Is this acceptable quality on a brand new Kubota?

[CHDinCT]

Wow, I guess I'm in the minority as I just don't see this as as big an issue as most are making it and I'm one of those new BX owners that bought if for residential use similar to what's in the brochures. Strictly speaking, from a warranty perspective, there is no case to exchange the loader so long as it works as intended. That said, Kubota might want to exchange it as a gesture of goodwill and to protect their good name.

I also disagree with the statements that quality is gone down in general and we consumers are just accepting it. On a value to cost basis, most machinery, electronics and what not have gotten significantly better and more reliable over the years. I have several TVs over 20 years old that still work - never replaced a vacuum tube or picture tube like was common 30 years ago. Cars and trucks now go well past 100K miles routinely. There may be more plastic and other "lower" quality material than years ago, but the engineering of most products is significantly better, and I'd venture to say tractors as well, albeit I'm new to this market. Just think of all the additional features these new tractors come with. We all make a price vs value decision when we buy anything of much significance and if we feel the quality is not there for the price, we buy another brand or another model where we feel comfortable with this equation

I also think that no one is considering what productivity requirements may be put on the welders in this case. Maybe they are required to weld 10 a day where 8 a day would result in nicer, more aesthetically pleasing welds, but no more stronger. To get the quality the OP wants in this case might require lower productivity (8 vs 10 welded loaders per day per worker) which comes back to price vs value. Would we all pay more for the nicer welds? Some would and some wouldn't, and that's what makes a free market work. Nobody is forcing anyone to buy an inferior product.

Now, If I were the OP and it bothered me as much as it does him, I would see the dealer about what could be done, but I wouldn't necessarily think Kubota had an enforceable requirement to do anything.

 

[WaxMan]

Now, If I were the OP and it bothered me as much as it does him, I would see the dealer about what could be done, but I wouldn't necessarily think Kubota had an enforceable requirement to do anything.[/QUOTE]

It all depends on what the other loaders look like, If the others loaders are perfect all the welds look great then the op has a good case of why am I the one that ends up with junk welds when all the others are fine.
Then hands down his loader is cosmetically defective. Kubota does not have a leg to stand on.
If the other loaders are all like his or very close then he has to live with it.
It is as simple as that.

 

[rdsaustintx]

Banda, I went and looked at my BX23 after posting in this thread. The welds are immaculate on the tractor (japan) and the loader (georgia). Dunno what to tell you, other than I have flogged the **** out of this baby and, other than breaking the air cleaner bracket every 150 hours, it has been fantastic. A bracket that always breaks is arguably a bigger flaw than anything you got there. Makes a helluva racket too.

The whole notion of a "consumer-grade" tractor is sort of new and some dealers aren't used to it. Mine thought the BX was a toy and I was a loose nut (pretty accurate on both counts). They sell BX's like crazy now, maybe they are more sensitive.

IN GENERAL, all this talk about quality loss is hooey. The real prices of durable and consumer goods: Cars, TV's, Washing Machines, Power Tools, Computers, Tractors, etc. are much lower now than ANY time in history. When stuff breaks, we just toss it. Remember tool, small engine, tv, vcr repair shops? Remember gapping points 6 times a year?

Heck yeah craftmanship is being designed out of production. But craftmanship costs. We just ain't getting what we're not paying for.

Capitalism ain't much fun, but it's efficient.

 

[ray66v]

There is no reason to believe, at this point, that corporately Kubota condones the poor quality that we are looking at here.

So you can say there IS reason to believe Kubota IS concerned about how those welds look? Based on what? The FACT that its sitting in his driveway?

There is no reason you want to believe. So, 2 guys were drunk, and there is the explanation. Yes that's much more likely, than they are trying to keep profits up, and prices down. I mean, what company wants to do that?

 

[BungeeII]

I didn't read all of the posts here, but did notice a couple comments yesterday that were, shall we say, less than supportive.

The loader and grille are EXACTLY what I would EXPECT from a CHINESE tractor, not a Kubota.

