New Kubota Corrosion

[5030]

Sounds to me like you live close enough to the ocean where the prevailing winds are carrying the salt spray to you... Personally speaking (opinion only). I don't see Kubota giving you any sort of compensation, but then I've been wrong before.

 

[Danemt]

Hello All, I have been reading a learning a ton on this site. Thank you to all who contribute.

I have a 1 year old Kubota 4760, 2022 model delivered in May of 2023. I am appauled by the corrosion on all the silver plated hardware. The tractor has 55 hours on it, and is kept either in my garage or under a 3-sided barn, it does not see the rain/snow. It stays on my property and gets washed a few times a year. I live in southern New Hampshire, not by the beach. It appears that just condensation has corroded every single plated fitting/hardware item. I have a BH92 on this as well, and all the silver connectors, even hose clamps, are corroded. Am I just expecting too much?

Some of the fittings say China right on them. I'm dissapointed and will now go and try to steelwool/oil all the parts, but what a waste of time. Here are pictures of the hydro connections for the FEL, under the cab and for 3rd funtion valve. I took these pictures a few weeks ago, on a warm morning. You can see some droplets from the humid air on the cold metal. Notice on the middle picture on the cab, some connections have zero corrosion, but most have the oxidation. I really expected more for the money spent on this. Any thoughts or insite? Thanks!

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Hello All, I have been reading a learning a ton on this site. Thank you to all who contribute.

I have a 1 year old Kubota 4760, 2022 model delivered in May of 2023. I am appauled by the corrosion on all the silver plated hardware. The tractor has 55 hours on it, and is kept either in my garage or under a 3-sided barn, it does not see the rain/snow. It stays on my property and gets washed a few times a year. I live in southern New Hampshire, not by the beach. It appears that just condensation has corroded every single plated fitting/hardware item. I have a BH92 on this as well, and all the silver connectors, even hose clamps, are corroded. Am I just expecting too much?

Some of the fittings say China right on them. I'm dissapointed and will now go and try to steelwool/oil all the parts, but what a waste of time. Here are pictures of the hydro connections for the FEL, under the cab and for 3rd funtion valve. I took these pictures a few weeks ago, on a warm morning. You can see some droplets from the humid air on the cold metal. Notice on the middle picture on the cab, some connections have zero corrosion, but most have the oxidation. I really expected more for the money spent on this. Any thoughts or insite? Thanks!

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There may be an electrical issue. Possibly a chafed wire touching metal somewhere. Aluminum will corrode when there is electrical current passing through it.

 

[rScotty]

Finally, someone that knows what they are talking about. I was hoping that this post would go on forever before that knowledge was revealed. Love having the answer and seeing all the pot shots and arguments when know body actually knows. Very few people know of this problem, but I've delt with this a few times even on some aluminum boats as well. Bad connections and a bad battery will cause this to happen.

Dave5 and stripeblue12 Get a new battery, check and clean all your connections.​

Are you thinking those fittings are aluminum? They look like poorly zinc-plated steel to me. But a magnet would tell for sure.

I'm guessing the corroded surface hose fittings came with some sort of aftermarket or accessory fitting instead of being Kubota tractor parts, because we've seen before that Kubota doesn't pay strict attention to the quality of their accessory manufacturers. But only subcontract manufacturers, not on the tractors themselves.

The fittings in the OP photos seem to be a different color plating from similar types of OEM fittings on our old Kubota backhoe and loader.

 

[ultrarunner]

Sounds to me like you live close enough to the ocean where the prevailing winds are carrying the salt spray to you... Personally speaking (opinion only). I don't see Kubota giving you any sort of compensation, but then I've been wrong before.

There was that one time in ought 8 or was it ought 9?

 

[Paystar]

"they'd be taking it back." Such a dumb comment.

Not as dumb as someone that pays top dollar and puts up with it.

I make dealers and manufacturers come good for inferior or defective stuff.
Sorry if you don't have the pull I do.

 

[CaptFerd]

Are you thinking those fittings are aluminum? They look like poorly zinc-plated steel to me. But a magnet would tell for sure.

I'm guessing the corroded surface hose fittings came with some sort of aftermarket or accessory fitting instead of being Kubota tractor parts, because we've seen before that Kubota doesn't pay strict attention to the quality of their accessory manufacturers. But only subcontract manufacturers, not on the tractors themselves.

The fittings in the OP photos seem to be a different color plating from similar types of OEM fittings on our old Kubota backhoe and loader.

Doesn't matter much the metal. For example, you see that corrosion on both ends of a battery cable (copper) from the battery to the starter or solenoid. With the power off it leaks a weak backwards current to ground. Ground would be any part of the tractor that would carry a current including fluids. The plating on the bolts also shows it. The battery will usually test good or indicate it needs recharged. I've seen this quite a few times on aluminum boats. With the boat being wet you can actually see it foaming out of rivets.

 

[Charliebrn]

DEFINITELY!!! That is not normal. Something is going wrong there. I would ask Kubota to come have a look and ask for their appraisal of this condition.

My Kubota M6040 fittings and all piping looks the same as the day I bought it - brand new.

I have a 20 yo BX and the fittings still look like new. I would definitely lodge a complaint… those fittings are going to give you trouble. Obviously Kubota has cheapened their sources. Disappointed in them.

 

[Fixastuff]

This thread is becoming pretty ridiculous.

I’d make them give me a new tractor, a spare set of hoses and a full refund! lol.

 

[Roar]

A very bad idea. Have you ever seen a classic car that a person threw a tarp over it to "preserve" it, only to find the interior filled with mold?

If one wants to prevent condensation from forming, one needs air movement. A ceiling fan set on low does wonders and costs pennies to run.

I store my classic cars in zipped up plastic bags with plenty of desiccants inside the cars as well as in the bag.

 

[sanky]

I believe you have several contributing factors. First is that condensation regularly soaks the components due to your climate and storage location. Even so, corrosion on a one year old tractor is inexcusable. Next is inadequate plating. Remember that zinc plating is intended as a sacrificial anode that needs to corrode to prevent steel parts from corroding, so a thin layer of Zn turns into zinc oxide (the whitish powder) quickly in the presence of water, especially salt water, which is more conductive. Trouble is, you can't tell thin from thick plating when everything is shiny new, so Kubota's plating specs are obviously insufficient or not followed by suppliers. Also note that steel with yellow zinc plating has an additional top layer of chromate that improves corrosion resistance. Steel wool will do nothing but remove the already-corroded zinc. Oil may help short term, but I suggest cleaning then spraying with a lanolin-based aerosol like Woolwax or WD-40 LANOLIN. Another issue may be that your tractor sat on the dealer lot exposed to the elements over a long period as many do. Does your nameplate show date of manufacture? I bought my L39 used and am unfamiliar with Kubota's warranty, but it seems to me that your degree of corrosion after only one year should be covered.