Surface rust on new 8TL FEL

RFB · Feb 25, 2011

Mr. Foster,

Any pics of you new tractor?

afoster · Feb 26, 2011

RFB said:
Mr. Foster,

Any pics of you new tractor?

Here are a few pictures of the CT335 with cab.

NOTV8 · Mar 2, 2011

I got a CT235 and no rust spots like yours... maybe that is only on the newer style loader :confused3:. I have mine since spring of last year.

mikewest · Mar 5, 2011

Dealer here in central wi has about 25 new bobcats, all the new loaders have rust on them. Bad prepping and probably no primer.

milkman636 · Mar 6, 2011

Has your dealer offered a specific resolution for the rust spots yet?

afoster · Mar 6, 2011

Yes the dealer offered to take the FEL to a paint shop and have them correct the problem. I'm waiting probably to the spring to bring the tractor in, but based on the weather we've been having over the last couple of weeks that might not be to late May.

milkman636 · Mar 7, 2011

That sounds like a fair resolution. It definitely sounds better than the "handed me a couple spray cans" treatment that horticattlman described.

SABULA FARMER · Mar 11, 2011

Not to be a smart ***** but....I think all the tractors are like this. Wait until you have had it for 5 yrs and see the rust thats on it. Rust pops out on it like a kid with chicken pocks!
I have rust on my loader also and I have only had it since Fall. I know where you are coming from though (big dollars for these toys)...so if you find a way to keep it from happening let us know, until then I will just keep using mine and probably be more concerned with other attachments I can buy

By the way that is one sweet set up you have!!! I bet that cab is worth every penny! Looking Good!

afoster · Mar 12, 2011

When I first posted this thread I was assuming that it was just a specific issue with my loader. So I was a bit surprised to find so many others noting the same issue. Were I live (cold dry climate) rust is usually not an issue if the paint has not been scraped away. So for me to see rust appearing through the paint, started me asking questions about the painting preparation of these units as well as the type of metal used in their construction. I've owned Kubotas, Case, International and JD equipment over the years, which in most cases sat outside all the time and they did not have significant rust form on them. So to see a 3 month old unit that came directly from the factory showing rust in that short of time I wanted some answers from Bobcat on that.

SABULA FARMER · Mar 13, 2011

I would have to guess it was poor prep work prior to the paint shop. Most of the tractors I have seen had poor primer applications and none is some cases....