why i will never buy bobcat again, why i will preach it and why you shouldnt either

[Hunter0310]

I purchased a 2035 last year with a backhoe brand new. After some use less then 100 hrs I noticed bolts loose and when I mean loose I mean finger tight, not just one, or two but at least 15 or so no biggie lock tite and a impact. Then one night working, 60amp fuse blown. Fixed issue myself pinched wiring harness under dash. Next thing less then 100hrs yet I noticed what seems to be a large 8in crack on the loader arm where upper and lower arm meet. Bobcat had tractor for almost two months and there conclusion was “paint flaking” it’s not cracked. They repaint it. I get it back, within one day that paint flaking that they repainted is already flaking again? There is a reason it’s flaking in my book but whatever let it go.Now 500 hours on machine and it goes into regen. Blows some white smoke and lost power. Bobcat comes tell me something happened with injection or computer and possibly took out a cylinder . I’ve been trying to trade this thing in the first month I’ve had it, but I get the run around with the dealer. at first they were to take it in on trade and give me a new ct2035. blew smoke up my ass with that one. so now it going on 4 months with no machine, now mind you they had it for 2 months shortly after i got it. so i tell them i want another machine. this is a lemon. head guy with dealer calls me says spoke with bobcat they are going to take machine back and upgrade you to a new machine next model up, a ct2040. month goes by no word from them so i call them. now they want me to dish out another $20k for a new machine and only wana give me $16k for mine with loader and backhoe. i told him no way get my machine fixed and ill sell it myself. so now dealer has it and is working on it. i called the dealer to see what the scoop was. told me waiting on speical fitting to do compression test? lol now word for word, they asked me to come down and listen to it run to see if it sounds alright. wtf? there a dealer and have techs, your gona tell me they dont know how it sounds. everyone says try calling customer service, which i have and every person i spoke to says to go to the dealer. maybe i should have took a loan out for it instead of paying cash. they got my money now so what do they care. im tottally disgusted with this situation and cant believe it. my bussiness and myself will never buy bobcat again. i will preach to everyone in my industry to other contractors about my experience with them. last thing they tried saying i did modifications? your gona tell me a light bar and new front tires are modications. biggiest joke i ever heard. RANT OVER

 

[ovrszd]

Sorry to hear of your problems. That leaves a really bad taste in my mouth. Cannot imagine what it does to you.

 

[Hunter0310]

I purchased a 2035 last year with a backhoe brand new. After some use less then 100 hrs I noticed bolts loose and when I mean loose I mean finger tight, not just one, or two but at least 15 or so no biggie lock tite and a impact. Then one night working, 60amp fuse blown. Fixed issue myself pinched wiring harness under dash. Next thing less then 100hrs yet I noticed what seems to be a large 8in crack on the loader arm where upper and lower arm meet. Bobcat had tractor for almost two months and there conclusion was “paint flaking” it’s not cracked. They repaint it. I get it back, within one day that paint flaking that they repainted is already flaking again? There is a reason it’s flaking in my book but whatever let it go.Now 500 hours on machine and it goes into regen. Blows some white smoke and lost power. Bobcat comes tell me something happened with injection or computer and possibly took out a cylinder . I’ve been trying to trade this thing in the first month I’ve had it, but I get the run around with the dealer. at first they were to take it in on trade and give me a new ct2035. blew smoke up my ass with that one. so now it going on 4 months with no machine, now mind you they had it for 2 months shortly after i got it. so i tell them i want another machine. this is a lemon. head guy with dealer calls me says spoke with bobcat they are going to take machine back and upgrade you to a new machine next model up, a ct2040. month goes by no word from them so i call them. now they want me to dish out another $20k for a new machine and only wana give me $16k for mine with loader and backhoe. i told him no way get my machine fixed and ill sell it myself. so now dealer has it and is working on it. i called the dealer to see what the scoop was. told me waiting on speical fitting to do compression test? lol now word for word, they asked me to come down and listen to it run to see if it sounds alright. wtf? there a dealer and have techs, your gona tell me they dont know how it sounds. everyone says try calling customer service, which i have and every person i spoke to says to go to the dealer. maybe i should have took a loan out for it instead of paying cash. they got my money now so what do they care. im tottally disgusted with this situation and cant believe it. my bussiness and myself will never buy bobcat again. i will preach to everyone in my industry to other contractors about my experience with them. last thing they tried saying i did modifications? your gona tell me a light bar and new front tires are modications. biggiest joke i ever heard. RANT OVER

 

[scootr]

Justified. I hope you find a solution soon. GL

 

[Hunter0310]

thanks bud, thats all i want

 

[crashz]

Sorry to hear. At first when I saw the loose bolt issue, I was thinking "well, that's common on almost every new tractor even with good dealer prep". But the rest of the run-around seems like a terrible dealer. They want to sell $250K equipment, not deal with issues on a consumer focused compact tractor. I don't like it, but I understand that.

