
Id question the fuse issue. The seat switch is a large pad that is prone to issues. You can jump the plug behind the seat for the seat switch. If that solves the problem your seat switch is the issue. The power comes from the end 5amp fuse in the fuse box. That fuse also powers the arm safety switches. I would check your machine etmf 58 white to make sure your seat switch wasnt jumped by getting in machine and hold yourself up off the seat and see if it will still unlock.
Dawson Welch
New Member
Awesome, I really appreciate it. I’m not in a position right now where I can afford trips to dealers without a solution, so this is a huge help. Thanks
Buckminster
New Member
Any more details from the ticket?
Mine started randomly dropping out too. Cleaning out around the seat and checking the wiring there for now.
ETMF 58 White
Well-Known Member
I’m sorry, I will try to remember to look in that machine’s file and post that repair ticket. Whatever he did fixed it because I’ve had no more trouble. And since the first dealer bypassed and eliminated the seat switch without having any effect on the problem, I know that it was the last fix that did the trick. Stand by until I can post when I get in my office to look at the file.
The seat switches as some of you know on the kubota is not like a button switch. It looks like a little air bag... And boy what a joy they are to replace. You will have loads of fun... We have guys on the smaller side that didn't even have enough ass to engage the seat switch. Or if you had the deluxe seat you would have to bottom it out to the floor to trigger the switch. Next time it does it. Turn around and literally push your knee into the seat dead center instead of your butt and see if it unlocks. Been on several service calls for machines not working but it was just that seat sensor not getting the right butt groove put to it... I didn't think you could bypass the switch since it was built into the interlock protocalls that the controller had to recognize before allowing the machine to unlock.. Could be wrong on that but it is a 3 wire system. Reference, in and out.
Buckminster
New Member
On my 2016 SVL the seat sensor is just a 2 wire. Found the inside of the connector was damp and showing signs of corrosion. Pulled the seat and riser out to clean things up as I bought it used and was a mess behind it. Cut the factory connectors off and replaced with a Packard weatherpack design for automotive applications which I think is better than what kubota uses. Did see that the arm "switches" appear to be proximity sensors.
Midnightmoon
Senior Member
It's just a 2 wire on off switch and can be bypassed on all models. Those large pressure seat switches are not the best by any means
ETMF 58 White
Well-Known Member
Buckminster
New Member
ETMF,
Thanks, sounds like grounded wires for RH arm rest blew the fuse.
After I replaced the connectors on my seat sensor I then Ohm'ed it out and while sitting in it moving around I could get the reading to vary from <2 ohms to 1.9K ohms. So for now I've by passed the sensor to see how it runs.
Thanks, sounds like grounded wires for RH arm rest blew the fuse.
After I replaced the connectors on my seat sensor I then Ohm'ed it out and while sitting in it moving around I could get the reading to vary from <2 ohms to 1.9K ohms. So for now I've by passed the sensor to see how it runs.
JLarson
Senior Member
Kinda sounds like you always had the typical seat switch issues but the other shops bungled the job messing with the arm switch and probably hacked the wires and popped a fuse.