ARRRRRRGH!!!!!!! Broke my tractor.... Engine Block went SNAP...

[KrisHansen]

A great conclusion for you Kris! Maybe the dealer will help you out on a discounted labor rate. Let him know about this forum. I hope the TC 33 is running shortly. You can get a few bucks for the old block, with the price scrap dealers are paying for scrap.
I know it will still hurt in the pocket book, especially when you know you did nothing "wrong" to break the machine.

I get the feeling that CNH will want the block back, but if not, I'm taking it as a memento!

 

[KrisHansen]

Chris, have they also included a new set of bearing, seeing that these parts will be installed into a new block?

The CNH service rep did mention bearings, though I'm still not 100% sure what all CNH is actually paying for other than the block, rings and gaskets.

 

[AlanB]

It is great that you guys are coming to a resolution, and terrible that it broke in the first place.

That said, this is the point where I would get extremely nervous, and write everything down, and get them (NH rep, dealer, whoever) to sign that they agree what was said.

At this point, where everyone is happy, it is easy to go along and say yes, do it, then somewhere when all those "charges" get added onto the bill you see at the end, and you are overwhelmed with the huge bill at the end, and they are looking at you saying, "well of course" and "that is always like that" that will lead to some very hard feelings.

If it were I, I would strive to get a firm top price on what it will cost to get my repaired tractor back. A cap if you will.

Not trying to rain on your parade whatsoever, and I think you are doing exactly the right thing, but this is the time that causes the problems at the end, and the more careful you step through here, the better off you will be.

 

[KrisHansen]

It is great that you guys are coming to a resolution, and terrible that it broke in the first place.

That said, this is the point where I would get extremely nervous, and write everything down, and get them (NH rep, dealer, whoever) to sign that they agree what was said.

At this point, where everyone is happy, it is easy to go along and say yes, do it, then somewhere when all those "charges" get added onto the bill you see at the end, and you are overwhelmed with the huge bill at the end, and they are looking at you saying, "well of course" and "that is always like that" that will lead to some very hard feelings.

If it were I, I would strive to get a firm top price on what it will cost to get my repaired tractor back. A cap if you will.

Not trying to rain on your parade whatsoever, and I think you are doing exactly the right thing, but this is the time that causes the problems at the end, and the more careful you step through here, the better off you will be.

That's where I am now.. There's a twist in this story.. Dealer is offering me a sweet deal on a trade in for a TC34DA... Once they provide me a FIRM estimate on repairs, I get to decide. Oh, CNH made the deal really sweet too... Can't go into details but it's a great deal.

 

[chatcher]

...CNH made the deal really sweet too... Can't go into details but it's a great deal.

That's what we all wanted to hear. Tractors break, and regardless of whether it happens due to design shortcoming, manufacturing flaw, or freak operating conditions we want to know the manufacturer will back us up.

If the deal is really good and the wife will go along, I'd probably lean in that direction. Too much uncertainty on the rebuild route.

 

[KrisHansen]

That's what we all wanted to hear. Tractors break, and regardless of whether it happens due to design shortcoming, manufacturing flaw, or freak operating conditions we want to know the manufacturer will back us up.

If the deal is really good and the wife will go along, I'd probably lean in that direction. Too much uncertainty on the rebuild route.

I should clarify, CNH SALES end is making a sweet deal. The service/warranty side is making a bare minimum deal, supplying parts only, and parts consisting of a BARE block, piston rings and a gasket kit, leaving me with a potentially huge labor bill.

I also find it odd that the dealer would rather risk losing money and put me in a new tractor than make a boatload and fix my old one.

 

[chatcher]

...I also find it odd that the dealer would rather risk losing money and put me in a new tractor than make a boatload and fix my old one.

Won't they get to fix your tractor and sell it if you take the new one?

 

[KrisHansen]

Won't they get to fix your tractor and sell it if you take the new one?

According to the owner, they probably couldn't fix it and sell it for low enough a price to entice a buyer from buying a new one. they plan on trying to sell it as is.

 

[mojoinco]

FWIW, a dealer in CO has a left over TC40S (a?) on the lot (2006) for 22k. Don't know if CNH sales would work that your way (and down in price). Just thinking. Loader on it.

 

[MA1920]

....A large weight at the back (blower), a large weight at the front (loaded bucket) means the bottom of the block is under compression and the top is under tension. That'd cause the block to break from the top, down, like breaking a stick over your knee...

OK, I'm confused...if a large weight at the back, along with a loaded bucket is bad, why is it recommened to use rear ballast while doing loader work? We've all seen tractors with homemade concrete ballast, is that a problem waiting to happen?

Bob