Land Pride Rotary Cutter Paint Peeling and Rust

Ironman70 · Apr 5, 2014

I just took delivery of a brand new Land Pride RCR1860 rotary cutter. The purchase was in December but I couldn't make delivery at my property until last week. The framework for the 3pt and the rear wheel and the rear guard all show small to medium size areas of flaking paint and rust. I asked the dealer about this when he dropped it off and he said "it's going to do that the first time you mow anyway."

The mower is brand new. Never been used. But I know it sat outside waiting for delivery.

I took the delivery, but didn't buy the reasoning and called Land Pride. They suggested a warranty claim which I will follow-up on.

How typical is it to have missing paint and rust like this? I'm concerned it will get much worse after use. If it was one or two little spots I'd probably prime and paint myself, but I'm concerned the problem is going to continue and accelerate when I start using it. Might this just be a one-off defect? I can see some welding slag and ripples around welds and other parts of the framework. I suppose it's only a matter of time until those start flaking.

Does anyone have experience like this with Land Pride or other attachments and paint/rust problems? I know the cutters are well rated. The paint on the cutter itself appears sound. It's only the framework (the black stuff). I also don't see any signs of damage, and the areas of missing paint aren't really near bolts or other assembly points that would suffer damage during assembly.

Pictures attached.

k0ua · Apr 5, 2014

Not to be a smartazz.. but seriously all farm equipment looks like that. All I have ever owned has had rust and chipped paint.. They are often transported vertically from the factory with several of them put together and they get dings on them and when they set for a bit water gets under the paint and causes rust... Plus as soon as you use it it will get banged up and rust. You just hit them a lick and go on. Take some steel wool, and hit those rusty spots a little bit. Then take some liquid rust reformer and dab some one. Let it dry. Then get a piece of cardboard and hold under it to prevent overspray and hit the black portions with some rustoleum black spray enamel. Done.. It is no big deal at all. Your deck is going to have the heck beat out of it pretty soon too.. Get some paint for it too. I wish my rotary cutter looked that pretty.

sawtooth · Apr 5, 2014

I agree that little bit if rust will be nothing to you soon. Just sand it down and touch it up if it bothers you. Thats really nothing for farm equipment.

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hslogger · Apr 5, 2014

Sir, this is not the end of the world. Put the dang thang on the tractor and run it and forget about it.

coobie · Apr 5, 2014

Have to say your a little to **** on this.I like to keep my equipment in nice shape also. Keep in mind it,s not a corvette it,s farm equipment.

murphy1244 · Apr 5, 2014

If you think you got rust spots now wait till you have a Season on it. Every year I sand and spray paint the paint chip spots.

RedHawkRidge · Apr 5, 2014

Sorry, I'm not buying into the "aw...it's gonna rust anyway" attitude. These days we're paying big bucks for our tractors and implements, and we should be able to expect the equipment appearance will hold up as well as the functionality. If chipping paint and instantaneous surface rust is no big deal, then, ****, why should the mfgrs bother painting the stuff at all???
I bought a JD 4520 recently, over $40,000. Do you think I should be happy if the paint was peeling off ? If I bought a BMW for the same money, and the paint job was anything less than perfect, you can bet I would be looking for someone to tar and feather.
The mfgrs use a paint system where a single application is supposed to function as both a primer and final coat. But really, everything depends on the preparation of the surfaces -- if it ain't clean, the paint integrity will be compromised. I bought a John Deere CUT years ago, and the paint started to peel off in sheets. Just about as if the painted surface had a release agent applied to it before being painted. JD acknowledged a factory problem and had the unit repainted at their expense.
These days I would expect many of us small property owners take pride in our equipment; we shouldn't be satisfied with being sold stuff that isn't adequately finished.
Jim

murphy1244 · Apr 5, 2014

Jim, That was a nail polish job and your DUN. The worst of it is he could have got the matching Orange paint to go with his Bota.....

Poopdeck Pappy · Apr 5, 2014

As someone said above, these things aren't shipped like cars or tractors. They are stacked on flatbed trailers. Looks like some spots on yours rubbed against the one stacked on top of it, and then it sat out in the weather over the winter waiting for delivery.

If it bothers you, remove the rust and paint it as someone suggested. Or, if you're willing to pay the price, Land Pride might be willing to crate one up just for you and ship it to your dealer so it will be spotless. You won't like the price, though.

Happy Gilmore · Apr 5, 2014

I'm **** retentive when it comes to fit and finish, however when it comes to farm implements I've come to accept I won't be buffing and waxing them. I take care of them, but they are stored outside in the elements. If you purchased it in December it most likely sat on the lot the last 4 months in the weather. I know it's tough, but trust us it's no big deal. The first time you use it, you'll understand.