I bought a brand new tractor with rust, fading and electrical issue. Paranoid?

robertm · Dec 11, 2016

I think, and OP don't misunderstand me, the problem is the rush and not looking over. When I have spent close to $18k on my 5 Kubotas, I would not expect them to be faded and rusting. If they were, I would expect a discount, as my dealer offered, but I did not accept. If mine sat outside, fine, but mine sits inside, and every one of the 4 I have sold were like new, but used well. I wouldn't want to start out with a spray can job to begin with. That's me. No disrespect to anyone.
So, OP, you just are in a slight cosmetic pickle. I'd tell them you expected they'd have touched things up. Ask for some touch up for free, a Kubota hat, and get personal with your new rig touching up its flaws. Apply Aerospace 303 to the faded paint and plastics to restore it and protect it. You'll be fine.

bdhsfz6 · Dec 11, 2016

Four of my 5 Kubotas were delivered with rust spots similar to yours. The only exception was the B7100HST. It was assembled from a crate which was stored indoors. The other machines were all pre assembled and stored outdoors on the dealers lot. Not many dealers have enough indoor space to store their entire inventory. Most try to rotate their stock to minimize outdoor exposure and some do a better job than others on touch-up before delivery.

With the exception of your electrical issue, I don't see anything to be concerned about. Still, it's is a shame to spend many thousands of dollars on a product that is less than perfect. Talk to your dealer and see what he suggests.

As others have said, after you get a few hours on er', you won't notice these minor flaws.

Fallon · Dec 11, 2016

I scraped up the paint on my brush guard & 3pt arms chaining my brand new L4060 down to bring it home with 1 hour on the clock. It's going to be a working machine, not a restored old 8n or JD pulling parade floats. Now lets see about serously messing up some paint on the bucket when I hit that rock pile today to spead it out for the path to the wife's chicken coop.

rScotty · Dec 11, 2016

I don't blame you for being concerned. I also like to buy something that is as new in all respects as possible, but honestly my tractors sit outside in the weather and they always have. After a couple of years the paint does begin to chalk and scuffed spots do start to show the same surface rust that I see in your photos. I wish it were different, but there it is. There have never been any maintenance or repair issues because of being outside.
However, I do have a cotton tarp that I always throw on it and fasten with 4 bungycords when it isn't being used. The tarp protects the center of the tractor from snow, rain, and sun..... the center being the seat, the steering wheel, and the dash board electrics. So most of the vulnerable plastic parts are protected and I do like the clean dry area when I set down.
Other than that, they are all outdoor machines & no problems.
Enjoy,
rScotty

tjkubota93 · Dec 11, 2016

My tractor's crate was stored inside long term and assembled when i bought it.

I keep it cleaned up and buddies think it's funny that a tractor is so clean.

I also use it a lot and a month ago a big piece of a log fell out of the loader and landed on the hood. (I over filled the bucket) So now my otherwise new looking tractor has a big dent. It is also rusting a little on the fender where the 3pt hits.

Long story short - it's a tractor oh well.

ovrszd · Dec 11, 2016

s219 said:
I looked carefully at all the photos, and none of that rust is serious or out of the ordinary. It certainly wouldn't bother me. BX tractors come partially assembled in an open-frame crate, and may sit outside at the Kubota plant or at the dealer for months before they are assembled for display or to sell to a customer. I didn't see any fading; if it was a real exposure problem, the orange paint would look faded or chalky, but the orange paint on that tractor looks great to me.

I wouldn't worry about it at all. I don't think another tractor will be any different.

I travel Interstate Hwy 35 frequently. I'm between K.C. and Des Moines. Today an open semi load of Kubota tractors will pass thru my county. If they are headed North they are going to drive into a Winter storm. When unloaded from the semi they will be covered by road film, including corrosive materials applied by the various states they went thru. That's just part of it all.

The light issue sounds like an error when installing additional lighting for you? They'll fix that easily.

We'll see how Diplomatic the mechanic is after you point out the rust.

BleedingOrange · Dec 11, 2016

As a recent purchaser of a BX2370, I can agree that quality on these new units has gone down hill since my previous BX2360 had been built. Very poor welds on hood brackets and lots of spots where minor corrosion is starting to appear. I may be out of the norm, as my stuff never sits outside, and is always cleaned and waxed after pretty well every use during the summer months. I keep my stuff show room clean, and am disappointed in the quality of the new stuff. If I buy another Kubota in the future, I will be checking it over much more closely than I did before purchasing this one. Sad part is, to the dealer it,s mice nuts, and they don,t care one bit once they have your cheque in hand.

Garandman · Dec 11, 2016

We leave near the ocean so everything corrodes. Here's our arsenal:

Duro Extend - rust neutralizer
Fluid Film - Lanolin-based spray film
Birchwood Casey Sheath - preservative gun oil
Boeshield T9 - waxy protective coating

.

Boeshield is quite a product. I sprayed it on a friend's bicycle who commutes all winter and it eliminated corrosion on his derailleurs, chain rings and wheels. We use it on the snow thrower now as they salt the roads so heavily.

Ryanmlt12 · Dec 13, 2016

Hi Guys,

Quick update, so far Im loving this machine! I cleared snow yesterday with the bucket and already have 5 hours on the tractor. I will say Im pretty much over worrying about the rust and fading since I wore off a ton of paint on the bucket yesteday. I think im done plowing using just the bucket it was painful to say the least. ( If you couldn't tell Im a little OCD.

I called the dealer and asked them to bring touch up paint for the service call yesterday. I got a 10% discount on the paint but didnt press the issue that I wanted it for free. It seemed like it would have been too much to explain... So I paid. The mechanic came out and quicly fixed the turn signals just a loose connection from the led install. So I am overall happy with the purchase and service so far.

I will be in the marker for a loader/bucket mounted snow plow. I dont want the asphalt wearing through my bucket. So far I have narrowed it down to the BXpanded $1200 bucket mounted or the Kubota $1700 w/ QA, also have the option to add hyd angle for another $1100 later on if I want.

Thanks for all the advice fellas!

Any advice on the plows?