Riding Lawn Mowers

Q 1- We just bought a new Husqvarna YT42LS lawn tractor yesterday and while looking over several models I noticed that on the left side of the frame (from the sitting position) right above the orange deck is a 2' x4' black stamped plate bolted to the frame. Directly below the bolted vertically mounted plate is the mowing deck. On all the models with the plate installed I noticed the paint was scratched off and rusting severally on the decks immediately below the plate. I surmised that it was another mounting point for another deck where the frame was used on several other models going down the assembly line, or a mounting point for some kind of option. I did read a short forum response while Googling that stated that: "the plate was installed there to stop the deck from rising too far and causing belt wear" ? I want too know what this plate is, and why your design team did not put a rubber end on it so as not to cause damage to the powder coated deck shortening it's life span. Rust travels quickly, especially on a mower deck. The whole idea of powder coating is to give the part a long service life. Buying a new piece of machinery and seeing a design flaw unaddressed such as this does not inspire confidence in new owners that just spent a few thousand hard earned dollars $$$$ on it. I want to know what to do with it if anything and or what your company is going to do about it? The plate is a black stamped bolted on part with a sharp edge on it's lower contacting surface.

Q2- I also noticed that several of the models I looked at, (including the one I test drove and purchased) had extreme toe-in on the front wheels, pointing towards each other quite noticeably and way out of what I would call spec.! Is this normal? Are they shipped that way? or is the dealer supposed to reset the toe before putting them out for display and sale? I asked the mechanic there to correctly adjust the toe to what ever the correct spec. is before they delivered it to our house and before I would accept it. I expect much more from a company of your stature. Such intolerance would lead to excessive tire wear and reduced operating performance of the mower/tractor, possibly unsafe operation of these machines. FYI, I am a former power equipment technician, ASE certified auto mechanic and still keep my hand in from time to time. What say you?? Please give me detailed answers and explanations of what action/s you are going to take regarding these issues so that I and others can benefit from the solving of these shortcomings in design and assembly.

I noticed these problems at all 3 of the dealerships I went to. It is a systemic problem I'm assuming.

Thanks, Tim McCarthy