New Kubota Corrosion

[Chris616]

There’s an interesting map on this page that shows how far inland you might expect to see salt affected air in the US.

I live about a mile from the ocean and my six year old tractor is stored indoors, so the metal is only occasionally wet. The hydraulic connectors and almost every other shiny surface looks like new, except for the two control levers shown in the photo below. Since everything else is the same, the only difference is the quality of the coating on the metal of these two parts. I noticed the corrosion starting after only one year.

 

[ning]

Given it's just those connectors, my guess is someone had a container of connectors fall off of a container ship in a storm and it was salvaged.
Well, actually I'm not guessing that, but I'll throw that in there as a remote possibility.

 

[SEKhobbyist]

Hello All, I have been reading a learning a ton on this site. Thank you to all who contribute.

I have a 1 year old Kubota 4760, 2022 model delivered in May of 2023. I am appauled by the corrosion on all the silver plated hardware. The tractor has 55 hours on it, and is kept either in my garage or under a 3-sided barn, it does not see the rain/snow. It stays on my property and gets washed a few times a year. I live in southern New Hampshire, not by the beach. It appears that just condensation has corroded every single plated fitting/hardware item. I have a BH92 on this as well, and all the silver connectors, even hose clamps, are corroded. Am I just expecting too much?

Some of the fittings say China right on them. I'm dissapointed and will now go and try to steelwool/oil all the parts, but what a waste of time. Here are pictures of the hydro connections for the FEL, under the cab and for 3rd funtion valve. I took these pictures a few weeks ago, on a warm morning. You can see some droplets from the humid air on the cold metal. Notice on the middle picture on the cab, some connections have zero corrosion, but most have the oxidation. I really expected more for the money spent on this. Any thoughts or insite? Thanks!

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To be honest, I have not read all the replies. My first thought regarding your unfortunate situation was a flashback to the golden days of SarsCoV. Remember all those shipping containers from China sitting at ports waiting to get off loaded? Maybe those corroding tractor components were sitting in the ports subject to salt water in the air for an extended period of time? Just my 2 cents.

 

[5030]

This thread is becoming pretty ridiculous.

I’d make them give me a new tractor, a spare set of hoses and a full refund! lol.

Sounds like a plan and start a class action suit as well. How's that? How about a new and larger tractor and some implements as well. The sky is the limit so long as you can afford the attorneys.

 

[mikester]

Really, are you real ?? Now you're blaming the owner, a tractor is supposed to be made to stay outside, where do you use a tractor? Outside not inside of a heating garage. Where do dealers keep their tractors until they're sold??

I only see condensation like that on metal items parked in the damp basement of a 140 year old bank barn in early springtime and there's still ice on the floors and it's a warm humid spring day and the snow is melting.

Look at the condensation drips on the OP's painted tractor parts photo.

Moisture will destroy everything given enough time. Parking in a damp barn is as bad as parking outside under a down spout. If you like leaving your hard earned money out in the elements to fade and corrode that's your problem, not mine. That's why I don't like to buy other people's used and abused junk.

Have a frosty mug on me.

 

[Lavender Valley]

Hello All, I have been reading a learning a ton on this site. Thank you to all who contribute.

I have a 1 year old Kubota 4760, 2022 model delivered in May of 2023. I am appauled by the corrosion on all the silver plated hardware. The tractor has 55 hours on it, and is kept either in my garage or under a 3-sided barn, it does not see the rain/snow. It stays on my property and gets washed a few times a year. I live in southern New Hampshire, not by the beach. It appears that just condensation has corroded every single plated fitting/hardware item. I have a BH92 on this as well, and all the silver connectors, even hose clamps, are corroded. Am I just expecting too much?

Some of the fittings say China right on them. I'm dissapointed and will now go and try to steelwool/oil all the parts, but what a waste of time. Here are pictures of the hydro connections for the FEL, under the cab and for 3rd funtion valve. I took these pictures a few weeks ago, on a warm morning. You can see some droplets from the humid air on the cold metal. Notice on the middle picture on the cab, some connections have zero corrosion, but most have the oxidation. I really expected more for the money spent on this. Any thoughts or insite? Thanks!

