Kubota Quality control issue?

[allthingsoutdoors]

I have a 2008 Kubota L3240HST with loader and BH 90 backhoe. The backoe is a 2004 model and has been stored in a covered lean to shed. 3 of the backhoe cylinder rods are leaking badly and chrome finish is peeling off badly. I will attach photos of one of the rods. One is in a little better shape and one is quite a bit worse.
I took the cylinders to my local hydraulic shop, and he took them apart to replace the rods and said these were the worst he had ever seen. He had seen cylinder rods on 40 year old tractors that sat in the rain for 40 years that looked better. There are 1/2" diameter pieces of chrome missing. There are hundreds of places on the chrome that are still there, but are rusting under the chrome plating that will come with any use. He said the only way that these are peeling this bad is that kubota had a bad batch or rods that were not properly cleaned before they were plated. The other cylinder rods on the backhoe are perfect without a single flake.
He said that these sould be replaced under warranty by Kubota because of the quality control. The backhoe is a 2004 and is out of warranty, but is in perfect shape otherwise. I am taking these to the Kubota dealer in the morning, but would like your opinion on what I should expect.
The repair estimate from the hydraulic shop to replace these 3 rods and the rod seals is $455 total plus tax.

 

[TripleR]

I kind of doubt they are going to cover something that old though I agree from the pictures it appears to be a quality control issue.

Good luck.

 

[MarkV]

I would sure be surprised if ANY company would warranty anything that is 6 years old. You did get a bad batch though. I have a Kubota backhoe that is 6 years older than yours and see no problems like that. It is surprising you didn't notice it earlier. On the plus side, I wish my local hydraulic shop would rework 3 cylinders with new rods and seals for $455.

MarkV

 

[Thomas]

Dang..might not hurt talk to w/your dealer..never know.

Sure don't chrome like they use to.

 

[captin_insano]

Obviously poor quality hard chrome plating, no doubt about it. The only question is will they help you out with it? It would say something about kubota if they look at it and say "yep, our bad, we'll help ya". But having dealt with kubota's warranty department I wouldnt expect much. Good luck though.

 

[powerstroke444e]

It almost looks like you have knicked the rods and let them set out extended, which caused the rust? That would be my guess. If that is not the case I would get the fixed and go on with life, I would not expect any company to stand behind a 6yr old cylinder.

 

[allthingsoutdoors]

Took the rods to the Kubota dealer yesterday. They agreed there was a plating problem and have emailed picture to the rep to see if they can do anything.

 

[captin_insano]

It almost looks like you have knicked the rods and let them set out extended

Almost sounds like you need glasses.

 

[gravedigger]

That's about the same year(2004) they were having problems with the steering cylinders pitting my bx2230 had three until it was right good luck

 

[Grateful11]

It almost looks like you have knicked the rods and let them set out extended,
which caused the rust? That would be my guess. If that is not the case I would
get the fixed and go on with life, I would not expect any company to stand
behind a 6yr old cylinder.

Where I work we have a full time cylinder rebuild dept. 3 guys on 1st and
1 on 2nd shift. That is a bad chroming job. I've seen it before. They can be
rechromed but I doubt for less the $455 the shop quoted you. Hopefully
Kubota will come through but it has been a long time. I would say the shafts
were not prepped and/or cleaned properly before being chromed.