50hr service do it yourself???

greenmule · Feb 28, 2009

Well thanks,kubotas manual don't say it,kiotis manual don't say it. My dealer encourages it and so does yours. There you go.

IslandTractor · Feb 28, 2009

I think corporate policies are simply different down under and probably in Europe too. I suspect the strong US consumer protection legislation prevents companies from requiring the sort of dealer service IronHorse insists is necessary to maintain a warranty. In general, US consumer protection laws are stronger than those elsewhere, at least when it comes to consumer rights and warranty issues. I have no trouble understanding that NH or any other tractor company would, given the chance, require the sort of dealer service IronHorse advocates but I think it is pretty clear the manufacturers cannot mandate that in the USA.

CrazyQ · Feb 28, 2009

IslandTractor said:
I think corporate policies are simply different down under and probably in Europe too. I suspect the strong US consumer protection legislation prevents companies from requiring the sort of dealer service IronHorse insists is necessary to maintain a warranty. In general, US consumer protection laws are stronger than those elsewhere, at least when it comes to consumer rights and warranty issues. I have no trouble understanding that NH or any other tractor company would, given the chance, require the sort of dealer service IronHorse advocates but I think it is pretty clear the manufacturers cannot mandate that in the USA.

I did mine today at 55 hrs. Honestly the worst part was trying to hold the funnel from tipping while pouring out of a 5 gallon pail. lots of metal on the hydraulic drain plugs. Front diff drained slow since it was a little chilly. I bought one of those rubber tubs at the local TSC to work as a drain pan for the hydraulic fluid. worked great. Little tricky picking it up to pour into a drum after but that's what rags are for.

IslandTractor · Feb 28, 2009

CrazyQ said:
I did mine today at 55 hrs. Honestly the worst part was trying to hold the funnel from tipping while pouring out of a 5 gallon pail. lots of metal on the hydraulic drain plugs. Front diff drained slow since it was a little chilly. I bought one of those rubber tubs at the local TSC to work as a drain pan for the hydraulic fluid. worked great. Little tricky picking it up to pour into a drum after but that's what rags are for.

The real issue is not the fluids, which are pretty straight forward as you found out. The contentious issue here is the overall inspection and tightening of bolts and looking for anything that is amiss. Getting some advice from the dealer regarding what they look for in addition to changing fluids and filters would be a good idea.

greenmule · Feb 28, 2009

Yeah,only got about 55 hours or so on mine and already kinda checked a few bolts here and there when I changed fluids,didn't find any loose ones,except those little bolts underneath that are for attachments of some kind? They are several sets on little hanger type brackets,found a bolt under tractor that looked like one of the same size before I found those,bet thats where it came from.

Going to go over it pretty good before I put tiller on it in a few weeks.

Any bolts in preticular you all have noticed need extra attention?

IslandTractor · Feb 28, 2009

greenmule said:
Any bolts in preticular you all have noticed need extra attention?

Backhoe subframe definitely. Worth checking the FEL too.

greenmule · Mar 1, 2009

Don't have either,so my quest will be easier.

CrazyQ · Mar 1, 2009

IslandTractor said:
The real issue is not the fluids, which are pretty straight forward as you found out. The contentious issue here is the overall inspection and tightening of bolts and looking for anything that is amiss. Getting some advice from the dealer regarding what they look for in addition to changing fluids and filters would be a good idea.

My opinion is that what the dealer is looking for is something green and about 2 1/2 x 6" long. For me, it was important to get the fluids changed as scheduled since we have been getting pounded with snow and the dealer was backlogged. I couldn't wait two weeks and maintain a piece of mind that my tractor should continue to be used until they have time to do the service. I did not check any bolts but I will as time permits. At least the metal filings are out of the hydraulics...there were a lot! At least now if I can use the tractor knowing the fluids and filters are new. By all means, if money is no issue or you would rather the dealer take care of it go ahead but with all due respect you should know how to perform maintenance on your equipment.

IslandTractor · Mar 1, 2009

CrazyQ said:
My opinion is that what the dealer is looking for is something green and about 2 1/2 x 6" long. For me, it was important to get the fluids changed as scheduled since we have been getting pounded with snow and the dealer was backlogged. I couldn't wait two weeks and maintain a piece of mind that my tractor should continue to be used until they have time to do the service. I did not check any bolts but I will as time permits. At least the metal filings are out of the hydraulics...there were a lot! At least now if I can use the tractor knowing the fluids and filters are new. By all means, if money is no issue or you would rather the dealer take care of it go ahead but with all due respect you should know how to perform maintenance on your equipment.

I'm not arguing at all that you shouldn't do it yourself. I did. My point is just that there are things to look at and check besides fluids. A quick chat with your dealer (or even just looking carefully at the owners manual) will show you what to look for. Pretty much everything the dealer would check is outlined in the maintenance section of the owner's manual you just have to have the experience or support to feel comfortable completing the inspections.

Eagleview · Mar 2, 2009

CrazyQ said:
At least the metal filings are out of the hydraulics...there were a lot!

I wonder how you would prove that there was metal in the hydraulics from new to make a warranty claim if the hydraulics had a failure at a later date ? Seeing how it was not found by the dealer at the 50 hour service and a record made . Like i said , they may fix it out of good will but in AUSTRALIA , they would not be required by law to do so .