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This corrosion could be caused from the earthing or the lack of. Late model tractors have every part, cab, engine, etc are isolated on rubber mounts.

 

[tradosaurus]

Not as dumb as someone that pays top dollar and puts up with it.

I make dealers and manufacturers come good for inferior or defective stuff.
Sorry if you don't have the pull I do.

There really is little leverage against a larger corporation. If you have a good dealer that will work with you that is the main difference.

 

[MapleLeafFarmer]

I didn't read all of the 86 or so posts before mine but I would bet a steak dinner its degreaser damage.

Cheap degreasers often have very high PH values that can cause that type of damage wickedly quick. For me its the spotting that gives it away.

Sure it degreases as advertised but corrodes and deteriorates metal / hoses / plastic as well.

Maybe the dealer hit it with degreaser or maybe the OP did. Would be nice to hear back from OP on whether he uses a solvent from a can or maybe through a pressure washer.

heck even some tub and tile cleaners have ph's more than 13 and dawn dish soap is almost 10 and chlorine bleach is 11. Neutral is 7. The chlorine I use in my pool is a 12 on the ph scale and a good wiff of that stuff will teach you quickly what high ph stuff like degreasers can do if not used properly. Even Dawn dish soap can make a mess of stuff.

I'm betting somewhere along the way a wrong cleaner was used or not chamoised off and left to dry naturally.

 

[ultrarunner]

There really is little leverage against a larger corporation. If you have a good dealer that will work with you that is the main difference.

Or Uncle Sam...

Had a name brand new come along snap at 650 pound weight and unit rated at 2000 pounds.

Went to the dealer who referred me to the manufacturer and response was beyond their control.

I filed a complaint with the Consumer Product Safety Commission and had field investigators onsite recreating the sequence of events and gave me a receipt for the come along so they could run lab analysis...

Not long after the manufacturer reached out offered a full refund and goodwill offering to send someone out to retrieve it...

Was not at all happy is was with the CPSC... I did get a full refund.

Lab found the pivot insufficient for the rating...

 

[mike69440]

Are you thinking those fittings are aluminum? They look like poorly zinc-plated steel to me. But a magnet would tell for sure.

I'm guessing the corroded surface hose fittings came with some sort of aftermarket or accessory fitting instead of being Kubota tractor parts, because we've seen before that Kubota doesn't pay strict attention to the quality of their accessory manufacturers. But only subcontract manufacturers, not on the tractors themselves.

The fittings in the OP photos seem to be a different color plating from similar types of OEM fittings on our old Kubota backhoe and loader.

The fittings in the OP photos seem to be a different color plating from similar types of OEM fittings on our old Kubota backhoe and loader. They are. Ours are Zinc Cad. that offer good protection.

 

[Paystar]

There really is little leverage against a larger corporation. If you have a good dealer that will work with you that is the main difference.

And that's all you need. If they value you, they make it right.

 

[number two]

Wow-another of those the threads that bring so many of those seldom posters to the mix!
About the electrical issue-anybody remember the Plymouth/Dodge Omni/Horizon wheel bearing failures stemming from poor grounds?
Good Luck All!

 

[Frxdy]

I'm thinking this is a quality problem. I'm not trying to brag up a different brand, but here is a photo I took two minutes ago of the bucket fittings of my tractor. It's a 2016 tractor that was used only for salt spreading and snow removal before I bought it two years ago. Severe duty! You can see the rust on the green painted parts, but please note two things: 1) The black painted steel hoses to the bottom left... They were dealer replaced just before I bought it as they were severely rusted, and 2) The lack of corrosion on the original, stock, plated hydraulic hose fittings.

 

[rich1023]

Yes, the condensation on the painted steel is indicative of salt residue that collects moisture depending on the dew point. Even in a heated garage condensation can form on surfaces if the dew point is not in your favor. We like to blame failures on imports, are those same products suffering failures in their home countries? As potential owners we are tasked to obtain the provenance of goods purchased. Are we buying from reputable individuals?

Try parking indoors in a heated garage

Look at the condensation on your painted steel...this is an owner issue, not a K issues the condensation on the painted steel

 

[Dave5]

Wow, a lot of posts, thanks for input!

