Rust on Bobcat CT230

[azop]

I purchased a 2009 Bobcat CT230 with two hours on it about a month ago. I was told that the tractor was new, never used, and wasn't a demo unit. I did receive a $500 'old inventory' discount, but I made sure to verify that the tractor was in good working order, and no damage.

Being that this was my first tractor I got it home and parked it outside under a tarp for the first three weeks, and then in my garage after that. The more that I use the tractor, the more that I notice it has some rust problems. I want your guys advice on if you think this rust is a big enough issue for me to fight with the dealer over, or if I should just live with it.

Pictures are here. Ignore the first two pictures, they are related to http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/bobcat-tractors/202610-lose-hydraulic-fluid-when-removing.html

https://picasaweb.google.com/114971574620653918624/TractorRust#

Thanks

 

[sweettractors]

I purchased a 2009 Bobcat CT230 with two hours on it about a month ago. I was told that the tractor was new, never used, and wasn't a demo unit. I did receive a $500 'old inventory' discount, but I made sure to verify that the tractor was in good working order, and no damage.

Being that this was my first tractor I got it home and parked it outside under a tarp for the first three weeks, and then in my garage after that. The more that I use the tractor, the more that I notice it has some rust problems. I want your guys advice on if you think this rust is a big enough issue for me to fight with the dealer over, or if I should just live with it.

Pictures are here. Ignore the first two pictures, they are related to http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/bobcat-tractors/202610-lose-hydraulic-fluid-when-removing.html

https://picasaweb.google.com/114971574620653918624/TractorRust#

Thanks

I think by accepting the initial $500 old inventory discount, you may be hooked. Depends on the dealer? He wanted/neded to move that off his inventory. I bet he sold it at cost + his floor plan interest to make the sale attractive to you. Ken Sweet

 

[troutsqueezer]

Since the rust is appearing on wear points, I would say the tractor has had some usage.

 

[sweettractors]

Since the rust is appearing on wear points, I would say the tractor has had some usage.

Don't mean to hijack the thread, just a question, What is a "Bandwagon" in your parts? Here in Ky, we have a saying that if something is good, everybody likes to "jump on the bandwagon" to be a part of it. Ken Sweet

 

[azop]

I think by accepting the initial $500 old inventory discount, you may be hooked. Depends on the dealer? He wanted/neded to move that off his inventory. I bet he sold it at cost + his floor plan interest to make the sale attractive to you. Ken Sweet

I hope not. I sent this to the dealer before I purchased it:

I forgot to ask, the CT230 is in new condition right? I noticed several of the tractors outside the store had some damage to the seats and such, so I wanted to make sure everything on the CT230 that's in STL is in good shape and wasn't a rental or demo unit.


Their response:


Curtis the tractor is new, however they do sit outside. We will check condition when we get it.

<snip>

 

[sweettractors]

I hope not. I sent this to the dealer before I purchased it:

I forgot to ask, the CT230 is in new condition right? I noticed several of the tractors outside the store had some damage to the seats and such, so I wanted to make sure everything on the CT230 that's in STL is in good shape and wasn't a rental or demo unit.


Their response:


Curtis the tractor is new, however they do sit outside. We will check condition when we get it.

<snip>

I would say that they checked it and then did not do anything to clean it up. I would go to Bobcat, if the dealer is not flexible. Ken Sweet

 

[MFRED]

Looks like they should have done a better job with dealer prep.

Normal bumps & bruises during tractor assembly & storage that normally get touched up before delivery. If it was at the dealer a while, they may have had something hooked to it for display, maybe had the loader off?

Unless, he thinks the touch up would've made it look worse, like paint not matching the fading or something. The forks look normal, I've seen new sets that were outside and no use that the tines were all rust and no paint left.

 

[powergod1]

I would say it has been used, but perhaps not sold. Im told here in Missouri as long as its not sold, even if its demo'ed, it can be and in most cases sold as "New". curious what the hourmeter displayed? also the rust is on the bobtach did they pull it off another machine to fill your order? the tow bar could have been pulled from a used machine because yours was missing. as far as the battery area, mine had the same rust corrosion and it was at 1 hour and had a build stamp of 60 days ago. So perhaps you need to ask them again the new used question and be specific also about the loader and draw bar.

 

[grsthegreat]

i had the same question. what did the hour-meter say.

