A Word of Caution to 3rd Function Valve Owners

[RK Tractor Guy]

All, with respect to the post about issues with the 3rd function install on a customer tractor, we investigated and traced this back to a new assembly technician and a lapse in the post assembly PDI process with this particular install. We shared the post with the entire assembly team to use as a teaching opportunity and they took it hard and personally. After 300 plus 3rd function installs, this is the first instance where we failed to meet our high standards and we consider it one too many. Not much else to say, other than another opportunity for us to reply directly and transparently on this forum.

 

[g8erh8er]

All, with respect to the post about issues with the 3rd function install on a customer tractor, we investigated and traced this back to a new assembly technician and a lapse in the post assembly PDI process with this particular install. We shared the post with the entire assembly team to use as a teaching opportunity and they took it hard and personally. After 300 plus 3rd function installs, this is the first instance where we failed to meet our high standards and we consider it one too many. Not much else to say, other than another opportunity for us to reply directly and transparently on this forum.

I appreciate you taking the time to investigate my issues Doug. Do you know if the small electronic box laying on top of the battery in my picture has a mounting location, or is that where it is typically stored?

 

[RK Tractor Guy]

The small relay box should be tie-strapped to ground cable base behind the battery. A thin, smooth black cable.

 

[shooterdon]

First kudos to RK for investigating it and learning from it.

But it bothers me that a dealer of any machine does not do a though job of pre-delivery inspection. I suppose the dealer has no incentive to do that, as if there is a failure within the warrantee period they get paid by the manufacturer anyway. And if machine fails after warrantee, the customer gets the bill.

BTW, I took my new to me JD855 to the dealer for a going over to address any issues and make sure it was safe. They found a leak in the loader cylinder and told me they would not rebuild it. A new one would be over $600. It was a drip every two seconds so I decided not to do it. After running it for 5 hours it was spraying fluid.....and found the fitting was barely finger tight....idiots!!! Also it was returned with the parking brake not working. When I called them they told me I would need to pay for pickup to correct the oversight. I doubt I will buy from them when I upgrade...but that will narrow my options.

I know things go wrong. It is how those errors are addressed that means a lot to customers. I would seriously consider an RK if there was a dealer close to me. They seem to care.

 

[RTBee]

You know that lump in your throat or that pain in your gut that you get when you realize you paid a lot of money for the wrong thing? You should have bought something else, from someone else. You got shafted and there's nothing you can do about it? You realize that it's always been 'buyer beware' and you try your best to get the most bang for your buck, but you failed and there's nothing you can do about it now. Ever feel that way? Hopefully not, but we have all been there at some point to a greater or lesser degree. That has NOT been the case with Rural King! We are constantly being reassured that the decision we made was the right one, for us. Their commitment to their customers is what keeps their customers coming back. And recommending them to their friends. Thanks RK!

 

[RK Tractor Guy]

First kudos to RK for investigating it and learning from it.

But it bothers me that a dealer of any machine does not do a though job of pre-delivery inspection. I suppose the dealer has no incentive to do that, as if there is a failure within the warrantee period they get paid by the manufacturer anyway. And if machine fails after warrantee, the customer gets the bill.

BTW, I took my new to me JD855 to the dealer for a going over to address any issues and make sure it was safe. They found a leak in the loader cylinder and told me they would not rebuild it. A new one would be over $600. It was a drip every two seconds so I decided not to do it. After running it for 5 hours it was spraying fluid.....and found the fitting was barely finger tight....idiots!!! Also it was returned with the parking brake not working. When I called them they told me I would need to pay for pickup to correct the oversight. I doubt I will buy from them when I upgrade...but that will narrow my options.

I know things go wrong. It is how those errors are addressed that means a lot to customers. I would seriously consider an RK if there was a dealer close to me. They seem to care.

Interesting comment, a few clarifications. There are no RK Tractors dealers. RK Tractors are sold only at select Rural King Store locations, all of which we own. There are 113 RK stores in 14 states, with 45 carrying RK Tractors now, 62 next year, and all by 2020. No one at RK is interested in customers having anything but great experiences when they buy their tractor and through their entire period of ownership. When we were informed of this particular issue, we investigated, found the source, took remedial action and put additional controls in our pre-delivery inspection (PDI) process, and then informed everyone on this forum what happened. We trying to be a different kind of tractor company. Not just offer the lowest prices, but provide the best quality and highest specifications, and communicate directly with current and prospective customers in an open way.

As for competing brands and their independent dealers, in my 25 plus years in the business, never met a single reputable one that would not do everything to ensure that their customers received equipment in good operating order. No one wants to have a customer find something that was missed by the OEM or the dealer. No one at those dealers or at RK Tractors is an "idiot" no more than someone who misspells words in their post is. Just good people that can make a mistake from time to time. Truly, no one is perfect.

 

[Oldpath05]

"Interesting comment, a few clarifications. There are no RK Tractors dealers. RK Tractors are sold only at select Rural King Store locations, all of which we own. There are 113 RK stores in 14 states, with 45 carrying RK Tractors now, 62 next year, and all by 2020."

Yes that is a interesting comment almost sounds like RK tractor sales is going to be in every state in another year or so, ("and all by 2020") <<<did I read that wrong...................

 

[buckeyefarmer]

You read it wrong, it says all stores will sell tractors by 2020. Obviously the numbers (62) is not refering to states,

When i got my last kubota, the BH boom cylinder leaked, and still leaks. The dealer said, bring it in, I'll fix it. That meant a lot of work for me, and i didnt think it was bad enough.
The dealer should have caught it, but didn't.

 

[Mrprez]

Just brought my RK24 home this week. I have the 3rd function valves and had a leak at the female connector. Leaking quite a bit. Noticed that the leak was originating at the threads above the connector. Tightened the connector and no more leaks. Can't imagine any decent technician not seeing this issue during the final inspection prior to shipping.

 

[Gryphyn454]

Just brought my RK24 home this week. I have the 3rd function valves and had a leak at the female connector. Leaking quite a bit. Noticed that the leak was originating at the threads above the connector. Tightened the connector and no more leaks. Can't imagine any decent technician not seeing this issue during the final inspection prior to shipping.

I had a leak at the 3rd function valve also, I noticed the first time I used started it and opened the grapple. I figured with the amount of oil pouring out of it that it a hose may have shifted during transport and caused the fitting to loosen. I tightened it back and strapped the execess hose down with a bungee cord to keep it from moving again or getting hung up in what I am moving with the grapple