Since 2013, when it entered the market, Kubota l3560 customers have been saying it’s one of the best tractors in the world. Its reliable 29-horsepower Kubota-TVC engine will amaze you with its excellent performance.
Despite excellent Kubota reviews, these tractors occasionally present some issues. These problems may slow the tractor down or ruin the machine.
From dark exhaust fumes to starting problems, lack of traction, or friction of the wheel bearings, you can expect to encounter a problem along the way.
Kubota L3560 Problems and Solutions
1. Engine Overheating
There are several reasons for Kubota l3560’s engine overheating. The most common reason is the tractor running on low levels of engine fuel.
Riding the Kubota l3560 on low fuel will lead to sudden overheating and later stalling during an activity.
Poor airflow into the engine is another common reason that causes the Kubota l3560 engine to overheat.
Without proper airflow in the engine, heat accumulates with time, and eventually, the engine overheats.
Airflow restriction mainly happens if there is sediment or debris clogging the radiator or the air cooling system.
Remember: a faulty fan belt also creates a faulty cooling system—which eventually presents as an overheating problem.
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Solution
To troubleshoot engine overheating, first, check for enough engine fuel to run the Kubota Tractor for your specific task. If there is less fuel, fill the tractor’s diesel tank to the correct level.
After that, clean out any debris or dirt from the radiator and cooling system to ensure proper airflow to the engine.
We recommend using a dust blower to blow out the accumulated dust and debris in between the parts.
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2. Kubota Tractor Troubles Starting or Stopping the Engine
Most users complain about difficulty starting or stopping the engine. Several issues cause this problem.
If it happens during the winter, it’s likely because the oil viscosity has increased. It eventually slows down the engine.
If the cold season is not the culprit, there are a few other causes, including lack of fuel flow due to air or water stuck in the fuel system.
Besides winter, a Kubota l3560 tractor may fail at cranking if air or water enters the fuel lines.
If these two get stuck in the fuel lines, your Kubota l3560 engine will not burn fuel efficiently—at least not enough to start the tractor.
A dead or low-voltage battery will not start the Kubota l3560 tractor either. So, yes, this is another prime suspect for an engine that’s difficult to start.
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Troubleshooting
Fuel system troubleshooting
With the Kubota tractors, sometimes the fuel system is suspected to cause engine crank problems.
To deal with this, you must first check if the tank needs a fill. If the levels are low, fill it to the correct level. You should also check out the fuel tank and ensure it’s clean—no dust or debris.
You might need to bleed out the fuel system and clean it if you encounter any dirt to solve this problem. Finally, tighten up the tank bolt or any other loose nut.
Battery troubleshooting
If the battery is the issue, you might need to ensure your Kubota tractor runs on a properly charged battery.
Also, ensure your battery terminals are clean and the cables are running properly. This is important because battery cables sometimes corrode and break with time.
Use an Ohm meter to check out the voltage of the Kubota tractor safety switches and ensure it gives out correct readings.
For precautionary purposes, we suggest fully charging the battery and storing it away from your Kubota tractor during the winter.
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Oil viscosity
Viscosity change in oil could be a big issue because of temporal change. The solution to this issue is changing the oil.
Try using an oil with a different viscosity suitable for ambient temperature. It may help in rectifying the problem. If you want to, you can also use an engine heater.
It also solves this problem. Remember, the most important thing here is getting rid of old oil and replacing it with new, better-quality oil.
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3. Kubota Tractors Colored Exhaust Fumes
Of all the common problems you’ll likely face with this model, this is the scariest: colored exhaust fumes. Luckily, the repairs are a lot easier to do than you might expect.
The color of the smoke determines the problem. Black smoke points to poor fuel quality or a clogged filter.
Too much fuel may also be an issue. Then, blue-white smoke results from carbon deposits in the fuel or the injector nozzles.
Solution for black fumes
To fix the black fumes issue, we recommend replacing the fuel you’ve been using with clean, quality fuel. Also, check for a clogged filter and install a good one.
Lastly, ensure the fuel in the tank is not too much—it must be at the correct level.
We also recommend unclogging the air filter because a clogged one prevents proper fuel combustion, causing the machine to produce black smoke.
Repair any broken Kubota l3560 air filter or replace it with a new one.
Solution for blue-white fumes
To repair the blue-white fumes issues, check out the injection nozzle and clean it of any carbon deposits or dirt.
