ROPS from Hell

LSmith · Apr 19, 2003

Finally after two months of calls and hassles I got the ROPS in for my Kubota L-175. The dealer first told me it wasn't available anymore, Then when I called Kubota in Atlanta and got a part number and availabilty he finally consented to order it. Well, it came in Friday(actually I had come in several days earlier , but the dealer didn't call me. I called him.) and I went to pick it up. $300 dollars later I have the ROPS. Yes I know that Kubota has a promotion on their website for $148 and I printed off the certificate and took it to the dealer. At this point I wanted the ROPS and I didn't feel like arguing. My justification is that my head is at least worth $300.00! I got the thing to the shop and left the install until today. The instruction are one page and I thought that this was going to be dirt simple. Wrong! I cleaned all the threads in the transmission case and set the bottom studs like the instructions said. I set the right hand side of the ROPS on the stud and got ready to thread the other two bolts through the ROPS and into the transmission case. Well, the holes are off. Its the right ROPS but when this ROPS was built the welder must have been drunk or about to get off on Friday. The reinforcing plates were welded crooked to the holes in the ROPS tubing and were off by about 3/16" I couldn't even slide the M12 bolts in the holes on the ROPS. I ended up using a file and slightly elongating the holes to fit the bolts. The alignment thankfully was OK. Also the upper plate was too wide to fit between the welded seatbelt hooks. I had to grind 1/4" off each edge to fit. I don't think that any of the work I had to do compromised structural integrity, but I kind of teed me off that I paid $300.00 for a cheesy welding job and half wit engineering. It cost me almost a day when I should have been done in several hours. As for my local Kubota dealer, I will probably buy a new Kubota within two years, but you can bet It won't be from this yahoo.

L Smith

BillG_in_TX · Apr 19, 2003

LSmith,

Wow - I won't tell you again how cheap and easy mine was /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif, but I'm glad to hear that you've got it installed. It's good that you had the tools and know-how to make it fit.

Happy (and safe) tractoring.

Mark_in_NH · Apr 20, 2003

I think that if it was me, I'd be back to my dealer Monday with the Kubota discount certificate and insist that it be honored. If he won't honor, you can bet that a phone call or 2 to Kubota would get it honored !!!!!!
Especiall where the ROPS was improperly manufactured !!!
Merely my opinion !!

RoyJackson · Apr 20, 2003

"I think that if it was me, I'd be back to my dealer Monday with the Kubota discount certificate and insist that it be honored."

I agree, but since the money has already changed hands, reckon it'll be tough. And, since the ROPS has been modified, he can't even take it back. Real bummer...might be an expensive lesson learned here.
Of course, we're all playing Monday morning Quarterback...

Mark_in_NH · Apr 20, 2003

Roy,
You do make a valid point. I would be very curious as to why the dealer wouldn't honor the factory certificate in the first place. I would initially think that he would have to. Maybe there are some underlying reasons where as he doesn't have to honor it.
If the above is at all correct, then my opinion is very mute.
Otherwise.
Monday quarterback or not. I still think I would place a call to Kubota and inform them of the dealer not honoring THEIR factory certificate. At the worst, it may get the dealer in a little hot water. Which might be a problem if there was a good working relationship between the dealer and the buyer, ie. L. Smith and if he was planning and hoping to do future business with this dealer.
But at first glance (so to speak) it doesn't sound like this dealer is all that concerned about his clientele, so why should the clientele be concerned about him.
Just my Armchair Quarterback 2 cents worth. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

BillG_in_TX · Apr 20, 2003

I think the fine print on the special price certificate states that the dealer has to do the installation - probably a "cya" requirement. If the dealer doesn't certify that they put the rops on a particular unit, there is no rebate back to the dealer.

The kicker is that the $148 price is about what the dealer pays, and the rebate is for the labor and some of the cost. Here is a quote from my post last year: "I found out ... that the $148 promotional pricing for retro-fitting older Kubotas with ROPS is supposed to include freight and installation! The dealer actually gets $170 back from Kubota if they turn in the coupon (and the customer gets $50 off the regular price). "

The regular "retail" price for the ROPS is $198. The dealer gets $170 back if they turn in the coupon. I put my ROPS on myself, and I'm not sure if the dealer got their $170 rebate or not, but they sure sold it to me for $148 - and I was happy. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

I'm not sure if Mr. Smith has any recourse at this point, except to avoid the dealer and encourage everyone he knows to do the same. He sounds like the dealer from hell. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

LSmith · Apr 20, 2003

FYI, I have emailed Kubota and asked for a justification of my dealers pricing. If I wasn't in need of the ROPS and hadn't been through hell to get it, I would have told the dealer where to put it.

JATO_RaT · Apr 21, 2003

What is a Kubota 175?

equipman · Apr 21, 2003

LSmith
Glad to hear that you got the ROPS installed. Not to sound smart A_ _ed or anything, but when I work on any of our 30 year old cars, nothing is "bolt on". The Kubota ROPS program is easy, they want them on tractors. The cost of the ROPS is $198.00, the coupon reduces the cost to $148.00 and installation is included. The question is why didn't the dealer install the ROPS?
Lewis

BillG_in_TX · Apr 21, 2003

LSmith,

I e-mailed Kubota twice about a ROPS for my L345, and never got a response. Maybe others have had a different experience, but I was sure disappointed. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

As equipman says (and he's a Kubota dealer), your dealer should have installed it for you for $148. Maybe the best route would be to find out who the "district rep" is for your area, and call him directly. If you send equipman a Private Message or an e-mail, he can probably help you with a name and phone number, if your local dealer isn't forthcoming.