Should I Regret Buying A Kioti?

[GuyInHuntsville]

Hi...I wanted to run this by everyone. My tractor is just under 3 months old and about a week and a half ago I noticed corrosion in the battery compartment and underneath the front of the tractor. I sprayed the whole area with WD40, almost a whole can. The acid leak wasn't very noticeable until after I used the tractor for a while and the dust stuck to the acid leaking from a seam at the top of the battery. I took photos a week later (this past weekend) when I had my camera so I could show it to the dealer. My neighbor by my property as well as friends told me the dealer needs to come and get the tractor and make everything right. So I went to the dealer and showed him the photos and he said there's nothing he could do except replace the battery if I bring him the old one. I wasn't expecting that response. He also told me "no manufacturer or dealer would cover damage caused by a leaking battery" and gave me the impression of why didn't I catch this leak sooner. I told him I caught pretty soon being the tractor is 2 3/4 months old and that the battery is the least of my concerns...It's all the damage it caused. I don't even want their battery. I'll research and find a really good one to put in there. I remember when I bought the tractor how the dealer told me about Kioti having one of the best "bumper to Bumper" warranties out there (sucker born every minute?). I'm hoping you guys could tell me what you think? Should they cover this even though it's pretty clear to me they won't? Do you think John Deere or Kubota would have taken care of me had I bought one of them? I really appreciate everyone here. I'm new to tractors by the way and this is my first one. Thank you for reading.

 

[jimmyj]

It is pretty disappointing your dealer wasn't more interesting in keeping you happy. In the grand scheme, with the tractor just a few months old I know my old dealer would have at least given me free paint to fix it myself. Too bad.

To your question, no, I don't think so. Stuff happens and even though I'd be very annoyed I'd get over it, fix myself, find another dealer and enjoy the tractor for years to come. Bad luck regarding the battery, that sucks. What caused it to leak can you tell?

 

[phiferpharm]

Unless there is a design flaw on the tractor that caused the battery to leak, I would not expect the dealer to do anything about the damage a faulty battery caused other than replace it. I would get it cleaned up and stopped if I were you and perhaps ask for touch-up paint.

 

[rd_macgregor]

If it were me, I think I might also send a polite note to Kioti (US) headquarters highlighting the problem (and your surprise and disappointment!) so they can track its incidence...and maybe find a new battery supplier. This likely won't help you with your tractor, but it might help Kioti improve their product (assuming this is a more widespread issue than just one unit, of course).

 

[GolfAddict]

I'd be plenty upset if it was me. Not even three months old?? I'd think they'd replace the battery and clean and touch up the tractor.

 

[murphy1244]

Clean-up with Backing soda and water. Replace battery and start up let run 5 minutes and check voltage while running. If still charging at 13.5 and above your VR is stuck and you need a new alternator.

 

[GolfAddict]

Clean-up with Backing soda and water. Replace battery and start up let run 5 minutes and check voltage while running. If still charging at 13.5 and above your VR is stuck and you need a new alternator.

Yep, after cleaning, touch up the paint also before replacing the battery. Then do the checks Murph recommends, and replace alternator if needed. All things the dealer should be doing...

 

[GuyInHuntsville]

Yep, after cleaning, touch up the paint also before replacing the battery. Then do the checks Murph recommends, and replace alternator if needed. All things the dealer should be doing...

Thanks to all of you for your responses!
murphy1244 and GolfAddict, I really appreciate the advice! I read about baking soda on here...But I bought a can of CRC Battery Cleaner at the auto parts store thinking that would be better? And soak everything really good. It says it neutralizes the acid but I have baking soda too. I'll borrow a voltage meter and do as you guys told me.
"All things the dealer should be doing..." If the alternator's bad the dealer won't cover that being a new tractor? I'm starting to think a dealer is just for selling you the tractor and then you're on your own unless you pay for repairs. I had no idea. I bet if this were a new car it would be fixed by the dealer.

 

[murphy1244]

Thanks to all of you for your responses!
murphy1244 and GolfAddict, I really appreciate the advice! I read about baking soda on here...But I bought a can of CRC Battery Cleaner at the auto parts store thinking that would be better? And soak everything really good. It says it neutralizes the acid but I have baking soda too. I'll borrow a voltage meter and do as you guys told me.
"All things the dealer should be doing..." If the alternator's bad the dealer won't cover that being a new tractor? I'm starting to think a dealer is just for selling you the tractor and then you're on your own unless you pay for repairs. I had no idea. I bet if this were a new car it would be fixed by the dealer.

Not all dealers are bad, Thats why you need to shop dealer instead of price.

 

[arrow]

Thanks to all of you for your responses!
murphy1244 and GolfAddict, I really appreciate the advice! I read about baking soda on here...But I bought a can of CRC Battery Cleaner at the auto parts store thinking that would be better? And soak everything really good. It says it neutralizes the acid but I have baking soda too. I'll borrow a voltage meter and do as you guys told me.
"All things the dealer should be doing..." If the alternator's bad the dealer won't cover that being a new tractor? I'm starting to think a dealer is just for selling you the tractor and then you're on your own unless you pay for repairs. I had no idea. I bet if this were a new car it would be fixed by the dealer.

This battery problem is not just with Kiotis. Mahindra has/had the same dilemma. I think these companies source out their battery acquisition to gain a price point and they may not be the best built. In affect, the dealer is left holding the bag for corporate pencil pushers buying junk. Some dealers may just be getting fed up with backing a bunch of customers that they feel were wronged by corporate decisions. Two or three of these or even five or six may have already been taken care of by the dealer but when it gets to be 20, right or wrong, they tend to put the brakes on. This is a rampant problem with certain tractors. It happened to my Mahindra and I didn't ask for dealer support because I could fix it better than they could. I am pretty certain however that my dealer would not have left me hanging. I agree , their factory batteries seem to be junk and I wouldn't want their replacement either.