Kubota Quality control issue?

allthingsoutdoors · Apr 8, 2010

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 · Apr 8, 2010

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 · Apr 8, 2010

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 · Apr 8, 2010

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

Sure don't chrome like they use to.

captin_insano · Apr 9, 2010

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 · Apr 9, 2010

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 · Apr 10, 2010

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 · Apr 10, 2010

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

Almost sounds like you need glasses.

gravedigger · Apr 10, 2010

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 · Apr 10, 2010

powerstroke444e said:
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.

allthingsoutdoors · Apr 13, 2010

It turns out the backhoe is a 2005 model not an 04. Kubota is not going to do anything at all. I was not expecting them to replace them at no cost, but was expecting a discount on the 3 new rods. I guess I will drop them off at the hydraulic shop in the morning and have the rods replaced.

have_blue · Apr 14, 2010

allthingsoutdoors said:
It turns out the backhoe is a 2005 model not an 04. Kubota is not going to do anything at all. I was not expecting them to replace them at no cost, but was expecting a discount on the 3 new rods. I guess I will drop them off at the hydraulic shop in the morning and have the rods replaced.

That's a shame. The plating obviously peeled because there was contamination under it. It was defective on the day your tractor was made, so it should have been covered. I'm getting rid of my Kubota, never really been happy with it. They aren't the same company they were 10 years ago.

Tractor Factor · Apr 14, 2010

allthingsoutdoors said:
It turns out the backhoe is a 2005 model not an 04. Kubota is not going to do anything at all. I was not expecting them to replace them at no cost, but was expecting a discount on the 3 new rods. I guess I will drop them off at the hydraulic shop in the morning and have the rods replaced.

Yes, that is a shame, I feel sorry about your loss of time and expense. I guess something like this can happen with anything you buy, be it a tractor or a computer. I don't know of too many companies that will go above and beyond their warranty, even if it seems, umm...warranted.

Aside from this, do you still feel good about the purchase of your machine, and has it been worthwhile to own overall?

allthingsoutdoors · Apr 14, 2010

Beside the faulty cylinder rods I have had no other trouble with the backhoe. If the tractor and backhoe were stolen tomorrow, I would not hesitate to replace them with another Kubota. It has done everything I expected plus some. It only has 260 hours on it, but I have never had to do a single repair.
The backhoe works very smoothly and is very strong for its size. I am amazed at some of the stumps it has dug up. I think Kubota has the strongest and easiest to attach subframe on the market. The engineers did their homework.
I do wish Kubota had offered me a discount on replacing the rods. Even the dealer agreed the chrome plating was not applied correctly. Even a 25% discount would have went a long way in the customer service department.
I also own a business and can see both sides of the issue. I had a customer buy a pair of Oakley sunglasses last summer on a friday afternoon. He was going camping to the lake that weekend. He came in Monday and said he needed another pair just like the pair he bought 3 days ago. The first pair was on the bottom of the lake. He was expecting to pay the same price and was very happy when I gave him a 25% discount. He has been a regular customer since them. I did not have to do that, but gained a loyal customer. He also has a business in town and has sent several customers my way that I know of.

Tractor Factor · Apr 14, 2010

Actually I'm glad to hear this, that despite the problem you still think it's a great machine. I think I would feel the same way. I'm also self-employed, have been all my life... maybe that gives you a different perspective. Absolutely you should have gotten a discount, though. Best of luck to you.

Tollster · Apr 15, 2010

have_blue said:
They aren't the same company they were 10 years ago.

I concur, I have the last year with metal fenders on the BX23 and have read many a thread much like this one. I have also looked at the build quality on the new botas at various farmshows and fairs. Its apparent they are cutting corners. I have noticed the following:

More plastic

Thinner metals

Less welds/more bolts and configuration changes to inhance productivity on the assembly line

Poor quality welding.

It makes one wonder what they are doing on parts you cannot see.

I cross my fingers as I have not had any issues with my 2004, except cracked intake mount.

captin_insano · Apr 15, 2010

It makes one wonder what they are doing on parts you cannot see

I can tell you my b7800 had a crap walmart tractor type linkage on the locker and a soft shift fork. Big problems, two major repairs in 220ish hours. Dealing with warranty was a headache too. I ended up with a new l3400 but when the time comes to replace it I'll do some shopping. probably bobcat since I'm happy with my dealer and he has a bobcat franchise also.

Kubota-guy1911 · Apr 15, 2010

allthingsoutdoors,

Is your business located near Grand Rapids,MI.? I think I bought some brass and other re-loading supplies from you from the internet. Very happy with your service and passed that along to others I know.

kj