Rust on our new BX2660

[Dunlapjc]

Hello,
Thank's for all your input on my previous thread. Our new BX2660 was delivered on Thursday afternoon and in terms of the quality of the design and build I couldn't be more pleased. This is one nice piece of equipment. However, I noticed some rust on it and I'm looking for your feedback:

1) Am I being too picky?
2) What would be a reasonable expectaction for the dealer to do about this?​

Attached are some pictures of what' I've found.

I'm going to email the pictures to my sales guy and see what they say, but what should I expect out of them? They're about an hour away, and I don't have a way of trailering the tractor over to them...

-Jonathan

 

[jas67]

Unless I got a discount because of the rust, I'd have a problem with it.

If you were going to do anything, you should have before taking delivery, as now you have lost any leverage with them.

If you didn't pay MSRP, then the dealer can say that they gave you a discount.

The rust on the ROPS looks severe enough to have come from exposure to salt, either road-salt from road spray while being hauled in the winter, or from sea-water spray on board ship when being shipped over from Japan.

 

[Roadkill95]

Hello,
Thank's for all your input on my previous thread. Our new BX2660 was delivered on Thursday afternoon and in terms of the quality of the design and build I couldn't be more pleased. This is one nice piece of equipment. However, I noticed some rust on it and I'm looking for your feedback:

1) Am I being too picky?
2) What would be a reasonable expectaction for the dealer to do about this?​

Attached are some pictures of what' I've found.

I'm going to email the pictures to my sales guy and see what they say, but what should I expect out of them? They're about an hour away, and I don't have a way of trailering the tractor over to them...

-Jonathan

Its looks like that tractor has been sitting around outside for quite some time. If you got a real good deal no problem but if not then I would complain. If I spent that much on a tractor(and I know its a tractor) I would keep it inside

 

[shownuff]

I think roadkill is correct , prolly been sittin on lot for a while,I hope they discounted the price..

 

[Mowbizz]

If this was a brand new unit, which u say it is...I think the rusty condition is extremely unacceptable. My BX24 has been outside (in and out of cover) for 2 years and has no rust to speak of...

It almost looks like this tractor was used as a demo or a rental to me...not good. I would push for a full refund and delivery of a "perfect" tractor without rust and corrosion...just my opinion...

 

[Dunlapjc]

I paid what I would call a "fair deal...."
I got it below MSRP, but not a steal according to some of the pricing that I researched here. It was about $150.00 more than Barlows could deliver it, but I thought, and am hoping that by making a purchase like this through the local dealer I have some leverage should I need anything...

The clock had 0.5 hours on it when I started it up at their place when they showed me how to take the bucket on and off as well as change out the MMM to the snowblower...

When they delivered it, there was nothing to sign for or release regarding condtion on delivery. They were going to leave it and I just happened to be home so I helped him unload it.

We'll see, I've been over it with a fine tooth comb this morning, the rust seems very localized. The seat, the ROPS, the 3 Pt. lowering control seem to be bad, but nuts, bolts and other parts look good underneath.

I'd love it if they said we'll drop off a new one and pick up your old one. That would make me a satisified customer. I'd probably also be ok with them picking this one up, replacing the ROPS, the seat and the other rusted parts free of charge...

I'm not expecting any answers until the sales manager is back on Monday...
I'm not looking for a fight, but I do want satisfaction.

 

[Gator6x4]

I think I would have a problem with that much rust on a new tractor regardless of the deal I got. I am assuming the first time you saw the tractor was at time of delivery. Most tractor dealers are honest, but after having a unit delivered with more problems that those show and refusing to accept the unit my policy now is to inspect the unit at the dealership prior to authorizing delivery and telling the dealer, face to face why I will, or will not accept the unit. If a problem is detected on the unit the corrective action necessary on his part before I will consider acceptance. The rust on the roll bar looks like it has caused some major damage. You are also missing the "Rabbit-Turtle" emblem from the throttle lever, nice indent where it used to be.

 

[korydz]

I've had my BX2660 for just a week shy of a year. I have 135 hours on it and it has been used in the winter, wet grass, and rained on. Its stored inside, but honestly the humidity in the garage where its stored is high. All this, and I don't have a spot of rust anywhere.

I'm no expert on tractors in general, but this isn't normal for this one.

 

[radioman]

HMM- that looks pretty odd places for rust. The rops looks like it got chipped and exposed to salt somewhere , either from sea or northern states and then sat for awhile before being sold. The diesel speed arm lever- looks like it had rust on it before it was painted. The rest like the pins connection on seat, deck hieght adjustor, etc they all look like cheaper alloy therefore got rusted out from salt water and time exposed compared to my BX24 same components. If I were you, I would hope the dealer would take it back and replace those parts. The rops can be replaced. The pins, knobs and lever as well. I had my BX exposed to the elements and its nowhere near the level of rust you have now after owning it for more then 2 years. I have driven my bx on the salt road just to clear snow from the mailbox area and no rust yet. (I havent even waxed it yet but I will be doing when i finally get to it.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

I would want the rusted pins and bolts replaced. I'd want the roll bar sanded, primed and painted. Light rust is not a problem for me even though I myself would paint over it with Rustoleum after some wire brushing/sanding/steel wool but what you have there looks to me to be beyond light sitting outside till sold rust and the dealer should have seen it and "covered it up" at least with some paint or should have fixed it right. Maybe every other buyer refused it and he keeps trying till someone accepts it with no complaint. Again, all those places lightly coated with rust would cause me no concern or complaint but yours isn't light rust.

