Damaged rental Case backhoe - how bad / costly will this be?

[renter damaged uhoh]

Back hoe arm slid up the stablizer ram and caught the edge of the gland. The gland was pulled out and now has damaged threads. :ashamed:



Unable to tell if the tube itself has damaged threads.

New tube is about $500.00. Do you think a machine shop or good mech can clean up the threads on the tube?

New complete stablizer cylidider is around $800 plus my guess 2hr labor. Total $1000.00 :tractor:

Any guess on how much a used part would cost from a salvage yard?

Live and learn. You'd think they would design that part with a recessed gland or a guard near the edge to prevent snagging of the gland. I noticed the other side had been hit the same way without damage. A friend said that his backhoe has sticker "idiot" warnings - advising the user the backhoe arm can come in contact with the stabilizer arm.

 

[Scotty370]

I assume, you're the "renter"? Or are you Rental Facility. faced with this return? If you rented this unit , and damaged it, I'd do nothing before I talked to the folks who rented it to you. They must have some sort of insurance, or build in a cost to cover the damage to rented equipment. Even if they don't, you want to agree with how to rectify the damage, that's up to their satisfaction. Since they're in the business, they may also know the most cost effective way to do so! ~My 2/100 of a buck! ~Scotty

 

[RoyJackson]

First, just your renter's agreement contract. Purchasing insurance may have been mandatory.
If the unit is insured, you may have to cover the costs of any deductable.
If no insurance, take note of the hours on the machine. Although this probably isn't "normal wear and tear", I would be unwilling to pay full costs on a used piece of equipment...especially a rental machine.

After that, it's going to be a matter of negotiating with the rental company. They may know ways to minimize the repair costs, but if they think a third party (renter damaged uhoh) is willing to pay for the full repair, they may not care how much it costs.

I'm not saying you should screw the rental company...just don't let them screw you (or screw yourself).

 

[RickB]

If you ripped the gland from the tube, you may as well assume both are junk. What does the rental contract say about damage?

 

[BTDT2]

IMHO ripping a gland nut off a stabilizer cylinder has nothing to do with 'fair wear and tear' . I realize it was accidental and hopefully the OP has insurance, but if not, then I respectfully feel he should cover the cost of the repairs.

Gland nuts and cylinder housings do not generally 'wear out', and if not accidentally destroyed, should outlast the machine. I too have on occasion nicked a stabilizer cylinder on my Cat 416C, and each time lucked-out with cosmetic damage only. But ripping a gland nut from the cylinder is a new one on me. If this was a full size backhoe rental, I would be very surprised if the repair cost is under $1K

Sometimes it's less expensive to pay to have the job done then to rent an expensive piece of equipment.

My two cents and I apologize for the overcharge:confused2:

 

[davygp38]

I broke the drive pulley on a asphalt saw I rented a few years ago. It was my fault, I was horsing the tool. I called the company to let them know, and to tell them I could have it fixed the following day. I just needed the pulley. It was a bad move on my part. I was immediately told to bring the saw back, that they would have their "professional" technicians take care of it, and I would be given a replacement. To make a long story short. It is their tool. They decide who fixes it. Yup I paid a lot more than I would have, if I had just fixed it myself. In your case, just let them fix it. You don't want to layout, for a repair that they won't accept.

 

[RoyJackson]

"If no insurance, take note of the hours on the machine. Although this probably isn't "normal wear and tear", I would be unwilling to pay full costs on a used piece of equipment...especially a rental machine".[/COLOR]

IMHO ripping a gland nut off a stabilizer cylinder has nothing to do with 'fair wear and tear' . I realize it was accidental and hopefully the OP has insurance, but if not, then I respectfully feel he should cover the cost of the repairs....

No, I wouldn't consider this "normal wear and tear" but rental companies do rent to folks who are total novices to the equipment they'll be using. Since damage or wear is a definite possibility, they should require insurance. I'm not saying renter damaged uhoh not fulfill his obligations, but he should ensure he doesn't get hosed either.

BTW, renter damaged uhoh, first time I operated a backhoe, I pushed a section of a new construction house off it's foundation (had the bucket too close when I curled it). Luckily, we could jack the unfinished house back to it original position. This wasn't a rental situation though.
Just saying it's pretty easy to screw up with powerful equipment.

My two cents and I apologize for the overcharge

Everybody's opinion or experience is valuable...and definitely worth more then 2 cents!

 

[Scotty370]

Davygp38- I'm thinkin' he's gotta "fess up" before he fixes it himself. IE Machine comes back with brand new 'Surplus Center" ram, painted to match....DUH! Rental machines are a Catch-22. Most people rent because they only need the 'thing' for one or two jobs, which equals... inexperiance. By the same token, Rental agencies should factor that in to the "Stuff" happens category!
Buy the way , Like your avatar.......thanks for serving! ~Scotty

Lot to be said for hiring the "pros" on those onesy-twosy" jobs!

Roy - Ya gotta 'lose' that hat!!! Your killin' me man!!!:laughing::laughing:

 

[RickB]

By the same token, Rental agencies should factor that in to the "Stuff" happens category!

Factoring this type of operator failure into a daily or even weekly rental isn't an option if the renter wants to be competitive and remain in the market.

Unless there is an insurance angle, "you break it, you bought it" applies here.

 

[tlbuser]

That's why you always get the damage waiver insurance, it covers a whole bunch of uh oh's. It's something in the neighborhood of 10% of the bill.

You should have called the rental yard and haven it taken off rent. Once broken, if notified, they should stop the clock on that equipment. And no, there is not much negotiating to be done after the fact. You already signed for whatever it was you signed for. Normal wear and tear, brand new, 20 years old - doesn't matter.