I do not use anything on the tractor other than filtered house water and car wash soap... I shouldn't have too, it's brand new and doesn't see livestock, road salt or anything corrosive. No caustic degreasers or special solvents. I've litterlly washed it maybe three or four times. In the original photos I took, that was and oddly warm humid morning in the beginning of May, everything had condesation on it. The barn I stored it in over the winter gets quite good airflow as one side on bottom level and one on the second story is open.

To reiterate, I have a bunch of other equipment in the same space that does not exhibit this corrosion.

The corrosion is the worst on the hydraulic parts. Most of the zinc plated parts on the bucket and backhoe only show slight white oxidation marks. Under the cab and by the FEL connections are the worst. Under the cab, I don't think the dealer installed a painted 3rd function valve, there isn't a spot of paint on it. I'll be asking them to fix that along with the FEL connections.

I don't think this is galvanic corrosion, or at least not yet. It really looks like the tractor was exposed to something that didn't wash off, in combination with poor plating. I will update the post when I hear back from the dealer. Thanks again.

 

[kthompson]

I read many of the comments at least through page 5 and if this has been said after page 5 forgive me.

I have three Kubotas and live about 20 miles from the Atlantic Ocean in South Carolian, really just west of Myrtle Beach. We lost a weather sensor to the salt in the air is what the company said. My oldest Kubota was purchased in Oct of 99. Nothing like yours on it nor the other two tractors. I agree with many who say it looks like salt damage. At my distance from the Atlantic Ocean salt damage is not talked about. I don't believe it is an issue at 6 miles inland either. Never heard it mentioned and I have worked with many in the HVAC business over the years.

The recommendation to open your air conditioner for your house to see about corrosion on is a good idea but save the time and talk with the people in the HVAC business. I believe if this is normal in your area A/Cs would not last real long.

I would seriously look into Kubota insurance. Think it covers a loss for any reason.

I have a Volvo excavator that is on at least it's fourth failed computer. It is about 20-25 years old. It is open station with roof and think two mechanics have basically said it is not sealed as it should be. We are in process of replacing the computer with regular switches and parts. slow but will be worth it. Also, will not buy another Volvo as much as I like the machine due to how often have had to replace it. Rather costly, I think.

 

[Fastball714]

I think the dealer washed your tractor and has caused this. I would go there and ask some of there customers if they have this same problem.
They could have sprayed some de-greaser or cleaner that has caused this problem. I'm sure new inventory is cleaned up prior to delivery. Maybe someone made a mistake by spraying your tractor with a cleaner that isn't designed for that type metal. I'm sure the guy detailing new equipment is the new guy.

 

[PeterV]

This is interesting. I am also in So NH. We have a BX 23 bought in 2005. Ours is garaged. I also have a front mounted snow blower which is 10 years old. Ours has NO corrosion compared you your 4760. I am 2 miles from MB Tractor dealer in Plaistow, NH. I really like this BX unit and have 2100 hours on it. Perhaps trying an automotive washing liquid might help. Also we spray some fluid film on some areas. I just looked at our connections and have zero corrosion that you are experiencing. As mentioned perhaps your water supply might be a culprit. We have well water here and have no issues.

 

[bdhsfz6]

Wow, I've had my L6060 since April 2021. Just took a look at it and not a spot of rust/corrosion anywhere. Lots of dirt, but no rust on fittings or elsewhere, same with my BH92. I'm in central New Jersey probably same distance or less to the shore than you, depending on where you live in NH.

Same here with my 2018 L6060 & BH 92 hoe. No corrosion at all. I keep my equipment in a steel pole barn and do see some condensation but it causes no problems.

Do you wash the tractor with water from a home water softener? The salt used in the appliance can sometimes cause corrosion, especially if it isn't adjusted properly.

 

[Dave5]

I'm still waiting on the dealer to get back to me. For those that ask about my water, it's just well water that is filtered, no water softeners. None of my other equipment (JD zero turn, fail mower, vehicles, dirt bikes etc) show any signs of corrosion like this, they have been stored and washed in a similar manner, and are years older. It is/was something specifically on this Kubota.