Tiller First Choice Tiller and rust

JimMc · Jun 1, 2003

If you check CCI's pic the hitch block is inverted for shipping. This puts it in contact with the top of the tiller in the exact place where the rust begins. Once the paint film is broken, corrosion then creeps under the labels and paint and blistering begins.

pcmem · Jun 2, 2003

theboman,

It is exactly what I mentioned earlier and Jim was nice enough to point out in the pictures. When the units are shipped the sway arm mounts are inverted and bolted in those spots and they hit the top and cut the paint.

Probably best to touch it up before it gets too bad.
Michael

Anonymous Poster · Jun 2, 2003

Now I understand! At first I had a hard time visualizing what you and CCI were saying. Isn't that something First Choice needs to resolve on future shippments? Sounds like it is a common problem.

Meanwhile, I will remove the loose paint, apply some rust killer primer and repaint. I don't think I will need to cut out the rusted sections.

theboman · Jun 4, 2003

Now I get the picture. Thanks...I ain't the smartest person in the world, just one of the better looking ones.

normde2001 · Jun 4, 2003

It appears to me they have more of a problem than just scratched paint. All of my implements have scratched paint, and if they are rusting at all, it is only where the scratch is down to bare metal. The rust should not be getting under the paint and lifting it. That paint is not properly adhered to the metal.

Inspector507 · Jun 4, 2003

Norm, I'm wondering if that's an anomaly with powder coated finishes. The paint does not adhere very well during the heat process?
Makes for a great finish I know.

Turfman · Jun 5, 2003

Hey, That old tractor looks better than I do, but then it's a year newer.

theboman · Jun 6, 2003

Update. The First Choice folks are aware they had a problem with the way units were shipped and the damage that occured to the painted surfaces. So, the good folks there are sending replacement decals and touch up paint.
Seeing how they handled this, their error, and they want ME to repair THEIR damage on MY time. I just wondered how they'll handle the bill from the auto shop for doing the repair?
I ain't gonna do THEIR work and what I PAID for in the beginning.

Alan L. · Jun 6, 2003

If you think there is a problem with the paint on the First Choice tiller, check out a King Kutter tiller at Tractor Supply. One of the yellow ones.

I looked at one yesterday, and the paint jobs on the tillers was awful! It was bubbled, blistered, had runs, and in many places you could see the metal right through the paint. Bare spots with rust on top of that. Looked like someone used a can of spray paint and globbed too much on there at a time.

Otherwise the tiller looked heavy enough, but the paint job was certainly a bad indicator of quality.

I have Rhino implements that stay in the weather all the time and the paint on them is great. The only rust showing up at all is where the paint was knocked off by contact with something. The rest looks like it would really shine if I gave it a wax job. They are 4 years old.

Anonymous Poster · Jun 6, 2003

I just received a KK XB middlebuster and the quality of the entire unit was terrible. I called KK and they didn't seem concerned at all. Even the KK logos were installed upside down.

HayDR · Jun 6, 2003

To be fair Sicma makes the Rhino tillers TOO.

rationalizer · Jun 7, 2003

My 74" First Choice tiller has the same issue - I saw it before I bought it. It was consistent on several of the units at the dealer - seems clear to me that it is the result of shipping tie downs or something similar. Remember - most tillers come from Italy these days...so they have a long ride on a boat. Even in containers there is a higher exposure to salt air and corrosion. I didn't see it as an indication that the basic paint job was weak. Paint it and be happy.

Bill

theboman · Jun 17, 2003

In the past few days I have received a can of spray paint to paint the rusted spots on my tiller, along with one decal that's nothing close to the TWO that are there.

First Choice has not impressed me with customer care, actually it's a lack of customer care or should I say appreciation. I have issues with a company that has a known quality control problem and expects the customer to do thier own repair and no type of reimbursement for services rendered.
My dealer has been a great help (thanks Ken) and I have nothing but great things to say about Sweet Tractors.

HayDR · Jun 17, 2003

theboman,
AS a compactor of First Choice, it is not my position to throw salt in the wound. A warranty ends up only protecting the dealer. A dealer will almost give away the store to satisfy a customer. Unless there is a design flaw or initial failure the dealer realizes customer relations are their responsibility. You just will not get the amount of service on a $1,000 tiller that you would on a $40,000 auto or $20,000 tractor. In the tiller situation, the dealer made 3-4 times the profit that the FC made. In an auto situation or a tractor situation the MFG make 2-3 times the amount of profit the dealer made. When it comes to business it is ALWAYS about the MONEY. The dealer should have the most responsibility since he made the most money on the tiller and was the last authorized person to cure the problem before delivery to the customer. In your situation a dealer, Sweet Tractors, not sure this is the dealer that sold you the FC tiller, got you some help on a tiller out of the warranty period. It is the responsibility of the owner for maintenance and to report any possible warranty problems to their dealer. A MFG does not know this exists if you do not communicate this to them via your dealer. You should not slam FC 1.5 years after purchase because you just now informed them of a problem or of a potential problem that existed at the time of delivery. The "crying shame" is a good company is being trashed because of a customer's communication of a problem is tardy at best.

theboman · Jun 17, 2003

It's not a warranty issue at all. It's the paint, dude I have a 2 + year old FEL, rotary cutter that gets 3 times the use and abuse of a tiller the paint STAYS on. It is an issue I have with First Choice, and they were AWARE of the problem.
As far as profit.... I don't care who made what, but I know who painted the tiller.
It's a great tiller, does exactly as adevertised...but the paint issue...power FLAKING...
I'm not asking them to refund my money just come and get my tiller and repaint it and not have ME touch up their mistakes.... It's more than painting a model car.

HayDR · Jun 17, 2003

pcmem · Jun 17, 2003

theboman,

First Choice doesn't make the tiller (or paint it). It is made by Scima and painted by them. They are based out of Italy. Take it back to your dealer and they will take care of it. If not repaint swap it out for another and deal with their distributor as a warranty issue. If it is out of warranty or not a defect then it is up to your dealer.

Good luck,
Michael

Buster57 · Jun 30, 2003

Sorry you are having problems with the paint.

Sweet should be able to help you out. I am no paint expert, however, if it was a defective paint problem I think you would be seeing it in more places?

In the mean time, since it is past warranty, patch it up and make it work for you. I am sure that it will still last as long as your tractor.

I have a FC 1066 and it is tough as nails.