Where they really screwed up is when they promised a buyout then backed out of the deal. That sucks and they need to know that.

 

[scootr]

thanks bud, thats all i want

I have an older 773 BC SS that is a real gem but new stuff could be very different.

 

[Hunter0310]

and i expected that loose bolts no biggie, its gona happen but not the rest of the ****. and seriously i never busted there balls or gave them a hard time about any of it

 

[Citydude]

Yep, you got took. I don't blame you for getting rid of that lemon.

Was the regen at 500 hours the first one? Not really relevant but thought Id ask the question.

 

[jyoutz]

Sounds like two things going on: you got a lemon that’s not typical of the brand quality; and your dealer stinks.

 

[MoPops]

Sad to hear this. Hope it’s not characteristic of the re-introduced Bobcats. My 2012 has been great.

 

[Hay Dude]

Lousy dealer support.

It’s not fun to have broken equipment. Happens to me all the time, but when the dealer can’t get it fixed and back to you in a timely manner, it‘s a bad scene.

You got a bad dealer.

I have a similar situation unfolding with a tractor I have at dealership. It’s long ago out of warranty, but they can’t fix the problem without guessing what’s going on with it. If they “guess” wrong, “guess” who still pays the invoice?

 

[oldtimer 66]

Just a note about paint flaking off. If it is a sound paint layer/ new / quality coating/ that is a indication that the metal is flexing. What ever forces are that are in that area are causing the metal to flex and the result is it flakes the paint off. You generally see that at connection points. It can also be on metal sections that oil can. Later.

 

[workinonit]

If you have in fact exhausted your avenues with the dealer and Bobcat is blowing you off, it might just be time to call an attorney.

 

[Hunter0310]

Yep, you got took. I don't blame you for getting rid of that lemon.

Was the regen at 500 hours the first one? Not really relevant but thought Id ask the question

Yep, you got took. I don't blame you for getting rid of that lemon.

Was the regen at 500 hours the first one? Not really relevant but thought Id ask the question.

it was not the first regen

 

[Hunter0310]

If you have in fact exhausted your avenues with the dealer and Bobcat is blowing you off, it might just be time to call an attorney.

several of my friends who are also equipment owners told me they would of did that long ago but i dont wana go that route. i try to advoid **** like that

 

[ArlyA]

I buddy of ours was a ME for Bobcat (mechanical engineer). He said they were built light, to light and for example the backhoe tracks we wrote the bid spec's for was 300 hours of operations. Toooooooo short a life expectancy.

 

[zzvyb6]

So, your 'BobCat' is a Daedong/Kioti similar to a JD 3025E. I'm sure there is an equivalent Kubota, too. Around here, lots of used JD & [AFFILIATE=1, nofollow=true, newwindow=true, title="Kubota"]Kubota[/AFFILIATE] tractors that are more likely to be alive long after your 'dong' is dongled. Couple of nice JD 4000 series, too. $20k price range. I have no trouble trusting a used machine that passes a few simple inspection points. Mine will be around, and with parts available a lot longer than these niche machines, including Bransons, Summit, etc.
"The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten."

 

[Code54]

I would think about getting the Better business bureau and the state attorney general's office involved. It may help speed a resolution along.

 

[DK35vince]

So, your 'BobCat' is a Daedong/Kioti similar to a JD 3025E. I'm sure there is an equivalent Kubota, too. Around here, lots of used JD & Kubota tractors that are more likely to be alive long after your 'dong' is dongled. Couple of nice JD 4000 series, too. $20k price range. I have no trouble trusting a used machine that passes a few simple inspection points. Mine will be around, and with parts available a lot longer than these niche machines, including Bransons, Summit, etc.
"The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten."

Oh please.
My previous machine was a John Deere (JD 850)
I have owned my Kioti DK for 22 years. (never been back to the dealer.)
Was my JD a better built, more reliable machine or easier to get parts for than my Kioti= NO