This is ridiculous - No alternators in the US!!!

[om21braz]

Unfortunately yours is not an isolated incident. Nobody wants to stock anything today. In the last year we have had to wait on pneumatic cylinders, valves, electric motors, etc. because nobody wanted to stock these items, and the manufacturer doesn't want to make any until they have enough demand. We've had to change brands and/or wait on parts for up to a couple months for things that once were next day delivered items.

 

[5030]

Unfortunately yours is not an isolated incident. Nobody wants to stock anything today. In the last year we have had to wait on pneumatic cylinders, valves, electric motors, etc. because nobody wanted to stock these items, and the manufacturer doesn't want to make any until they have enough demand. We've had to change brands and/or wait on parts for up to a couple months for things that once were next day delivered items.

That's because stocked items that aren't sold are taxable as floorplanned inventory. As a manufacturer, I do the same thing.

When you manufacture a product, any product and it sits awaiting use, you have incurred labor costs, materials costs and a myriad of other expenses that you have to cover in anticipation of the eventual sale.

Welcome to the world of 'Just in time'.

 

[bp fick]

There are lots of those alternators available. You could have had one yesterday. The problem is that you're stuck in a warranty pipeline situation and that is what is most unfortunate.

 

[om21braz]

Welcome to the world of 'Just in time'.

It once was that way, then the "I want it now" took over. It seems we presently are on our way back to the "You'll get it after I get it" way of doing business. That worked before, but it's going to take some getting used to again - it's a concept that works on paper well for the CFO's but the CEO's looking at it from the consumer side just don't get it.

 

[bunchgrass]

It's a Japanese tractor with Japanese parts. Really, what did you expect, and why, since we are on the subject, do you think the US manufacturing sector has disappeared (along with the Middle Class jobs that accompanied it)?

Gee, the water I use is pumped out to a tank truck that drives it to another continent. Now my well is dry and I can't understand why. I just don't get it.

Don't worry, you are not alone. Enjoy your thirst. They are printing more water as we speak.

How about because our "water" was over priced and crappy so we had to look for something worth our dollar?

Manufacturing jobs left the US BECAUSE they paid well. And we chose to believe they were "beneath us" - we were now in the information age. Also, there's your niche - provide parts compatible with off-continent built tractors.

 

[CompactTractorFan]

The problem is that you're stuck in a warranty pipeline situation and that is what is most unfortunate.

Exactly...

 

[CompactTractorFan]

Maybe not, but I don't think Kubota makes alternators. It is probably made by a company like Mitsubishi, Nippon Denso, etc, that may not have fared so well ...

Very true...I did not think of that...

 

[bp fick]

It'd been nice to know this before tying up your machine at the dealership, I suppose. I know I wouldn't care if it sat here or sat there, if all it was doing was sitting anyhow.

But..... if I knew a big snow was coming? I'd just pay the lousy $80 and have one on it out of my own pocket. I might take the bad one in for the warranty exchange, if and when one ever comes in.

That's me. Got the patience of Job if I'm not using it, but zero patience if I knew I needed my tractor running today!!

 

[JB4310]

Instead of leaving the machine at the dealer out of commission, if you needed it for snow or other tasks, like was mentioned above, you could buy the alt out of pocket. Or just charge the battery and run it, don't use the lights, it should run like that?? unless the problem is more complex than just failure of the alt to charge the battery ???

JB

 

[Bugsyinc]

Those alternators retail for $345.55