2013 4041R Throttle Cable Problems

[bsentryrich]

So I have about 8 hours on my 4041R so far and here is the latest...I was using the tractor this weekend and noticed a lot of 'stiffness' in the throttle pedal while doing some brush hogging and loader work. Eventually the throttle started sticking and staying essentially wide open. I would have to stomp the pedal allow the throttle cable to return to closed position. I checked the hand throttle and it was doing the same---accelerating, but then not coming back to idle.

My buddy was with me at my farm, and he is a PhD Harley mechanic. We pulled both cables (which appeared bent from the factory)----one for the hand throttle and one for the foot throttle as it was clear the problem was in the cable and not at the accelerator linkage on the block. We thoroughly lubed the cables within the sheaths they respectively sat in and thought this initially solved the problem...however it did NOT.

After a few more minutes of use, the foot pedal throttle continued to stick and so it is looking like warranty work is pending.

Interestingly, we both reviewed the LS manual and I will have to agree with other posts on here, SOMETHING IS DEFINITELY LOST IN TRANSLATION. Specifically, on page 3-8 of the LS Operator's Manual, it reads:

"The throttle lever is used for the work and the foot pedal for driving"



Just out of curiosity, I'm not sure how you could effectively use the throttle lever for any kind of loader work. Sure, I mean, I use the throttle lever when mowing large swaths of fescue, but not moving downed trees, digging out ditches, etc. To imply that the foot throttle is used only for driving (essentially on the road) is crazy...but again, perhaps something is lost in translation.

In addition, I'm not sure if your tractor has it, but I noticed a sticker on mine on the center hump near the floor which essentially says that any dealer pickup or delivery is not included as warranty work...:confused2:...I never noticed that before, but strange they proactively put that there!

All in all, I'm pleased with the tractor and am not knocking it:thumbsup:...unfortunately, the nearest dealer to my farm is approx 30 miles away and though this is not a long way, it is still somewhat inconvenient. In addition, this naturally would have had to happen on a Saturday at 1230pm and the dealer closes at 1 so I really didn't want to leave it on their lot though they said this was an option. It is also a new dealership, brand new, and I didn't buy the tractor from them: hopefully this is not held against me and moreover, hopefully they will correct the problem-----through new cables-----I'd be willing to procure new cables and install them myself, but my mechanic buddy said they probably won't go for that since dealers usually make money on these warranty services from the parent company (LS).

Anyway, sorry for the lengthy post and I welcome any input...B

 

[boomer632]

Sorry to hear of your problem. I had a problem with my 4041EZ that me and the dealer could not figure out. Often i would turn the key and nothing. Dash lit up fine but no juice to starter. After 1 trip to dealer to replace EZ shifter (60 miles) he called NC. At first they said it was the EZ shifter knob or relay. They sent new ones to dealer and he sent it to me for self install. After several self install relays and no fix, the main guy in NC called me. We went through symptoms and he ended up sending a new clutch safety switch and shuttle lever. I replaced both and has been fine since. I do have some mechanical skills and the dealer found that out during our talks. They had no problem sending me the parts for self installs even though they involved removing the dash and messing with electrical systems. I would think your dealer would have no problem sending you cables. For what its worth.. dealer wouldn't cover and pick up or delivery on mine either. And I have the same sticker as you stating so.

 

[bsentryrich]

Thanks Boomer and good to hear.

I'm going to call dealer in the morning and discuss this option. Out of curiosity, any charges on the shipping of those parts to your location?

 

[boomer632]

Nope.. NC shipped to dealer.. dealer shipped to me. Parts usually arrived within a week or so. No charge.

 

[bsentryrich]

Talked with the dealer today. Explained all of the above (orig post) to him. He took down my information and called me back 10 min later and told me it was going to cost me $55 and change.

I explained my post and offered to contact HQ if necessary but after further discussion he said he'd ship them out to my house for install. :thumbsup:

I mean it's not the small sum of $ but it's under warranty right???

I assured him I'd bring the old cables back to him (so that if there is dealer reimbursement he will get it from factory) and if this doesn't solve the issue that I would certainly bring the vehicle to him as the next step.

Hopefully will have them early next week. Will stay posted. B

 

[boomer632]

Those cables should cost you nothing. I would call and state that this is a warranty issue. If you get no help there, call NC. They will make it right. Something fishy is going on with your dealer for him to charge you $55. When I had my problem.. they just kept throwing parts at it until it was fixed. They never even asked me to return any of the old parts.

 

[bsentryrich]

Well I heard back from the dealer today who told me that now I would have to get the tractor down to them. That they could no longer just send me the parts for self-install without seeing the tractor in person, taking pictures, and applying for dealer reimbursement for this through the parent company of LS. They said they were willing to work with me on p/u and delivery (as the tractor is at my farm and I am in the city) for the cost of $100 roundtrip. They said otherwise if I wanted to stick with the original plan it was going to cost me the cost of the parts/cables ($30) and S/H ($25) for a total of $55.

I asked them what had changed between Monday and today (as they had agreed to send me the parts w/o charging me) and the dealer said his rep told him that in order to do warranty work and receive warranty-covered parts, the tractor has to be at the dealer and the dealer has to do the work. I obtained the dealer rep's name/number and phoned him.

The rep basically gave me the same response, though I reiterated to him that others on this website/blogsite (which affords disccussion regarding the new tractor LS line AND any problems the line has) had conveyed that other members/owners had been provided warranty-covered parts by their dealers for self-install AND had the parts shipped directly to them AT NO COST. I also told him that since it was such a small set of parts and relatively low install burden, it really made no sense to truck the tractor 30 miles (at my cost) just to have the dealer tell me what I already knew. Furthermore, I explained that if this did not fix the problem, I would be happy to take the tractor to the dealer for further investigation. Lastly, I explained that if necessary, I'd be happy to discuss this with the Battlesboro, NC headquarters of LS to see what could be done.

After some further discussion, he agreed to call the dealer back to have the parts shipped to me at no cost.



I mean, I get it. The dealer is a new dealer in Southern Illinois and trying to make it. They get reimbursed by the factory for service and warranty work....clearly that is why the tractor has that sticker on the floorboard noting that the customer is responsible for p/u and delivery costs which are not covered by factory warranty. I GET IT...but in this instance I think it is reasonable to allow the customer to do the self-install to maintain/foster the dealer/customer relationship. At least for now, they seemed to have agreed...


I will keep posted....B

 

[GManBart]

My tractor doesn't have that sticker...

 

[bsentryrich]

My tractor doesn't have that sticker...

Not sure what year yours is but maybe that means pu and deliv are included in any warranty work for you!:drink:

 

[ozley]

Not sure what year yours is but maybe that means pu and deliv are included in any warranty work for you!:drink:

I would bet that the sticker was put on by the dealer.