I see scratches and rust on new tractors in the lots i was looking at. I guess enough people test drive them, a few scrapes are inevitable. Personally, id probably just scrape the areas, prime and re-touchup the paint.

As for pallet forks...they ALWAYS get scraped up. i don't think i have eve seen a set without rust. nature of the beast.

I just reciently purchased a 2009 gooseneck horse trailer off of a lot. Brand new (Never been sold or registered). It has a couple of minor scratches and some light fade here and there, but heck its sat on a lot for 2 years. What can i expect. Its still new, just not BRAND new. But i got it at a great price, so i guess ill get out some touch-up paint and some wax and get to work.

 

[sweettractors]

I still say CUT buyers hold their dealers and tractors to very "Low Expectations" Reference my thread from last January. Ken Sweet
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/buying-pricing-comparisons/195048-why-do-cut-owners-buyers.html

 

[samandmax]

I almost bought a Ct450 bobcat, but could not find one without rust. In the seams on top of the hood, cat emblem on front of hood, and under fenders. Alot of it is where one piece of metal is spot welded to another and you cant get rid of it, only temp. fix whats showing on top. BobCat has had many complaints about this. They say they are going to sandblast the metal before they paint. I dont know when they are going to start. I decided I didnt want to be repairing rust every year, and went with a different manufacturer. One dealer said they would take care of it,but why spend that amount of money and start off with a problem that I cant get rid of.

 

[IslandTractor]

Most of the photos show surface rust on wear spots or where paint has been scraped off forks and hitches etc. That is perfectly normal for farm equipment and really isn't worth worrying about unless you are entering your tractor in some sort of concours show.

The rust on the sheet metal inside the engine compartment is presumably related to sitting outside for a year or more. I don't recall seeing any on my two Kioti tractors from the same factory as yours but then again I kept both in a barn.

I would personally not do anything but keep an eye on the surface rusted body panels. So long as you are not splashing salt on the tractor and leaving it in the rain year round it is only a mild cosmetic issue. I wonder if we Kioti owners don't see such rust because of the orange body panel color while the Bobcat white accentuates the rust. In any case rest assured that we don't hear complaints of Kioti's falling apart for any reason and certainly not rust.

 

[azop]

The hour meter had 2 hours on it

 

[powergod1]

With only two hours on it I would really question if they the loader and draw bar where pulled from something else

 

[IslandTractor]

With only two hours on it I would really question if they the loader and draw bar where pulled from something else

Those things can easily be scratched up during installation or testing/demo after assembly. We are talking about a tractor not a Porche after all. It is a tool not barnyard jewelry. The black paint on forks and hitches is not designed to survive after the first actual use.

 

[Gittyup]

I agree with IT, it's a tractor not an automobile, and most can easily happen from attaching/detaching a part just one time. However, the rust on the edges of the white painted sheet metal faying surfaces is bothersome. Over time it will certainly grow, and it shouldn't happen in the first place if primed and painted properly. I'd want those areas touched up with POR-15 or the like and repainted. Still not likely to get it all without disassembly and proper painting. And a dealer isn't likely to do that.

Paint is one area where Daedong needs to do better. On my Kioti, the paint looks good, finish is smooth and shiny, but it is very thin. Doesn't take much to rub through it. In contrast, my John Deere has really thick paint. You can scratch it pretty deep without even going all the way through. I'd guess the paint thickness on the JD is at least 4 times that on my Kioti.

 

[Sprocket]

Looks to me like the battery is leaking from the seam near the top....I removed my battery and painted that area with truck bed liner spray.

 

[powergod]

I agree its not a car, but new is new. and you should receive it as such

 

[lilranch2001]

Looks to me like the battery is leaking from the seam near the top....I removed my battery and painted that area with truck bed liner spray.

I agree, the battery compartment was the pic that concerned me the most.
Mine is an 09 and my battery compartment does not look anywhere close to as bad as that, and I have 160 hours on it

 

[troutsqueezer]

Don't mean to hijack the thread, just a question, What is a "Bandwagon" in your parts? Here in Ky, we have a saying that if something is good, everybody likes to "jump on the bandwagon" to be a part of it. Ken Sweet

Ken, the bandwagon would be one and the same for both of us. The problem is by the time the bandwagon gets around to you so you can hop on it, the money's already been made or people are already occupying the ground floor of the new company. The ship has already sailed..so to speak.

-Trout