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4. Engine Dies After Some Time
If a Kubota L3560 tractor runs for a while and then dies, it means there’s an issue with the fuel system.
Anything wrong with the fuel system may cause your Kubota l3560 engine to emit a strange odor.
Solution
To solve this problem, identify the fuel you are using. Since they work differently with diesel, you need to be careful about the diesel and air ratio.
This is because diesel is first compressed before the piston ignites the mixture in the cylinder for compression. So, you must troubleshoot the cylinder compression and pistons if it’s diesel.
If your Kubota l3560 runs on gasoline, the issue is probably faulty spark plugs. To fix this issue, replace the faulty spark plugs.
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5. Lack of Friction in Steering Wheels
Lack of friction in steering wheels can lead to many problems and even cause accidents.
A low-friction steering wheel is usually because of a defective part in the steering system. The pump may be defective and a low fuel amount could be responsible for this.
Poor friction in the steering wheel of a Kubota l3560 is a hazard because it easily causes the user to lose control of the tractor, oftentimes leading to an accident.
A faulty steering part in the steering system causes this problem. The most common faulty part is a worn-out steering pump.
A faulty steering cylinder also causes this problem. This is the part that connects the steering pump to the steering box.
If the steering cylinder leaks or is faulty, the steering system will fail. Low fuel amounts in the tractor also cause this issue.
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Solution
The first step is checking the fuel levels in your tractor and ensuring it’s at the correct level. Next, you need to replace any faulty parts in the steering system.
The parts that mostly become defective are the steering pump and the steering cylinder. If it proves hard to change the parts from your garage, contact your dealer to avoid messing up further.
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6. Insufficient Engine Power
This is a common problem for users who consistently run on insufficient, dirty, or the wrong fuel. They cause the Kubota tractor engine to slow down or become inefficient.
Clogged air filters do not allow sufficient airflow to the engine for proper combustion and this causes the engine power issues.
Solution
First, you must ensure you use the correct fuel in your Kubota tractor. You also need to maintain an optimal amount of fuel in the tank. If that’s already done, try cleaning the injector nozzles and ensuring they work properly.
If they’re faulty, replace them. If clogged air filters are causing the issue, clean or replace them with new ones.
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7. Engine Starts Hard Permanently
This is one of the most common problems and it has several causes. If your Kubota tractor engine is difficult to crank, there are a few things to investigate to find out why this is happening.
The reasons range from clogged fuel lines to a dirty or faulty injector and a dirty fuel filter. If your Kubota tractor runs on gasoline and has an incorrect spark plug timing, the engine will start hard permanently.
Fixing your spark plugs should solve this issue. Air leaks in the suction side of the engine, clog in the exhaust pipe and low-voltage batteries also cause the engine to start a hard issue.
To solve this, unclog the clogged parts and ensure the battery holds enough charge.
8. Excessive Vibration
Excessive vibration is a problem that some Kubota L3560 tractor owners may encounter. It can affect operator comfort and potentially lead to fatigue or equipment damage.
Causes of Excessive Vibration
Several factors can contribute to excessive vibration in the Kubota L3560 tractor.
These include unbalanced or damaged components like worn-out tires or bent rims, loose or damaged engine mounts, misaligned or worn-out driveline components, and improperly adjusted or damaged hydraulic components.
Solution for Excessive Vibration
To address excessive vibration, take the following steps:
- Inspect and replace worn-out or damaged tires or rims.
- Check and tighten engine mounts, or replace them if necessary.
- Inspect and realign driveline components, or replace them if needed.
- Ensure proper adjustment and maintenance of hydraulic components.
By addressing these issues, excessive vibration can be mitigated, improving operator comfort and reducing potential equipment damage.
9. Electrical System Malfunction
Electrical system malfunctions can occur in the Kubota L3560 tractor, leading to issues with various electrical components and systems.
Causes of Electrical System Malfunction
Possible causes of electrical system malfunctions include faulty wiring or loose connections, malfunctioning switches, relays, or fuses, battery issues like low charge or corrosion, and defective alternators or starter motors.
Solution for Electrical System Malfunction
To address electrical system malfunctions, follow these steps:
- Inspect and repair faulty wiring or loose connections.
- Test and replace malfunctioning switches, relays, or fuses.
