Floor Pan Rust

[xrocketengineer]

Last Saturday was a weird day with the tractor. It started with weird color and smell Diesel that is being checked by the State's Consumer Services (but that is another story) and then I found my floor pan had rust everywhere. I initially saw a rust spot by lifting the corner of the rubber mat and I decided to remove the mat to clean and inspect. What I found was that paint had bubble up around every one of the holes on the floor. I started scraping the left side and then I realized that it was all rust under the bubbles.

Fortunately, my 2 year warranty covers it and the dealer already picked up the tractor to have the floor replaced. Hopefully the tractor will be be back before the next storm.....

 

[NCL4701]

Wow. I was mildly disappointed mine came with a metal floor protected solely by paint. Not so disappointed now.

 

[mattwithcats]

I use Rustoleum Rust Reformer on any holes or rusty spots...

https://www.rustoleum.com/product-catalog/consumer-brands/stops-rust/rust-reformer

 

[mcfarmall]

Had my metal floor pan Rhino Lined.

 

[Roadworthy]

It appears the rubber mat did a fine job of protecting the painted finish. Unfortunately a rubber mat can also trap moisture which can accelerate the rusting process.

 

[xrocketengineer]

Well after much waiting, I got my tractor back after 5 weeks. It is not fixed. First, the dealer had to wait about two weeks for the Kubota Field Rep to show up and agree to the floor replacement which he did. Then the week after they ordered the part and "it could come at any time" until they agreed to bring the tractor back so I could mow (I mowed once with a self propelled mower and it took me two days) and pick it up at no charge when the part finally shows up. Interestingly, my 2 year warranty is up in October.

 

[OrangeKrush]

This is one thing I try to keep an eye on. I was thinking about doing it yesterday and didn't get to it. Thanks to you for this post.. I was able to get to it today.

wax on

wax off

No rust but I can see how quickly it could happen.. can't handle rust!

 

[DustyRusty]

The rust is the result of the sharp edges where the holes are, and the method of powder coating. The powder coating will chip on sharp edges, and the rust will start, and then it travels under the powder coat, and the rust continues. I had a fertilizer spreader that was powder coated, and it rusted out in just a few years. The same thing happens with the new snow blowers, they get chips in the powder coat, and then they start rusting. The old painted snowblower was badly faded from the weather, and it had lots of scratches, but no rust. When they powder coat the metal, they give it an acid bath to clean the metal and then spray on the coating. If it were sandblasted, powder coating would adhere better, and not peel off on the edges, since it has a "bite" on the metal. Years ago, I saw a powder coat process that wouldn't chip, no matter how much you beat on it with a hammer. I have asked the people that do my powder coating if they can do that process, and they told me that the material was discontinued. Powder coating looks great when new, but doesn't stand up well against chips and scratches.

 

[xrocketengineer]

The dealer is coming on Monday to pick up the tractor to replace the floor since they finally have the part. It should be be back before the end of the week . I intend to apply a coat of Fluid Film or some other corrosion protectant before reinstalling the rubber mat.

 

[fried1765]

This is one thing I try to keep an eye on. I was thinking about doing it yesterday and didn't get to it. Thanks to you for this post.. I was able to get to it today. View attachment 66519 wax on View attachment 66520 wax off View attachment 66521 No rust but I can see how quickly it could happen.. can't handle rust!

With a deck still in excellent condition.......
Buy a "Herculiner" kit at Lowes, or on E-Bay,... and coat your deck.
Leave the rubber mat in your garage. If replaced, it will again rust out your deck!
"Herculiner" is a Rhinoliner type product for a do it yourselfer.
I threw my torn rubber mat (Ford 1920) away, and applied "Herculiner" to the deck 4 years ago.
It is an excellent product, that will not allow moisture to be trapped beneath.
It looks quite professional too!

 

[leveraddict]

Im surprised your dealer covered it or that Kubota gave the ok! Yes your new floor will do the same! Im guessing every BX made has this issue including mine. I pulled the rubber mat last month took a wire wheel to all the spots and sprayed the Rustoleum rust reformer on it. Im going to check it yearly now.

 

[mikester]

This is one thing I try to keep an eye on. I was thinking about doing it yesterday and didn't get to it. Thanks to you for this post.. I was able to get to it today. View attachment 66519 wax on View attachment 66520 wax off View attachment 66521 No rust but I can see how quickly it could happen.. can't handle rust!

You win the garage queen beauty pageant!

 

[skeets]

Im afraid to look under mine

 

[fried1765]

Im afraid to look under mine

If you leave the machine outside, you will definitely have a problem!
If it is already rusty, clean as much off as possible, thoroughly prep the deck rust spots with OSPHO, then paint, and coat the deck with Herculiner.
Throw the damx rubber mat away!

 

[PaulR]

Welp. I'm not a rocket engineer, but, I am an accountant. So, I guess I better go check mine too.

 

[xrocketengineer]

Oh, I was forgetting. The "weird color Diesel" turn out to be "red off road Diesel" and it was fine, according to the State inspection. It should not have been there but it was ok. Unlike what happened to this guy:

 

[Tughill Tom]

This is one thing I try to keep an eye on. I was thinking about doing it yesterday and didn't get to it. Thanks to you for this post.. I was able to get to it today. View attachment 66519 wax on View attachment 66520 wax off View attachment 66521 No rust but I can see how quickly it could happen.. can't handle rust!

So to protect all the hardware and sheet metal around them , get a can of Wools Wax rust proofing spray. It's Lanoline type almost clear when it dry's.

 

[Fordtech86]

Oh, I was forgetting. The "weird color Diesel" turn out to be "red off road Diesel" and it was fine, according to the State inspection. It should not have been there but it was ok. Unlike what happened to this guy:

did you use a fuel can that previously had off road fuel in it, or was the tractor delivered with off road fuel. The dye in off road will stick around for a while in filters and tanks.

 

[OrangeKrush]

So to protect all the hardware and sheet metal around them , get a can of Wools Wax rust proofing spray. It's Lanoline type almost clear when it dry's.

Is this something you re-apply regularly, not like a clear coat finish right?

 

[OrangeKrush]

That moisture will stay there a looong time if outside but I think almost indefinitely if inside with that mat down.