 

[dex3361]

Clearly the majority of Kubota and probably the majority of CUT and SCUT owners are concerned with quality. The welds do not look like quality. The Kubota mantra is quality and if this is the direction they are going in then they are going down hill. Is this a rare case? I think so. I think the manner that they deal with this will speak for itself. To answer the original question it is not acceptable quality.

 

[Brent C.]

I appreciate this thread!! I am one of those guys that is buying a new GL3240 with turfs, front loader and mmm. The tractor is located here in Missouri but the remaining package is having to be trucked in from Georgia and Texas. I told my dealer today that when all parts of the complete package arrive I want to complete a full inspection prior to delivery. He completely agreed and insisted that quality is assured. I am a "picky" buyer. I have to admit the information that is placed by the dealerships through Kabota regarding the Grand L series implies "Life is Grand" and further talks about productivity; versatility; and durabilty. I am a current Kabota tractor owner for over 10 years and believe completely in the product but that does not excuse poor craftmanship with current purchases no matter the model. The Grand L series further comments on the rigorous test conditions they place on thier front end loaders by digging a hole large enough to fully submerge the entire tractor body below ground. Quote: "This effectively tests the impact, force, stress and durability levels of our tractors' main bodies as well as our loaders." Regarding my specific purchase of the Grand L series, Kubota is selling an "image" of tractor ownership. A "GRAND" machine that offers productivity, versatilty and durability! I appreciate ALL that goes with that "image" with what the Grand L series offers! But again, craftmanship is being sold through their marketing department in my opinion. Agian, only my opinion. I am a very commited Kubota owner but I support quality craftmanship as this thread was initially about! I will be looking over the welds, paint job, and overall condition on my new machine with high but not over the top expectations. This should be expected by the dealership.

 

[ultrarunner]

What about some self help???

Order a second one and return one of them.

If the only difference is in the mind of the buyer, then what should it matter...

Much smaller scale... I bought a mower once that sounded like it was tearing itself to pieces the first time I started it. The store told me to call the manufacturer who told me to ship it too them... ya, right.

I bought another identical mower the same day and it worked perfect right out of the box...

Guess which one I kept?

Cosmetic issues are generally limited to 30 day or less, even on very expensive cars... The reason is they are obvious upon inspection...

Non cosmetic issues are to be addressed per the manufacturer's written warranty which is superseded by Federal and State Law Consumer Law. A basic tenant is the item must be fit for it's marketed use... so if the weld is structurally deficient... well, you get where I'm going.

You may have to call in an expert witness to get any traction...

 

[FullBucket]

If I was running Kubota, I would:

1) Immeadiately order a replacement to be delivered post haste and at no charge to the customer. I would also offer an apology to the customer accompanied by gift certificate for his 50 hour service. Costs of these measures would be charged back to the factory.

2) Suggest to dealer/salesperson that I would expect him to recognize any such future issues as part of the dealer inspection and ask the customer to allow Kubota to make it right. To benefit the company, and it's customers, I would publish this directive for all dealers/salespeople in next newsletter or sales conference. Stories on going the extra mile to make things right for a customer have to be shared and reinforced to become the norm.

3) Order an independent quality audit of the originating factory. Has this welder learned how to weld yet? Has other substandard work been released? Followup. Check how quality control let this out the door. At the very least they will get the message that more is expected.

4) Overall this issue speaks to the dings and chips that seem to be making their way into the product delivery stream. Initiate defect identification (send someone to look at sample product on dealer lots) and root cause analysis (figure out the underlying causes, packaging, handling, product design?). Who/what is damaging the product and what needs to be done to prevent this?

5) Include a question in post-purchase cutomer survey identifying concerns regarding product quality and make someone responsible for listening.

OK so I'm not Mr. Kubota, but if somone reading this is, please feel free to take on this mission. This thread is an opportunity to earn customer loyalty and maintain brand value. We care about your products; show us that you do too and we will remain loyal fans.

 

[ultrarunner]

^^^ Nicely put!!!