- Ensure the battery is fully charged and free from corrosion. Clean battery terminals and replace if necessary.
- Test and replace defective alternators or starter motors if identified as the cause of the issue.
By addressing these electrical system problems, the proper functioning of electrical components and systems in the Kubota L3560 tractor can be restored.
10. Unresponsive Power Take-Off (PTO)
Some Kubota L3560 tractor owners may experience issues with the power take-off (PTO) system, which transfers power from the engine to various attachments and implements.
Causes of Unresponsive PTO
The unresponsiveness of the PTO system can be attributed to factors such as a faulty PTO switch or wiring, malfunctioning PTO clutch or engagement mechanism, improper adjustment of PTO linkage, and issues with PTO driveline components.
Solution for Unresponsive PTO
To address an unresponsive PTO system, take the following steps:
- Test and replace faulty PTO switches or wiring.
- Inspect and repair the PTO clutch or engagement mechanism if it malfunctions.
- Ensure proper adjustment of the PTO linkage according to manufacturer guidelines.
- Inspect and repair or replace faulty PTO driveline components.
By following these steps, the PTO system in the Kubota L3560 tractor can be restored to its normal functionality, allowing for the proper operation of various attachments and implements.
Kubota L3560 Troubleshooting
| Problem | Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Engine Overheating | – Running on low levels of engine fuel | – Check fuel levels and fill the tractor’s diesel tank to the correct level. |
| – Poor airflow into the engine due to sediment or debris clogging the radiator or air cooling system | – Clean out debris or dirt from the radiator and cooling system to ensure proper airflow to the engine. Use a dust blower to remove accumulated dust and debris. | |
| – Faulty fan belt | – Check and replace a faulty fan belt to ensure proper cooling system operation. | |
| Kubota Tractor Troubles Starting or | – Increased oil viscosity during winter | – Change the oil to one with a different viscosity suitable for the ambient temperature. Consider using an engine heater. |
| Stopping the Engine | – Lack of fuel flow due to air or water stuck in the fuel system | – Check fuel levels and ensure the fuel lines are free from air or water. Bleed the fuel system if necessary. |
| – Dead or low-voltage battery | – Ensure the Kubota tractor runs on a properly charged battery. Clean battery terminals and check cable connections. Use an Ohm meter to test the voltage of safety switches. Fully charge the battery and store it away from the tractor during winter. | |
| – Faulty spark plugs (gasoline engine) | – Replace faulty spark plugs. | |
| Kubota Tractors Colored Exhaust Fumes | – Black smoke: Poor fuel quality or clogged filter | – Replace the fuel with clean, quality fuel. Check and replace a clogged filter. Unclog the air filter to allow proper fuel combustion. Repair or replace a broken air filter. |
| – Blue-white smoke: Carbon deposits in fuel or injector nozzles | – Clean the injection nozzle of carbon deposits or dirt. | |
| Engine Dies After Some Time | – Issues with the fuel system | – For diesel engines, troubleshoot cylinder compression and pistons. For gasoline engines, replace faulty spark plugs. |
| Lack of Friction in Steering Wheels | – Defective part in the steering system | – Check fuel levels and ensure they are at the correct level. Replace any faulty parts in the steering system, such as the steering pump or steering cylinder. |
| Insufficient Engine Power | – Insufficient, dirty, or wrong fuel | – Use the correct fuel and maintain an optimal amount in the tank. Clean or replace clogged air filters. Clean or replace faulty injector nozzles. |
| Engine Starts Hard Permanently | – Clogged fuel lines | – Unclog the fuel lines. |
| – Dirty or faulty injector | – Clean or replace the injector. | |
| – Dirty fuel filter | – Clean or replace the fuel filter. | |
| – Incorrect spark plug timing (gasoline engine) | – Adjust the spark plug timing to the correct settings. | |
| – Air leaks in the suction side of the engine, clog in the exhaust pipe, or low-voltage batteries | – Identify and repair any air leaks in the suction side of the engine. Unclog any exhaust pipe obstruction. Ensure the battery has enough charge. |
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Final thoughts on Kubota l3560 problems
Kubota tractor owners highly rate the experience of using the l3560. The model has great consumer experiences.
However, you’ll come across users complaining about the problems we just discussed. What do we think? Well, nothing is perfect.
We don’t think these issues are a deal breaker regarding the l3560 tractor model. Most of the common problems are easy to fix.