 

[Double Orange]

The way your NEW tractor was delivered was/is a sign of a Lazy Sales Person !

I'd rattle their cage !

 

[Dunlapjc]

Well, to top things off, today I drove it up some ramps to look at the undercarriage. The underside looks good, there are some rust spots on the mid mount mower attachment brackets...

There's also some good amounts of rust on the threaded rods for the tie-rods.

Then back on level ground I was checking fluid levels. The front axle doesn't have enough fluid to show up on the dipstick, and the yellow dipstick was a roal pita to get out because of, now take a guess at this one, a good amount of rust on the casting and the dipstick...

Arggghhh...

I emailed the sales guy, we'll see what he says, but I'm going to push for an all out new tractor. This is really starting to frustrate me.

I want to use the tractor as I've waited weeks and have mowing to do and other work, but now I don't want to put any more hours on it (it's at 3.5) to try to get them to take it back...

We'll see...

 

[TPS]

Donlapjc,
I agree with all the posts, that seems like a lot of rust for new. To my way of thinking I would not want a new car with rust and scrapes on it and I don't like seeing it on a new tractor either. Mine is almost 5 years old and does not have that rust on it. The only rust on mine is little on the threads of the top link and the couple of bolts on the belt cover of the MMM. Too bad you did not notice it when they were going over it with you. They should take care of it and I am anxious to see what they say, it will say a lot about them as a dealer. Hope they come through for you.
Good luck with it-TPS

 

[BlacknTan]

I agree with the other posters as well... Either sat in the yard for a loooong time, or was exposed to a salt environment..
New is new! When I pay for new, I want new! I would want a NEW tractor...

 

[thavil]

Then back on level ground I was checking fluid levels. The front axle doesn't have enough fluid to show up on the dipstick, and the yellow dipstick was a roal pita to get out because of, now take a guess at this one, a good amount of rust on the casting and the dipstick...

Unfortunately, the front axle being low on SUDT is common on a new tractor after a few hours of use. During their pre-delivery inspection, the fluid may have been showing on the dipstick. Once you operate the tractor for a few hours, the fluid settles in all the nooks and crannies of the front axle. It would be nice if all delivery personnel would mention to check the fluid after a few hours when they go over the tractor with the new owner.

 

[SideHillBill]

This amt of rust is a little over the top. You might forward these responses to your salesman in case he tries to say its normal. Good luck.

 

[Gator6x4]

Well, to top things off, today I drove it up some ramps to look at the undercarriage. The underside looks good, there are some rust spots on the mid mount mower attachment brackets...

There's also some good amounts of rust on the threaded rods for the tie-rods.

Then back on level ground I was checking fluid levels. The front axle doesn't have enough fluid to show up on the dipstick, and the yellow dipstick was a roal pita to get out because of, now take a guess at this one, a good amount of rust on the casting and the dipstick...

Arggghhh...

I emailed the sales guy, we'll see what he says, but I'm going to push for an all out new tractor. This is really starting to frustrate me.

I want to use the tractor as I've waited weeks and have mowing to do and other work, but now I don't want to put any more hours on it (it's at 3.5) to try to get them to take it back...

We'll see...

I think I would e-mail the owner + manager with the photos posted here and ask them to arrange a meeting with the area rep so you could show him/her the photos. The first of many questions I would have for the rep would be; Do all new tractors sold by Kubota have this amount of rust? Unless the salesman is also the owner I don't think you will receive that much satisfaction in resolving your problem.

 

[mrtfelton]

Those pictures make me cry knowing it's a new tractor and someone payed a new price for this. That tractor needs to go back today and no later. You have three days after the contract has been signed to back out. Do it NOW.

 

[Taiser]

Bit of rust on the bucket, sure, but your pictures say something else. I had a smidge on the ROPS bolts (where it folds) and a few scratches UNDER the bucket but that was it. These things don't rust easy, for instance...I banged my foot board on a stump and it bent up, taking a flake of paint off about the size of a quarter, kept saying I'd get some touch paint to fix, but after six months, I still haven't, and the metal is still shiny. How does rust start on the throttle lever on yours? I don't get it, unless it was parked near a road in the winter and the snowplow was shoving salted snow on it! I'd be making a fuss!

 

[tommyz270]

I'm almost ready to buy a new tractor and if I missed all of that at the dealer and they delivered it like this, yes, it would be hard to do, but I'd demand a new one.

I'm not going to wax my tractor and I'm going to work it hard, but new is new and you are paying a lot of money for it!!

Is the hood, mmm, or anything on the top faded? If so, it tells me it was on their lot for a long time. I ran into this, they sent a hand ful of tractors from a smaller dealer the owner had in another town that hardly moved product and they were all faded and rusted and the "deal" they were going to give me wasn't anything close enough.

The mark on the ROPS is from a ding or something hit it.

I'd talk to them and get the owner involved - sound like the new problems you've found shows a salesperson who doesn't care about the customer and is only out for the money.

There is no way I'd accept it.