Front Fender Mounts Cause Tire Damage

[Fromjim]

Hi Everyone,

I am the owner of a new Kubota M108X tractor, very proud of my tractor, about two weeks ago I had my tractor out of the garage and was looking it over and noticed two tearing cuts that completely circled both front tires after a while I noticed that the bolts mounting the fenders were too long and were tearing the tires, these cuts are about 3/4" deep in the lugs and pieces of lug rubber is missing, this tractor has only 40 hours on it and I am very dissapointed. I called my dealer and the salesman came to my home and noticed why the cuts were in the tires, he said I'll get back to you Monday, that's about 9 days ago and still no call, at the time he indicated they should be able to sell these tires and led me to believe I would be getting new tires, I have given up hope of hearing from him and would like advice on how to proceede with this matter. I live about 50 miles from my dealer and would like advice before I drive there to talk to the owner.

Thanks for any advice.
Jim

 

[Evil the Weasel]

Is it possible the bolts needed to be mounted the other way? That is, bolt head closest to the tires? Whether it's a Kubota or dealer prep issue, you deserve some new tires. Keep us posted.

 

[Fromjim]

Thanks for the quick reply, I am including a link to photos on Youtube if you want to see this tractor blowing snow.

YouTube - Kubota M108X Clearing Snow

 

[art]

Dealer assembly issue!

 

[Fromjim]

Today I drove 50 miles to my dealer, I talked with the owner and he was very encouraging, he said it cost him less to give me two new tires on rims than to buy them from a local tire shop, he promised to get back to me by Wednesday.
When I arrived home there was a message on my answeing machine, the salesman who sold me the tractor indicated that he and a mechanic would be at my home tomorrow morning to test drive my tractor, this same man was the one who pointed out the bolts that had caused the damage, I was very upset and called him back, he said Kubota had advised him that they had to try the tractor on the road to see what was the problem, I told him, you know the problem, you are the one who noticed the bolts that were rubbing against the tires, pointing out how they were shiny from wear. I told him I thought he was just giving me the run around and that if he didn't want to replace the tires to say so and I would buy new ones myself and to stop giving me false hope, especially since the owner seemed agreeable in replacing the tires. I just don't know what to think or do, please give me some advice.

Thanks for any advice

Jim

 

[mswlogo]

Today I drove 50 miles to my dealer, I talked with the owner and he was very encouraging, he said it cost him less to give me two new tires on rims than to buy them from a local tire shop, he promised to get back to me by Wednesday.
When I arrived home there was a message on my answeing machine, the salesman who sold me the tractor indicated that he and a mechanic would be at my home tomorrow morning to test drive my tractor, this same man was the one who pointed out the bolts that had caused the damage, I was very upset and called him back, he said Kubota had advised him that they had to try the tractor on the road to see what was the problem, I told him, you know the problem, you are the one who noticed the bolts that were rubbing against the tires, pointing out how they were shiny from wear. I told him I thought he was just giving me the run around and that if he didn't want to replace the tires to say so and I would buy new ones myself and to stop giving me false hope, especially since the owner seemed agreeable in replacing the tires. I just don't know what to think or do, please give me some advice.

Thanks for any advice

Jim

Maybe they want to be sure of the cause so it does not happen again to you or another customer.

Maybe the wrong size tire or suspension is not right. Sometimes it's not always the obvious.

If they are willing to come there let them do their thing.

 

[radioman]

Any updates on this ? If the bolts caused the issue to the tires and you didnt do it, Then the dealer needs to take care of it. perhaps they made a mistake and its time for them to resolve it.

However a question begs here where have You tried to verify this? I know you dont want to ruin it anymore, but perhaps you could do the turn and take pics of the bolts touching the tire and post here ? This is the kind of thing we all need to be aware of so it doesnt happen to others so we can help each other. I believe that if you have pictures before they did the resolved issue, you have something to show in the future in case they tried to stick a bill on you or something (I am not saying dealers are crooks, but its known to happen. beingg prepared means it may not happen that way which is a good thing)

 

[Fromjim]

The salesman and a mechanic came to my home the next day, the mechanic looked at the tires and fenders and was quick to point out that the bolts securing the fenders had caused the damage.
I have many photos of the damaged tires, the salesman also took photos, the meeting ended with the salesman telling me I would be getting two new wheels and tires.
They wanted to take the tractor back to the shop to fix the fenders but I offered to fix them, the salesman said he will deliver the tires on rims and I offered to install them while he is here, he will bring the damaged tires back to their shop.
I will simply place round headed bolts on the tire side or protection metal that would prevent the bolt nuts from making contact with the tires.

The problem had to have been done while I was blowing snow, driving in reverse and trying to steer causes the front wheels to travel in deep snow which pushes the fenders against the tires, this would not have caused any damage to the tires had there been round headed bolts on the tire side.
The reason for this conclusion, which all agree with, was made because the greatest damage to the tires is on the reverse side of the lugs on the tires.

The salesman agreed that I could post his name and the shop name here, when all has been resolved, I told him I was posting on this forum and the Kubota bullitin board asking for help in resolving this matter.

He emailed me today saying my tires are ordered, when they are on the tractor I will post his name and business address.

Hope I have answered all your questions, if not please ask.

Jim

 

[texasjohn]

Sounds like all will be made well and proper in the end.... know its frustrating, but seems like dealer/Kubota is taking proper actions.... let them do their job...hope its all fixed soon, know you are anxious to get back to work.

 

[LBrown59]

Sounds like not enough clearance between the fenders and tires.

 

[Fromjim]

Hi everyone

It's been a while since I have updated you on the tire issue, I am very happy to tell you that last, night I received an email from my salesman at the Kubota dealership telling me that he would be at my home this morning at 10:30 with my new tires. This man drove 50 miles to personally deliver and help me mount the new tires, I can tell you this sure raises my appreciation of Kubota and the people working for them. here is a link to their website, TMM Equipment I promised many of you the names of the people involved in resolving this issue, The man I thank the most is Peter Maltby, he is more than a salesman, I considrer him a friend, from the time I reported the damaged tires until today he has contacted me many times simply to update me on the progress, the owner, Mr. Theo Boudreau, was very sympatic from the very first day I met with him and discussed the problem, there was one point where I became a little upset but it was simply because Mr. Boudreau had indicated I was going to get new tires and the same afternoon I received a call from Peter telling me he was coming to my home with a mechanic to verify the damage to the tires and the reason, when I visited Mr. Boudreau in the morning I did not get to see Peter and assumed Mr. Boudreau was going to fill him in, unknown to me at the time was that Mr. Boudreau is semi retired and only spends a few hours in the office and never got a chance to talk with Peter, I had to appologize to Peter for getting upset, he simply said don't worry about it.


Here is the complete address of TMM Equipment

TMM Equipment Inc.


Mailing Address:
2015 Industrial Avenue
Bathurst, New Brunswick
Canada
E2A 4W7
tmm@tmm.nb.ca


Office: 506.548.9980
Fax: 506.548.9291
Toll Free: 1-800-806-9899


Peter Maltby, Sales
petermaltby@tmm.nb.ca
1-506-548-9980 Cell 1-506-544-5559

 

[texasjohn]

Thanks very much for posting the resolution and your ultimate perception and feelings of the whole thing,...Glad it worked out!

 

[slowzuki]

Good too hear. That is a pricy machine, they can afford to look after you.

 

[Fromjim]

Would someone please send a note to my dealership letting them know you appreciate the service I received.

Thanks
Jim

Peter Maltby, Sales
petermaltby@tmm.nb.ca
1-506-548-9980 Cell 1-506-544-5559