Another Etiquette Question. Please Help!!!

[CenturyGreg]

I bought a brand new tractor on Saturday with less than 1hr. on the tach. After getting it home, it immediatly developed a transmission problem (1.2hrs. on tach) that appears to require the tractor to be torn apart and the transmission be opened to find the problem. I hate the thought of buying a brand new tractor and having it split in half already to be repaired. The tractor is the last of the 2004 models and the tractors changed for 2005 or I would probably ask them for a new tractor. The dealer does have a 2004 model that is a larger horsepower than my tractor. My question is, do I have a leg to stand on to ask for a new 2005 model or the larger 2004 model, or do I simply have to let them repair my tractor and pretend I like it? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[JerryG]

Greg,
I think that you are letting this get out of hand. It is easy to imagine something really bad, if you let yourself. You have yet to find out what is wrong with your tractor. Let the dealer look it over, before you expect the worst.
BTW, welcome to TBN.

 

[dicker]

Good Morning

I agree with Greg. Sometimes these things seem worse that they really are.

I can only speak for myself, but it would not bother me in the least to have major surgery done to a tractor at 1.2 hrs. That's why I have a warranty. They way I look at it, I am just saving someone else from going through that. My JD4310 had numerous things handled under warranty, the dealer always picked up and delivered for free and the bill always was zero.

Good luck

Richard

 

[Freds]

I wouldn't like it, but a warranty starts as soon as you own the tractor, probably better to have the problem happen right away than 200 hours down the road.
I would certainly expect a similar model loaner and know I wouldn't have a problem getting one from my dealer.

 

[PineRidge]

I think I would be more concerned with transportation charges. We had a hydraulic leak from day one and when they finally came to get the tractor they charged us transportation charges both ways on a problem that existed on a tractor even before we got it. I hope your dealer will elect to eat those charges.

 

[rockyridgefarm]

First off, this is a business question, not etiquette.

I would do as the others mentioned, not worry and let them check it out.

But, I would also let them know that it was up to THEM to have checked the tractor over before delivery. 1 hour on the meter isn't enough in my book. My dealer would have just gotten it warm on the Dyno by then...

I would also be documenting things, and checking on their reputation carefully. You might not have anything to worry about, but you may be just at the tip of lotsa problems, and the sooner you act the better.

1 hour on the meter at delivery doesn't sound like it was checked too well....

 

[Evasive1]

I would not get to worried about it either. I had a problem with mine right away where I could not shift from forward to reverse. At first they thought they were going to have to split the tractor in half but it ended up just being a snap ring that broke and the piece was lodge where the linkage would not move sometimes. While the tractor was there the mechanic who was a machinist did a lot of beefing up of the linkage and braces on several areas of the tractor. So everything ended up better than okay.

 

[Charlie_in_TX]

I tend to agree with the others. These tractors are far less complex than a truck. My new 2004 Ford F250 CC power stroke with the 5 speed auto had the tranny rebuilt (actually the reverse planatary replaced) at 47 miles. The 2005 trannies are loosing a snap ring and blowing a hole in the tranny. The point is if it is fixed it is fixed.

 

[Moon]

Yes, I think you have a leg to stand on. If you will not be comfortable with the tractor after this, why not talk it out with the dealer. Maybe this is just the push you need to jump into the 2005 model. I hope the dealer will work with you and do what it takes to make you happy.

Moon of Ohio

 

[CenturyGreg]

I realize that the problem could be anything, I'm just trying to figure out what to do if it does turn out to be the worst. I plan to let the dealer figure out what the problem is before I plan to do anything rash, but if they call & say they have my tractor split in two I want to have a game plan. I also realize that the dealer does not build the tractor, I'm sure they are about as upset as me. I simply would rather not have a brand new tractor that has had the tranny tampered with already. Thanks.

 

[CenturyGreg]

I also forgot to add, I have never dealt with my dealer before, but they do have a very good reputation, so I'm sure it will all be fine in the end!

 

[johndeere2210]

I understand your concern about splitting the tractor to complete repairs. If the dealer is a good dealer, you should be able to come to a reasonable solution. I do have a question in the back of my mind that I would like to pose to you. When the 4000 series JD CUT's first came out, JD came out with a Product Improvement Program that required the final drive housings to be removed and the differential to be rebuilt. Many of these units were done while still in dealer stock, and some were done after sale with less than 10 hours on the units. If this were some sort of product improvement program that required splitting of the tractor would you still be uncomfortable with it? Just wondering. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Henro]

Myself, I would not feel warm and fuzzy if I were in your boots...

I don't have a clue how I would deal with the situation.

What if you bought a new truck, and the transmission went out in the first hour? Would you feel like keeping it? Would you be legally stuck with it? One breakdown does not make a lemon, or so the law probably says...

I am afraid though, that even if it is irrational, I would fear future problems with the tractor...

As I type this I get the feeling that I would do my best to move to a different tractor...but who can say until it happens to them personally, really...

 

[dicker]

Hi

There is nothing to suggest that one problem in isolation would suggest "future problems with the tractor". Perhaps you think that way because of the timeframe (1.2 Hours), but that may be the only problem the tractor ever has.
In my opinion, timing has little bearing, however, frequency is a different story. If there were many of these issues in a short period of time, that would cause concern.

In 1988, I purchased a new Volvo and right from the dealer, I took it to see a friend. It spewed PS fluid all over his new driveway. The steering rack was replaced at 10 miles. The new steering rack went 300,000 miles for me and I am sure that it is still going for it's present owner.

One can never tell.


Good luck

Richard

 

[Charlie_in_TX]

MAybe you should ask for an extended warrenty from the manufacture on the repaired parts.

 

[BarryinMN]

How much do you trust your dealer?

My first ever new car was a 79 Buick with a turbo 4 bbl. Special ordered not off the lot. Right away started getting a screech in 1/3 starts. After repeated trips to the dealer they finally decided that the flywheel ring gear teeth & bendix starter were mis-matched.

The dealer managed to strip out the transmission motor mount threads & that piece of crap thunked against each side of the tranny tunnel everytime it was shifted forward & reverse for 140,000 miles until I sold it.

/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif