hood melting 33 hrs?!
 

Well guys, Ive been stalling to offer a review of my new tractor till season was over, but recent events have moved that date forward. I have a 2012 GTX2100 with 33 hours on the meter, and the hood is melting in 3 different spots. My dealer was more than happy to come get it and haul it away for repairs. 12 days later I got it back with a new heat shield under the muffler, at first I was kind of impressed. Upon further inspection I found the heat shield mutilated with a hammer, most bolts and blind nuts stripped off, and my new hood scratched up on the front above the grill!!
I called and spoke with the service manager, who was apologetic, but explained this was the repair/updated improvement from CUB!!! I explained the hammer job was unacceptable on my new $5600 dollar machine, and I wanted a new hood, muffler, heat shield, and I'll put the crap on myself. Today he brought over the muffler and shield, but no hood. I guess that will be along in a few more days. Nice guy, seems to be trying, but what the heck do I do now? I offered up, in the interest of remaining gentlemen, the dealer buying it back off me, or since they are a Deere dealer, trading me a similar Deere with similar hours and value. I guess we'll find out on Monday. Im throwing it in my truck and taking it back. Its been garage kept, and covered since I got it back in June, and has only 33 hours on it. The mower deck relay took a crap at 30 hours, whats going on at MTD??

I think you said it all madmike!!

Return it, put $4100 back in the bank, and get one of these!!

http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/...050640x503.jpg

Garage kept, with minimal maintenance, and you will get 20 years of service.

AND a whole lot of interest on your money towards retirement!!:bigthink:

Oh, yea, we need pics!! We love pics!! :beer2:

x2 what he said.

or a well keeped cub 82 series

http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/a...t/100_7426.jpg

That really bites madmike, the MTD's just aren't like the old ones. I wouldn't be as easy going as you, likely would even lose my temper. :bigeyes:
Those are some nice looking tractors 4SPEED, I love the style of them.
CaptMax

Cadplans, I wish I were only 4100 deep. It set me back 4499+1000 deck+6% sales tax. :BB&YS: I put up some pics of the handy work, and the melted hood. This is the second hood on the machine in the pics.
4Speed, better keep an eye on the red one my man, you are not that far away!lol
CaptMax, we are not finished. I have found in the past, dealing with these things in a calm, cool, manner usually results in them getting more pissed about it then me. Hopefully, they'll decide to do the right thing, and buy it back from me, and handle it on This level. I would much rather do that then the alternative. Plenty ticked.
I also threw up a pic of my girl. Its a 64, no creeper, no pto, original 10hp Kohler, and optional fenders. I have the 42'' deck for it, works like a champ, and a 36'' snowblower I just picked up for 50 bucks off craigslist.
We stripped it completely, sandblasted every single piece, and opted for powder coat vs. paint. The only parts painted are the rear-end and engine block. Both were in great shape, showed no obvious signs of wear or abuse, the motor didnt smoke or burn oil, so we decided to leave them together. Every other piece was primed in powder coating, then finish powder. I was using it to do all the "crap" jobs on the property then began to like the little dude, so we gave it the full refurbishment. I picked it up from the original owner, off craigslist, for............150bucks. I used it for two seasons before the tear down. All wiring, switches, cables, headlights, ect are original as far as I know, the tires are Carlisle

Yea, I figured $1748 to get a replacement "classic" machine that had a 60" deck!!

The $4100 is what would go back in the bank.

Good luck!! :bigthink:

You could have owned this 2284 Super with a new engine and a 60" Haban for $3500 :biggrin2:

Great looking 100, Mike!

there should have been a metal box (heat shield) around the muffler to protect the hood. Those mufflers on the commands get extremely hot and yes, will melt the hood. The GT 25xx series had issues with the lower hood melting when they were first released due to the exhaust routing to the front of the hood. I don't know if this is something they have changed on the newer models or not.

madmike, You are correct that you will get farther with sugar than with vinegar. I also say that the sign of a professional is how they handle a problem, hopefully they take care of yours "professionally". How about posting some more pictures of that beautiful 100 that you have there? That one is a thing of beauty in my eyes. :biggrin2:
CaptMax

GC, I concur. Been looking around the web at other machines, most have a huge metal box under the hood. Seems like a good part to delete? Probably saved $4 bucks in sheet metal.
Thanks for the comments guys on the old girl. I'm going to flood the restoration forum with pics on it, it'll be under 64-100

Mike

It sucks that MTD is so about the $$$$$$ these days that they would even produce something like that. If the price had been a couple bucks higher in the first place and the issue was fixed they would have had a happy customer. Now you will most likely never buy a new Cub again. I know I won’t.
The classic looks awesome and will probably outlast the newbe. You may want to suggest to your dealer that whoever worked on your tractor should think about a different line of work “ Would you like Fries with that” comes to mind. :beerchug:

I went back and looked and around '08 CC actually increased the size of the heat shield to extend higher and lower, even that shield gets hot enough to singe the hair off your arms when you get close enough to it.

So this is something that has been completely deleted off the new models?

The price of new GTs regardless of brand vs. SCUTs.... well, it becomes a rather easy option after looking a little while.

Yep, its gone. The Only shield covering the muffler is on top. Nothing from the bottom. The melting starts at the bottom, and after a couple more mowings, moves up between the headlights and on top of the hood.
I would like to go up there and kick the guy right square in his butt that beat it all to heck. Unfortunately, that will probably kill my negotiating power instantly.
I really, sincerely, hope I can get them to return it. We are kind of at a loss as far as what to do if they dont. Sure, I can run up a couple more grand in attorney fees, with no guarantee it'll go in my favor, or try to come up with something to stop the melting/heat issue. Either way, I'm gearing up to complain about it for the next decade to anyone who will listen.
Theres no way in hell I would ever buy another new one. That boat sailed. If they do the right thing, act like professionals, and return it, I'll be looking for a 982 to refurb with maybe even a 60'' deck, pto, and 3 point.
I cant put in words how dis-appointing it is, we are witnessing whats left of US based companies go to sh-t. There isnt a part on the thing that wasnt made in china. Im pretty sure of it. All the deck parts that are marked, are stamped china, the cast iron rear-end has a big "china" on the axle. Not sure where the Kohler is put together, but my money goes on china again.
The saddest part, is once your are the manufacturing country for so long, you eventually become the authority! I'm afraid we've been there for years now, and maybe my eyes are just being really opened to it.
Any predictions, or thoughts on what they'll do??
I would rest a little easier had I bought it from Home Depot or Lowes. I have a pretty good relationship with the stores near my home, as I'm there every day. Im sure they would return it, no questions asked. Not sure about the dealer though.

Mike, I would be glad to send them an email on your behalf. Tell them I am myself considering a new tractor but I want to see how they handle the issue with yours before I do. The internet can be quite powerful sometimes. A person could start a blog asking for new owners to unite and start a class action law suit. I'm sure your not the only one who has issues with their new Cub Cadet. You may also be able to contact someone in authority at the factory, I've had luck doing that before when I didn't get anywhere with the automotive dealer. Too bad they can't just continue to build stuff like they used to. PM me if you would like me to write them a letter, I will be professional about it if I do.
CaptMax

if you really want to get a quick response, "like" cub cadet on facebook then post the pictures to their timeline! Nothing like the entire world seeing engineering failures posted for everyone to see. I guarantee you will get a personal email from someone.

Impressive! I would say any of the suggested would get a response. I would like to however, give them an opportunity to handle it right on their own before I get nasty. I like to believe theres good in ALL people, even though I'm proven wrong from time to time.
Being in a service industry myself, I thank god for the opportunities I've had to correct warranty issues before people go for they're clubs! For that, they get one more crack at it.
Real anxious to see how tomorrow pans out. I will take you gentlemen up on any and all suggestions once we see what the day brings. I had also considered the BBB, and dept of consumer affairs as well as a facebook episode. I dont know why, I just have a feeling this is all going to work out. My wifes WAY to positive. After 20 years, its rubbing off.
I dug out my receipt, I bought it the second week of June. Paid cash, like a dummy.
I'll be there 10 minutes before they open tomorrow, follow up as soon as I get back. Thanks fellas

any decent dealer will attempt to take any means necessarily to take care of their products no matter how good or bad the product is. My biggest issue with my GT2544 was the mount for the plastic hood broke, I contacted CC directly and they quickly took care of the problem. Had I known how crappy my local dealer was I would have never purchased from them, CC directed me to my 2nd nearest dealer, which is 30 miles away and they took care of it.

CC also contacted me directly about a year later to let me know that there was a factory mod/fix for the hood. I was impressed that CC kept that in mind a year later. Hopefully if you contact the manufacturer directly you will get the same level of service...

There went 2 hours and a half a tank of gas I'll never get back. I spoke with the manager, he said "give us a chance to fix it"I said" you kinda already had a chance to fix it, and look what your boys did"
I expressed to him that I was not happy with the machine, and do not feel like I should be the test platform for field modifications, especially something that should have been caught by R&D before it ever made production!! And I want to return the machine.
He explained there are no returns unfortunately, but he would call the CC/MTD rep and have him come out, and......"they'll come up with something"
To me, at this point, this is completely un-acceptable. This is the third hood they are going to install-(if capable), the electric deck lift quit working at 31 hours and needed a new relay. When the relay was replaced I noticed there was calcium buildup on the terminals, probably causing the failure. This tells me there was no die-electric grease applied when they put it together, the upper heat shield is dented, the screws were all stripped out from them trying to "retrofit" the other shield, I had to re-tap and re-thread all the blind nuts and bolts to get them to grab, they'll probably rattle loose in a few hours, and two of the bolts were completely useless, they got a larger bolt-different pitch (purchased by me from the hardware) to hold in place.
After I saw all the dented up stuff I posted pics of, I wouldnt let them work on it anymore. The service manager and myself put the replacement parts back on in my garage, Less a new upper heat shield, less any new bolts, and less the 3rd hood thats still on order.
I know for a fact: If they had drawings today/ready to go for a solution (they dont) it would take at least a week or two to get it fabricated/fitted. I've already been out of the machine for almost 2 weeks, now Im supposed to entertain waiting for them to R&D a solution- fit it- test it- produce a production piece (im sure they wouldnt part with a prototype)and then get my tractor back to me. That does not sound like a short process. This is an issue they have to be aware of with as much information about it posted everywhere online.
I Do Not like having to get nasty with people, guess they're not going to have it any other way. Gloves are coming off. I'll keep y'all posted as I get updates. Calling the counselor now, to see what my rights are:bs:

I've been advised to exhaust every effort via the manufacturer and the dealer, before we take a deposit.
I just got off the phone with CC. I've been on the phone with them all day, sending them pictures of whats going on, telling the same story, a half a dozen times, and I may be getting somewhere. They acknowledge theres no part # for the repair or any update of any kind. They agree the repair is sub-standard, but thats it, seems I have to choose my words to get an agreement. They DO NOT seem surprised, I have spoken with 3 different people today plus an online chat, and not one said "oh my god, really?" or "wow" or nothing. They agree it could start fire in its current condition, After a long explanation of my knowledge of combustible composites and materials, and explaining petroleum based plastics are flammable.
At this point they are contacting the Dealer to see what they can get them to do as far as returning it. The dealer said he'd get me out a loaner of some kind in the next day or two, but I have not heard a word since I dropped it off this morning. I said Hi on facebook too, was very polite, and posted a picture of the attempted repair explaining the situation, didnt faze em.

If you're worried about getting your grass cut, why not just take it back without the hood and cut your grass?

Then, you'd look somewhat like the owners of older cyclops CC's that the plastic broke and fell off of.

I have three of them running around now with all to some of the plastic missing and a couple others with bungie cords holding the stuff on the front end.

Then, CC has the gall to charge outrageous prices for new front end plastic that was a poor design to start with!:bs::bs:

I have about 22 CC's and I'm just about done with them!

Cub Cadet is not the only one with plastic hood problems. Google "John Deere plastic hood" and enjoy hours of frustrated owners complaining about cracked hoods, broken hinges, melted hoods, and broken heat shields. It happened to me with my LT155, and other peoples much more expensive tractors.

