I have about 15 years of Ag dealership experience, mostly with a New Holland store, some with a CaseIH store prior to the NH buyout. I can tell you that everything Neil has posted about warranty work in the Ag/CUT sector is true based on my experience. Flat rate times are generally a joke, unless the manufacturer has a PIP, campaign, or recall involving the possibility of personal injury on the part of a customer. That is one of the few times a dealer can consistently make flat rate times because it is in the manufacturer's best interest to get to a 100% completion. With standard warranty work, the manufacturer's best opportunity to escape responsibility for a parts failure is to be shy on labor allowances to replace the part. Comparing warranty practices in the auto industry and the Ag/CUT equipment industry is apples and oranges for many, many reasons, most significantly the structure of flat rate schedules as they compare to the real world.
I haven't responded in this thread before now because the topic has come up here before with similar opinions and replies. It seems to be a topic that many members here have preconcieved notions on and it is a topic that gets volitile quickly. This response is specifically for FWJ, who asked to hear from dealership personnel.