Is this acceptable quality on a brand new Kubota?

[BANDAMAN]

The loader is powdercoated. Grinding, bondoing, priming, and painting are not options and not something I would do anyway. My dealer has already stated that any rework or welding on this loader would void the factory warranty.

Some of the undercut welds have sharp edges, some of the poor beads that start and stop already have signs of corrosion, the powder did obviously not stick as well to the rough beads as well as it does to the smooth parts of the loader before going in the oven. You could count on this loader having some rusty areas around these welds in a short time.

I only posted a few pictures, if you look at the whole loader as a package, its very crappy work. The front grill guard could be better, but its not terrible....the tractor itself is very nice.

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

Some edge around the welds is normal, I would not worry about that. If your seeing corrosion already, as a dealer I'd take pictures are try and file a warrenty claim against it. Thats your quickest way to a solution. Your not going to make much headway without good pictures. You gotta come to this with proof to keep from being written off as another crazy customer who thinks his tractor is a porche.

 

[BANDAMAN]

Hey Bandaman,
As a Bx2230 owner I was wondering, why did you decide to trade up for a new one? My dealer mentioned that he likes the old steel hoods better than the new plastic ones. I've also heard that the old style baggers are easier to use and work better. I love the short length of the Bx2230. Really maneuverable.
Any advantages to the new tractor? The Bx2230 was 22 h.p., is the 1850 18 horse, and if so do you notice any difference?

Thanks for the postings, and best of luck to you,
Pintodeluxe

I traded for an 1860, not an 1850. They have gone back to the steel hood and fenders on the 60 series. I was not interested in the plastic 50 series. Several reasons for trading, but basically I was trying to go from two machines to one. BX2230 had 60" deck and was too big for my current property...I bought a JD lawn tractor to mow with. Tried to get a 48" deck for my 2230, but no dealer would sell me one since it was not originally available on that model. New deck is about $1600 anyway, so for a bit more than that, I traded for a brand new machine (BX1860, loader, and 48" fine cut deck) and then sold my John Deere to cover most of the trade difference. One less machine to store and maintain.

Time will tell if I miss the 4 less horsepower, but not likely. It is rare that I do heavy digging or dirt work, mostly mowing, moving snow, moving mulch, spraying pesticides and herbicides, hauling fireword, clearing brush, general yard cleanup, etc. I think the 18 hp will be plenty. The newer model has some nice updates over the older BX2230. It is also slightly shorter in height and length, has smaller tires, and shorter loader arms and bucket, so overall a bit smaller package which works well for my property and garage space.

I can't really comment on the power difference yet, I've only had it a week and half and have only been running it about 1/2 throttle for break in. Some comments I made in another thread are:

Low idle hydraulic action (loader) are dramatically improved.
No jerkyness when letting off the for or rev pedal
3-point pivot is relocated and lift is greatly improved. I think my rear blade goes a foot higher!
Seat is much more cushy and comfy
Built in loader joystick is out of the way, yet in the right spot for your hand
Seat belt location is a nice improvement
Turns much sharper then my BX2230 did
Shifts into 4X4 much easier

 

[BANDAMAN]

Some edge around the welds is normal, I would not worry about that. If your seeing corrosion already, as a dealer I'd take pictures are try and file a warrenty claim against it. Thats your quickest way to a solution. Your not going to make much headway without good pictures. You gotta come to this with proof to keep from being written off as another crazy customer who thinks his tractor is a porche.

Exactly what I do not want to happen, but I'm sure that some members here and possibly people at the dealer and at Kubota already think I am a crazy customer, hopefully my posts here have indicated that I am not. I have never had to do anything like this before. I happen to be an educated man, have been around manufacturing as long as I can remember and I believe I am very realistic about my expectations. Not that it matters, but a long time ago I worked at one of John Deere's tractor assembly plants in Waterloo, IA.

I know I did not buy a porsche and am not comparing it to one. I am comparing this to every other Kubota I have seen, nothing else.

I am happy to take as many pictures as anybody needs, maybe I can get some better closeups tomorrow to show the holes in the beads and where the water and dirt will get trapped.

My dealer is working on this and I have have asked how I can assist in the process. Hopefully action will be swift and we can all move on! I need a loader right now to clear my driveway and am not using mine because of this issue.

 

[SnowRidge]

I just reread your original post. I think you made a serious tactical error when you lumped complaints about minor scratches here and there, the Slow Moving Vehicle sign flying off because "nobody told me this," and "excessive grease on the zerks and pivots" in with what may be a genuine build quality issue with the loader welding. In short, I think the dealer has put you down as a out-of-touch complainer and is not addressing the one serious issue, primarily because of your slew of minor complaints.

