Paint quality and rust

[LondonVermont]

Hi,
I thought I'd decided on purchasing a new XR3135H having tested several brands and sizes of LS but on closer inspection the new machine was covered in rust spots, not just from scratches but at every weld, corner, join and drilled hole on the machine, I went over the other LS machines on the lot and they were all the same, I lifted the engine hood and the bottom edge was already crinkled and rusty.
I wondered if it was because the machines are all displayed on the edge of a road and had winter salt spray but on checking the other brand they stock I found very little rust other than on scratches.
Is this typical for LS machines? or does anyone have any suggestions as to why all the stock bar two machines that had recently been put on display had such a issue with paint quality or rust?
I have the option of ordering a new machine shipped to the dealer and not getting quite such a generous discount.
I'm not a farmer, the machine is for home use and will be garaged so I'd prefer a machine that doesn't have an underlying issue with rust to contend with.
Other than that I really liked the brand, this model and the features for the price.

 

[3Lfarms]

The paint quality is probably my only nit pick with my LS. The attention to detail in the corners isn't there. Things like parts of the rod end on the hydraulic cylinders were left bare.
In reality, those areas end up covered in grease anyway, so rust isnt really a problem. When they are brand new, the unpainted steel surface rusts.
When I got mine home, I cleaned up those areas and shot some blue paint on them. Now they all have grease residue and it's a non issue.
When I took delivery, the side of the backhoe boom had an area with the paint rubbed off from the backhoe of the tractor that was next to it in the truck. Some LS blue paint fixed that up.
I haven't found any paint issues on the tractor itself, but only on the loader and backhoe. Both of those are built and installed in the US.

 

[westernstar]

I bought an XR3135 HC over a year ago and have had no problems like you describe. I got the tractor in June and have no idea if it had been at the dealers for the previous winter, but I doubt it as the XRs were a new model at the time. You could be right about the road salt spray, but my question is, does Vermont use salt brine on the roads as well as salt. They do here in Maine, spray it on the roads as a liquid the day before a snow storm and it dries white, starts eating the snow as soon as it starts to fall. Problem is it eats the crap out of the bottom of your car or truck too. It is a lot more corrosive than just road salt, so if they are using it there, that could be what caused it.

George

 

[Snowman87]

The paint quality is probably my only nit pick with my LS. The attention to detail in the corners isn't there. Things like parts of the rod end on the hydraulic cylinders were left bare.
In reality, those areas end up covered in grease anyway, so rust isnt really a problem. When they are brand new, the unpainted steel surface rusts.
When I got mine home, I cleaned up those areas and shot some blue paint on them. Now they all have grease residue and it's a non issue.
When I took delivery, the side of the backhoe boom had an area with the paint rubbed off from the backhoe of the tractor that was next to it in the truck. Some LS blue paint fixed that up.
I haven't found any paint issues on the tractor itself, but only on the loader and backhoe. Both of those are built and installed in the US.

I consider myself pretty picky, but I've also noticed some very small rust spots on the loader. After the next bath I plan to shoot those areas with a little blue paint.

That said, I bought the tractor to use so I'm sure it will see its fair share of nicks, scratches, etc.

 

[George2615]

I've had my XR3037HC just over 3 years now. It is kept outside all summer (3 summers so far) and in garage in winter. Only rust issue is front wheels where the center is welded to the wheels. I've wired brushed, primed and repainted them rustoleum white, not an exact match but at least not rusty now. The rest of the tractor has very little rust except where I may have drilled some holes for mounting things, scrapes and scratches on bucket, forks, and other implements.

 

[PJSprog]

Our XR3135HC is about a year old now, and I've seen no rust on it at all. We keep it in the barn all year. I would guess that salt/brine spray is likely the culprit on the tractors you saw at your dealer. I, too, would be hesitant to plop down money for a new tractor that was already showing rust.

If you really like the tractor, ask your dealer to order a brand new one for you.

 

[alexsbuddy]

Have had my XG3037 for 1.5 yrs and have not noticed any rust. I do keep it parked in the barn when not in use.

One of the things that impressed me with LS was the fit and finish. I thought, and still think, that the fit and finish was as good, if not better, than the other brands. As with any other piece of equipment, I am sure that there will be variances.