Rust getting bad all over my Kubota

[houstonscott]

Bought a 79 Landcruser new. It rusted out right in front of my eyes. Within two years it was rusted through in many spots. Oh, I lived in California, no snow. Went through an exhaust manifold in first two years. By far worst vehicle I have bought. It was junk, no more Toyota's for me.

HS

 

[vtorangetrac]

My 1978 L245DT has very little rust on the fenders, though some on the FEL arms. My 2004 L5030 (just purchased) came with a fair amount of rust in the fenders and a bit in the floor (but that's where the cab mounts to it and crud collects there). Perhaps a lesser paint job with the new(er) models? Not sure the 245 has ever sen salt and I'm pretty sure the 5030 has done.

 

[jlrsn]

In plain English you were not at fault for the rust. What I'm saying is from the little that I can see in the photos it looks like Filiform Corrosion that I normally would see on aircraft aluminum surfaces (non-ferrous metals) that had been painted a year or two before and the residual acid of the surface treatment was not completely neutralized prior to the application of the primer coating. The tell-tale signs are the wormlike trails propagating from the initial deterioration of the paint at the seams. I've seen it before on ferrous metals (steel). I don't think that there is a way of stopping it as long as you have an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte joined by an external current circuit. In your case you have the moisture as the electrolyte and unless the affected areas are stripped to bare metal and treated with zinc and then top coated or the tractor is kept in an environment with the humidity well below 60% you are going to have a continuing problem. Good luck,
Jim

 

[Stopher]

Ok I admit Im a pretty big fan of Kubota tractors and I had L3400 then traded it in and got a L4400 back in 08. Well its been great I got about 650 something hours on it. Everything works to my expectations and power is great for what I due.

The thing that is starting to bother me is rust starthing show up all over the fenders. Anyplace where a panel is bolted to another panel is like a cancer that is just spreading up and down the seams.

I will have to add some photos. I just can see how in 4yrs all this rust would be starting to take over all my fenders. Yes the tractor sits outside but my Grandfather had 1960 something Alis Chalmers tractor and it didnt have the type of rust I got.

It wouldn't be from the use of fertilizer in a seeder behind the tractor would it? I've heard the dust from the fertilizer will make your tractor rust if not washed off after use.

 

[grsthegreat]

I also agree that the reason paints dont last , and steel rusts more these days are due to the lack of lead in the paints like the good old days. BMW and others left lead in their paints alot longer than the USA did, and their finishes lasted alot longer. I had a 1989 Ford Bronco that started to spider crack after 2 years. had to have the entire thing sanded and repainted under mfg warranty. These were the early non lead based paints. all sucked.

I also think that tractor paint jobs leave alot to be desired. There not put on thick enough overall. Tractors are also subjected to alot more flexing and abrasion than your car is. A $80,000 BMW will (or better) be getting a better paint job than a $20,000 tractor at any rate.

One thing is for sure, Kioti sure painted the HST and hydraulic filters with a heavy coat of paint. I was about to hire Arnold Schwarzenegger to help remove them.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

I also think that tractor paint jobs leave alot to be desired. There not put on thick enough overall. Tractors are also subjected to alot more flexing and abrasion than your car is. A $80,000 BMW will (or better) be getting a better paint job than a $20,000 tractor at any rate.
quote]
Most BMWs are way under $80000, most, there are a few in or near that range but most are way under.
$20000 tractor.....yes there are $20,000 tractors but you can buy several BMWs for what some tractors sell for. Just saying.

 

[GlennaR]

Perhaps the point is:

Not necessarily better coloring of tractors is needed but defiantly better corrosion protection for tractors is mandated and available similar to the automotive industry since tractors are not disposable items......

 

[ericher69]

I certainly don't consider a 25k expense a disposable item!

The government mandates car paint and anti-corrosion measures?

 

[GlennaR]

ericher69 Said:

I certainly don't consider a 25k expense a disposable item!

The government mandates car paint and anti-corrosion measures?


I say:

I agree 1o1% on first sentence and do not know answer on second sentence.

I surmise vary few rich people drive small tractors, so any lobbyists hired in DC to make laws on tractor anti corrosion will only be concerned with the large factory farm size tractor's anti corrosion abilities???

After all, sure the rich wanna make n sell more tractors to the worker bees of society. However, their equipment must be manufactured to last a long time for "maximization of their investments"..............

Cynical old fart worker bee aren't I............................................

 

[grsthegreat]

I was on a Ford lot last month having my transmission serviced, and couldn't help looking at the new F350 extended cab 4x4 diesel on the lot. $54,000. Now this is WAY more expensive than my tractor...like 2x as expensive ... and lets face it a truck has a life expectancy these days of less than 10 years before major work needs to be done.

No one seems to think their truck can last 40 years... but they think their tractor should. Weird ah?