I don't know if it is too late to go back to the dealer and say, "Look, I don't really care that much about the small stuff. I can live with a few scratches if I have to, but that loader needs to be taken care off. It's not right, and I want something done about it," but that's the approach I would take at this point.

Anyway, that's how I see it. Best of luck getting it straightened out.

 

[BANDAMAN]

I just reread your original post. I think you made a serious tactical error when you lumped complaints about minor scratches here and there, the Slow Moving Vehicle sign flying off because "nobody told me this," and "excessive grease on the zerks and pivots" in with what may be a genuine build quality issue with the loader welding. In short, I think the dealer has put you down as a out-of-touch complainer and is not addressing the one serious issue, primarily because of your slew of minor complaints.

I don't know if it is too late to go back to the dealer and say, "Look, I don't really care that much about the small stuff. I can live with a few scratches if I have to, but that loader needs to be taken care off. It's not right, and I want something done about it," but that's the approach I would take at this point.

Anyway, that's how I see it. Best of luck getting it straightened out.

I have already taken care of this, and I think you are probably right. I dropped all my complaints except for the loader. The rest of the stuff I will take care of myself. I will chalk it up to one of life's lessons and move on.

 

[IH3444]

"I discussed them ugly welds with a veteran certified welder I know, last night.

He is about as high up the ladder as you can go as far a certifications and experience. i.e. nuclear plants, high pressure hot taps, etc.

He said that, I believe it was, the American Welding Society, has established widely accepted standards for welds. These standards not only cover the strength of the welds, but also their appearance. According to theses standards, a weld does not have to be structurally deficient, to be defective. And that based solely on my descriptions of these welds, they did not sound like they would meet these standards. And therefore, at least some, are considered defective welds. "

From Eddie Walker,

"As to the welds, there is a reason that a good looking weld is important. It's not that it's pretty, it's that the weld indicates a quality job of joining the metal together. A sloppy weld is a good sign of a bad weld. We'll never know if the weld is strong enough, or as strong as a quality weld without having it tested. Looking at it will never tell for sure. It's a gamble that Kubota has forced the buyer to live with."

These statement from these two gentlemen are absolutely correct. I worked in a failure analysis metalurgical group for the US Navy for weapon systems, and of course the military has much tougher requirements. I worked close with a Navy weld inspector, and learned a lot from him. The Kubota welds we saw back in 2004, and 2005 would be unacceptable. The newer welds look much better, and layed down at the correct amperage. The earlier welds looked as though the amps were turned up too high. My navy buddy was also on the final walk through inspection of the USS Cole after it was repaired from the attack in 2000. He does know welding.

I have also welded, with stick, MIG, TIG, and gas. It doese required a lot of skill and practice to get welding right.

I wish you the best, and your 5 year old tractor looks brand spanking new. Better than many new ones I've seen on dealer lots.

You'll paying alot of hard earned money, so your machine should be to your liking. I understand completely.....

 

[rdsaustintx]

The loader is powdercoated. Grinding, bondoing, priming, and painting are not options and not something I would do anyway. My dealer has already stated that any rework or welding on this loader would void the factory warranty.

You worry about scratches but you don't plan to do any painting? Painting voids the warranty??

What does diesel cost on your planet?

 

[JimMorrissey]

Band,

I'd say not to sweat it. At least you know you're putting humans to work and not robots. Are the welds perfect, no, but looks like a nice machine. People who sell and build thousands of units of anything, including Porsches don't have the same sense of specialness that a new owner might.....thus your lack of "action" from the dealer/Kubota rep. There's nothing actually wrong with it or broken.

Put her to work, hose her down with some soap and water each season and you're good to go.

 

[WaxMan]

Band,

I'd say not to sweat it. At least you know you're putting humans to work and not robots. Are the welds perfect, no, but looks like a nice machine. People who sell and build thousands of units of anything, including Porsches don't have the same sense of specialness that a new owner might.....thus your lack of "action" from the dealer/Kubota rep. There's nothing actually wrong with it or broken.

Put her to work, hose her down with some soap and water each season and you're good to go.

Yeah and keep it outside because if you only hose her down every 4 months you won't want to keep it in your nice garage on your nice floors next to your nice boat.
Even though the tractor you had for five years was like new. Now that you bought a new one keep it outdoors and use the snot out of it. Because that's only what it's for right.

I completely understand someone who uses their tractor as a tool uses it hard and keeps it outside and never washes or waxes it, it starts every-time and does whatever he needs it to do it's a tool. There are more important things in life and everyones different. I understand that very well and it's ok with me.
What I don't understand is why they can't accept or understand anybody who wants to own something nice use their tractor when ever they need it and keep it nice the same time, and why it bothers them so.