It seems that hoods are a weak spot.

google john deere plastic and you'll find years and years of hoods, fenders, floor boards, and on and on and on..... they've been using "superior composites" since they came out with GTs. I know a guy who has a $10k x748 without a hood and one fender, looks like a demolition derby machine.

wow. What a PITA!
I spoke with cubs reps and was referred to the "supervisor"
At first he seemed as if he might do something. Wrong! The guy told me he'd call the dealer and get this straightened out. I asked should i call back, and he said give me until tomorrow afternoon and call back. So, I called back and he did not call the dealer, or review the pics of the mutilation. He tried to say I was supposed to call the dealer and have them call him. Yea, thats my job
We went back and forth for a few minutes until he realized I was writing down everything he said, and had done so the day before. So, i think calling cub is a waste of time and a big joke (on us, the consumer)
Each time I called I was on the phone for 20+ minutes waiting for my call to even be taken. I then had to re-explain the entire situation to whomever was on the phone, even with a case #, and then get transferred to the same useless p.o.s I talked to earlier. I love it when hourly people act like its they're money were talking about.
The dealer had the gaul to call me and say they talked to the tech department and low and behold, all of a sudden, there is a part # and updated repair! Praise the lord! BUT, this part was not in stock, and on backorder. Talk about buy yourself some time. So, i did what any other consumer should do if they feel they're getting screwed:
Go to the attorney generals office for your state and file a complaint: they have lots of useful info there for you, and LINKS
So then you may find yourself at the Federal Consumer Product Safety Commission. You can file a complaint there to. They take interest in ANY consumer product that could be unsafe for whatever reason. especially FIRE
Then, you run across the Better Business Bureau as well. File one with that office too
oh, and dont forget, if the corporate office is not in your state: You can go to that states BBB and Attorney generals office. Might as well file one there...
I've been spending some time on Facebook trying to get a rise out of someone. I think they cross referenced the complaints and have since stopped responding. I guess that means I can just keep raggin em. No sweat. Its not like I can go out and cut the grass or something to keep busy after work.
Hopefully one of these offices will get them tuned up, and we'll be out shopping for a IH this weekend. They still are holding they're ground on not returning it. And cub cadet can kiss it too, they're great until you check em on shit they were supposed to do but didnt.

Sorry to hear youve had such a bad experience with a new machine, it's kinda sad how all the new stuff is put together good enough to get on the showroom floor and sell.... I gave $1900 for this, I'll never regret it either ... :IH Trusted Hand:
http://emob1192.photobucket.com/albu...1346373905.jpg

Let it catch fire and then let your Homeowners go after them.

A Hard Way to Learn A Lesson
 

NEVER PAY CASH !!! If you financed it you could STOP PAYMENTS and they would JUMP THROUGH HOOPS to SATISFY YOU THE CUSTOMER TO GET THEIR / YOUR MONEY,,, Get what I'm saying? NEVER PAY CASH !!!! When you do, it's your's, you bought it, you're done ! Not much of a legal leg to stand on. Think before you pull out that wad of cash next time. I also went to that same school, HARD KNOCK'S . Best of luck .:bash::bash2:

That sounds like insurance fraud to me.

Not if you didn't set it on fire, because it is unintentional.

Well gentlemen, patience and persistence has prevailed. They brought the machine back to me in a week, with a new hood/stickers, and modified muffler/shield. I've mowed twice with it, as the season is coming to an end, and have noticed no melting, but it did take 31 hours to melt the first hood. By the time spring rolls around, and I can put another 30 hours or so on the clock, the warranty will have expired and I'm on my own.
I am pleased beyond words to report the dealer contacted me today, and respectfully requested I bring the machine back and get my money back!!
I've won gents. The BBB, attorney Generals office, and the Federal consumer safety board has came down hard and dished me some justice:Woo:
Guess the process starts all over again on the search for the ultimate garden tractor- I dont mind, something will come along:beer2:

I suggest if you want the ultimate garden tractor to look along the lines of the kubota bx series, anything but the green company.... if you want to keep it modern.

I'm happy with my BX and Bota stands behind the product big time.:beerchug:

Wow, what a ride. Shame you had to go through all that just to get em to buy it back, but all's well that ends well. Thanks for documenting it here.

You'd think after the problems they had when they switched to the new plastic hoods on the 2500s that they would have done the sufficient R&D on that part of the product.....Sheesh. I own an MTD Cub there are some things from 1999 that with a bit of R&D would have saved for the tractor as well.